NafisaTottenham Hotspur etched their name into Premier League history for all the wrong reasons following a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have developed an unfortunate habit of conceding first in matches at home during 2024, and this encounter was no different. Wolves wasted little time, taking the lead just seven minutes into the game.
A well-executed free-kick routine allowed Hwang Hee-chan to unleash a perfectly placed strike from outside the penalty area, curling the ball into the bottom right corner. The goal was a stark reminder of Tottenham’s defensive fragility and cemented an unwanted record.
With this match, Spurs became the first team in Premier League history to concede the opening goal in 15 home games in a single calendar year – a feat unmatched since the league’s inception in 1992.
This season alone, Tottenham have gone behind in seven of their ten home fixtures. From these matches, they’ve managed to claw back three wins against Brentford, West Ham, and Aston Villa. However, they’ve suffered three defeats at the hands of Arsenal, Ipswich, and Liverpool while settling for a draw with Wolves.
Despite their tendency to concede early, Spurs have demonstrated resilience, often fighting back to level the score by halftime. Sunday’s clash was no exception, as Rodrigo Bentancur equalised in the 12th minute.
The Uruguayan midfielder, returning to action after a suspension, connected with Pedro Porro’s corner at the near post to guide a header past Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Tottenham had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 43rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Brennan Johnson was brought down in the box. However, captain Heung-min Son was unable to convert, with Sa guessing correctly to deny the South Korean.
But Spurs completed their comeback moments before halftime. Brennan Johnson turned from creator to scorer in the third minute of added time. A clever link-up with Dejan Kulusevski saw the Swedish winger cut the ball back for Johnson, who made no mistake, slotting his effort into the near post.
Tottenham’s joy was short-lived, as they failed to capitalise on their lead in the second half. To make matters worse, Destiny Udogie limped off with a suspected hamstring injury, adding to their mounting list of absentees.
The hosts were dealt a late blow when Jorgen Strand Larsen found the net in the 87th minute with a thunderous finish, ensuring Wolves left North London with a share of the spoils.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but ultimately settled for a point apiece. The result leaves Tottenham in 11th place, with just one win in their last seven league outings. Meanwhile, Wolves, under new boss Vítor Pereira, extended their unbeaten run to three games, moving two points clear of the relegation zone.
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