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Tottenham Hotspur's opening Premier League victory of 2026 came with significant concerns, as the club anxiously await news on the knee injury Xavi Simons picked up at Molineux on Saturday.
The seemingly ill-fated Spurs were heading toward a potentially damaging draw against the already-doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were officially confirmed as relegated to the Championship on Monday night following heavy defeats to West Ham United and Leeds United in consecutive matches.
The away side managed to keep their stricken hosts at arm's length, though a lack of cutting edge in the attacking third — particularly after Xavi was substituted just past the hour mark — meant returning Wolves goalkeeper José Sa was rarely called into action.
Nevertheless, Spurs managed to find a way through, courtesy of a set-piece and a clinical finish from João Palhinha at the back post. The narrow win was their first in the league since Dec. 28, though victories for both Nottingham Forest and West Ham ensured they gained no ground on their relegation rivals.
Xavi Hits Back At Wolves Supporters Hurling Abuse
Simply securing a Premier League win could prove to be a significant lift for Roberto De Zerbi's squad heading into the final stretch of the campaign. They came agonizingly close against Brighton & Hove Albion the previous weekend, only for a 95th-minute Georginio Rutter equalizer to cruelly cancel out Xavi's brilliant effort with 15 minutes remaining.
Consequently, much of the post-match conversation centered on Xavi's exuberant celebration rather than the quality of the goal itself.
The Dutch winger has endured a challenging debut season in north London, though it has not been without its bright moments. The knee injury he sustained on Saturday could potentially end his season, which would be a devastating blow to Spurs' hopes of staying up. Adding to the drama, Xavi did not respond well to abuse directed at him by Wolves fans as he was stretchered around the pitch at Molineux.
In footage that emerged on social media, Xavi responds to a supporter shouting from the stands: "F------ w-----, you're a f------ w-----!"
The Dutchman turned toward the main offender and calmly fired back: "F--- you!"
What Xavi's Knee Injury Could Mean for Spurs' Survival Hopes?
"Xavi felt pain, but I spoke with him two minutes ago and he's feeling better than he was right after the injury," De Zerbi told reporters after the match.
Xavi went down awkwardly after a tussle with Hugo Bueno along Wolves' left side. He writhed in visible discomfort just beyond the touchline before a stretcher was required.
De Zerbi indicated the full extent of the injury won't be known until Monday or Tuesday, but if Xavi has suffered serious ligament damage, his season is almost certainly finished. Spurs fans will be desperately hoping for a favorable prognosis.
His goal against Brighton was a moment of genuine attacking brilliance that Spurs have rarely been able to produce this season, with most of Xavi's best work coming in European competition. Domestically, it has been far more difficult, with just two Premier League goals to his name.
Yet his dedication and undeniable quality mean that losing him for the remainder of the season would be enormously costly. Tottenham have already been without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski throughout the entire 2025–26 campaign, and sidelining Xavi as well would strip the team of virtually all its creative threat.
The midfield options available, such as Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, are energetic ball-carriers who lack the ingenuity needed to break down organized defenses.