WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 – Saturday 3rd November 2018 (7.45pm);
There is a song that resounds from the stands at Molineux these days which ends with the line: ‘We’re Wolverhampton – we’re on our way back.’
On leaving Wolverhampton station an hour before Wolves kicked off their home match against Spurs last Saturday evening it was evident the big time, with everything that it involves, has returned to this part of the football world.
The city centre pubs were packed to the extent most were not allowing any more pre-match drinkers to enter, this infrequent present day visitor, yet Molineux veteran of fifty years standing, walking a familiar route to the ground.
In the process he became aware of the anticipation and positivity among the home support – a feeling reminiscent of a time in the early 70s, when a teenage boy would feel a tingle of excitement on reaching Waterloo Road at the prospect of ninety minutes spent watching John Richards, Ken Hibbitt, Derek Dougan and Dave Wagstaffe.
Those wondrous Wanderers times were brought sharply back into focus with a flick through the match programme for Saturday that contained a reprint of the Molineux first leg 1972 UEFA Cup Final edition, Wolves losing out 3-2 on aggregate to Tottenham, a result which somehow became symbolic in the aftermath of last weekend’s encounter – Spurs edging through by virtue of taking the chances that came their way.
Molineux has changed beyond all recognition since that European Final of 46 years ago but a night fixture with a near sell out crowd still brings a throwback to the rousing atmosphere of old. Successive defeats in the past fortnight had done nothing to dampen encouragement for those in light, rather than old, gold – with every foray into the Tottenham half greeted by a loud, encouraging roar.
In the opening twenty five minutes Tottenham were slick and patient, Wolves energetic and enthused, their tenacity bringing parity in midfield. But by the half hour mark the contest looked done, Spurs taking a 27th minute lead after Erik Lamela was put through to score following an incisive move, the lead extended just two minutes later when Lucas Moura was left alone by the Wolves defence to head home a Kieran Trippier centre.
Trailing to a well-worked goal from a high quality team and a largely self-inflicted wound, Wolves had now conceded twice in quick succession in consecutive home matches, yet there was no noticeable effect on the resolve of either the team or the crowd. When Mexican striker Raul Jimenez confidently fired home to reduce the deficit eight minutes before the break it was the least they deserved – only for the goal to be disallowed by the raised flag of an assistant referee.
Television replays showed the offside call to be incorrect, the indignation in most parts of Molineux still being aired when half-time arrived.
Thought by many to be the most accomplished team to be promoted from the Championship since Newcastle in 2010, an assessment borne out by their impressive start to the season, Wolves are still learning some of the harsh vagaries of Premiership football.
The latest lesson came after a positive start to the second half counted for nothing without a goal, Harry Kane putting the outcome beyond doubt on the hour with a close range strike – his first league goal for a month coming shortly after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had pulled off a smart save to deny Ruben Neves.
But from disappearing over the horizon with the points safely in tow Tottenham were brought back into view as a result of two rash challenges by debutant centre-back Juan Foyth, who conceded two penalties in eleven minutes. In the 68th minute Neves slotted home the first after Foyth had fouled Jimenez – who converted the second eleven minutes from time when the Argentinian defender was adjudged to have pushed Jonny.
With the score line now more representative of the previous eighty minutes Wolves pressed for the point it would have been hard to begrudge them, but Spurs, as befitting a team of their undoubted pedigree, safely negotiated the closing stages. Their ball retention and collective discipline provided the home side with valuable insight into which strings need to be pulled when tying up the points in a closely contested Premiership encounter.
On the train out of Wolverhampton there was consensus among those of gold and black persuasion Wolves deserved a draw and that three months into their top flight return they had yet to be completely outplayed. There was widespread agreement that investment in a striker was top priority for the January transfer window – the elder statesman of the group describing how lethal John Richards would have been with service from the present day team, giving another old-timer in a seat across the aisle cause to nod.
Wolves are still someway off the status to which their wealthy owners aspire, stating an aim to see them operating on a plateau the likes of Tottenham currently occupy. But in the words of the song are Wolverhampton on their way back?
Certainly looks like it.
NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of MONTY’S DOUBLE – an acclaimed thriller now available as an Amazon Kindle Book.
