Wolves 4 Tottenham 2: Shambolic Spurs score comedy own goal in bonkers six-goal thriller to leave Postecoglou on brink
ANGE Postecoglou had more worrying leaks to deal with at Molineux – but these were out in the open and plain for all to see.
Tottenham’s defence were caught red-handed giving goals away – and the look on the Spurs boss’ face said it all.
Ahead of the game, Postecoglou revealed there was a mole in the camp, leaking crucial information to the opposition.
But Wolves did not look like a side that needed a top-secret dossier to expose Tottenham’s weaknesses.
Even when Spurs threatened to claw their way back into the game, they pressed the self-destruct button time and again with a series of howlers at the back.
Djed Spence, Christian Romero and Lucas Bergvall will not want to see this match back again in a hurry – while keeper Vicario did little to inspire confidence.
The result all but keeps Vitor Pereira’s side in the Premier League for next season after a fourth successive win.
That is a feat Wolves have not achieved in the top flight since 1972 – when the likes of John Richards and Derek Dougan were the Molineux heroes.
These days it is players like Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha whose names the fans are singing.
It was a day when Postecoglou wanted goals, not moles.
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But that went out of the window less than 90 seconds into the game.
Rayan Ait-Nouri fired Wolves ahead from the edge of the area after keeper Vicario punched clear from Jean Bellegarde’s free-kick.
Vicario claimed he had been impeded and a VAR check for offside said the goal stood.
But a lengthy check angered Wolves fans who chanted “F*** VAR and “Boring”.
That was something both Postecoglou and Molineux faithful could both agree on.
But Wolves supporters soon switched their attention to the Aussie boss with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.
Spurs settled after the early goal and Yves Bissouma’s shot forced Wolves keeper Jose Sa into a superb save.
But a goal of pure farce extended Wolves’ lead.
Strand Larsen tried to get on to the end of Marshall Munetsi’s header but it bounced through for Vicario who pushed the ball out – only to see it bounce off Spence and creep over the line.
Postecoglou had shuffled his pack for the game with Thursday’s Europa League second leg tie at Eintracht Frankfurt in mind.
And he re-organised the troops 10 minutes into the second half.
Sub Bergvall came on and made a swift impact, feeding Brennan Johnson on the right.
His cross was misjudged by Nelson Semedo and Mathys Tel smuggled the ball home at the near post.
So now Tottenham had something to cling on to. Or did they?
Five minutes later, they shot themselves in the foot again.
Ait-Nouri robbed Romero who failed to deal with situation when he appeared to have it covered.
The Algerian’s cross found Strand Larsen and he scored his 12th goal of the season from close range.
That was also his fifth in four games and the Norwegian has played a huge part in Wolves’ revival.
The same scenario played out again in the final minutes.
Spurs gave themselves another chance to take something from the game.
Romero headed on to the bar and sub Richarlison bundled the ball in from close range.
Could this mean a grandstand finish? Not a bit of it.
This time it was Bergvall’s turn to dish out gifts as he lost the ball in midfield and sub Cunha raced clear to make it four with his 16th goal of the season.
Cunha had caused some controversy before the game with a series of online exchanges with Wolves fans over the player’s future.
But all seemed forgiven as the Brazilian said sorry to supporters and made a heart-shaped gesture.
Postecoglou’s frustration was massive but the stats do not lie.
In Mauricio Pochettino’s best three seasons – 2015-16, 16-17 and 17-18, Spurs lost 17 games, which is the same number as this season under Postecoglou.