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Last Updated:May 04, 2026, 09:08 IST
Tottenham climb out of the relegation zone with a vital win, while Kobbie Mainoo’s late strike sends Manchester United back to the Champions League after a derby thriller.
Both Spurs and United had themselves a night to celebrate (AP)
Tottenham Hotspur fans can finally breathe, at least for now.
Spurs delivered their most spirited performance in months, edging past Aston Villa 2-1 to climb out of the relegation zone.
After going 118 days without a league win, Spurs had only just broken their drought against Wolves last weekend. Now, back-to-back victories have flipped the script.
Against Unai Emery’s Villa, they capitalised on a heavily rotated side — Emery made seven changes with one eye on a crucial Europa League semi-final.
Still, Spurs did what they had to — It wasn’t pretty for long stretches this season, but when it mattered, Roberto De Zerbi’s side showed up.
The win lifts them just above the drop zone, one point clear of West Ham United, who now slip into the bottom three with only three games left.
It might not be convincing, but survival rarely is.
United Deliver Derby Drama
If Spurs brought relief, Manchester United delivered pure chaos.
In a pulsating clash at Old Trafford, United edged Liverpool 3-2, and in doing so, punched their ticket back into the UEFA Champions League.
The hero? Kobbie Mainoo.
Just days after signing a new five-year deal, the youngster stepped up with a stunning late winner, rifling home from distance in the 77th minute to send the Stretford End into meltdown.
Liverpool had fought back from 2-0 down, but Mainoo had the final say.
All of this only goes on to strengthen Michael Carrick’s case to become the first-choice manager for the Red Devils, who look reborn under his tutelage.
The win marked 10 victories in 14 games, alongside two draws and just two defeats — a stark contrast to their struggles earlier in the campaign under Ruben Amorim.
Champions League qualification, secured with games to spare, only strengthens Carrick’s claim to keep the job long-term.
Adding an emotional layer, news emerged that Sir Alex Ferguson had been hospitalised as a precaution. The club later confirmed he is out of danger.
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News sports football From Survival To Celebration: Spurs Escape Drop Zone; Man United Seal UCL Return
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