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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Lawrence Ostlere

Tottenham vs Wolves: Spurs title hopes hit hard after surprise defeat

Tottenham's title hopes suffered a damaging blow as Wolves came from behind to win 3-1 at Wembley.

Spurs had looked like piling the pressure on leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race after Harry Kane celebrated his new year MBE in style with a brilliant first-half strike.

But Wolves had other ideas and enjoyed a memorable first visit to the new national stadium as goals from Willy Boly, Raul Jimenez and Helder Costa in the final 18 minutes gave them a deserved three points.

It was a game too far for Spurs, whose relentless run of fixtures finally caught up with them, and they could now end the weekend nine points behind Jurgen Klopp's side.

Re-live the action below:


Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolves.

The teams!

Spurs XI vs. Wolves: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sánchez, Davies; Winks, Sissoko; Dele, Eriksen, Son; Kane
Wolves XI vs. Spurs: Rui Patrício; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Dendoncker, Jonny; Cavaleiro, Jiménez, Traoré.
1 min: The game is underway at Wembley, and Tottenham are quickly on the ball. Can they blow another team away?
3 min: The first incident of note in this game – Sissoko and Dendoncker collide and there is a break in play. The Wolves midfielder has come off worse, it seems. 
6 min: Son tries his first effort of the match, lashing a low skimmer from 25 yards, but he drags it slightly wide. 
9 min: Given the rampant form of Spurs over the festive period, Wolves will be quietly pleased with this pretty uneventful start. 
11 min: A free-kick for Spurs in a promising position is fired straight into Rui Patricio's arms by Kieran Trippier. Not his best. 
14 min: A half-shout for a penalty by Adama Traore, as his cross slams against the arm of Ben Davies, but it would have been a bit harsh on the Spurs full-back. However only a moment later Davies is booked for clattering through a mistimed tackle. 
17 min: A quick Spurs break ends with Son teeing up Alli, who casually sweeps the ball over the crossbar and into the neighbour's garden.
20 min: Christian Eriksen curls a delightful left-footed shot towards the corner and it's excellently pushed away by Rui Patricio. Top Barclays all round. 
GOAL!

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Wolves (Kane, 22)

Harry Kane MBE curls in an absolute belter with his left foot! Loose from Wolves, who give the ball away in midfield allowing Spurs to break, and when Kane cuts in from the right he bends a beautiful effort past Patricio, his 13th of the season. 
26 min: Wolves seem to have settled down into this one, albeit a little late.
GOAL!

GOAL! Watford 0-1 Newcastle (Rondon 29)

Salomon Rondon heads home from Matt Ritchie's cross and the Magpies are in front at Vicarage Road.
29 min: Son almost latches on to a througball by Eriksen but it's just out of his reach. 
32 min: Ruben Neves skips away from a couple of Spurs midfielders and then overhits a pass towards Jimenez up front. Nice skill but Wolves are in need of some composure in the final third. 
35 min: Spurs are back on the ball and in control of this match. Wolves need to get to the break and re-group. 
39 min: Still only one goal elsewhere in the Premier League today - Rondon's for Newcastle at Watford.
42 min: The more I see the replay of Kane's goal, the more I wonder if Patricio might have done better. It wasn't in the very corner of the top-corner, it was just in the general direction of the top-corner. Save-able, certainly, but the keeper only got fingertips to it. 
HALF TIME

Half-time: Tottenham 1-0 Wolves

Harry Kane's well-taken strike is the difference at the break. 

 

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