Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to secure two consecutive victories, continuing this momentum as they faced Tottenham Hotspur, who were still reeling from recent defeats. Sunday’s match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium showcased this clash of contrasting fortunes, finishing 2-2 after dramatically late goals.
Wolves kicked off the match with early aggression, scoring just seven minutes in. Hee-Chan Hwang found the net with a low shot after receiving a pass from Rayan Aït-Nouri from a well-executed free-kick, sending the visiting fans at the stadium wild. Despite the early setback, Tottenham responded five minutes later. Rodrigo Bentancur leveled the game with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Pedro Porro, showing Spurs’ resilience.
Tottenham had the chance to go ahead shortly before half-time when they were awarded a penalty after Brennan Johnson was fouled by Joao Gomes. Unfortunately for Spurs, Son Heung-min’s spot-kick was expertly saved by Wolves goalkeeper José Sá, keeping the match tied at 1-1. Spurs, undeterred, took the lead just before the break. After some clever interplay, Brennan Johnson made no mistake, scoring from close range after receiving a assist from Dejan Kulusevski, sending Tottenham fans cheering as they headed to the locker room with a 2-1 advantage.
The second half began with the intensity ramped up as both teams sought to gain control. Wolves’ new manager, Vitor Pereira, had clearly instilled confidence, as they pressed forward with renewed vigor. Despite Tottenham’s best efforts to maintain their lead, Wolves continued to threaten. The match was truly alive, with chances flowing at both ends.
Tottenham, sensing the need for another goal to secure victory, were caught off guard late in the match. With just three minutes left on the clock, Jorgen Strand Larsen, who came on as a substitute for Wolves, unleashed a superb strike, leveling the score at 2-2. The goal sent Wolves fans jubilantly celebrating as Spurs were left to rue what could have been.
This match encapsulated the struggles of both teams with Tottenham sitting 11th on the Premier League table with 24 points from 19 matches, marking their lowest finish at year-end since the 2008-09 season. Wolves, now with 17 points, managed to stay two points clear of the relegation zone, an important psychological boost after their managerial change.
The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where form can shift dramatically, as seen with Wolves’ immediate improvement under Pereira. Their recent victories, including impressive wins over both Manchester United and Leicester City, showcased their newfound dynamism. Conversely, Spurs have struggled, encapsulated by this match where they displayed some quality yet again failed to secure all three points.
Looking forward, Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou will have plenty to ponder as they prepare to face Newcastle United next, aiming to revive their season. Meanwhile, Wolves will be buoyed by their performance and will host Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day, hopeful to continue their positive run.