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Have West Ham given Tottenham an escape route?published at 12:15 BST 3 May
12:15 BST 3 May
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
When Tomas Soucek's effort grazed the post in the final stages of West Ham United's defeat at Brentford on Saturday afternoon, their supporters could've been forgiven for exchanging exasperated looks.
The 3-0 scoreline at Gtech Community Stadium may point to a comfortable victory for Keith Andrews' Europe-chasing side, but it tells only half the story.
Victory would have lifted West Ham five points clear of the bottom three, but instead they have left the door ajar for Tottenham to leapfrog them with victory at Aston Villa on Sunday night.
The Hammers currently remain two points above Spurs, but Roberto de Zerbi's side have a game in hand and are nine goals healthier in terms of goal difference.
"We had chances, we hit the post twice, we hit the bar and we hit the post again," captain Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports. "It's really disappointing. We had good opportunities.
"On another day we would have got the win. We have done a lot of good things."
But if Tottenham win at Villa Park, it would leave them in the driving seat - just - to avoid the drop.
It would also leave West Ham hoping for a result against title-chasing Arsenal, who are six points clear at the top of the table and have plundered 11 goals on their previous two league visits to London Stadium.
After facing Aston Villa, Tottenham's next game is at home to a Leeds United side who have lost their past five league meetings against the north London club.
So although the form book often means little as the battle for survival reaches its climax, Brentford's win could prove pivotal for West Ham and Spurs.
In an interview on West Ham United's website, external, Nuno Espirito Santo urged his players to respond against Arsenal and called on the fans to play their part.
"Let's realise that how we react from a bad day is going to keep us alive in this [relegation] fight," the head coach said.
"We have been asking our fans for their support and our fans are giving back. They are disappointed with us [after this result], but we need them more than ever."
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Tottenhampublished at 10:01 BST 3 May
10:01 BST 3 May
Tottenham probably need to win three of their last four games to stay up but, although they finally won in 2026 when they beat Wolves last week, I am not sure it has given them any momentum.
It was a huge result for Roberto De Zerbi's side but you have to remember Wolves are woeful and Spurs also made hard work of their victory.
What helps Spurs here is that Aston Villa have their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest to contend with over the next few days.
Even so, I still feel like Villa will be too good.
This defeat will send Spurs one step closer to the drop and a trip to play my old club Lincoln City in the Championship next season.
Aston Villa v Tottenham: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:12 BST 2 May
13:12 BST 2 May
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Two teams with vastly different objectives at the business end of the season will clash in the unusual Sunday evening slot (19:00 BST) when Aston Villa welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the West Midlands.
Villa, off the back of a 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday, are aiming to get back into the Champions League via their Premier League position, lest they fall short of winning the continent's second-tier club competition.
Presently, they are poised to do just that, sitting fifth, eight points clear of Brighton. There is a worry, however, that the Villans may have peaked too early when they won eight league games on the trot in November and December.
Unai Emery's side have won just two of their past seven in the league, losing four – as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 24 top-flight matches.
Ollie on the up
Leading scorer Ollie Watkins has six goals in his past seven matches, a welcome return to form after netting just three in 16 during a challenging start to 2026.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that his good run started after 20 March, when he wasn't named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for that month's friendlies.
Indeed, he has scored goals in three previous Premier League games against sides managed by Roberto de Zerbi, including a hat-trick against Brighton in September 2023.
One place he has not scored from this season, however, is the penalty spot. Villa and, coincidentally, Spurs are the only two sides in the division not to have been awarded a spot-kick this term.
Roberto's rallying cry
Tottenham are aiming to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since the opening eight days of the season.
Having ended their 16-game domestic winless streak with victory over relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, De Zerbi's side must aim for the same again on Sunday.
Spurs are teetering on the brink. They sit 18th, two points adrift of West Ham United, and the prospect of Championship football is looming increasingly large unless they get their act together.
De Zerbi, appointed at the end of March, said before Saturday's win at Molineux: "This team is able to win five games in a row." It's a bold statement given the Lilywhites have won just eight of their 34 matches so far.
It is one down, four to go, if this injury-stricken Spurs squad is to meet the Italian coach's target. No team has ever been in the relegation zone with five matches of a Premier League season to play and won them all.
There are, however, 18 examples of such a team winning three of their last five games (and five instances of a team winning four games), which should give hope to those currently suffering in north London.
