Joao Palhinha Secures Premier League Status for Tottenham with Winning Goal Against Everton

The loanee scored the all-important goal against Everton that helped Tottenham clinch Premier League safety on the final day of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur faced what was arguably the biggest game in their history on Sunday afternoon, as the possibility of the club’s first relegation in nearly 50 years was on the cards.

Spurs knew they needed a point against Everton to stay up, regardless of what West Ham does. However, they did not have to worry about West Ham’s 3-0 win over Leeds United following their own victory over Everton at home, courtesy of a Joao Palhinha strike.

Mathys Tel’s deep corner was met by Joao Palhinha at the far post, with the Portuguese’s initial header crashing against the post before falling back into his path, allowing him to prod the rebound towards goal, where it was only stopped by an Everton player after crossing the line. This sparked jubilant scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Eventually, Palhinha’s first-half goal turned out to be the winner, helping Tottenham retain their top-flight status at the expense of London rivals West Ham.

Roberto De Zerbi Wants to Keep Joao Palhinha at Tottenham Next Season

Palhinha hailed “amazing feeling” after guiding Spurs to safety on the final day of the season. The Portuguese international did not start the games against Sunderland and Brighton under De Zerbi.

The Spurs boss decided to make changes to his XI against Wolves and hand the 30-year-old a start, and it paid off with Palhinha scoring the winner. Since then, the defensive midfielder has been a mainstay in the Lilywhites’ side.

The ex-Fulham star, who has not been dribbled past a single time this season, is open to making his move to Tottenham permanent. After previously admitting his desire to keep Palhinha, De Zerbi echoed his sentiments post the Everton win. The Italian feels the experienced midfielder should be the first name at the club ahead of a massive summer rebuild.

“Joao Palhinha is a great example. He’s on loan here, but he’s one of the first players to start here, and as we look to rebuild next season,” De Zerbi said in an interview with the BBC MOTD (BBC Sport).

Palhinha Must Stay!

Palhinha had started the 2025/26 season very well, adding stability and physicality to Tottenham’s midfield. His influence in games was very much visible, and it felt as if the Lilywhites had finally found a solution to their midfield problems. However, a slight dip in form turned into a blip, and the Portuguese suddenly lost his starting berth under former boss Thomas Frank by the turn of the year.

Ex-interim boss Igor Tudor did not fancy Palhinha either. It took De Zerbi’s arrival for the Portuguese to get back into the first XI, and once he did in late April, there was no looking back. The 30-year-old has shown leadership, experience, and maturity to bounce back and become a key part of the North London club’s relegation run-in.

That said, whether the club decides to make the Selecao star a part of their permanent furniture remains to be seen.