Gallery: Player Ratings – Wolves 1-2 Spurs

Davinson Sanchez - 5

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The Colombian provided a great example of a performance that is difficult to rate because of the sheer amount of positives and negatives. He was absolutely dire on the ball, giving away possession very easily and almost allowing an equalizer in the first half. He was also terrible covering Aurier on the right and allowing Jota to thrive. You could also put the blame on him for the Wolves goal for running around aimlessly while Traore was approaching. However, he was so strong defensively in the box, from both open play and set pieces – and allowed so little clear cut chances, that I’m willing to give him a pass. It still was a worrying performance that Mourinho will need to work on.

Tottenham started off as the better side with the goal coming in the 8^th minute from an individual brilliance by Lucas Moura who hit the roof of the net with a powerful hit after avoiding two Wolves tackles. The match then turned into a one-way traffic with Wolves pressing Spurs high up the pitch and keeping control of the ball. To credit the Spurs defenders though, they dealt with the crosses very well, especially keeping Jimenez quiet. And the lead should have been two before half-time, but Dier hit the post after playing an exquisite one-two with Dele on the edge of the box.

Second half was more of the same until the equalizer with Wolves trapping Spurs deep in their half and trying to create from wide positions, especially the left hand side with Aurier and Sanchez both struggling. Adama Traore scored a screamer of his own in the 68^th minute on a counter and it looked like Wolves would go on and win the game from there. However, Spurs showed mental fortitude that was necessary to keep the game in check and settled into the game more with good 15 minute performances from Lucas and Dele keeping the ball and trying to create. Just when the matched was looking to end in a draw, Vertonghen came up with a very impressive header from an Eriksen corner that found the corner of the net, giving all 3 points to his team.

This was certainly not a good, even an average performance from Tottenham. But this game was more about result than performance, and Spurs securing the win means so much for their season, especially with Chelsea at home coming up next. Top 4 is now a win away, and that looked like a dream at the start of Mourinho’s tenure.