ANDREW BENNETT GIVE HIS PLAYER RATINGS AS MARIO'S MAGIC LIFTS MOLINEUX TO VICTORY OVER SPURS
The player ratings as Mario Magic lifts Molinuex as Wolves beat Tottenham 2-1 at the death.
Jose Sa - 7
A good performance from Jose Sa who regularly was put under pressure from Spurs high press, clearing his lines and not taking chances when sometimes he usually would do. Was equal to the few Spurs efforts and could not have done anything about their goal in the opening 10 minutes.
Nelson Semedo - 7 (66 off)
Probably Wolves best player in the opening half, often finding himself in acres of space on the right wing. Didn’t manage to create many opportunities from the good positions he was in, that probably more down to a lack of movement. Didn’t do much wrong and it was surprising he was withdrawn after 66 minutes for Doherty.
Max Kilman - 7
Solid performance from the captain and at parts of the second half was trying to step out of the back three as the team struggled to create chances. Didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.
Craig Dawson - 7
Similar to his English partner didn’t do much wrong and was solid defending against Son, during the first half picked out Semedo multiple times with great passes out the back.
Toti Gomes - 7
As with Kilman and Dawson, didn’t put a foot wrong defensively. Potentially got mixed up early on with Ait Nouri to allow Porro a free cross to create the spurs opener, I’d put that more on Ait Nouri not tracking the fullback. Got the team going similar to Kilman trying to step forward when he could and push Wolves up the pitch.
Rayan Ait Nouri - 6.5 (87 off)
Didn’t do enough in Tottenhams goal tracking his runner, otherwise defensively a solid performance. A couple of times Rayan was found in great positions and the final ball was lacking, as were his corners where he struggled to beat the first man.
Joao Gomes - 7 (87 off)
Absolutely everywhere, all around the pitch really putting himself about against Bissouma and Sarr. A good performance, reminded me of his earlier games for Wolves after recently he has fallen off slightly. Could offer more going forward but he is not that kind of player so in the role he has a good game.
Mario Lemina - 9 MAN OF THE MATCH
Sublime performance from Mario Lemina, must have covered every blade of grass and to still be working so hard in the 97th minute to get forward after winning a free kick on the half way line is an example for the young squad. Brilliant resilience to show the boys are not giving up and really showing class. Not only did he win the ball back on multiple occasions against a physical Spurs midfield. Magnificent Mario!
Bellegarde - 6.5 (73 off)
Good effort by Bellegarde, especially in the second half when he seemed to be switched into the middle of the pitch. Did not look as comfortable on the wing and couldn’t influence the game. His best moment of the game also came as probably his worst, put in great work to get the ball baring down on goal in the middle of the pitch, Hwang and Cunha ahead of him and he blazed it over. Positive signs from the new man.
Hwang Hee Chan - 7.5
The best Korean on the pitch today, influenced the game more than his counterpart Son. Worked really hard and just needed that little bit of luck to get the ball to bounce for an opportunity on goal. Doesn’t stop working and helps the team, even if he didn’t have any major moments himself.
Matheus Cunha - 7
If not for the beautifully weighted ball into Sarabia to set up the equaliser would’ve had a lower score than 7. Not the best performance from the flashy Brazilian, his short passing and basics were abit off but then he can come up with magic, that is why he stayed on the pitch. Always a joy to see Cunha run with the ball and cover 20/30 yards, really dragging Wolves up the pitch.
SUBSTITUTES
Matt Doherty – 7 (66 on)
Came on against his former team early in the second half and continued the work of Semedo who departed for the Irish international. A good performance and battled well against Johnson then Gil who he was up against from Spurs.
Sasa Kalajdzic – 6 (73 on)
Put himself about well, had a great opportunity a free header while the game was still 1-0 to Tottenham but put the opportunity wide. Would expect him to do better from that position with his height, this being said linked the play up well and enabled Cunha to go out wide where he found more joy than for the opening 70 minutes.
Tommy Doyle – 6.5 (87 on)
Positive thinking, pressing until the last moments. Played a great pass into Sarabia who then went onto assist Lemina’s winner. A positive player to bring off the bench who looks to move the ball forward.
Pablo Sarabia – 9 (87 on)
Perfection from Pablo, absolute delight from the experienced Spanish international. Found himself on the end of a Cunha ball, takes a touch out of this world to set himself up and smash the ball on the volley into the near post. Wolves had equalised and it was all down to individual quality. Pablo was not stopped there, after a tough start to life in Wolverhampton for Pablo this 10 minutes I hope can be a game changer for him. As in the 97th minute finds the perfect pass for Mario Lemina to send Molineux into mayhem. Wolves win what a game, what a comeback, thank you Pablo.
ARTICLE BY ANDREW BENNETT
From my first Wolves match against Chelsea in 2003 I fell in love with the team and matchday experience. I work in digital marketing and have lived in Germany and Estonia over the past few years, this doesn’t stop me following Wolves and ensuring all my international friends become invested to the Wolf pack. I enjoy football, board games, a pint and travelling always excited to try new things. You will find me in the north bank on a matchday.
