Wolves came from behind to beat Tottenham 3-1 at Wembley in the Premier League.
The defeat deals Tottenham, recently installed as potential title challengers, a substantial blow in their attempts to overhaul Liverpool at the summit of the table, sitting nine points behind the Reds after Liverpool trashed Arsenal 5-1 in the evening kick off.
The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Kane marauded down the right channel and cut onto his left foot. When many may have expected a cross, the England striker curled in a delightful strike, which the Portuguese goalkeeper could only brush with his fingertips.
Wolves, however, frequently threatened on the right flank, with Adama Traore routinely beating his man to deliver dangerous crosses and a prolonged period of second-half pressure from the visitors paid off when substitute Header Costa’s corner was powerfully headed past Hugo Lloris by Willy Boly.
The Frenchman’s other Premier League goal this season also came against a title contender: Manchester City.
Wolves’ superb second half continued when Cavaleiro picked out Raul Jimenez with a simple square ball on the edge of the area. The Mexican’s carefully placed shot crept in past Lloris’ flailing arm. The visitors then put the game out of reach when Helder Costa beat the offside trap with a well-timed run, before opening up his body to casually slot past Lloris.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese head coach Nuno Espirito Santo celebrates following the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium in London, on December 29, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT: Are Tottenham still a title contender?
With a victory over Wolves, Spurs would have closed in on league leaders Liverpool. However, their inability to maintain their intensity and deal with Wolves’ pressure may prove to be a turning point in their campaign.
On the basis of the lack of fight shown in this game, one would question Tottenham’s title credentials.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Raul Jimenez
Adanma Traore deserves plenty of praise for his first-half efforts, but Jimenez, who scored the second Wolves goal, was a constant threat during the visitors’ impressive second-half display.
Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates scoring their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 6, Trippier 7, Alderweireld 7, Sanchez 7, Davies 6, Sissoko 6, Winks 7, Eriksen 7, Dele 7, Son 7, Kane 7. Subs: Lucas 6.
Wolves: Rui Patrício 7; Bennett 7, Coady 7, Boly 7, Doherty 6, Neves 7, Dendoncker 6, Jonny 6, Cavaleiro 7, Jiménez 7, Traoré 8. Subs: Costa 6, Gibbs-White 6, Moutinho 6.
KEY MOMENTS
20 - CHANCE! Dele lays the ball off to Eriksen, who puts the ball on a postage stamp in the top corner! Somehow, Rui Patricio reaches it and tips over the bar! What a shot and what a save!
22 - GOALS! What a goal from Harry Kane! The England man picks up the ball in the right channel, cuts onto his left to beat Boly, and unleashes a glorious shot across goal!
73 - GOAL! Boly equalises! In their best spell of pressure in the game, Cavaleiro forces a corner from Ben Davies. Costa's set piece is headed powerfully past Lloris!
84 - GOAL! Wolves take the lead through Jimenez! Cavaleiro picks up a long ball, passes square to Jimenez on the edge of the box and he dribbles a shot past Lloris into the bottom corner!
Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (centre L) consoles Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min following the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium in Lo
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
- Wolves are unbeaten in league games in London this season (W3 D2)
- Harry Kane has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 12 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (11 goals, 1 assist).
- This is the first time Tottenham have dropped points against a bottom-half side this season.
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