Wolves unfortunate to slip to narrow Spurs defeat

The game got off to the worst possible start for Spurs as Mousa Dembele had to be helped off the field in the opening minutes after picking up an injury as he collided with Helder Costa.

However, it was his replacement in Son Heung-Min who would prove key as the visitors broke the deadlock on 27 minutes.

Erik Lamela came in off the right to exchange passes with the South Korean, before keeping his cool to slip an angled effort through the legs of Rui Patricio and into the far corner.

Within three minutes the lead was doubled, Kieran Trippier picking out the unmarked Lucas Moura with an inch-perfect cross for the Brazilian to power a header into the back of the net.

Nevertheless, the home side reacted well to the quick-fire goals, dominating the game for the remaining 15 minutes of the half.

Indeed, they should have had a goal back eight minutes before the break as Raul Jimenez converted Matt Doherty's knockdown, only for the goal to be incorrectly disallowed for offside.

Wolves' domination continued after the interval as Hugo Lloris made sharp stops to deny Jimenez, Helder Costa and Ruben Neves.

However, the visitors looked to have put the game to bed just after the hour as Harry Kane followed up his own effort to convert from close range after initially being denied by Patricio.

The hosts weren't ready to accept defeat, though, and got a goal back from the penalty spot following a comedy of errors from Spurs.

First, Kieran Trippier gave away possession next to his own corner flag, before Juan Foyth bundled over Jimenez.

Neves did the honours by sending Lloris the wrong way from 12 yards as Molineux started to believe.

The deficit should have been reduced further minutes later as Morgan gibbs-White slipped Costa in one-on-one, but the winger could only prod an effort wide on the stretch.

Spurs were seemingly determined to keep the game interesting and they handed Wolves another penalty with 12 minutes to go as Foyth shoved Leo Bonatini to the ground as he looked to surge into the box.

Jimenez took responsibility this time, sending Lloris the wrong way once again to bring the hosts within a goal.

There was to be no grandstand finale, though, as the visitors held out to claim an important win.

The victory moves the Londoners three points off top ahead of Sunday's fixtures, whilst Wolves drop to 11th.

 

November 3, 2018