A late, dramatic goal can often hide the true story of a football match. For Tottenham Hotspur, Joao Palhinha’s powerful strike in stoppage time against Wolverhampton Wanderers did exactly that, rescuing a point that seemed to have slipped away.
But while the final score showed a 1-1 draw, the feeling for most Tottenham fans was one of frustration rather than celebration.
This was a game where the team was expected to win, especially against a Wolves side that had lost all five of their opening league matches.
Instead, it highlighted a problem that has been lingering for this new-look Spurs team: the struggle to break down well-organized, defensive opponents.
The one undeniable bright spot was the man who scored the equalizer, Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder, who is on loan from Bayern Munich, has quickly become a fan favorite.
While other summer signings might have grabbed more headlines, it is Palhinha who has been the most consistent and influential. His game is not about flashy skills, but about grit, determination, and intelligence.
Against Wolves, he was a rock in the center of the park. Not only did he score the crucial goal, but he also won all seven of his ground duels and made five important tackles.
He is what experts call a “defensive monster,” a player who breaks up the opposition’s play and provides a solid platform for his team.
His all-around performance was a reminder of his immense value, and the club will be desperate to make his loan move permanent.
However, Palhinha’s heroics could not mask the overall lack of creativity and spark in the Tottenham attack.
For large parts of the game, the team looked slow and predictable, struggling to create clear chances against a packed Wolves defense.
Several attacking players had quiet afternoons, but the issue was particularly noticeable in one specific position: right-back, where Djed Spence was given a chance to impress.
Spence has worked hard to fight his way back into the team after a period away from the club, and his commitment cannot be questioned. He is a strong and determined defender.
However, in a game where Tottenham was expected to dominate possession and attack, his limitations going forward were exposed.
His delivery into the penalty area was inconsistent, and he struggled to link up effectively with the players in front of him.
He was substituted after about an hour, a clear sign that the manager, Thomas Frank, was looking for a different solution.
The statistics from his performance tell a clear story of a player who was solid in defense but offered very little in the final third of the pitch.
The table below outlines Djed Spence’s key performance metrics from the match against Wolves and his average contributions in the Premier League this season.
| Performance Metric | vs. Wolves | 2025/26 Season Average* |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (Starts) | 1 (1) | 6 (5) |
| Chances Created | 1 | 0.3 per game |
| Dribbles Attempted | 0 | 0.8 per game |
| Pass Completion | (Part of 81% avg) | 81% |
| Times Possession Lost | 12 | N/A |
| Duels Won | 3 out of 6 | 2.7 per game (36% win rate) |
| Tackles | (Part of 0.5 avg) | 0.5 per game |
| Recoveries | (Part of 2.5 avg) | 2.5 per game |
The numbers show a player who is not contributing significantly to the attack. Creating only one chance and not attempting a single dribble in over an hour of football is simply not enough for a full-back in a team with top-four ambitions.
His substitution for the more attack-minded Pedro Porro was a logical move by the manager.
With important matches coming up in both the Premier League and Europe, Thomas Frank now faces a straightforward decision.
While Djed Spence is a useful squad player and a reliable defender, the team needs more offensive threat from its full-backs.
Pedro Porro, despite having a mixed game after coming on, is a known quantity whose crossing and creativity are far more potent. On the opposite flank, Destiny Udogie offers a constant overlapping threat.
For the team to evolve and add the “layers” that Frank has spoken about, he needs players who can contribute in all phases of the game.
Therefore, the most sensible choice for the next match is to bring Pedro Porro back into the starting lineup. Benching Djed Spence isn’t a punishment; it’s a necessary tactical adjustment to help unlock stubborn defenses and turn frustrating draws into convincing wins.
