Tottenham Hotspur

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Former Premier League striker Jermaine Beckford says Xavi Simons has been one of two "standout performers" in Tottenham's squad this season, despite the club currently sitting two points off of Premier League safety with four games to go.

However, after being carried off on a stretcher in the second half of Spurs' 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday, the attacking midfielder has since been ruled out for the rest of this campaign with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

"He has given Tottenham a bit of a spark this season," Beckford told BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast. "The club hasn't had many players who have looked like they have something to genuinely offer or who could be proud of leaving everything on the line week in week out this season.

"He was a bit of a slow burner at first, but he has been one of two standout performers for me this season along with Archie Gray.

"{ACL] is such a difficult injury to come back from. It is a bad one.

"The recovery period is between seven and nine months, if you're able to do your rehab properly, but he does have youth on his side and he should be able to recover fully.

"However, it will take him a bit of time to catch up with the pace and trust his own body again."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham have confirmed attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The 23-year-old fell to the ground following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno on Saturday and, after initially getting to his feet, went down again.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons, who will have surgery in the coming weeks, wrote in a social media post.

"My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it. Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

"All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me... along with the World Cup.

"Representing my country this summer... just gone. It'll take time to find peace with this, but I'll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together we'll win this fight.

"I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there.

"Be patient with me."

How big a blow is Simons' injury for Spurs as they battle relegation? And who do they turn to now, given the extensive injury list in north London?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Mark: Never looked like scoring. No obvious threat tactics. Busy trying not to lose and giving the opposition the initiative in the process.

Dan: A major rebuild is needed in the summer to have any chance of surviving, never mind coming straight back up. The only gameplan I can see is to keep it 0-0 until 70 minutes and then try to nick it at the end. We are already down, so why not just go for it and let the fans be entertained for a change?

Wol: Another poor performance. First half was terrible but I thought we were better after the break. No threat up front again. A lot of this squad will leave and I don't think Fosun will invest massively in the summer and we will see academy players coming through. I don't think that we will get automatic promotion but will possibly finish in the play-offs with the new format coming in next season. Cheaper season tickets is a bonus for us but was done in the hope it will help fill the ground.

Mel: It was a very poor performance from start to finish. The defence looks very weak and we didn't look like the home team. Midfield effort was there but clearly not good enough to compete at Premier League level. Going forward, why would we persist in pumping high balls to a player much smaller than Spurs’ defenders? Clearly, we have to rebuild the team from back to front, otherwise we are going to struggle in the Championship. Such a disappointing season and the supporters deserve so much more.

Tottenham fans

Dave: Kinsky's save was massive. He was my man of the match. Defence more solid. Midfield combative but still lacked creativity. Solanke and Simons big losses for the rest of our campaign. Overall, high marks for effort and application… there's no doubt we are getting better.

Bert: This hard-fought victory against the bottom side of the Premier League leaves a bitter taste. Nothing in our performance suggests we have any chance of avoiding relegation. Meanwhile, West Ham showed more drive and determination.

Ian: After 70 years of loyal support, nothing surprises me about Spurs. Champions or relegated, it seems it's all the same to some of these players. I think I'm too old to plough my way through another season like this.

Christopher: Finally, a win in the league and well deserved. Sure, it wasn't pretty and Wolves were poor - but the signs are encouraging under De Zerbi. A pattern of play and more forward passing rather than hopeful long balls. The fans were superb as usual before during and afterwards. COYS.

Manchester United are closely monitoring Xavi Simons' situation at Tottenham as they consider moving for the midfielder in the summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Atletico Madrid are set to rival Tottenham for 32-year-old Scotland defender Andy Robertson, who has confirmed he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires in June. (Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Tottenham had not won in the Premier League since a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on 28 December, and Roberto de Zerbi had underlined the importance of their trip to Molineux.

"I don't want to put pressure but we have to know the situation," he said in the week. "We can't forget the table; we can't forget we need to win.

"What we have done until now is not enough. If we win at Wolves, it's not finished."

