Tottenham left Molineux Stadium with all three points after João Palhinha broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute, scoring from very close range into the bottom right corner. Richarlison provided the assist following a corner, and the goal was enough to decide a match that had remained goalless for most of the afternoon.
Wolverhampton enjoyed plenty of the ball at times, but Tottenham?s 59 per cent possession showed the visitors had more control overall. Both sides finished with 11 shots, although Wolves only managed two on target, while Tottenham?s attacking efficiency was reflected in their 1.04 expected goals compared with 0.67 for the home side.
The numbers underlined how evenly balanced the contest was for long periods. Wolves won five corners and Tottenham matched that total, with neither team able to create sustained clear-cut openings before the late breakthrough.
Palhinha?s strike, his fourth of the competition, and Richarlison?s fourth assist in the league proved the difference in a match where the decisive moment arrived only near the end.
Incidents: The story of the match
Wolverhampton Official Line-ups:
José Sá, Matt Doherty, Pedro Lima, Toti Gomes, Santiago Bueno, Hugo Bueno, André, Mateus Mané, João Gomes, Adam Armstrong, Rodrigo Gomes
Tottenham Official Line-ups:
Antonín Kinsky, Djed Spence, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Xavi Simons, Conor Gallagher, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Randal Kolo Muani, Dominic Solanke
1':
The match begins
Tottenham Hotspur takes the lead 1-0 with João Palhinha scoring from very close range into the bottom right corner, assisted by Richarlison after a corner.
82':
GOAL Tottenham: João Palhinha (Tottenham) scores!
João Palhinha scores goal number 4 in the competition (29 matches)
998':
The referee whistles for the end of the match
