NafisaHow It All Unfolded at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers offered yet another chapter in what has been a turbulent season for Spurs. Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled to hold their nerve, despite taking a first-half lead, and ended the day with more questions than answers.
For this critical fixture, Postecoglou opted for a starting XI of Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke. The notable exclusion of James Maddison for a second consecutive game left many fans puzzled, particularly given the team’s ongoing struggles in midfield creativity.
Spurs’ now-familiar defensive fragility was exposed almost immediately. Wolves took the lead within the first ten minutes thanks to a well-taken goal by Hwang Hee-chan. The South Korean forward, left unmarked just outside the box, curled a precise shot into the bottom corner. It was a stunning strike, but for Spurs, it felt like déjà vu—a season marked by slow starts and defensive lapses.
However, Tottenham responded quickly. Rodrigo Bentancur, one of the more consistent performers in recent weeks, nodded home a header from Pedro Porro’s corner to level the score just minutes later. It was a moment of relief for Spurs fans, but the cracks in the team’s setup were already visible.
Midway through the first half, Spurs could have taken the lead. Radu Dragusin, filling in at center-back, rose highest for another corner but sent his header narrowly wide. Moments later, Dominic Solanke came close with a similar opportunity, but Wolves managed to hold firm.
The turning point of the first half came just before the break when Spurs were awarded a penalty. Skipper Heung-min Son stepped up to take it, but his spot-kick was saved brilliantly by Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa. The battle between the two South Koreans saw Sa emerge victorious, and Spurs’ hopes of heading into halftime with an advantage appeared dashed.
Despite this, Tottenham found a way to go into the interval with a lead. Excellent link-up play between Porro, Bentancur, and Kulusevski created a chance for Brennan Johnson, who fired into the near post to make it 2-1. It was a well-worked goal, but as the second half began, doubts lingered about Spurs’ ability to maintain their advantage.
Second-Half Struggles
Five minutes into the second period, disaster struck for Tottenham. Destiny Udogie, one of the team’s few consistent defenders this season, limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Sergio Reguilon, making his first meaningful appearance for the club since April 2022, came on as his replacement.
Tottenham’s rhythm faltered after this substitution, and Wolves began to grow into the game. Postecoglou attempted to inject fresh energy into his side with a triple substitution, bringing on Timo Werner, Maddison, and Pape Matar Sarr. However, the changes did little to steady the ship.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Spurs had a golden chance to seal the game. Kulusevski rounded Sa and fired towards the empty net, only for Santiago Bueno to clear the ball off the line. It was a pivotal moment that seemed to sum up Tottenham’s season—so close, yet so far.
As often happens in football, missed opportunities came back to haunt them. Just five minutes later, Wolves’ substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen capitalized on Spurs’ defensive uncertainty to lash the ball into the roof of the net. The visitors had their equalizer, and Tottenham’s inability to close out games once again proved costly.
In stoppage time, Spurs had one final chance to snatch all three points. Sarr found himself unmarked in the box but could only head the ball wide. Moments later, Bentancur picked up a needless yellow card, ruling him out of Tottenham’s next match through suspension. It was a chaotic end to a frustrating game, and when the final whistle blew, the mood in the stadium was one of despondency.
Postecoglou’s Challenges and Defensive Woes
Tottenham’s inability to hold onto a lead is becoming a recurring theme. The club’s defensive frailties were evident once again, with a makeshift backline that included Archie Gray, a midfielder by trade, at center-back. Injuries to Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, and Pedro Porro have left Spurs desperately short of options in defense.
Radu Dragusin, while promising in some areas, struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of Wolves’ counter-attacks. The Romanian defender’s lack of speed is a significant weakness in Postecoglou’s high-line system, and finding reinforcements in January is now a top priority for the club.
The midfield also looked unbalanced. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr struggled to impose themselves, and the absence of Maddison from the starting lineup raised questions about Postecoglou’s tactical choices.
The Bigger Picture: A Club in Crisis?
While some fans are beginning to question Postecoglou’s tactics, it’s clear that the root of Tottenham’s problems lies deeper. The squad’s lack of depth has been exposed by injuries, and Chairman Daniel Levy’s reluctance to invest in the transfer market has left the team vulnerable.
Spurs have been heavily criticized for their conservative spending approach, and this has been highlighted by players themselves. Cristian Romero recently told Telemundo Deportes, “Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn’t do well, strengthens again, and now they’re seeing results.”
The frustration among fans is palpable. While Postecoglou’s system has shown promise, the lack of consistent quality in key areas has prevented Tottenham from building momentum.
Looking Ahead
The January transfer window now looms large for Tottenham. Reinforcements in defense are essential if Spurs are to salvage their season. The likes of Romero and Van de Ven need reliable backups, and investing in pacey center-backs will be crucial to Postecoglou’s high-pressing style.
Spurs’ next fixture is against Wolverhampton Wanderers once again, this time in the Midlands. Sitting in 11th place with just one win in their last seven league matches, Tottenham desperately needs a positive result to build confidence heading into the new year.
As for Wolves, their resurgence under new manager Vítor Pereira continues. Unbeaten in their last three games, they’ll be buoyed by this result and will look to climb further away from the relegation zone.
Final Thoughts
Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Wolves was a microcosm of their season—flashes of brilliance overshadowed by defensive frailties and missed opportunities. For Postecoglou, the road ahead looks daunting, but with the right reinforcements and a fully fit squad, Spurs could still turn their season around.
For now, though, frustration reigns in North London, and all eyes are on Daniel Levy to deliver in January. Will the Spurs chairman finally loosen the purse strings, or will Tottenham’s struggles continue into 2025? Only time will tell.
Nafisa
