04/25/26 12:02:00
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04/25 12:00 CDT Tottenham wins at last but stays in the drop zone after late
drama at West Ham
Tottenham wins at last but stays in the drop zone after late drama at West Ham
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
MANCHESTER, England (AP) --- A first Premier League win in 2026 wasn't enough
to lift Tottenham out of the relegation zone.
Spurs beat relegated Wolves 1-0 on Saturday to hand Roberto De Zerbi his first
victory as coach. But it remained in the drop zone, two points behind West Ham,
which clinched a 2-1 win against Everton through Callum Wilson's stoppage time
goal at London Stadium.
Liverpool moved up to fourth on goal difference by beating Crystal Palace 3-1.
The defending champion leapfrogged Aston Villa which lost to Fulham 1-0.
Arsenal was playing Newcastle later Saturday with the chance to move back to
the top ahead of Manchester City.
City was playing in the semifinals of the FA Cup against second division
Southampton at Wembley Stadium.
Relegation rollercoaster
For a short while everything seemed to be going Tottenham's way.
First, midfielder Joao Paulinha managed to stay onside to slide Spurs into an
82nd-minute lead at Molineux and survive a VAR check.
Moments later, Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall leveled the score at West Ham
--- cancelling out Tomas Soucek's opener and temporarily helping Spurs climb
out of the relegation zone.
But Wilson's winner for West Ham in the 92nd --- after coming on as a late
substitute --- saw the fight for survival take another twist.
Spurs' win was it's first in the league since Dec. 28. and further evidence of
a lift in form under De Zerbi, who was appointed last month.
The Italian has been in charge for three games and picked up four points.
Liverpool on the rise
Liverpool's title defense unravelled long ago but Arne Slot's team looks well
placed to qualify for the Champions League and maybe seal a top three finish.
Alexander Isak scored his first goal since a broken ankle and fibula in
December as Liverpool moved up to fourth and level on points with third-placed
Manchester United, having played a game more.
United hosts Liverpool next week in a match that will have added intensity
given their league placing.
Villa started the day with the chance to move up to third but ended it in
fifth, going down to Ryan Sessegnon's first half goal at Fulham. Villa was also
level on points with United and Liverpool.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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