Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur
For a side playing its third game in six days, Spurs could have been forgiven for looking jaded in this Premier League encounter.
While they were understandably weary in the closing stages, the fact they had earlier exploded into life (twice in just two minutes and 54 seconds) helped ensure no opponents were going to take advantage of their heavy schedule.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s newly promoted hosts don’t concede many goals but they haven’t scored many either; they rarely looked like coming back once a quickfire double left them stunned.
Highlights of the game
Spurs had already suffered an early blow when Mousa Dembele, marking his 250th appearance for the club, fell awkwardly inside two minutes and lasted little longer with a painful-looking ankle injury – Son Heung-Min entering the fray soon afterwards.
It was a definite blow for the visitors but, after 20 minutes of a close contest, they began to edge control.
In the week in which the club reached an agreement to sign Portugal international goalkeeper Rui Patricio – a real coup for the club – he was called into action to block a Harry Kane shot after teaming up with Lucas Moura.
Then came the clinical blitz as Spurs embarked on a return to winning ways after a home defeat to reigning champions Man City.
First, Erik Lamela played a 1-2 with Son before firing through Patricio’s legs to notch his sixth goal of the season.
Then, with Wolves still reeling, Moura was given the freedom of Molineux to head home a Kieran Trippier cross.
Wolves have only scored one first-half league goal this season, and that unwanted record remains after Matt Doherty was judged to be offside as he crossed for Raul Jimenez to apply a cool finish.
A goal then — or early in the second period — may have made a difference, but Wolves failed to covert two decent opportunities.
Raul Jimenez shot straight at Hugo Lloris, and Helder Costa then saw his effort saved by the Spurs captain.
When Lloris produced a superb save to push Ruben Neves’ volley away to safety, Wolves must have felt downhearted.
They would have felt completely deflated when Kane scored his 27th goal in 27 league away matches just after the hour.
Lloris started the move and Kane finished it with aplomb, at the second attempt, after probing from Lamela.
Patricio denied Kane another before Wolves were given the opportunity to pull one back.
Jimenez was fouled in the box by young centre-back Juan Foyth, and Neves send Lloris the wrong way.
Patricio again showed what a key performer he is becoming to keep out Kane once more, urged on by an unwavering home support. Wolves refused to give up.
Costa poked wide, and referee Mike Dean then awarded a second spot-kick which this time Jimenez converted from 12 yards.
Suddenly, Spurs did look tired. Davinson Sanchez was brought on to add stability to the visitors’ rearguard.
Yet, just as they did under immense pressure in their last away league game a fortnight ago, Spurs held out.
Premier League 2018 news tell us they have now won six of their seven Premier League games on the road this campaign, losing only at Watford.
Premier League 2018 odds tell us this result could be key in the race for the top four come next May.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has a good thing going on here – he should stay and ignore the glances of what he eloquently describes as being ‘looked at by another woman’.
Key statistics
SBOBET fans may be interested to know that since the start of 2014-15, Kane has scored 26 Premier League goals against newly-promoted sides – more than any other player.
Tottenham have lost just four times in 27 matches against Wolves, winning 17 and drawing six.
Wolves failed to win any of their last 25 Premier League matches against sides in the top half of the table (drawn 10, lost 15).
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 39 Premier League games against newly promoted opposition, winning 36 of those games. Their last defeat against a top-flight newcomer came away to Wolves in 2010.
Wolves were the last newly-promoted side to win both league games against Spurs in a single season, doing so in 2009-10.
Before kick-off, fans in the Steve Bull Stand held up a mosaic of 4,272 poppies, representing those from Wolverhampton who died in the war.
The victims of the helicopter crash in Leicester City were also remembered, with players from both sides wearing black armbands.
What’s next?
Spurs entertain PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday (November 6) aiming to keep their Champions League hopes alive before travelling to Crystal Palace next Saturday (November 10).
Wolves, who have lost all three matches since the most recent international break, meet other North London giants Arsenal next weekend before the next international break.
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