Palhinha prevents a sensation with a last-minute equalizer

Tottenham are starting a new chapter. With another bunch of millions spent during the transfer window, with another season in the Champions League, with the new coach and with a new CEO and sporting director. The hype is big, Thomas Frank showed that he can create a new Tottenham, a more interesting Tottenham and it all started great, with an away win at Manchester City. But then came the winless Wolverhampton, who allowed 12 goals so far. The game was at home, against a relegation strugglers. What could go wrong? Well, believe it or not, the visitors have impressively won four of their last five games against Tottenham and have not been beaten by the Europa League winners since a 1-0 loss in August 2022, when Harry Kane scored his 250th Spurs goal! On top of that, Tottenham have only had three home wins in their last 16 games and the visitors were two minutes away from another victory but it still ended peacefully: Spurs – Wolves 1-1. Thomas Frank’s men had to fight for their lives as they were 1-0 down after 54 minutes and showed nothing until the injury time, when Palhinha scored an equalizer. This score will be a bitter pill to swallow for the guests, as they played excellent tonight, controlled the game in the second half and were on the verge of a stunning win until the Portuguese midfielder decided to intervene.

First big chance happened after 15 minutes, when Mohammed Kudus hit the bar. 15: Xavi sent in a stunning ball and Kudus charged in at the back post from six meters out and made strong contact with the header but Johnstone made a stunning reaction save to push the effort onto the crossbar. The Ghana winger scored minutes later, but it was an obvious offside. There were some good attempts from Spurs, but either they went over the bar, or somebody from Wolverhampton managed to block the shot. There was a penalty appeal in the 43rd minute, when Munetsi tried to hit the ball and may have hit Palhinha as well, as the Portuguese midfielder bursted into the penalty area, but the referee estimated that it wasn’t a penalty. The guests had one chance but it was a big one in injury time. Arias' corner was flicked on at the near post and Doherty was waiting on the angle. His shot ended up clipping the corner of post and bar before rocketing away to safety.

And then in the second half Wolves stunned North London. It was 54th minute when Vicario made a bit of a mess with the attempted to save a shot from Krejchi. It hit Palhinha before being poked home from close range by Bueno. From that moment on, Frank tried to lift up and wake up his squad, made changes but nothing happened. They were like frozen until the very end, when Palhinha managed an equalizer which put his team at the third place in the Premier League.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 6

Saturday

Brentford - Man. United 3-1 (2-1)

/Thiago 8, 20, Jensen 90+5 - Sesko 26/

Chelsea - Brighton 1-3 (1-0)

/Fernandez 24 - Welbeck 77, 90+10 De Cuyper 90+2/

Crystal Palace - Liverpool 2-1 (1-0)

/Sarr 9, Nketiah 90+7 - Chiesa 87/

Leeds - Bournemouth 2-2 (1-1)

/Rodon 37, Longstaff 54 - Semenyo 26, Kroupi 90+3/

Man. City - Burnley 5-1 (1-1)

/Esteve 12 (og), 65 (og), Nunes 61, Haaland 90, 90+3 - Anthony 38/

Nott.Forest - Sunderland 0-1 (0-1)

/Alderede 38/

Tottenham - Wolverhampton 0-1 (0-0)

/Bueno 54/

Sunday

16.00: (2.35) Aston Villa (3.35) Fulham (3.30)

18.30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.45) Arsenal (2.20)

Monday

22.00: (1.80) Everton (3.60) West Ham (5.10)

***odds are subject to change***