Tottenham survive on final day as West Ham relegated from Premier League | Football | Sport

Tottenham have sent West Ham United down to the Championship after surviving on the final day of the Premier League season. A goal from Joao Palhinha just before half-time sealed their spot in the top-flight for next season despite goals from Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson helping the Hammers to victory over Leeds United.

For just the third time at home in the league this season, Spurs secured all three points with Palhinha’s sweeping strike just going over the line after his header from a corner struck the post. The Lilywhites had more chances but failed to beat Jordan Pickford for a second time.

Nerves inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium heightened after second-half strikes from Castellanos, Bowen and Wilson, but Spurs hung on to their lead and subsequently avoided the drop by two points. Antonin Kinsky was largely untroubled by the visitors with Spurs’ other goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario arguably enjoying a busier afternoon.

That was until he pulled off a sensational save in the dying moments from Tyrique George. Earlier on, Vicario was involved in a touchline altercation with Seamus Coleman during the first half before jumping on the back of Roberto De Zerbi when celebrating Palhinha’s decisive goal.

De Zerbi was also particularly active on the sidelines with a late missed Everton chance prompting him to celebrate with a few fist bumps before urging more noise from the crowd. Those inside the stadium also serenaded their players for the final few minutes with their huge effort, despite a disastrous campaign, not going unrecognised.

The impact of Tottenham staying up cannot be overlooked especially with the potential financial impact of what relegation to the Championship would have meant. However, they do not need to be concerned about that at least for the next few months.

The upcoming summer transfer window is now of huge importance to the club with it quite clear a significant rebuild is needed. Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, who are departing Bournemouth and Liverpool as free agents, respectively, already emerging as targets.

Key first-team departures have also been mooted with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven among those linked to moves away. An exit for either is certainly possible even with the club staying in the top-flight and that could see young talent Luka Vuskovic come into the team.