Palhinha goal gives Spurs first league win of 2026

TL;DR

Tottenham secured their first league win of 2026 with a late goal from João Palhinha in the 82nd minute against Wolverhampton. The match ended 1-0, with Spurs controlling possession and showing greater attacking efficiency.

Key points

Tottenham won their first league match of 2026
João Palhinha scored the only goal in the 82nd minute
Match played at Molineux Stadium

TottenhamWolverhamptonJoão PalhinhaRicharlison

Palhinha goal gives Spurs first league win of 2026

Tottenham left Molineux Stadium with all three points after João Palhinha broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, scoring from very close range into the bottom right corner. Richarlison provided the assist following a corner, and the goal was enough to decide a match that had remained goalless for most of the afternoon.

Wolverhampton enjoyed plenty of the ball at times, but Tottenham?s 59 per cent possession showed the visitors had more control overall. Both sides finished with 11 shots, although Wolves only managed two on target, while Tottenham?s attacking efficiency was reflected in their 1.04 expected goals compared with 0.67 for the home side.

The numbers underlined how evenly balanced the contest was for long periods. Wolves won five corners and Tottenham matched that total, with neither team able to create sustained clear-cut openings before the late breakthrough.

Palhinha?s strike, his fourth of the competition, and Richarlison?s fourth assist in the league proved the difference in a match where the decisive moment arrived only near the end.