It is certainly not finished, but with games running out there was little urgency from Spurs in the first half in Wolverhampton.

Safe passing with little creativity showed their nerves, and eight defeats in 11 in all competitions explained a lack of confidence.

It was something De Zerbi picked up on and he wants to see the victory affect his players' mentality.

"I hope this result can change something in our head," he said. "For the other results, it's already very tough to win a game for us. If we put our heads in the other teams it will be too tough for me.

"The players know what they can do on the pitch, especially this season. We didn't win a game in 2026 but in the Champions League [league phase] they finished fourth.

"They have to be positive and they have to feel full of confidence because they are good and [should not look at] the other results."

It was De Zerbi's first win in his third game as Tottenham boss, having lost to Sunderland and drawn with his former club Brighton.

Tottenham will go to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, 3 May with De Zerbi confident survival can be achieved.

"I believe we can stay up. If I am here it's because I am positive. The most important thing is the quality of the players and human level of the players," De Zerbi said.

"It was a surprise for me because I didn't know them. When I knew the players better I understood we have the chance to stay up.

"When you watch the game from the TV or the stands you can't understand if they have the right spirit or attitude. I work with them every day and all the players are professional, good guys. They are suffering from the situation.

"We need to stay strong in the head."

Read more here

Pundits Martin Keown and Steph Houghton join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Everton

• Wolves 0-1 Tottenham

• Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi says the win over Wolves was important for their mentality, telling BBC Sport: "We were working for a win.

"We played 30-35 mins very well in the first half. We didn't create many chances but we had control.

"(In the second half) maybe the pressure to win this game, we didn't play well, but today the three points was very important. We can prepare for the next four games."

De Zerbi insisted Spurs have to keep the ball better than they did in the second half, though praised his players' spirit: "We have to play, we can't lose our style or lose the order on the pitch - we can't show the quality of the players if we play like we did in the second half, but in terms of attitude and spirit - great 90 minutes.

"Without the ball we can't win the game. These players are good enough to win with the ball. We can play much better than the second half."

Spurs match-winner Joao Palhinha told BBC Sport: "Hopefully it changes something.

"This victory is much more than that for me, the fans, and the whole club, it's not a normal season that we have been living until today. We all have responsibility in this season."

On the relegation battle: "We have four finals [remaining]. We need to do our jobs. Hopefully this win can change things, give us a bit more motivation as well as it's been a long time without victories.

"What we can control right now is doing our job until the end of the season and keeping the club where it belongs, which is the Premier League.

"We will give everything we have until the end of the season because it means a lot for us to keep [Tottenham] in the Premier League."

Did you know?

• Tottenham won in the Premier League for the first time since December 28th 2025 (also 1-0, v Crystal Palace), ending a 15-game winless run in the competition.

• Only Richarlison (9) has scored more goals for Tottenham in the Premier League this season than João Palhinha (4). Seven of Palhinha's 11 goals in the competition have been scored from corners, including today's winner.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is fight in this Tottenham side.

In the first half, there was little quality, urgency and courage on show but Spurs managed to grind out their first win under Roberto de Zerbi just as it looked like all was lost.

Nottingham Forest's thumping 5-0 win at Sunderland on Friday piled the pressure on De Zerbi's side, leaving them eight points behind one of their relegation rivals.

West Ham's thrilling finish against Everton - where the Hammers conceded late before Callum Wilson's injury time winner - also put Spurs fans through an emotional rollercoaster.

Before Joao Palhinha prodded in from close range, Spurs looked set to finish the day four points from safety with four games left.

Not long after, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's leveller for Everton, they were out of the bottom three – only to drop back in with the late drama at the London Stadium.

There will be more twists in the final four games – Spurs' fixtures against Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton – but Tottenham are clinging on.

They were poor and struggled to break down an already relegated Wolves side and relied on a scrappy goal from a corner but that was all they needed.

Tottenham kept going but they will need more bravery if they are going to save themselves.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Spurs' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Wolves boss Rob Edwards makes five changes from the side who lost at Leeds last weekend.

