The Premier League relegation scrap delivered another weekend of high-octane drama as West Ham and Tottenham snatched late victories to stay in the hunt for survival. With Burnley and Wolves already relegated, the remaining three spots are still up for grabs—and the latest results have even dragged Leeds United back into the conversation.
On Friday, Nottingham Forest kept their hopes alive with a win. But Saturday belonged to the late show. West Ham, trailing at half-time, needed a stoppage-time winner from Callum Wilson to beat Wolves 2-1 after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had cancelled out Tomas Soucek's opener. At Molineux, Joao Palhinha's 82nd-minute strike gave Tottenham their first Premier League win of 2026 and a first under new boss Roberto De Zerbi.
The results leave the bottom three unchanged—West Ham in 17th, Tottenham in 18th, and Nottingham Forest in 19th—but the gap to safety has narrowed. Leeds, on 40 points, are now just two points clear of the drop zone and face a daunting run-in including trips to both West Ham and Tottenham.
Key Takeaways
- West Ham's resilience – Callum Wilson's last-gasp winner keeps the Hammers two points clear of Spurs.
- Tottenham's first win of 2026 – Joao Palhinha's goal ends a 15-game winless run and breathes life into their survival bid.
- Leeds dragged back in – Despite being on 40 points, Leeds face tough fixtures against both London sides.
- Injury concerns for Spurs – Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons both went off injured, adding to a growing list.
Infographic: Survival State of Play
Points Gap: 2 points separate 17th and 18th.
Games Remaining: 4 for all teams.
Key Fixture: Leeds vs West Ham (final day).
Form Guide: West Ham 6th best since mid-January.
Manager Reactions
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised his side's never-say-die attitude. “Nobody is making it easy. It's going to be a big fight until the end. But the momentum, especially here at the London Stadium, is a huge factor.”
Tottenham's Roberto De Zerbi admitted the win could be a turning point. “I hope this result can change something in our head, in our mentality. They have to feel full confidence, because they are good.”
Palhinha, the match-winner, called for focus: “We have four finals in the league and we need to do our job. We must keep the club where it belongs—the Premier League.”
Injury Concerns
Spurs' victory came at a cost. Dominic Solanke (muscular) and Xavi Simons (knee) both limped off, joining Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus on the sidelines. De Zerbi said: “I wouldn't like to lose any other players. We can win games with the players, not with the coaches.”
Expert View
Former defender Michael Dawson warned the battle is far from over. “Psychologically, Spurs haven't been in this situation before, but they showed fighting spirit. Let me tell you, this isn't done with Leeds and Forest yet. Leeds have to go to West Ham and Tottenham—plenty of football left.”
For the latest updates, check out our West Ham and Tottenham team pages.