Tottenham Hotspur fans witnessed a dramatic finish at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, September 27, 2025, as Joao Palhinha’s stoppage-time strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League action. In a contest that saw Spurs teetering on the brink of defeat, Palhinha’s late heroics ensured the home side salvaged a precious point, even as lingering questions about Tottenham’s home form and Wolves’ resilience dominated post-match discussions.
The encounter kicked off with Tottenham eager to shake off a string of lackluster home performances. Manager Thomas Frank’s men started brightly, with Mohammed Kudus coming close to opening the scoring. Kudus’s header from close range forced Wolves’ goalkeeper Sam Johnstone into a sharp save, tipping the ball onto the bar and denying Spurs an early breakthrough. Moments later, Kudus thought he’d found the net after a slick one-two with Lucas Bergvall, only for the assistant’s flag to signal offside and keep the score locked at 0-0.
Wolves, rooted to the bottom of the table and desperate for their first points of the campaign after five straight defeats, gradually found their rhythm. The visitors nearly grabbed the lead before halftime when former Tottenham defender Matt Doherty rattled the woodwork, signaling their growing threat. Tottenham’s improvement under Frank, particularly from set-pieces, has been a talking point, but ironically, it was from a corner that they were undone early in the second half.
On 54 minutes, Ladislav Krejci rose highest to meet a corner, his header parried by Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The rebound fell invitingly for Santiago Bueno, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net, sending the Wolves bench into raptures and the traveling fans into celebration. Bueno’s goal not only gave Wolves a deserved lead but also injected them with belief, as they seized control of the contest and pressed for a decisive second.
Tottenham, meanwhile, struggled to regain their first-half composure. Frank later admitted, "The second half, the start was okay, but after their goal, I felt we lost structure and coolness to get more on top of the game." The home side’s attacking efforts fizzled, and they failed to register a single shot on target in the second period until the dying moments. Wolves, sensing an upset, pressed on; a flowing team move saw Hugo Bueno with a golden chance to double the advantage, but Vicario stood tall to keep Spurs within touching distance.
Wolves’ manager Vitor Pereira, who oversaw a radical overhaul with nine changes to his starting lineup—the most by any Premier League side between games since Manchester United’s ten in May 2021—watched his team dominate much of the second half. "We were the best team in the second half. In my opinion, we deserved to win, but that is football," Pereira reflected after the match. "I need to keep my balance because it is very difficult to concede a goal in the last minute, but football is what it is."
With the clock ticking deep into stoppage time, it looked as though Wolves would finally get off the mark and claim a morale-boosting win. But football, as ever, had one more twist in store. Spurs substitute Mathys Tel cushioned a cross into the path of Joao Palhinha, who, with composure and class, curled a shot from outside the box into the far corner. The 94th-minute equaliser sent the home crowd into a frenzy and left Wolves’ players crestfallen. It was Tottenham’s first shot on target of the second half—a testament to Wolves’ defensive discipline and Spurs’ attacking frustrations.
For Tottenham, the draw brought mixed emotions. The point lifted them to third in the Premier League table, but their recent home record remains a concern. Since November 10, 2024, Spurs have managed only three wins in their last 17 league games at home, collecting just 13 points—joint fewest among ever-present sides in that period, alongside West Ham. Their struggles against Wolves are equally glaring: Tottenham are now winless in their last six Premier League meetings with the Midlands club, suffering four defeats and drawing twice.
Manager Thomas Frank was candid in his post-match assessment. "Of course we’d like the three points but it’s good to get one. It’s a reminder this league is relentless," he told reporters. "I think the foundation is in a good place. Defending well, working hard, running hard. The offensive part of it is the thing we have to add layers to. I’d have loved us to do more today." He also praised the fans for their unwavering support, noting, "It was also important that the fans kept pushing us forward. In the end, we get a deserved point and, yes, we’d love to win, but if we can’t win, don’t lose and keep a little bit of momentum."
Wolves, despite the heartbreak, can take solace in a spirited performance that saw them close to within three points of safety. Their display at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a significant improvement over previous outings, especially considering the extensive squad rotation. Pereira’s men showed grit, tactical discipline, and the ability to trouble one of the league’s top sides on their own turf. As the Wolves boss put it, "Football sometimes is not fair and in the last minute we conceded the goal. But keeping this spirit, playing in the way that we play in the second half, we will get our points."
The match was not without its flashpoints and near-misses. Tottenham’s early dominance faded as Wolves grew into the contest, and the visitors’ physicality and pressing game stifled Spurs’ creative outlets. The hosts’ lack of cutting edge in the final third continues to be a talking point, with Frank’s admission that the "offensive part" needs improvement echoing the views of many supporters.
For Wolves, the draw represents a step forward after a torrid start to the campaign. The point earned in London could prove vital as they seek to climb off the bottom of the table in the coming weeks. The team’s resilience and adaptability, especially with so many changes to the lineup, will give fans hope that better days are ahead.
As the dust settles on a dramatic evening in North London, both teams are left to ponder what might have been. Tottenham, still searching for consistency at home, will look to build on Palhinha’s late heroics, while Wolves, buoyed by their improved display, aim to convert promise into points as the Premier League season gathers pace. One thing’s for sure—the "relentless" nature of the league, as Frank described, shows no signs of letting up.