Jose Sa, Pedro Lima, Matt Doherty, Rodrigo Gomes and Mateus Mane start for the hosts who are already relegated - at Molineux.

Dan Bentley, Jackson Tchatchoua, Angel Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde drop to the bench with Ladislav Krejci out injured.

Wolves XI: Sa, Lima, Doherty, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, R Gomes, Mane, Armstrong.

Subs: Bentley, Tchatchoua, Olagunju, Wolfe, A Gomes, Bellegarde, Edozie, Hwang, Arokodare.

Djed Spence returns for Destiny Udogie in Tottenham's only change.

Spurs are 18th and two points behind West Ham - who host Everton this afternoon - and have not won in the Premier League since December.

James Maddison is on the bench again as he closes in on a return following a serious knee injury he suffered in August.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro, Bissouma, Gallagher, Bentancur, Xavi, Kolo Muani, Solanke.

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Palhinha, Richarlison, Maddison, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Souzs

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Fulham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• West Ham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also watch, listen a follow live text of the FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Southampton here (kick-off 17:15)

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Tottenham could not beat Wolves at home earlier in the season - they needed a 94th-minute equaliser to avoid defeat in September - but they simply have to beat them this time.

Can Roberto De Zerbi's side win three of their final five games and save themselves from the drop?

Of course they can, but it has to start here. Imagine the psychological damage to the Spurs players and their fans if they don't win this one.

Wolves are officially down now but we have known that will happen for a while.

The pressure is all on Spurs and for them to find a way of winning this game.

If Thomas Frank had stayed in charge and maintained his record of 1.12 points per game, then Spurs would be on 37 points now, in 16th.

Instead, they are in the relegation zone and worrying about how the teams above them are doing as well as trying to pick up points themselves.

From watching them, there is nothing that suggests Tottenham will win this time after failing to win any of their previous 15 league games.

Similarly, they have not kept a clean sheet for 14 league games, so why would they manage one now?

But I am going to go against the grain here. Spurs absolutely must win this game, so I am going to say they will - and also that Wolves won't score.

I know that is a ridiculous prediction, and I don't even really believe it will happen myself, but then nothing about Spurs' season makes sense when you study it.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, De Zerbi said Destiny Udogie has a "problem" and won't be available but could be back for the next game. He also said Souza is available to be in the squad.

• On whether James Maddison is fit after being named on the bench last weekend, he said: "He's not available yet, especially in this week, he felt pain, but not an important problem. Tomorrow he'll come with us on the bench."

• He added: "He's important for us whether he plays or not. It's better he plays but also as a guy, as a leader, as a positive guy inside my dressing room. I want to see nice people and positive people."

• On the need to win at Molineux, De Zerbi said he doesn't want to put too much "pressure" on the team but his side "can't forget" where they are in the table and how much they need to win.

• He added: "Anyway, if we win in Wolverhampton, it is not finished yet. There are four other games, but I think now we deserve to win a game. Also with Brighton, I knew before the game it is one of the best teams in the Premier League in this moment. After their game against Chelsea, everyone knows. We played a good game and deserved to win."

• On the Premier League's announcement that the decision not to send off Sunderland's Brian Brobbey in a game they lost was a "mistake", he replied: "Can we play the game again?"

• He said he he has "very big respect" for his opposite number Rob Edwards and he remembers having a very tough time against him when he was manager of Luton Town.

• On racist abuse Kevin Danso received last week, which the club condemned, De Zerbi said he was "very annoyed" and the defender had a "fantastic" game last week and the club are "very lucky" to have him.

Listen to full match commentary of Wolves v Tottenham on BBC Radio 5 Live at 15:00 BST on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Spurs? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Manchester United are monitoring 25-year-old Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Brentford's 24-year-old striker Igor Thiago could be a summer target for Spurs and Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external

Tottenham are also in talks with Sebastian Kehl over becoming their new co-sporting director, after the 46-year-old German left Borussia Dortmund last month. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tottenham are one of several Premier League clubs who have expressed an interest in signing 23-year-old Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford. (Goal), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport