Image Credit: Sky Sports
By Lee Clow
15 December 2019 | Premier League
Jan Vertonghen scored in the dying minutes as Tottenham snatched the 3 points away from an impressive Wolves side to climb to 5th in the Premier League.
The Belgium centre half, who has been playing left back for Tottenham since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, had a torrent time against Adama Traore throughout the match but he got the last laugh as he superbly headed home from a corner in stoppage time.
Tottenham went into the game looking for a vital three points therefore they could close the gap on fourth placed Chelsea, who slipped up against Bournemouth on Saturday. Wolves were one point ahead of Spurs and looked to continue their 11-match unbeaten run against their opponents.
The game started brightly inside Molineux with the heavens descending down adding to the high intensity of both sides.
It was Tottenham who took the early advantage as Lucas Moura fired home from a tight angle. The Brazilian received the ball from Eric Dier on the edge of the area and hit a thunderbolt of a strike into the roof of the net leaving Rui Patricio with no chance, silencing the home crowd in the process.
Tottenham built on their lead and could’ve had another through Dele Alli. Harry Kane excellently won a header from the back and flicked onto Alli who went through on goal, but his effort was saved well by Patricio who was quick of his line.
After 20 minutes, Wolves finally settled into the game and began to take control of the match. It was clear Wolves game plan was to attack down their right so Traore could use his blistering pace against the 32-year-old Vertonghen at left back.
The strike partnership of Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez was a huge problem for Spurs with Davinson Sanchez the weak link in the backline. Jimenez had a huge chance to score when he was played through after good build up play, but the strikers effort went wide of the goal letting Spurs off the hook.
Tottenham missed a huge opportunity to take a two goal lead when Dier smashed the post on 37 minutes. The holding midfielder played an excellent one-two with Alli before smashing the post with the goal gaping. You sensed this was a huge chance for Spurs with Wolves dominating most of the half.
In the second half Wolves regained control of the game as they searched for an equaliser. Jimenez had an early chance for the home side when he struck a low drive but Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga met the ball and parried it away well.
Tottenham were continually on the back foot, but their defence stayed strong with Dier, Moussa Sissoko and Toby Alderweirled the standouts.
On 67 minutes, Wolves finally found the breakthrough and got their deserved equaliser. Traore found some space on the edge of the area and unleashed a thunderous strike into the back of the net past Gazzaniga sending the home crowd into meltdown.
From this moment, the home side looked like they could get the winner, and this was seen by the home crowd who increased the noise inside the ground. Spurs became sloppy and frustrated leading them to make more mistakes and conceding yellow cards.
In the final 10 minutes, Wolves had a huge chance to steal the victory from Spurs. A lovely set piece move was met by Jota who’s header was excellently saved by Gazzaniga who got a strong arm across to parry it away.
With the game fading away, Jose Mourinho decided to make his first change by bringing on Christian Eriksen and this appeared to be an inspired decision. The Dane’s first contributions were to take Spurs set pieces and his delivery proved pivotal as Spurs scored a last-minute winner.
Eriksen delivered a teasing ball into the box and an unmarked Vertonghen directed the ball into the far corner breaking Wolves hearts, who put so much into the game. The away crowd went into raptures as their side, who did not play great, snatched the 3 points cutting the gap between them and fourth placed Chelsea to 3 points.
The victory for Spurs lifts them up to 5th in the league table only 3 points behind top 4 rivals Chelsea, who they play next week in the highly anticipated encounter. For Wolves, their 11-match unbeaten run comes to an end as they drop down to 8th with 24 points.
After the game, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho praised his opponents for the challenge they gave his side: "Wolves showed how good they are, how strong they are, at every level - tactically, technically, mentally they are very, very strong. For us to cope with them and arrive in a position where it was possible to win the game in the last period was a big, big effort from a team who has a lot to improve on from a tactical point of view. But we are getting there. Amazing spirit. A big, big, big victory for us."
Wolves boss, Nuno Espirito Santo also spoke after the game: "Of course I'm pleased with the performance. We played very well. We weren't perfect, almost. We should have defended better. We played well and created chances. I'm very pleased with the boys.”
"The final moments require a lot of focus. We must stay in the game until the end. We were more obsessed about scoring than defending."
What’s next?
Tottenham host stuttering Chelsea in a London derby next Sunday while Wolves travel to Norwich on Saturday.
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