Match report: Spurs 1 Wolves 0 (and what a weekend it was!)

 

Match report: Spurs 1 Wolves 0 (and what a weekend it was!)

Yes, the weekend didn't just end with our victory over the Wolves but continued with Leeds humiliating Tommy Tickle Tuckers' Yankee-Blues 3-0 and Newcastle getting a draw against City (3-3). Then on Monday night, Poor-Bad-Boys-United humiliated KlipKlops Scouser by sinking them 2-1. The only blemish over the weekend was Woolwich staying on top of the league by beating Bournemouth 3-0. Still, Woolwich hasn't played anybody substantial yet (poorly Leicester and mid-lower table Palace and, of course, Bournemouth)). It won't be until October that Woolwich will face anybody strong (us).

Harry Kane scored his 250th goal for the club as we moved top of the Premier League for a few hours with a hard-fought win over Wolves.

The man on crutches

Yes, me (crutches)… two Spurs supporters (Len & Sam) came to Janette's house for a lift to the stadium (because of train strike issues); we left at 5.20 am, then I drove to Mel's house to pick him up and then onwards to N17. The journey took us just over two hours. Surprisingly the traffic was quite good, considering there was a train strike. But then again, I do leave ridiculously early to void the traffic.

After stopping for coffee, we got to the ground at 9 am.

Once in the ground (doors opened at 9.30 am), the usual nods, tickles, chatter, secret handshakes (ok, joking!), all followed by food and drink and then to our seats.

The match

Kane quickly responded to a header as Ivan Perisic flick on from a corner, giving us our victory. In that second half, we also dominated.

Kane's goal also made us the fifth team to score 1,000 goals at home since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

Even though the first half was like the first half against the Yankee-Chelsea game, our goal was coming as Kane, and his strike partner Son hit the woodwork as we poured forward to break the deadlock.

The intensity of the second half was a complete contrast to the first period.

Bruno Lage's side restricted us to just one 45th-minute effort and were unfortunate to see record signing Matheus Nunes nod Ruben Neves' probing pass inches wide of our goal. But Wolves lacked any spark in the final third as their winless top-flight run reached ten matches.

Having had to wait until mid-October for his first Premier League goal last season, Kane has now scored crucial goals in two of our first three fixtures. Kane's late-minute equaliser at Stamford Bridge helped us to maintain our unbeaten start.

My conclusion

Kane, who headed home the winner 64 minutes after a flick-on by Ivan Perisic, now holds the Premier League record for most goals scored for a single club (185) - one more than Sergio Aguero. He is 75 behind Alan Shearer's overall record of 260.

Conte. Comment on Kane's achievement: "I know very well that Harry would like to exchange his personal achievements for a trophy, and he is working very hard for this. We are talking about a world-class striker but what makes me happy is not only with the ball that we have a top scorer, we have a player that is involved and works a lot for the team".

I didn't see or hear, but according to some press outlets, some sections of the home fans booed our team off at half-time (shame!), nevertheless, Conte rallied the players to the desired result.

We have now won seven of our last eight home Premier League games, including each of the last five, while Wolves are ten games without a league win.

 

My player ratings

Tottenham Lloris (7), Sanchez (7), Dier (7), Davies (7), Royal (6), Bentancur (7), Hojbjerg (6), Perisic (8), Kulusevski (7), Son (5), Kane (8)

Man of the Match: Harry Kane

Conte handed a first Premier League start to Ivan Perisic, with Ryan Sessegnon dropping to the bench. Cristian Romero had a slight knock, so Davinson Sanchez got the nod in the back three.

Sanchez seemed an excellent substitute for Romero and managed to head wide from a corner before Kane expertly reversed a header from a Kulusevski cross onto the crossbar. Still, he would not be denied moments later.

Perisic, who was making his first Premier League start, flicked on a near-post corner. Kane's quick thinking to move into space beyond Nathan Collins resulted in him having the easiest of headers from close range to release the pressure.

After the game, Conte said, "Half-time was a moment to analyse with players to improve the situation. We struggled in the first half - we played against a fast team. We suffered together, but Hugo Lloris didn't make a save. I tried to fix it in the second half with tactical aspects, but we had the energy to press high and create chances. We played with important intensity and good pressure. The second half was difficult for the Wolves. To get seven points shows this team is improving in many aspects. We want to improve. It's not enough to fight for something important. There is great chemistry, and that is important."

We are currently fourth, with Woolwich on top, followed by City, followed by Yankee Blues conquers, Leeds and then us. However, Woolwich have nine points, while we have seven, along with City, Leeds and Brighton.

After the game

When the match finished, we made our way to the lounge, had a couple of drinks, and then to our car, where Sam and Len followed shortly after. It took us over 2 hours to get out of White Hart Lane/ Great Cambridge Road and make our way to the M25 (no doubt because of the rail strike, more cars on the road). I finally got home at about 9.30 (after dropping Mel home).

What's next for us?

We have an away day at Nottingham Forest next Sunday (4.30 pm) before heading to West Ham the following Wednesday.

COYS!

Glenn