A point would be more useful to the hosts than the visitors, but recent history suggests honours are unlikely to finish even in this fixture. None of the past 21 league meetings between Villa (seven wins) and Spurs (14) have ended level.
De Zerbi on Maddison, mentality and why 'losers cry'published at 15:28 BST 1 May
15:28 BST 1 May
Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 19:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
De Zerbi started his news conference by addressing what he says is the "most important challenge now" which is to "silence the voice inside of us".
He added: "This voice produces negative thoughts and the voice says we are unlucky, we have too many injuries. I think it's all negative things and it's rubbish. I want to keep the focus on ourselves and the quality of my players. It's not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative and I don't want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me. I heard no, it's impossible, we are crying, everyone, we are relegated, no? Not yet and we have to die on the pitch. We have to play, we have to fight, we have two points less than West Ham."
On facing Villa he said: "We go to play against one of the best teams in this moment in the Premier League but if Tottenham win at Villa Park it's not a miracle. Maybe we lose but we have the quality to win this game. It's not a miracle. We have to be positive."
On whether James Maddison will play against Aston Villa or Leeds, De Zerbi added: "He is a special player but we have to consider physical condition, a lot of things, but I think he can be important in the next three games."
De Zerbi confirmed Guglielmo Vicario is not available, while Dominic Solanke will be out for the Villa game with a hamstring injury, with no timeframe offered for his return. Destiny Udogie is available according to the Spurs boss but he does not know if he will be able to start.
Asked whether there is too much negativity in football, he said: "Yes. We [have] a lot of injuries, we lost two points with Brighton and in Sunderland we conceded one stupid goal and didn't deserve to lose the game, just in my time."
Finally on their mentality, the Spurs boss said: "I feel this pressure to change the perspective - the same perspective you can see in a different way."
Gossip: Spurs eye Vicario replacements published at 07:42 BST 1 May
07:42 BST 1 May
Tottenham will sell goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to Inter Milan this summer, with Manchester City's English goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, and Brighton and the Netherlands stopper Bart Verbruggen, 23, on their list of possible replacements. (Teamtalk, external)
'We have the qualities to get out' - Kinsky on relegation battlepublished at 16:18 BST 30 April
16:18 BST 30 April
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham need to take what they learned from the 1-0 victory at Wolves last weekend into their final Premier League run-in if they want to avoid relegation, says goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
The 23-year-old has recently been asked to step in for first-choice keeper Guglielmo Vicario, who had hernia surgery last month, and helped Spurs earn their first victory in 16 games on Saturday, when he kept out Joao Gomes' free kick in the final minutes at Molineux Stadium.
"For the save, I am happy for that because it was a good moment at the end of the game. I just stayed calm and did what I am supposed to do," Kinsky said.
"We know that every game we need to get the points as much as possible, so of course we did it and got the three points. We want to continue this in the next games.
"It is more about keeping balanced - being focused on the offensive part of the game if you have the ball 70% [of the time] or something like this and then at the back being compact and ready for any counter.
"I think we did it well and especially in the first half. Second half could be better and I think these are the things we can take into the next game."
Roberto de Zerbi's side currently sit 18th in the Premier League, two points behind West Ham United above the drop zone, and Kinsky could play a part in the fight to keep Spurs from their first demotion since 1977.
"The determination is huge. We feel that we want it, the fans want it, everyone is behind us and we will do everything we can.
"Of course we got ourselves into this situation which we don't want to be but I believe we are doing the right things to get out and I believe we have the qualities to get out."
'There is no DNA whatsoever' - Vegapublished at 10:39 BST 30 April
10:39 BST 30 April
Former Spurs defender Ramon Vega says the disconnect between the fans and the players at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is "so big" that he is unsure whether the club "will actually recover it".
The centre-back joined Tottenham from Italian side Cagliari in January 1997, going on to make 81 appearances in all competitions for the London club.
"What's going on at Spurs is an accumulation of years of massive neglect on the football side of things," he explained on the Sacked In The Morning podcast.
"It isn't the business or infrastructure side. They have a lovely stadium but they have no furniture to use, if you like.
"But all of that neglect over close to 10 years now has really been catching up with them in the past few seasons.
"They've had the best managers on the planet, who couldn't do anything about it. Then they had Ange Postecoglou, who finally won something and they sacked him.
