From zero to thwarted heroes, life breathes yet through Wolves. Though it probably should have been three points rather than one. A point edged Tottenham into the surprise party Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Bournemouth are enjoying in the top five as João Palhinhaâ€s strike in the depths of stoppage time denied Wolves. Showing a fight and determination hitherto lacking from their season, the visitors had seemed destined for victory via Santiago Buenoâ€s scrappy opener.
So close to a tactical triumph for VÃtor Pereira, who signed a new, three-year contract last week, despite his team being on nil Premier League points. “The spirit was there, everything was there but the last minute, itâ€s football,†said the Wolves manager.
His team will require so much more than a single point, considering other expected relegation candidates†promising starts. He had taken drastic action. From a home defeat by Leeds last week that heightened the growing disquiet at Molineux, Wolves†starting team selection featured nine changes, the same formula successful against Everton in the Carabao Cup.
A near repeat of the form that relieved Gary Oâ€Neil of his duties almost a year ago had suggested the continued danger of asset-stripping a squad. At Tottenham, a number of Wolves†summer buys who mystified fans showed they had something to offer, only for concentration to lapse at the last as Pape Sarr laid up Palhinha for a raking drive.
As the final whistle sounded, Pereira threw his notes in rage at the turf: “Some players came at the end of the market and then went away with their national teams,†he said. “Now we are building the spirit and putting them on the tactical page. We came here to win this game.â€
Sam Johnstone could only watch Palhinhaâ€s strike fly by, after an excellent performance. In replacing José Sá he repeated a fine performance against Newcastle a fortnight previously. Like many others, Sáâ€s performances have fallen below standard. “They understand the decisions,†Pereira said of the omissions. “The first half we had some problems but the second half my team were the best team on the pitch.â€
Johnstone said: “We have to be proud of today. That is our baseline performance now.â€
Santiago Bueno bundles home to give Wolves the lead. Photograph: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
In the midst of a heavy schedule, a trip to the arctic circle set for Tuesday in the Champions League, Spurs rushed to get their Saturday night assignment completed, missing a number of first-half chances. They were eventually relieved to collect a point they would have struggled to collect under their previous management.
“We were clearly on top and in control,†said Thomas Frank of the first 45 minutes. Matt Doherty, the right-back, unprotected by Jhon Arias ahead of him, was booked when his hefty challenge stopped one of Destiny Udogieâ€s trademark overlaps. In the final action before the break Doherty hit the bar from a corner Spurs struggled with. It served as an unheeded warning.
Pereiraâ€s half-time changes reverted his defence to the usual back three/five from the previous four. The speed of Jackson Tchatchoua, the summer arrival, a half-time replacement, was deployed to stop Mohammed Kudusâ€s runs. Successfully, too; Udogieâ€s influence also faded.
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Frank said: “It changed our positions a bit and adapting to that and then the goals and the emotion of it, we gave simple passes away.â€
Wolves, having clogged up midfield and closed off the flanks, took the lead, Santiago Bueno bundling in after a Spurs made a mess of an Arias corner. Jørgen Strand Larsen, who held the ball up expertly until being replaced late on, had been given a first bite of the cherry as Spurs again failed to clear their lines.
Wolves did not completely sit on their lead, Hugo Bueno forcing a save from Gugliemo Vicario. Arias, a star of the summerâ€s Club World Cup with Fluminense, showed off serious chops with neat touches buying breathing space. His fellow South American, André, another former “Flu†player, impressed in midfield.
Frankâ€s late changes included the withdrawal of the disappointing Xavi Simons. Like many of his colleagues, little had come off for the Dutchman. When all seemed to be coming up Pereira, he was denied by Palihinha, who offered post-match commiserations to his compatriot. “We needed something special and we got that,†said Frank, not a little relieved.
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