Wolves 2 Tottenham Hotspur 3 – Report and pictures

Spurs scored twice inside two minutes on the half hour mark – as Watford had done two weeks ago – through Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura who both took advantage of slack defending.

Raul Jimenez had a goal incorrectly chalked off for offside and Wolves went close through Helder Costa and Ruben Neves, but clinical Spurs went 3-0 up when Harry Kane beat Rui Patricio at the second attempt on 62 minutes.

Wolves rallied and scored twice from the penalty spot through Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez, but couldn't find an unlikely equaliser and slipped to a third consecutive defeat.

Analysis

There was a seven-minute spell during this thrilling and fascinating encounter when Wolves' supporters were probably feeling as despondent as they have since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge.

Harry Kane had put Spurs 3-0 up, taking advantage of yet more slack defending as the visitors showed Wolves how it was done in front of goal, writes Tim Spiers at Molineux.

Wolves had wasted several chance and been punished for lapses of concentration at the back. They were heading for a third consecutive deflating defeat and a third blank in front of goal.

What followed, from 68 minutes onwards, immediately restored any lost faith. This is why we love watching Nuno's Wolves.

Yes, they still lost this rollercoaster match, which was reminiscent of the 3-3 classic these teams served up in 2011, but they showed heart, determination and fight in those closing stages and almost earned the unlikeliest of points.

Their consolation goals were from penalties but Wolves had earned them with a vibrant and buoyant approach, one which they had shown for long spells of this game even when they were being outclassed in front of goal by the visitors.

That approach was typified by Morgan Gibbs-White whose stellar contribution drove Wolves on at a time when they were flagging. The teenager inspired his more senior colleagues.

And on another day, they'd have won this. Yes they were poor at the back, with every defender culpable, but they had a perfectly valid goal chalked off for offside and went close on several other occasions with Helder Costa somehow missing when clean through, Raul Jimenez wasting a golden opportunity and Hugo Lloris pulling off an excellent save to deny Ruben Neves.

Their response at 3-0 wasn't to fold. They fought back valliantly and were deservedly cheered off by their encouraged supporters at full time, who also sang Gibbs-White's name. What a future he has.

A third consecutive defeat, yes, but Wolves played with real quality and attacking intent against quality Champions League opposition and arguably deserved a point.

Some perspective, if needed...two years ago they were 19th in the Championship and without a manager.

Match report

Ivan Cavaleiro was handed his first league start as Nuno made one alteration to the team that lost 1-0 at Brighton last weekend.

Adama Traore dropped to the bench where he was joined by Kortney Hause, who came back into the squad at the expense of the injured Diogo Jota.

Spurs came into the game with a host of injury problems – Dele Alli didn't make the squad and Christian Eriksen was only fit enough for a place on the bench. while young Argentinean centre half Juan Foyth was handed his Premier League debut at centre half with Jan Vertonghen sidelined and Davinson Sanchez having played two games since Monday.

Indeed, this was the third game for Spurs in a sequence of four in eight days, giving Wolves hope they'd caught Mauricio Pochettino's team at a good moment.

They certainly began the game in positive fashion, taking the game to their opponents in what was a fantastic Molineux atmosphere for a rare Saturday night game.

After Spurs were forced into an early change with Son Heung-Min replacing the injured Moussa Dembele, the vibrant hosts very nearly took the lead when a vicious Raul Jimenez shot from 20 yards was only a fraction over the bar.

Matt Doherty then barged in from the right in his customary fashion before shooting low at Hugo Lloris, with positive Wolves showing a great attitude as they search for the crucial first goal.

Sadly, as in Wolves' last home game, a lapse of concentration instead meant it was Spurs who took the lead – and then completely took charge of the game.

First Erik Lamela was given far too much space in-between Willy Boly, who had been sucked out of position a moment earlier, and Jonny Castro Otto. He took Son's pass and beat Rui Patricio through his legs with a smart finish.

Watford had scored in the 28th and 29th minutes two weeks ago. Spurs' goals were in the 28th and 30th.

Their second came via the free head of Lucas Moura – there were seven Wolves players in the box but Lucas found plenty of room either side of Ryan Bennett and Doherty to head home Kieran Trippier's cross.

Wolves were all over the place and Harry Kane fancied a third, but his low rasping effort was saved by Patricio.

Nuno's team responded before the break, though, and should have got back into the game when Jimenez took Doherty's header after brilliant work from the Irishman and Joao Moutinho and beat Lloris from close range, however Doherty was incorrectly flagged offside.