"They had Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, but they didn't build on having two of the top strikers in the world. Kane actually had to go to Bayern Munich before he finally won something!
"It has been a shambles from the board and the owners. That has also extended to the management team now because the club is potentially going to be relegated and it's without a doubt on them.
"They could've done something in the January transfer window, but they didn't end up doing anything.
"So we're talking about quite a lot of issues with the club in terms of management and philosophy. There is no DNA whatsoever.
"There is such a disconnect between the fans and the players. In fact, it is so big I don't know how they will actually recover it.
"For me, the only way to do it is either to bring in new ownership or do a complete revamp of the board and the management team."
United's relegation was a huge shock, there is no escaping that.
They were the best-supported club in terms of average attendance. They had won the European Cup six years earlier after being crowned league champions 12 months before that.
The issue had clearly been one of decline and the inability to arrest the slide.
United came straight back up and finished third in their first season back in the top flight. They also reached the FA Cup final in that season, with the defeat by Southampton still regarded as one of the biggest cup final shocks.
What makes the Tottenham situation more shocking is that the financial model of the English league has changed dramatically since 1974.
Clubs keep their own gate receipts, agree massive commercial deals and pocket huge amounts of TV money now.
Tottenham would have been in the European Super League, if it had taken off. They were in the Champions League final themselves seven years ago.
So, in theory, it should be impossible to be where they are right now.
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'Survival no longer feels impossible'published at 20:29 BST 29 April
20:29 BST 29 April
Bardi Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
When Xavi Simons' knee gave way, many of us thought that was it. All season, when Spurs have come face to face with adversity, they have crumbled. It has left us questioning the players' desire and mental fortitude. But on Saturday they stood tall, and for the first time since relegation came calling, I felt a strange sense of hope. Survival no longer feels impossible, but we will have to graft for it.
There was very little to get excited about in this meat-and-potatoes 1-0 win, but right now, for a team that has lost the habit of winning, keeping pace while those around us picked up three points was crucial. We cannot allow the gap to safety to become a two-result swing.
Longer term, Xavi's ACL injury will force a rethink. He was our last creative passer and attacking midfielder left standing. With James Maddison seemingly reduced to a role on the bench as a cheerleader, we have no one left to knit together a makeshift front line and workmanlike midfield.
How Spurs line up against Villa may be one of the biggest tactical tests Roberto de Zerbi has faced. Since his arrival, our build-up play has improved, but our attacks continue to break down 18 yards from goal. The players receiving the ball look short of confidence in themselves and each other, or, more damningly, simply short of quality.
Against Wolves, we looked bright for the opening spell, but it did not take long for them to realise there was no real threat. It was like turning on the light in a child's bedroom and revealing that the monster in the corner was nothing more than a pile of clothes.
Despite that, there is something to cling to. The players are showing determination. They are throwing themselves into challenges, attacking loose balls, and we once again look a threat from set pieces.
There is nothing pretty about how we are playing, but when you are down in the mud, the only option is to embrace it. I would take four more scrappy 1-0 wins between now and the end of the season in a heartbeat. We are still in this fight, just.
'It needed some love' - Hoddle offered to take charge of Spurspublished at 16:58 BST 29 April
16:58 BST 29 April
Image source, Getty Images
Glenn Hoddle says he offered to take interim charge of Tottenham in order to bring "love" to the club in the closing stages of the season.
Club-legend Hoddle inspired Spurs to successes between 1975 and 1987 before managing the club between 2001 and 2003.
The 68-year-old says he put his name forward along with ex-Tottenham player and manager Ossie Ardiles when Spurs lost to Nottingham Forest in March.
Spurs have since parted ways with then manager Igor Tudor to appoint Roberto de Zerbi.
Hoddle told The Jeff Stelling Show:, external "They never came to us. We did, Ossie (Ardiles) and myself, after the Forest game, we felt there was a real problem there.
"Ossie and I made it clear that we would go in there if they wanted us to go in there with probably a younger legend (as coach) as well.
"It felt at that time, at the end of the game, Tudor was in as the manager, but to lose 3-0 against a team down at the bottom – with you at home – was a bad sign.
"It looked to me as if it needed some love, like it needed some people to go in there and unite the fans, with the owners, with the team and that is why we said we would do it.
"They said they were looking elsewhere, so that was fine by me.
"I don't care who, I'm a Spurs man through and through since eight years of age, so as long as they've got the right man in.
