Tottenham booed off as Strand Larsen strikes late to earn Wolves draw

Ange Postecoglou witnessed his Tottenham Hotspur side drop more points in the Premier League as Wolves snatched a late 2-2 draw, courtesy of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s 87th-minute strike. The result capped a frustrating December for Spurs, who have been plagued by injuries and a series of poor results, leaving them slipping further down the table.

Despite showing promise late in the first half, they were unable to maintain their lead, ending 2024 without the desired victory.

The match began with optimism for Spurs, who relied on their only fit center-back, Radu Dragusin, to anchor a depleted defense. However, Wolves wasted no time exploiting Tottenham’s vulnerabilities. In just the seventh minute, a well-executed short free-kick routine allowed Rayan Aït-Nouri to find an unmarked Hwang Hee-chan, who delivered a superb curling shot into the bottom corner. The early setback rattled Tottenham, but their response came swiftly.

Only four minutes later, Rodrigo Bentancur rose to meet Pedro Porro’s precise near-post corner and powered a header past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa to equalize. Bentancur’s goal provided a temporary lift, and Spurs began to search for a second.

Dragusin came close shortly after, heading wide from another Porro set-piece delivery, but clear-cut chances remained elusive for much of the half.

Tottenham’s attacking momentum built gradually, and just before halftime, they were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead. Brennan Johnson, combining effectively with Dejan Kulusevski, drew a foul inside the penalty area.

Referee Chris Kavanagh wasted no time pointing to the spot. Captain Son Heung-min stepped up, but after a lengthy pause before his kick, Jose Sa guessed correctly, diving to his right to make a brilliant save.

Despite the penalty miss, Spurs went into the break ahead thanks to Kulusevski’s brilliance. The Swedish winger weaved through Wolves’ defense, twisting and turning before laying off a perfect pass to Johnson, who calmly curled his shot into the net. Johnson’s 11th goal of the season gave Tottenham a 2-1 advantage and a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.

Wolves manager Vitor Pereira, enjoying an unbeaten start since replacing Gary O’Neil, made two changes at halftime to reignite his team. Unfortunately, he was forced to substitute talisman Matheus Cunha shortly afterward due to injury.

Spurs also suffered another blow when Destiny Udogie limped off, adding to their growing injury woes. The game’s stop-start nature continued as Wolves captain Nelson Semedo required treatment after a collision in the 53rd minute.

Both teams struggled to find rhythm in the second half, though Wolves maintained the majority of possession. Tottenham looked dangerous on the counterattack, with Kulusevski and substitute Timo Werner creating chances. Werner sent a low ball across the goal, and Kulusevski found himself through on goal but couldn’t capitalize, misfiring after rounding Sa.

The missed opportunities came back to haunt Spurs as Wolves found their equalizer late in the game. Aït-Nouri, instrumental in both of Wolves’ goals, delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Strand Larsen. The substitute controlled the pass expertly and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net, leaving goalkeeper Fraser Forster with no chance. The 87th-minute goal sent shockwaves through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Wolves celebrated salvaging a point.

Tottenham had a final opportunity to reclaim their lead, but Pape Sarr’s header went wide, and Forster made a crucial save to deny Matt Doherty in stoppage time. The match ended 2-2, leaving Spurs to reflect on another disappointing result.

This draw highlighted Tottenham’s ongoing struggles with defensive consistency and an inability to capitalize on key moments. Injuries have compounded their problems, leaving Postecoglou with limited options and forcing him to rely on a makeshift lineup. Despite their attacking potential, lapses in concentration and missed opportunities have prevented Spurs from turning performances into victories.

Wolves, on the other hand, showcased resilience and determination under Pereira’s leadership. Their ability to fight back and secure a point away from home underscores their progress since the managerial change.

As the Premier League season continues, both teams face crucial challenges. Tottenham must find ways to stabilize their defense and recover from their injury crisis, while Wolves will look to build on their recent momentum and climb the table.