Tottenham Hotspur have escaped relegation from the Premier League by the narrowest of margins, defeating Everton 1-0 on Sunday to secure their top-flight status on the final day of the 2025–26 season.

The Spurs entered the day sitting 17th in the table, with their fate dependent on results elsewhere. Two scenarios could have sent them down: a defeat to Everton combined with a West Ham United victory over Leeds United, or a draw with Everton while West Ham beat Leeds United by 12 goals.

Palhinha's fine effort the difference

Tottenham settled the nerves early when João Palhinha snuck a shot past Jordan Pickford, the ball barely crossing the goal line to give the Spurs a first-half lead. That solitary goal proved sufficient as Tottenham held on to win 1-0 and confirm their survival.

West Ham did their part of the equation, beating Leeds United 3-0, which meant Tottenham needed at minimum a draw. By winning, the Spurs removed any lingering doubt entirely.

A historic close call

The result means Tottenham have avoided relegation for the first time in the Premier League era, which began in 1992. The last occasion the club played outside the top division of English football was in 1977, when they spent a single season in the second tier before earning an immediate return.

Sunday's escape comes with a sobering statistical footnote: Tottenham finish the 2025–26 campaign with 10 wins, 11 draws, and 17 defeats from 38 matches. Their 10 victories represent the fewest the club has managed in a single season since 1935, when they recorded the same number of wins and were subsequently relegated to Division 2. That relegation kept them away from the top flight for eight seasons, with Tottenham not returning to Division 1 until 1950.

Three clubs go down

With Tottenham's survival confirmed, the three clubs dropping to the Championship at the end of this season are West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

West Ham's relegation ends a long stretch in the Premier League for the east London club, who despite beating Leeds United on the final day could not do enough to haul themselves clear of the bottom three.