Tottenham 3 Wolves 1

Wolves suffered late awayday heartache in London for the second successive week.

Steven Fletcher's second goal in as many starts gave Wolves an unlikely lead on the stroke of half-time, as they tried to hit back from the 2-1 setback at Fulham.

But Spurs got back into the game when Rafael van der Vaart sidefooted home the equaliser from the spot on 77 minutes.

Roman Pavlyuchenko tapped home the second 10 minutes later, after the ball bounced kindly for him after Tom Huddlestone's drive cannoned off a Wolves body.

There was a real element of farce about the third goal in the second minute of stoppage time, as the recalled Richard Stearman tried to usher the ball back to keeper Marcus Hahnemann and substitute Alan Hutton slid in to loop the ball looped over the goalkeeper.

Wolves made three changes from the side that suffered their first defeat of the season last week at Fulham.

Stearman came in for the suspended Christophe Berra and David Jones and Fletcher returned at the expense of Jelle van Damme and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who both dropped to the bench.

As expected, it was a return to the 4-5-1 formation that served Wolves so well during the second half of last season.

Club-record signing striker Fletcher took up the wide left role, with Kevin Doyle the lone frontman.

Wolves could have had a penalty in the sixth minute in their first attack, when Matt Jarvis appeared to be bundled over by William Gallas after beating Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Spurs returned to the attack and former Wolves striker Robbie Keane had a first-time shot blocked by Jody Craddock.

Jarvis was causing Spurs problems whenever he got the ball and won the game's first corner, which eventually saw Fletcher head over the winger's cross.

But there was a familiar theme developing and after blowing for a couple of minor fouls, referee Mike Jones booked Kevin Foley for catching Gareth Bale, prompting Wolves fans to sing 'we can't tackle any more.'

Spurs forced the first save in the 25th minute when Foley was beaten on the inside to leave Bale clear on goal.

But Hahnemann smothered the Wales man's shot and Keane's follow-up shot was blocked.

Hahnemann was in action again on the half hour, tipping over van der Vaaart's 25-yard left foot volley.

Then the American leapt acrobatically to divert Peter Crouch's header over after the former Villa striker pulled away from Stearman to meet Bale's cross.

Bale was the instigator again on 39 when he beat Foley and his centre only for Keane to flash a free header wide.

But it was Wolves who took the lead with their first shot on goal right at the end of normal time at the end of the first-half.

Jones played a fine reverse ball outside to Foley, whose cross was converted by Fletcher ahead of Younes Kaboul from two yards out.

Spurs created the first chance of the second period, when substitute Hutton cut inside and curled inches wide of the far post on 49 minutes.

Wolves' first effort of the half came seven minutes later when van Damme – on for Jarvis – sent a rising angled drive a yard over.

But increasingly, Wolves were forced to defend and, after van der Vaart curled inches wide, Keane's scissors kick was just off target.

The game however was heading nowhere until Stephen Ward foolishly brought down Hutton just inside the area for a clear penalty, although it was hotly disputed by the Irishman.

Van der Vaart wasted no time in slotting home from the spot for his first goal for Spurs.

That lifted the crowd and Wolves had some hanging on to do as van der Vaart dragged wide.

But although Wolves looked as if they were trying for a second goal, there was a certain inevitability that once Spurs were level, they were favourites to get their noses in front.

So it proved with the two late goals that gave the scoreline a slightly flattering look.