Jan Vertonghen celebrates his late winner against Wolves
Jan Vertonghen celebrates his late winner against Wolves

Wolves 1-2 Tottenham: Jan Vertonghen's late winner cuts the top-four gap to three points


Jan Vertonghen's injury-time winner stunned Wolves to continue Tottenham's revival under Jose Mourinho.

The defender's header completed a smash and grab 2-1 win for Spurs to end the hosts' unbeaten run.

Adama Traore's screamer had earlier cancelled out Lucas Moura's opener.

Eric Dier hit the post for Spurs in the first half but Mourinho's men were forced to cling on before Vertonghen's late goal.

They climbed to fifth in the Premier League, despite being second best for long spells, and have won five of Mourinho's opening seven games.

Wolves drop to eighth and their unbeaten run, their longest in the top flight since 1962, ends after 11 games - although they have still lost just twice in their last 19 outings in all competitions.

The hosts made an industrious start but it was Spurs who scored after eight minutes.

Son Heung-min's drive was beaten away by Rui Patricio but the ball was worked to Moura on the right and he slipped past flimsy challenges from Jonny and Romain Saiss.

Lucas Moura scores against Wolves
Lucas Moura scores against Wolves

The forward glided into the area before rifling in high from an angle for his third goal in seven games under Mourinho.

Wolves remained undaunted though and after Paulo Gazzaniga gathered Traore's low effort they began to create openings.

Diogo Jota was a menace and it was from his work Raul Jimenez nearly levelled after 26 minutes but his low effort flashed wide.

Soon after Jota was denied by the recovering Davinson Sanchez after the defender's initial mistake allowed the forward through.

Wolves continued to dominate but should have been 2-0 down nine minutes before the break.

Referee Stuart Attwell played a good advantage after Moura was fouled to allow Dier forward.

He played a cute one-two with Dele Alli to leave the midfielder with just Patricio to beat but his low strike hit the post.

Adama Traore and Son Heung-Min battle for the ball
Adama Traore and Son Heung-Min battle for the ball

It would have been harsh on Wolves, the better side without anything to show for it, and they continued push after the break.

Jota failed to turn in Traore's cross and Gazzaniga pushed away Jimenez's shot.

Spurs' defence had lived dangerously, Vertonghen struggling against Traore and Sanchez occasionally cracking under pressure.

Mourinho's men struggled to get going, even if Alli curled wide, and Wolves finally struck back after 67 minutes.

Traore had given the visitors problems all game and he made them pay, collecting Jimenez's pass and unleashing a rocket which flew past Gazzaniga from 20 yards.

Tottenham then never looked like restoring their lead before the late drama. Harry Kane had barely been given a sniff and the England captain fired wildly wide with 11 minutes left.

Wolves remained the aggressors and Saiss' glancing header four minutes later forced Gazzaniga into a fine stop.

But Spurs silenced the hosts in the first minute of injury time when Vertonghen nodded in Christian Eriksen's corner.

Match highlights

To follow...

Opta facts

  • Wolves have suffered just their third home defeat in the top-flight in 2019 (W9 D6) and their first since a 2-5 defeat to Chelsea back in September. Indeed, each of those three losses have come against London opposition (also Crystal Palace in January, Spurs today).
  • Spurs have won two of their three Premier League away games under José Mourinho (L1), as many as they did in Mauricio Pochettino’s final 14 away from home in the competition.
  • Since a 1-3 defeat as Chelsea boss in October 2015, Spurs manager José Mourinho hasn’t lost any of his last 54 Premier League games when his side has scored the opening goal (W48 D6 – Chelsea (1), Man Utd (49), Spurs (4).
  • Adama Traore’s equaliser for Wolves was his fourth goal of the season in 26 appearances; twice as many goals as he netted in his previous 82 matches as a Premier League player across all competitions (2).
  • No two players have combined for more Premier League goals this season than Wolves duo Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez (5 – level with Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell).
  • Following a run of scoring in three straight Premier League games, Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez has now drawn a blank in each of his last four matches (13 shots). Indeed, the Mexican had five shots during today’s game – his most without scoring in the competition since he had six versus Newcastle back in February.
  • Lucas Moura has now scored three goals in just five Premier League appearances under José Mourinho after netting only once in 10 games under Mauricio Pochettino earlier this season.
  • Five of Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen’s six Premier League goals have come away from home. Indeed, he has scored his club’s first 90th minute winner in the competition since Harry Winks netted at Craven Cottage back in January.

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo