Wolves have a manager who can work a gameplan and in their players they have a squad that excel... they deserve their share of attention after Spurs win
- Wolves victory at Tottenham felt like a surprise but maybe it shouldn't have
- Nuno Espirito Santo's side have earned the right to a little respect in top flight
- For a long while, it was about Harry Kane, who opened scoring in 22nd minute
- And then Wolves turned up and from the hour the league game started to turn
- REPORT: Tottenham 1-3 Wolves: Spurs dealt huge blow in title race at Wembley
It felt like a surprise but maybe it shouldn't have. Not so much because of Tottenham's difficult history when expectations climb, but more in the sense that Wolves have earned the right to a little respect.
They were placed 11th in the table coming in, which was decent enough for a promoted club, even one so ambitious, but the glossier tale of their season is that they have made a delightful mess of the big boys this season.
In order, they have drawn with Manchester City, got a point at Manchester United, another at Arsenal, beaten Chelsea and now crushed Tottenham at Wembley.
Wolves secured a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Wembley in the league on Saturday afternoon
For that, they deserve more credit in the immediate aftermath of this match than to be seen through the prism of Tottenham's shortcomings. Indeed, it might prove to be a lapse for Spurs, or even the start of something that culminates in another title challenge falling short.
But from the Wolves perspective, it is proof once again that in Nuno Espirito Santo they have a manager who can work a gameplan and in their players they have a squad that excel, particularly on the road, where they now have four away wins.
It is a superb effort that warrants credit in its own right, not least because this game was going away from them. For a long while, it was about Harry Kane, whose recent acquisition of letters was in severe danger of being eclipsed by the continued growth of his numbers. His goal 22 minutes in was his 13th league strike for the campaign, 17 in all competitions.
For a long while, it was about Harry Kane, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute of match
And it was really quite something. He took a pass from Son Heung-Min without much to go on, just a vaguely promising position in the left channel, as Rui Patricio would have seen it from his goal.
With a couple of touches off his right foot, Kane was near the corner of the area and then with a quick drag inside he had some space next to Willy Boly. So far, only a mild threat. And then came the finish, a bolt off his weaker foot that travelled across goal and inside the far post. A real belter. Could the keeper have done better? Probably. Did Harry Winks commit a foul on Ivan Cavaleiro in the build up? It looked that way.
But narratives often airbrush out the inconveniences and in this instance the narrative was Harry Kane MBE, and Tottenham on their way, in the title race, glory, glory, and all that.
Wolves' victory is proof that in Nuno Espirito Santo they have a boss who can work a gameplan
And then Wolves turned up. They had been solid for around 60 minutes but not much more, beyond flashes of pace and threat from Adama Traore, whose speed is surely without equal in the division. The success for Wolves in that context is that Tottenham had only scored once. There had been chances for the excellent Christian Eriksen and Son but nothing got through - a good defence saw to that.
From the hour the game started to turn. Tottenham got flat and predictable and once Boly got the leveller after 10 minutes of pressure, Tottenham got careless. They collapsed. Fell apart. Just like the ones we used to know. Raul Jimenez made it 2-1, Helder Costa made it 3-1. A team that usually keeps it tight at both ends was scoring for fun; a team that was pushing for the title was getting a pummelling from one of the lesser lights.
A stunning upset, really. And one for which the victor deserves its share of the attention.
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