That front-foot approach continued after the restart with Wolves creating three opportunities in quick succession, but somehow not scoring.

The revitalised Helder Costa was at the heart of two of them – embarking on a jinking run before releasing Jimenez who shot too close to Lloris from 12 yards, before the Portuguese winger cleverly beat his man and forced Lloris to save.

If that was a regulation stop from the French keeper, the next one certainly wasn't. Ruben Neves drilled a 20-yard exocet which went through a couple of legs and was bottom-corner-bound before Lloris stuck out a strong hand to push it around the post.

As has been the case so often this season Wolves were lacking a predatory touch – and that was hammered home when Kane showed just that to put the result beyond doubt.

A simple ball from deep saw Lamela twist and turn Coady before cutting back towards Kane. His effort was superbly saved by Patricio but the England striker gobbled up the rebound from close range.

At a despondent Molineux that looked like game over, but Wolves, who now had Leo Bonatini and Morgan Gibbs-White on the field with Cavaleiro and Moutinho withdrawn, pulled a goal back with 23 minutes to go. Foyth tripped Jimenez in the box and Neves coolly sent Lloris the wrong way from the spot to reduce the deficit.

Gibbs-White was making his longest Premier League appearance, having joined the action on 62 minutes, and the youngster was making an impact.

He rounded Winks and set Wolves on the attack to win a corner before flailing his arms at the South Bank to get them going.

Then he carved out the opportunity Wolves craved, playing a perfect through ball to Costa who beat the offside trap and was through on goal...but prodded agonisingly wide.

However a few minutes later they were awarded another penalty when Foyth again fouled a Wolves man in the box, this time Otto who took Bonatini's pass and had beaten his man. It was a clear decision and this time Jimenez stepped up instead of Neves – and he too sent Lloris the wrong way.

Molineux was absolutely bouncing; from nowhere Wolves were back in it and chasing an unlikely point. Adama Traore came on for Costa to a rousing ovation with the rowdy home supporters willing their team on.

Sadly, a third goal was too much to ask. Spurs defended resolutely and saw it through – if Wolves had done that earlier this would have been a very different result.

Key moments

20 - First sign of danger for Wolves. Kane breaks into the box and aims low with his left foot. Patricio gets down well to palm towards Jonny, who then makes the clearance.

28 - Goal! Lamela capitalises on a defensive lapse in concentration to put Spurs in front. He plays a one-two with Son, running between Jonny and Boly before slotting through Patricio's legs.

30 - Goal! The visitors swiftly grab a second. Trippier floats a cross to the far post and Lucas - perhaps the smallest player on the pitch - heads home after nobody tracked his run. Far too easy.

37 - Jimenez has the ball in the back of the net for Wolves following Doherty's header into his path, but the assistant referee, incorrectly, raises his flag for offside against the defender.

51- A good spell of pressure from the hosts, forcing Lloris into a trio of fine saves. He swats away Jimenez's drive and keeps out Costa at the near post before tipping a scorcher from Neves around the post.

61 - Goal! Kane makes it 3-0 to Spurs. His initial close-range attempt is stopped by Patricio, but he gobbles up the rebound.

68 - GOAL! Wolves pull one back! Neves sends Lloris the wrong way with his penalty, given after Jimenez was tripped, on the turn, by Foyth. Massive roar from the South Bank.

79 - GOAL! Nuno's lot score another, again from the spot! This time, Jimenez steps up and coolly sidefoots into the corner after Jonny was pushed to the ground by Foyth. Costa will be happy after spurning a gilt-edged opportunity a few moments ago.

Teams

Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady (c), Boly; Doherty, Moutinho (Gibbs-White, 62), Neves, Otto; Costa (Traore, 84), Jimenez, Cavaleiro (Bonatini, 62).

Subs not used: Ruddy, Dendoncker, Hause, Vinagre.

Goals: Neves (pen 68), Jimenez (pen 79)

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Lloris (c); Trippier, Alderweireld, Foyth, Davies; Sissoko, Dembele (Son, 7) (Eriksen, 58), Winks; Lamela, Kane, Lucas (Sanchez, 79).

Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Skipp, Llorente.

Goals: Lamela (28), Lucas (30), Kane (61)

Attendance: 31,185

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

League position

11th (15 points from 11 matches)

Next up

Wolves travel to London next Sunday to face Arsenal at the Emirates, with a 4.30pm kick off