Match Report: Wolves Hit Tottenham Hotspur for Four as Pressure Ramps Up on Ange Postecoglou | OneFootball

Wolves Punish Fragile Tottenham as Postecoglou Feels the Heat

Tottenham Hotspur’s already fragile season took another hit as Wolves dismantled them 4-2 in a chaotic contest at Molineux, leaving Ange Postecoglou with more questions than answers ahead of a make-or-break week in Europe.

Wolves wasted no time in capitalising on Spurs’ reshuffled line-up, with Rayan Aït-Nouri finding the net just two minutes in. The French-born Algerian was quickest to react to Guglielmo Vicario’s mistimed punch and calmly slotted home from the edge of the area.

It was the kind of early defensive lapse that has plagued Tottenham under Postecoglou in recent months, and the hosts smelled blood. Their second, just before the break, was the stuff of nightmares for Spurs. Marshall Munetsi’s header was palmed away by Vicario, only for it to ricochet off a retreating Djed Spence and into the net.

Tottenham looked lost. Disorganised, disconnected, and second to nearly every ball, their manager’s frustration was palpable on the touchline.

Photo: IMAGO

Brief Revival, But No Redemption

There was, fleetingly, a glimpse of life from Tottenham. Mathys Tel pulled one back shortly before the hour after Nelson Semedo fluffed his lines attempting to clear Brennan Johnson’s low cross. Tel bundled home at the far post to give the travelling fans something to cheer.

But Wolves weren’t about to let this one slip. Aït-Nouri again played a pivotal role, gliding past Cristian Romero far too easily before delivering a simple assist for Jørgen Strand Larsen, who made no mistake. That made it four consecutive matches with a goal for the towering forward – the first Wolves player to achieve that since Henri Camara in 2004.

Even when Richarlison added a scrappy second for Spurs late on, the contest never felt truly in doubt. And in the dying embers, it was Matheus Cunha – returning from suspension – who iced the game. The Brazilian seized on Lucas Bergvall’s careless turnover, powered forward, and coolly slotted beyond Vicario to wrap up a result that was both deserved and damaging in equal measure.

Pereira’s Impact Transforming Wolves’ Fortunes

Wolves’ resurgence under Vítor Pereira is turning heads. Since replacing Gary O’Neil in December, the Portuguese tactician has pulled the club from the brink of relegation into relative mid-table comfort. This fourth successive league win lifted them to 16th, a full 14 points clear of the drop zone.

Pereira’s record is even more impressive when laid bare: 26 points from 16 games, more than the combined total of the current bottom three sides. The turnaround has been forged through both tactical clarity and emotional unity – exemplified at full time when players and staff collectively applauded both ends of the stadium.

Much credit must go to key individuals. Aït-Nouri, who scored and assisted, has blossomed under Pereira’s guidance. Cunha, despite an uncertain future, remains committed, as shown in his composed late finish. And Strand Larsen’s form gives Wolves a focal point they’ve sorely lacked in recent seasons.

Photo: IMAGO

Postecoglou Under Pressure as Season Hangs in the Balance

If Wolves are ascending, Spurs are sinking. This was Tottenham’s 17th league defeat of the campaign, and while injuries and European rotation played their part, the manner of the loss once again laid bare the structural issues in Postecoglou’s system.

Without the rested Son Heung-min and Micky van de Ven, Spurs lacked composure in attack and resilience at the back. While their focus may be fixed on Thursday’s second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, this result should not be swept aside.

“Effort” was never lacking – that much is true. But neither was it enough. Mistakes continue to plague Spurs, and for a manager who preaches proactive football and mental strength, the fragility on display at Molineux will sting.

Frankfurt now looms large. It could define not only Tottenham’s season, but Postecoglou’s immediate future at the club. For now, Wolves have shown what belief and cohesion can deliver, while Spurs continue to search for consistency in all the wrong places.