Tottenham 1-0 Everton: Spurs stay up with final day win to relegate West Ham | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur picked up a 1-0 home win over Everton this afternoon to ensure they will be playing Premier League football next season.

João Palhinha netted the only goal of the contest at the end of the first half, poking home from close range after his header rebounded off the post.

West Ham defeated Leeds 3-0 at the London Stadium, however it was not enough for The Irons and they will be in the second tier next season, for the first time since 2012.

As It Happened

Roberto De Zerbi made just a single change for this final day clash, replacing Randal Kolo Muani with Djed Spence. David Moyes also made one change from his side’s defeat to Sunderland last time out, with Thierno Barry replacing Beto up front.

Everton won a corner inside the opening minute, but the Spurs defence dealt with the threat well. The Lilywhites then won a corner of their own, which was whipped in by Mathys Tel, only to be cleared away by Michael Keane.

Connor Gallagher came closest in the opening stages, when his shot flashed inches wide after six minutes. Jake O’Brien was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon for bringing down Tel. The resultant free-kick fell to João Palhinha at the back post, who fired over.

Iliman Ndiaye danced through the Spurs’ defence on the half-hour mark; however, he couldn’t find the final pass. Kevn Danso was next to try and break the deadlock when he found himself free in the penalty area to head goalwards, but it was comfortably collected by Jordan Pickford.

Gallagher won a free-kick in a dangerous area for Spurs shortly before the break, which Pickford punched away. However, moments later, the deadlock was broken by Palhinha, who stabbed the ball home from close range after his header rebounded off the post.

Kick-off was delayed for the second half due to a communication equipment issue between Michael Oliver and one of his assistant referees. Spence came close to doubling the hosts’ advantage early in the second 45, striking from the edge of the area and forcing Pickford into a save. Joe Garner was perhaps lucky to avoid a card for a harsh challenge on Palhinha minutes later.

As news broke that West Ham had taken the lead against Leeds United, Moyes turned to his bench in a bid to help his old employers avoid the drop, making a double change that saw O’Brien and Merlin Röhl replaced by Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong.

Tottenham’s first changes followed, with Tel and Richarlison making way for Pape Sarr and Kolo Muani as they looked to see out the remainder of the match. Kolo Muani took aim from range shortly after coming on, but his strike flew high and wide.

Almost every Spurs fan inside the stadium appealed for a penalty in the 80th minute, but instead of giving the spot kick, Oliver rightly booked Sarr for simulation. The introduction of James Maddison and Archie Grey followed, replacing Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Seamus Coleman was given the final seven minutes to make his last appearance for the club, replacing Tim Iroegbunam. Charly Alcaraz and Beto were also introduced to proceedings, replacing Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

George looked to have found a leveller for Everton, but it was snatched away by Mickey Van De Ven, who cleared the ball off the line. Palhinha was then shown a yellow card for delaying the restart of play from a Toffees free-kick. James Tarkowski was also booked for a foul on Kevin Danso before Radu Drăgușin replaced Destiny Udogie.

Everton continued to push; however, Spurs defended with their lives as the game entered nine minutes of additional time. Coleman came close to a leveller, but he saw his effort flash across the face of the goal. George wrapped a shot towards the top corner from the edge of the area and forced Antonín Kinský into a superb save.

One was enough for Spurs in the end, and as the full-time whistle blew, it was confirmed that they will remain an ever-present Premier League side for at least another season.

Analysis: The De Zerbi Effect

Roberto De Zerbi has undoubtedly rescued Tottenham from the biggest of embarrassments at the end of this season, having taken charge of their final seven matches. It started with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light before an unbeaten run of four games, which included two wins, rescued The Lilywhites from the jaws of the drop.

The Italian was aided by the return of certain key players for these final games of the season; however, picking up 11 points from a possible 21 with this Spurs team certainly isn’t something to be sniffed at, even more so when you consider they had only managed 30 from 93 this term prior to his arrival.

The cherry atop the cake for Spurs fans will, of course, be the fact that their safety means their fierce cross-city rivals, West Ham United, will play second tier football for the first time since 2012.