Tottenham 2-2 Wolves: Late Larsen Equalizer Piles Pressure on Postecoglou

Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. A late equalizer from Jorgen Strand Larsen denied Spurs a much-needed victory, increasing the pressure on under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou.

Match Recap

First Half: Goals and Chaos

The game started on a frantic note, with Wolves taking the lead in the 7th minute:

• Hwang Hee-chan’s Opener: The South Korean forward capitalized on poor defensive organization from Spurs to fire Wolves ahead.
• Bentancur’s Response: Tottenham quickly equalized in the 12th minute when Rodrigo Bentancur headed home Pedro Porro’s corner.

The drama continued late in the first half:

• Penalty Drama: Son Heung-min saw his 43rd-minute penalty saved by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa after Brennan Johnson won the spot-kick following a foul by Andre.
• Johnson Strikes: Just before halftime, Johnson linked up with Dejan Kulusevski to slot home from close range, giving Spurs a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

Second Half: Wolves Snatch a Point

The second half was a cagey affair until the dying minutes:

• Larsen’s Late Equalizer: Jorgen Strand Larsen, introduced at halftime for the injured Matheus Cunha, latched onto Rayan Ait-Nouri’s pass and fired past Fraser Forster in the 87th minute to secure a point for Wolves.

Tottenham had a chance to seal the win earlier, but Santiago Bueno’s last-ditch clearance off the line denied Kulusevski a goal.

Key Performances

Tottenham

• Brennan Johnson: Scored his 11th goal of the season, showcasing his consistency in front of goal.
• Rodrigo Bentancur: A crucial presence in midfield, his header provided Spurs’ first equalizer.
• Dejan Kulusevski: Provided the assist for Johnson’s goal but missed a key chance late in the game.

Wolves

• Jorgen Strand Larsen: Made an instant impact off the bench, scoring the late equalizer.
• Jose Sa: Saved Son’s penalty and made crucial stops to keep Wolves in the game.
• Rayan Ait-Nouri: Assisted Larsen’s goal with a perfectly timed pass.

Data Debrief: Recurring Issues for Both Teams

Tottenham’s Struggles

• Falling Behind: Hwang’s opener marked the 15th time in 2024 that Spurs have fallen behind at home in the Premier League, a record for a single calendar year.
• Home Woes: Tottenham have now gone five consecutive home league games without a win, their worst run since October 2008.

Wolves’ Weaknesses

• Set-Piece Vulnerability: Rodrigo Bentancur’s goal was the 10th Wolves have conceded from corners this season, the most in the league.

What’s Next for Tottenham and Wolves?

Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou’s side sits 11th in the Premier League table, with just one win in their last seven matches. The mounting pressure on the Australian manager could lead to questions about his future if results don’t improve quickly.

Wolves

Wolves remain in 17th place, two points above the relegation zone. While Vitor Pereira has stabilized the team, defensive frailties—particularly from set pieces—remain a concern.

Conclusion

Tottenham’s inability to close out games continues to haunt them, and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s late strike for Wolves only added to their woes. While Brennan Johnson and Rodrigo Bentancur delivered strong performances, the team’s defensive lapses and failure to capitalize on key opportunities leave them in a precarious position. For Wolves, the draw provides a valuable point in their battle to avoid relegation, but improvements are needed if they are to climb further up the table.

FAQs

1. Who scored for Tottenham against Wolves?

Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson scored for Spurs.

2. Who scored for Wolves against Tottenham?

Hwang Hee-chan and Jorgen Strand Larsen were the scorers for Wolves.

3. What is Tottenham’s current league position?

Tottenham are 11th in the Premier League table.

4. How has Brennan Johnson performed this season?

Johnson has scored 11 goals in all competitions, his best tally in a Premier League campaign.

5. What is Wolves’ current league position?

Wolves are 17th, two points clear of the relegation zone.