Report and free match highlights as Nuno Espirito Santo gets one over his former boss Jose Mourinho
Monday 2 March 2020 06:09, UK
Wolves' march towards Champions League qualification stepped up a notch with a 3-2 win at Tottenham where they twice came from behind.
Spurs took an early lead when Steven Bergwijn fired home (13) but Matt Doherty (24) equalised on his 250th appearance for the club. Jose Mourinho's side then looked in control of matters at the break after Serge Aurier's fine strike (45+1), however, Diogo Jota pulled Wolves level (57) for the second time.
With the game in the balance, the visitors scored a winning goal worthy of clinching any game when Raul Jimenez thundered home an effort into the top corner (73) after a scintillating run by Jota. From the start of last season, Wolves have now won 35 points from losing positions in Premier League matches, at least six more than any other side during this period.
The result moves Wolves above Tottenham into sixth and to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea, while Spurs have lost three in a row in all competitions.
Nine months ago to the day Tottenham were striding out in a Champions League final - a lot has changed at the club since then and Jose Mourinho declared this a huge week in his programme notes with key matches in the FA Cup and Champions League on the horizon.
Many were expecting a cagey affair with Wolves usually so watertight on the road but their defensive line cracked under early pressure as Spurs took the lead. Giovani Lo Celso forced Wolves back with a driving run before sliding Aurier into the area down the right. The Frenchman's cross drew a save from Rui Patricio, but Bergwijn was on hand to fire home the rebound.
Wolves responded in typically calm fashion. Ruben Vinagre pushed Aurier back towards his own goal and his cross was clumsily cleared by Japhet Tanganga straight to Doherty who slammed home his 14th goal across all competitions in the last two seasons - a phenomenal return for a defender.
The game looked to be drifting towards a relatively undramatic half-time conclusion but Aurier lit it up with one of the last kicks of the half. There didn't seem to be much danger for Wolves when the full-back chopped back onto his left foot from a tight angle but his finish was devastating, finding the far corner with a wonderfully precise strike that left Patricio standing.
Taking a lead into the break should have been the perfect platform from Spurs to build from but Wolves hit back on 57 minutes. Just moments after Alli had planted a header from 12 yards wide of the post, the visitors countered up the other end through Doherty. His first-time ball into the area was half blocked by Paulo Gazzaniga but Jota gobbled up the loose ball.
Wolves weren't done there either as they sensed Tottenham's organisation at the back wasn't at the required standard.
On 73 minutes they produced a moment that will live long in the memory of Wolves fans.
Jota - lively throughout - backed up his endeavour with a brilliant change of direction deep inside his own half to leave Aurier standing. That set Wolves away on the break and there was an air of inevitability when Jimenez strode into the area, dummied past Tanganga and placed a fine effort into the top corner.
The emphasis was then on Spurs to create a grandstand finish but it fell flat to say the least. The closest they came was an overlap down the left from Lucas Moura but his cross was blocked to safety by the outstanding Doherty, who celebrated his bit of defensive work with celebrations akin to scoring the winning goal.
Statement made. Wolves are serious contenders.
What a player the 23-year-old Wolves forward is becoming. He capped another majestic display by grabbing the equaliser - his sixth goal in his last three games in all competitions - before producing an outrageous bit of individual magic to kickstart the attack for Jimenez's eventual winning goal. A special mention has to go out to Doherty, too - he was exemplary at both ends of the pitch.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho said: "It was a good game - no one was happy with a draw. Two teams try to win it, playing with different styles. We know what they are, incredibly fast and strong on the counter-attack. We are different team. Without the strikers we tried different solutions - I think it worked in the sense we scored goals and managed to some opportunities in some dangerous positions. We had more control than them. I think the result is totally unfair for us."
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "Tottenham started much better than us, much better, so much quality moving the ball and we didn't recover the ball well and they had chances. First half was not so good, second half much better, we were more organised, better points of pressure higher in the pitch and we didn't concede too much good. I'm pleased the way we finished the game, the levels of energy were there so good performance by the boys.
"We are relentless and the game is still there to be played. It's a good team spirit we are building, and we must keep improving."
This fixture started a definitive 10 days for Tottenham, who play Norwich in the FA Cup on Wednesday before trips to Burnley in the Premier League and RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Wolves have a rare midweek off before hosting Brighton next Saturday.
