Rayan Aït-Nouri’s early goal paved the way for Wolves to heap more pressure on Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou as Spurs suffered a disastrous 4-1 defeat at Molineux. This loss marks a sixth defeat in seven away games for Tottenham in all competitions, adding to the growing doubts about Postecoglou’s ability to lead the team in what is increasingly looking like a make-or-break season. With only the bottom three sides having lost more matches than Spurs this season, the possibility of a relegation battle looms large.
Spurs’ disastrous performance began almost immediately after the whistle, with Wolves taking the lead within 85 seconds. Aït-Nouri’s strike, after a poor punch from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, left Tottenham shell-shocked. Despite a VAR check that cleared the offside position of Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi, the goal exposed Spurs’ defensive fragility and set the tone for the rest of the match.
The situation only worsened from there. Spurs’ defensive errors continued to cost them dearly, with Djed Spence inadvertently scoring an own goal following a weak header from a cross. Jørgen Strand Larsen added a third after a mix-up in the Tottenham defense, with Cristian Romero’s lapse in concentration allowing Aït-Nouri to deliver an easy assist. The fourth goal was arguably the worst of the lot, with Lucas Bergvall’s careless pass allowing Matheus Cunha to capitalize, further embarrassing the visitors.
For Spurs, there were few positives. While Mathys Tel pulled one back after benefiting from a defensive mistake by Nélson Semedo, Tottenham’s attacking play was lackluster at best. Richarlison’s late header added a degree of respectability to the scoreline, but it did little to mask the fact that Spurs had been completely outplayed, struggling to break down a well-organized Wolves defense under Vítor Pereira. The only other shot on target was from Yves Bissouma in the first half, underscoring Spurs’ lack of creativity in attack.
Postecoglou made six changes to the starting lineup, with several key players, including Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie, being rested ahead of Tottenham’s crucial Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the abysmal nature of this performance will do little to inspire confidence heading into Thursday’s fixture. The body language of the players, as they trudged off the pitch, said it all.
In his post-match comments, Postecoglou tried to maintain an air of optimism. “They shouldn’t be in a bad headspace,” he said, urging his players to recover both physically and mentally for the upcoming European match. Yet, after such a demoralizing loss, it remains to be seen whether Spurs can handle the pressure and bounce back in what is shaping up to be a crucial period for both the manager and the club.
For Wolves, it was a well-deserved victory, with Aït-Nouri’s early goal setting the stage for a performance that was clinical in its execution. The team was tight defensively, forcing Spurs into mistakes, and capitalized on every opportunity. Wolves’ fourth consecutive Premier League win was their best run in the top flight since 1972, a stark contrast to Spurs’ continued slide.
As for Postecoglou, the defeat raises serious questions about his future, particularly with the looming threat of relegation and a deteriorating relationship with the fans. Even if Spurs find success in Europe, his bond with the Tottenham supporters may be beyond repair, especially with such a dismal league campaign unfolding.
