Andrew Bennett reports on Wolves 4-2 win against Spurs and his thoughts on the game.
Goals Galore as Wolves break Premier League records in fourth consecutive league victory.
TEAMS
Wolves – Sa, Doherty (Bueno, 45), Agbadou, Toti, Semedo (c), J Gomes (Hwang, 83), Andre, Ait-Nouri (Cunha, 71), Munetsi, Bellegarde (Sarabia, 42), Strand Larsen (R Gomes, 71).
Spurs: Vicario, Gray, Romero, Davies, Spence; Bissouma (Bentancur, 54), Sarr (Bergvall, 54), Maddison (Kulusevski, 75), Tel, Solanke (Richarlison, 74), Johnson.
The first half
Spurs made many changes as they prepare for their season’s decisive clash away in Frankfurt on Thursday night but still showed a very strong team.
Wolves started the game brightly holding on to the ball sweeping through the Tottenham midfield, Bellegarde took on his man down the left flank and was fouled just on the outside of the box. An offensive set piece awaited, whipped in by the fouled man Bellegarde into a dangerous area Vicario flapped around the ball eventually dropping to Ait Nouri on the edge of the box who fired through a crowd of bodies and into the net, an early lead for the hosts.
Wolves continued waves of attacking play and Spurs pressing high against the opposition back line forcing a turnover which saw a low cross fired into Strand Larsen only for the Norwegian to miskick the ball, fall over and fire inches wide.
Wolves started to sit back deeper as Spurs finally managed to put their foot on the ball and knock it around nicely without posing any danger. Their first real opportunity fell to Bissouma who fired from outside the box but his shot was well met by Jose Sa who pushed the ball out and wide for Semedo to hook clear.
Spurs continued to threaten without creating any clear cut chances until Brennan Johnson fired over from the edge of the box. Wolves managed to double their lead against the run of play just before half time in what can only be described as a calamitous performance by the Spurs number one Vicario and Spence. The ball was whipped into the back post by Ait Nouri and flicked on by Munetsi with Larsen lurking the ball was pushed by Vicario against his own man and into the net. It wasn’t pretty but they all count 2-0 to Wolves.
The half ended with Wolves very much on top and Sarabia who had just entered the field for an injured Bellegarde heading weakly wide from a free header. Wolves entered the break with a two goal advantage.
The second half
Wolves who made another change at the break bringing Bueno on for Doherty probably a wise choice as during the first half Tell had the better of the Irishman without being able to find a final ball.
The half started with utter Wolves domination but no clear cut chances, this saw Ange rip up his midfield taking off Bissouma and Sarr to bring on Bergvall and Bentancur. The changes didn’t immediately change the pattern of play as a neat interchange between Sarabia and Larsen found the Norwegian through on goal at an angle only to fire straight at Vicario for a Wolves corner.
Moments later more disastrous defending this time from Wolves as Bergvall freed Johnson who fired across the six yard box for Tell to tap it home, the ball shouldn’t have reached Tell however as Semedo missed his clearance allowing an easy finish for Tell who scored his second Premier League goal for Spurs a week on from his first against Southampton.
To Wolves credit this didn’t change the patterns of play and almost immediately Ait Nouri played it past Romero fired the ball low across the box for an easy finish for Strand Larsen in front of the south bank. 5 in 4 for the Scandinavian!
Then the man of the media moments was introduced as Cunha and Gomes came on for Larsen and Ait Nouri. Cunha immediately into the action firing a free kick narrowly over from 25 yards.
It was so easy Wolves were passing around with ease and didn’t look in any danger until Spurs substitute Richarlison tapped home after Wolves failed to clear a corner. The ball was headed across by Ben Davies against the bar from Romero and buried by the Spurs number 9.
Immediately Wolves restored a two goal advantage as Cunha picked the ball off a clumsy Bergvall powered past Ben Davies one on one with Vicario and fired into the bottom corner.
Great plaudits have to be given to Toti and Agbadou who multiple times throughout the game found balls through the middle of the pitch finding Wolves attackers moving the team up the pitch and one moment of Toti wandering through players and pocketing Solanke. Great credit I’m sure is reflected in Always Wolves player ratings.
Wolves are ending the season with a bang as were the post game celebrations just brilliant scenes and collective energy.
First the points then the pints…
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.