Spurs edge five goal thriller
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Tottenham Hotspur 3
Like the Wolves fixture list the blog is suffering from discombobulation. Hence its late appearance. The Premier League seems not to concern itself with either the sensibilities of the supporters nor in this particular game, the local council. 7.30pm on Saturday 3rd November had been set aside originally, for the town’s annual firework show. Then, with all the sensitivity of a kick in the groin, the Premier League decided to switch the Wolves v Tottenham kick off to a time that clashed with the pyrotechnics. In the ensuing standoff, the PL triumphed and thus was the council forced into moving its roman candle crescendo to the day before. Oh for the stability of 3pm Saturday.
Stability is a premise to which Coach Nuno Espirito Santo also aspires. But in Wolves’ last home game v Watford it was used as a possible reason for the lacklustre performance. Was Nuno’s loyalty being rewarded by player complacency? “For me” as Ron Atkinson used to say, the theory struggles for validity and there was nothing complacent about the way Wolves approached this game. Their problem is scoring goals in open play the last one now some three games ago.
That failing is currently their Achilles heel and it was all too apparent here. When Tottenham created a chance they were clinical in finishing it whereas Wolves were not. In this regard it was like grown men playing adolescents and if ever this was more clearly demonstrated it was in the fifteen minutes following the half time break.
Though 2-0 down Wolves began the half brightly and in minute 49 Helder Costa set pulses racing with a brilliant mazy run deep into Tottenham territory. Costa in turn fed Raul Jimenez who was well placed but his well struck shot was fired straight at Hugo Lloris who made a comfortable save. Within a minute Costa was at it again this time firing at Lloris from an acute angle and thirty seconds later from the ensuing corner the ball was with Ruben Nevez but again his shot lacked sufficient pace or direction to trouble the French goalkeeper. At that point Wolves had all the momentum but failed to make it pay and ten minutes later they were being punished for their inability to convert when Erik Lamela made space for himself inside the Wolves penalty area. His cross found Harry Kane, whose first time strike was brilliantly saved by Rui Patricio. But from the rebound Kane made no mistake. 3-0 down and game over.
But not quite. On came Morgan Gibbs White who injected a greater sense of urgency particularly in his distribution and in the 67th minute with Wolves still pressing Juan Foyth committed a rather innocuous challenge on Jimenez who went down, referee Mike Dean pointing to the penalty spot. Up stepped Nevez to convert and raise hopes of an unlikely fight back. On 75 a brilliant slide rule pass by Gibbs White put Costa through but as is his wont he fired wide. But within a couple of minutes Foyth was again putting his foot in it, this time tripping Jonny in the penalty area. For the second time in the match referee Dean pointed to the spot, the kick coolly dispatched by Jimenez. Now within touching distance Wolves continued to strive but without ever really troubling the visitors.
The outcome was as much about experience as skill. Both sides played expansive football. Both created chances. But Tottenham are battled hardened by both longevity in the Premier league and experience in the Champions league. Wolves are not. Time will accrue that experience but in the short term they need to start converting their chances. That and tightening up the defence.
Wolves: Patricio 7, Bennett 6, Coady 8, Boly 6, Doherty 7, Castrol Otto 6, Neves 7, Moutinho 6 Sub Gibbs White 7, Helder Costa 7 Sub Traore, Jimenez 7, Cavaleiro 6 Sub Bonatini
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 7, Trippier 6, Foyth 6, Alderweireld 7, Davies 6, Winks 8, Dembele Sub Heung Min 6 Sub Eriksen 5, Sissoko 7, Lamela 7, Lucas Moura 7 Sub Sanchez, Kane 8
Attendance: 31,185
Referee: Mike Dean 9
©Mark Brennand