TOTTENHAM 2-2 WOLVES: Jorgen Strand Larsen scored a late equaliser to earn Vitor Pereira’s team a battling point against Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Spurs
Jorgen Strand Larsen drilled home a late leveller to maintain Vitor Pereira’s unbeaten start at Wolves and ensure no glimmer of light for Tottenham at the end of their darkest month.
Ange Postecoglou’s team may have been spared equaling an October 1955 record of five league defeats in a calendar month.
But with only one fit centre-back in Radu Dragusin a skittish defence that remains desperately incapable of grinding out wins threw away another two points.
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster could certainly have done more to get in the way of Stand Larsen’s ferocious strike from a narrow angle but Postecoglou was infuriated by how much space the striker was permitted when receiving a pass from the impressive Rayan Ait-Nouri.
And that mistake undid some solid, if unspectacular, work from Spurs after they battled back from conceding early to Hee-Chan Hwang with Rodrigo Bentancur equalising before Brennan Johnson put them in front on the stroke of half-time.
Their fragility was evident inside seven minutes when Hwang was left unmarked on the edge of the area to gratefully receive Ait-Nouri’s short free-kick.
The Korean, making a first league start since August, had ample time and space before sending a delightful right-footed finish in off the post.
Spurs complained that Johnson was impeded when attempting to close him down but the real issue lay in such a sleepy collective reaction.
Falling behind did at least bring Spurs to life and they needed just five minutes to make it 1-1 when Bentancur rose high among a crowd to head home Pedro Porro’s corner.
Radu Dragusin nodded wide from another Porro delivery soon after but for a decent spell midway through the half Wolves appeared more tenacious and cohesive in general play.
Indeed Tottenham’s disconnect was summed up by Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur flooring each other when attempting to take the same shot.
The England striker was so surprised by Bentancur’s arrival that he initially appealed for a penalty.
But that bit of slapstick was swiftly followed by Spurs enjoying their own period of dominance and Johnson smartly won a penalty when getting his body in front of Andre.
Heung-min Son, hitherto anonymous, stepped up with a remarkable number of Korean fans in attendance for his clash against compatriot Hwang.
But they were left disappointed when the Spurs captain’s attempt was pushed away well by Jose Sa.
Spurs pushed on, however, and Johnson had them in front in the third minute of added time following a smart interchange with Dejan Kulusevski before calmly finishing.
The second half was disrupted by a slew of injuries with Cunha removed at the break because of a hamstring issue and Spurs’ woes deepened when Destiny Udogie pulled up clutching his right leg.
Nelson Semedo being examined following a blow to the head offered further interruption.
But Solanke came within a whisker of doubling Spurs’ advantage in the 77th minute by trying to slide onto Timo Werner’s low centre.
And that proved costly when Ait-Nouri clocked Larsen galloping into space as he ruthlessly smashed home.
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