The debrief - Spurs 2 Wolves 0
Mistakes in defence and a static attack made for a poor showing as Wolves tasted defeat at Spurs.
The performance started off fairly solid at the back, with captain Conor Coady marshalling his defence towards what looked set to be a goalless first half.
But a Harry Kane strike on the stroke of half-time was the turning point and Wolves never recovered – while going forward they flattered to deceive.
Lapses in concentration
Although Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were not particularly threatening at the other end, they seemed destined to see out the first half without conceding.
Coady was particularly impressive, while Romain Saiss was industrious.
The full-backs struggled at times but considering the talent they faced – in Gareth Bale and Son-Heung-min – they were able to keep them at arm’s length with the help of their team-mates.
All of that good work, however, was undone by one simple long ball forward.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg lifted the ball over the top from his own half and caught the defence napping, allowing Kane to latch on to it and score.
The England striker was exceptionally close to creeping offside too, but Nelson Semedo kept him onside as he was slightly deeper than the rest of the backline.
At this level that lapse in concentration is not good enough, but it hurts even more when the team was seconds away from closing out the first half.
It truly was the turning point as Spurs pushed for a second goal after the restart.
Eventually it came after the hour-mark and it was another individual error that caused it. Ki-Jana Hoever was innocently shepherding the ball out of play for a throw-in but mistakenly allowed Sergio Reguilon to slide in and steal in – eventually culminating in Hojbjerg finding the net. This Wolves team does have young blood in it and mistakes will happen, but at this level they get punished.
One-man band
The only threat Wolves carried in attack was Adama Traore. Simply put.
Fabio Silva has improved in recent weeks and months and is a clear talent, while Vitinha and Morgan Gibbs-White have taken their opportunities in previous games.
But that trio all struggled against Spurs and failed to have the desired impact.
The only two chances created in the first half both came from Traore and were carbon copies of each other.
A devastating run through the middle of the pitch, taking on several players that creates a two-on-two situation. Both times he laid the ball of to Silva and both times he failed to hit the target.
Traore may infuriate some supporters at times, and he has certainly had an indifferent season, but what he offers can be sensational.
With Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence injured, Wolves’ reliance on Traore was evident and without him they would have struggled to muster anything for Hugo Lloris to worry about.
Fallen on deaf ears
For all the majesty of the 62,850-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is incredible how deafening the silence of no supporters is.
Although it would have only been home fans in attendance if this game had taken place only 24 hours later, surely it would have been a difference to the flat display on show?
Footballers must take motivation and enjoyment from fans returning, whether they are booing or chanting their side.
This game was the final one without supporters as Wolves travel to Everton tomorrow – and face Manchester United at home on Sunday – with fans finally back in the building.
Perhaps it will lift those in old gold and black who were particularly underwhelming against Spurs.
Nuno may also ring the changes and bring back Willy Boly and Fernando Marcal. They will likely tighten up the leaky defence.
There are two more chances to go for Wolves to impress before a big summer.
