Adama Traore scored a late winner to help the Wolves produce one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the Premier League. Spurs had hit the crossbar twice before the break, through Pedro Porro and Heung-Min Son, but Traore’s adventurous finish won it for Julen Lopetegui’s side. Cristian Stellini, in charge of Tottenham for what is anticipated to be the final time with Antonio Conte recovering from gallbladder surgery last month, would feel hard done by considering that the away side dominated the first half of the match. Yet it was Lopetegui’s tactical shift in shape that helped his team win the game. Wolves are now six points clear of the drop zone.
Wolves began the game barely three points above the relegation zone, having won only one of their previous three matches, and there was a lack of confidence in their play at the outset, giving control to Spurs and seeming satisfied to play on the counter-attack. It boosted the visitors, who dominated the early stages, their momentum only hindered by the first half’s stop-start character. Diego Costa was hauled off midway through due to what appeared to be a terrible injury, and little transpired after that until Porro’s excellent free kick.
The wing-back has had a rough start to life in the Premier League, but he justified his selection for the set-piece as he curled the ball over the bar and beyond Jose Sa, only for the goal frame to come to the Wolves’ rescue. Tottenham would have had a merited lead. After failing to register a single shot before halftime – Spurs had 11 – Lopetegui brought on Nathan Collins and Traore, switching to a three-man defense. They could have gone down quickly if Son hadn’t seen his shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
Yet Wolves improved dramatically after that, with Nelson Semedo almost scoring from close range, Ruben Neves forcing two saves in a minute, and Matheus Cunha missing the target at the near post when he should have done better on the angle. In the 82nd minute, Raul Jimenez’s attempt was parried by Forster back in the direction of Traore, and the Spain international manipulated his body to come up with a superb finish, blasting the bouncing ball in off the underside of the crossbar. Wolves had a lot of luck with that bar. Yet, they will feel they deserved it with their second-half reaction, as Tottenham were unable to create a final chance of their own.
“I thought the performance was good, especially in the first half when we controlled the game in every aspect and had numerous scoring chances. We were not as nefarious in our scoring strategy. When you have an opportunity like this, you must take it,” Tottenham interim manager Christian Stellini said. “We struggled a little in the second half, but then we reacted to the situation and had another chance with Sonny hitting the crossbar. After that, they played with increased zeal, winning some duels. We struggled a little, and the game shifted. They found a method to win while we did not. From tomorrow until the end of the season, Antonio will be a huge help to us. It’s critical that we get him back. We hoped to have him back with a better outcome, but the team demonstrated to Antonio that it is still alive. This is critical.”
“First and foremost, we are delighted with the three points, but, to be honest, the game is divided into two halves. They played with a terrific rhythm in the first half, but we improved significantly in the second half and showed a different face. I am pleased, although I must admit that Tottenham had chances in the first half. The game altered in the second half,” Wolves head coach Julen Lopetegui said. “That was tactical, and we tried several approaches. The players are the ones who are changing. I made adjustments thinking we would be better against Liverpool, but we were worse. Football revolves around the players. Adama possesses distinct characteristics. We strive to make use of his abilities. He alternates between playing and not playing. Goals are not his strongest suit, but he scored a spectacular goal.”
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