"De Zerbi has gone in and everyone's got to unite and get together, but they've got a real task on their hands haven't they?
"I just want them to stay up, whether I was involved or I wasn't."
'I'm over the moon' - Rowswell commits future to Tottenhampublished at 16:57 BST 29 April
16:57 BST 29 April
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham's 19-year-old academy graduate James Rowswell has signed a new contract to extend his stay at the club, after signing his first professional deal in February 2024.
It is another milestone for the promising defender, who graduated from Tottenham's academy set-up in 2022 before playing a pivotal role in the club's under-17 Premier League Cup-winning side in 2022-23.
"I'm over the moon to sign my new contract," Rowswell said. "It is what I've been working towards, so I'm just happy to get it over the line and push on from it.
"I feel like my hard work has been rewarded. I've been grafting every day since I came here when I was nine years old.
"I always thought that if I put that extra mile in every single day in training, then it would show in my performances at some point.
"My debut was just unreal. It was everything from being part of a squad at Anfield to then having the opportunity to actually go on. I didn't really take it all in until a couple of days after.
"I want to keep playing for this club and make as many appearances as possible."
Desperation will affect relegation battlepublished at 08:37 BST 29 April
08:37 BST 29 April
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
There is a huge amount to be said for how desperation can affect teams in a positive way.
Spurs, Nottingham Forest and West Ham each won in the Premier League this weekend. You will search long and hard to find a weekend when that happened this season as they have all struggled to fight clear of relegation.
It is the main reason why predictions are almost impossible at this time of the season. Teams and players cannot be at 100% for every game, but when desperation kicks in, you will get every ounce of effort, even if you can lose some calmness and composure as a result.
Forest and West Ham have been in this mindset for a while now, but it is only now that Spurs have finally woken up and smelled the very bitter coffee.
It was however one of the best 10-minute spells in the league this season when Spurs scored in the 82nd minute to grab two extra points against Wolves. Back in London, West Ham conceded a goal to Everton in the 88th minute, seemingly dropping two of the three points they were holding.
A four-point swing in six minutes was huge at the bottom of the table. But just a few minutes later, West Ham struck through Callum Wilson to grab those two points back again.
In these days of updates live on your phone and all modern technology it was radio gold on BBC 5 Live.
I have listened back to Ian Dennis as he reported on it all happening live and it reminded me why football, even without pictures, can be the best entertainment imaginable. The good news is it is all very likely to happen again and again before the season ends.
Gossip: Tottenham show interest in Rashfordpublished at 07:41 BST 29 April
07:41 BST 29 April
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda, 27, has been added to the shortlist of attacking players wanted by Everton this summer, with Leeds, Spurs and Brighton also showing interest in the Japan international. (Teamtalk), external
'Resilience' and 'determination' - Spurs show they know what it meanspublished at 12:54 BST 28 April
12:54 BST 28 April
Ali Speechly Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
As Roberto de Zerbi searches for a psychologist to "change the mentality" of his players, the footballers themselves are actually showing their mettle.
Of course, this squad must take responsibility for their fair share of what has gone wrong on the pitch this season. However, it is not all their fault, and accusations that they simply do not care if we get relegated or not were exposed at Molineux.
In fact, as the players rallied themselves for a scrap against already relegated Wolves, we saw evidence of the mental strength that often goes overlooked in elite sports professionals – highly paid individuals who are, in the most part, expected to just get on with their jobs without any fuss.
Resilience, professionalism and determination were in abundance on Saturday. A notable example was Kevin Danso, a player subjected to despicable racism the week before, who could have been easily forgiven for wanting some time off. Instead, he put in a solid performance and helped his teammates keep a clean sheet, reminding everyone that "we can only do this together".
Antonin Kinsky, publicly humiliated by our former manager when he was hauled off after conceding three goals in 15 minutes against Atletico last month, would have been met with understanding and sympathy had he decided to give up on a career in football altogether. Yet there he was, in goal against Wolves, and on 98 minutes making what could turn out to be the save which keeps us up.
Finally, Joao Palhinha, harshly viewed by many as a tackler and nothing more, a player on loan from Bayern Munich with no significant ties to Spurs. Nevertheless, it was our reliable, yet steely loanee who flung out a hopeful limb and managed to secure our first win of 2026, and then let everyone know just how much it meant.
