In a stunning turn of events at Molinuex, Wolves secured a remarkable late comeback to defeat a depleted Tottenham side 2-1. The repercussions of Spurs’ recent 4-1 defeat to Chelsea were evident as Ange Postecoglou faced the challenge of making four changes, forced by the suspensions of Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, along with the long-term injuries to James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.
Early Setback but Late Triumph
Despite the absence of key players, Tottenham took an early lead within three minutes, courtesy of Brennan Johnson’s inaugural goal for the club. However, this was the pinnacle of their performance, and Wolves, despite missing several chances, showcased resilience. The turning point arrived in the 91st minute when Pablo Sarabia volleyed in the equalizer. Sarabia then turned provider, setting up Mario Lemina for the winning goal in the 97th minute.
Lineup Dynamics
The Wolves’ lineup, featuring Sa, Kilman, Dawson, Toti, Semedo, Bellegarde, Lemina, Gomes, Ait-Nouri, Hwang, and Cunha, underwent strategic substitutions with Doherty, Kalajdzic, Sarabia, and Doyle coming in. On the other hand, Tottenham’s lineup, led by Vicario, Porro, Dier, Davies, Royal, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Son, and Johnson, faced the challenges of substitutions involving Bentancur, Gil, and Lo Celso.
Spurs’ Title Hopes Diminished
Before this unexpected defeat, Spurs had been cruising at the top of the Premier League, unbeaten in their first 10 games. However, the comprehensive loss to Chelsea and the subsequent depleted squad showcased vulnerabilities. The match against Wolves became a litmus test for Spurs’ squad depth and their ability to bounce back from adversity. Unfortunately for them, the test revealed shortcomings, raising questions about their credibility as title challengers.
Wolves 2-1 Tottenham Tactical Analysis
Spurs struggled to assert control throughout the game, registering their next shot after more than 40 minutes. While Wolves missed chances, Sarabia’s introduction in the 87th minute changed the game dynamics, exposing Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities. The late goals underscored the lack of depth in Spurs’ squad and their dependence on key players.
Post-Match Reflections
Postecoglou acknowledged the lack of fluency in Spurs’ play due to the extensive changes in the starting XI. He emphasized the positive start but acknowledged the challenges posed by the significant alterations to the squad. The back-to-back defeats, while disappointing, were attributed to the unavoidable circumstances and were seen as part of the challenges in football.
Expert Analysis
Sky Sports’ Joe Shread provided a reality check for Spurs, highlighting the lack of depth in their squad and the challenges faced without key players. The analysis emphasized that while Spurs remain in the top four, the depth concerns were exposed, challenging the belief in their ability to sustain a strong start throughout the season.
Managerial Perspective
Wolves’ manager, Gary O’Neil, expressed immense pride in his players for the comeback, citing their understanding of the game plan. O’Neil recognized the slow start but commended the team for finding solutions against a top side, indicating the tactical depth and adaptability of the Wolves’ squad.
Wolves 2-1 TottenhamStatistical Insights
Opta statistics revealed that Wolves’ win marked only the eighth instance of a team winning a Premier League game after trailing into the 90th minute. Tottenham, having lost more than once in such situations, faced a rare setback under Postecoglou. Additionally, Brennan Johnson’s goal for Tottenham and Wolves’ defensive record were highlighted in the statistical analysis.
What’s Next
After the international break, Wolves will face Fulham on Monday, November 27, in a live broadcast on Sky Sports. Meanwhile, Spurs will host Aston Villa on Super Sunday, November 26, with kick-off at 2 pm.