So, some promising signs on the pitch yet, as I watched 'highlights' of our medical team seemingly encouraging Xavi Simons to run off what was in fact an ACL rupture, I was left wondering who would benefit most from a psychologist at Spurs – players, or staff?
As it stands, Tottenham sit within the relegation zone, two points from safety with West Ham in their sights.
Media caption,
On the Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said: "You look at Spurs and think, well, you have beaten Wolves. They are the team in serious trouble. What they have in their favour is that their goal difference is better than West Ham's."
The Hammers have gained seven points in their last three league games, in comparison to Spurs' four.
"Since the turn of the year, they seem to have a bit of backbone and a bit of spine and a threat going forward. Tottenham messed up with the Igor Tudor appointment – that was the killer for them," added Sutton.
Former Lionesses captain, Steph Houghton said Nuno Espirito Santo's side have more "confidence" in comparison of Roberto de Zerbi's team.
"West Ham have a bit more personality and a bit more fight," she said.
"Jarrod Bowen, the skipper, has got that bit of quality and with Tottenham's injuries, they are going to miss that quality."
'Devastated' but 'typifies our season' - fans on Simons injurypublished at 18:01 BST 27 April
18:01 BST 27 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Xavi Simons' season-ending injury, and who you want to see in his place as Tottenham battle to stay in the Premier League.
Here are some of your comments:
Stuart: This is particularly cruel as Simons is a classy player but was not able to show this under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor. Roberto de Zerbi seemed to be starting to get the best out of him. With Cristian Romero's injury linked to the injustice of the Brian Brobbey decision, and maybe Solanke's injury, it typifies our season.
Stephen: Of course Xavi's injury is a huge blow for us. Can only hope that James Maddison can come back on time to help us fight relegation. He's the only creative midfielder we have left!
Doug: Devastated for him, he was dedicated to keeping us up and a real blow losing him for the remainder of the season. He suits De Zerbi style of play, you could see his progress under him and would have continued to flourish playing for him. In his statement he put Spurs first before the World Cup. We seriously need to be looking at our medical team, that is four ACL injuries (Simons, Radu Dragusin, Wilson Odobert, Maddison) in the past 15 months with only one of those currently back - on top of all the other injuries we keep getting.
Dave: Hard to know where to turn now. Is there any chance Maddison could play, even if just for 45 minutes? I'd also like to see more of our two young stars - Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall - they are fearless and consistently over-perform. Stay with Rodrigo Bentancur & Joao Palhinha, and I'd start Richarlison over Kolo Muani, who seems slow and cumbersome, just not on it at the moment.
Erik: Massive blow to lose Simons. Undoubtedly one of the few really talented and committed players in the squad. This is incredible bad luck for him and Spurs. It would not surprise me if he has played his last game for Tottenham. He will not want to be a Championship player next season.
Ian: Perhaps Spurs should look at their young stars from the academy for the final games. They've produced so many good players over the years, and their natural, lack of fear is perhaps what the team need right now.
Peter: Yet another blow in an injury-ridden season. We are hanging on by our boot laces, but the heart shown in the win against Wolves gives hope - and the talent still available can take Spurs to a happy ending in this difficult campaign. COYS!
'A creative hole at crunch time'published at 16:29 BST 27 April
16:29 BST 27 April
Prudent Nsengiyumva BBC Sport journalist
Simons' influence on Tottenham has been clear.
When he plays, Spurs look sharper and more threatening in the final third. His presence raises the tempo, links midfield to attack and forces opponents to adjust to Spurs rather than the other way around.
His season-ending injury removes one of their most important attacking figures at a pivotal moment.
Results highlight the gap he leaves.
Spurs win a higher percentage of Premier League matches when Simons starts and average more goals - scoring 1.5 per game compared with one when he is not in the starting XI.
Recent displays underline the scale of his contribution.
In the 2-2 draw with Brighton and the 1-0 win over Wolves - their first victory of 2026 - Simons created more chances (four) than any other Spurs player and led the side for shots (six). He was also among the top contributors for touches in the box, ball carries and completed passes.
Those figures show how he drives Spurs forward and sustains pressure in advanced areas. Without that, the risk is Spurs lose a key source of control in matches where small margins could shape their season.
The challenge is heightened by what comes next.
Spurs face Aston Villa and Chelsea - both chasing Champions League places - then meet Leeds, who are not yet safe, before a final-day trip to Everton, where David Moyes may still be pushing for Europe.
