LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham's Premier League title hopes took a major hit on Saturday (Dec 29) when Wolves beat them 3-1 at Wembley to end their winning run.
Spurs took the lead with a Harry Kane pile-driver in the first half but the visitors staged a ferocious comeback through Willy Boly, Raul Jimenez and substitute Helder Costa.
Mauricio Pochettino's team found themselves in the title picture thanks to five straight league wins and a mini-collapse from defending champions Manchester City.
With league leaders Liverpool not in action against Arsenal until later on Saturday, Spurs knew they had a chance to crank up the pressure on Jurgen Klopp's unbeaten side.
But Tottenham - who had scored 11 goals in their previous two festive fixtures, will be bitterly disappointed that they did not beat Wolves after dominating the first half.
The first few minutes of the match were scrappy as both teams looked for rhythm but Spurs gradually exerted control, Christian Eriksen and the returning Dele Alli probing for openings around the edge of the box.
The in-form Son Heung-min, with four goals in his previous two league games, was a constant threat with his pace and tried his luck from distance in the eighth minute after patient build-up play.
Â
Kieran Trippier hit a free-kick into the arms of Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio after Kane was fouled and Eriksen then tested Patricio from distance.
Spurs were finally rewarded midway through the first half when Son fed Kane, who marauded forward down the right.
Just before he reached the edge of the Wolves box he checked back onto his left foot and hit an unstoppable shot into the far corner past the despairing Patricio.
But Tottenham were unable to add to their lead before the break and Wolves sporadically threatened, especially when Adama Traore was on the ball.
Traore was substituted with just over half an hour to go but the visitors were seeing more of the ball and the Spurs fans became increasingly edgy as the second half progressed.
Wolves, urged on by a sizeable travelling support, disrupted Tottenham's smooth passing game, denying their creative players time on the ball.
The equaliser came in the 72nd minute after a period of pressure from Wolves earned a corner.
Substitute Moutinho swung in the corner and Boly rose to head it past Hugo Lloris.
Kane was booked for diving as Spurs poured forward looking for an winner but Wolves scored again when Jimenez struck the ball right-footed from the centre of the box past Lloris in the 83rd minute.
Four minutes later they extended their lead as substitute Costa struck to leave Spurs with a mountain to climb.
The defeat leaves Spurs on 45 points after 20 games, with 15 wins and five defeats.
Liverpool had 51 points from 19 games before they kicked off against Arsenal while Manchester City, in action on Sunday, have 44 points from 19 matches.
Singapore prepare in Doha desert heat for crucial Asian Cup qualifier in September's 1-1 friendly draw with Hong Kong, a creditable 0-0 draw away to Bahrain in their opening AFC Asian Cup
JDT players miss start of Malaysia camp for Asian Cup qualifier
Shopping made easy and fun. Shop our online assortment of exclusive products and top brand names from the comfort of your home. See what's new at HSN!
SportsKenya: Sports Betting Landscape in Kenya
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 16, 2019, with the headline 'Man City could get transfer ban: report'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Manchester City could be hit with a transfer ban - report
Newcastle United's 2-0 win over 10-man Huddersfield Town on Saturday eased their Premier League safety fears and sent the Terriers hurtling ever faster towards relegation to the Championship.
EPL: Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop
MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got under way on Wednesday (March 13), as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas..
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid
Premier League round-up: Manchester United into top four with 3-0 win at Fulham Manchester United rolled confidently to their 10th win in 11 games under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.
Match Preview - Fulham vs Man Utd | 09 Feb 2019
Southampton stun fading Tottenham, Newcastle edge five-goal Everton thriller Southampton staged a superb fightback to boost their bid for Premier League survival with a shock 2-1 win that left
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five-goal
starrsportsgh.com/2019/03/southampton-stun-fading-spurs-newcastle-edge-five-goal-everton-thriller/
Brighton also boosted their survival hopes thanks to Anthony Knockaert's brilliant strike to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace, while Newcastle battled back from 2-0 down to beat Everton 3-2. Despite their poor domestic form of late, Spurs were boosted by victory at Borussia Dortmund in midweek to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge Everton in five
China has the money but not the prestige while Bayern Munich are another option José Mourinho may sound out. Teams Top Videos Play
Where next for José Mourinho as Real Madrid have an itch to
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined almost €19 million ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday but will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence. The Juventus forward, who played for Real Madrid from 2009-18, agreed to settle the case by paying an €18.8m fine and accepting a suspended jail sentence.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo fined over $20 million for tax
Cristiano Ronaldo insists there is nothing to fear after suffering a hamstring injury in Portugal's 1-1 draw against Serbia on Monday, adding that he is "not worried" about it going forward.
Cristiano Ronaldo vows to return in 2 weeks amid fears of
LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) - England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia
England football captain Kane honoured at Buckingham Palace
Barcelona put one hand on La Liga title after edging past Sociedad Barca lead the standings on 77 points after 33 games, comfortably clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid who won 1-0 at
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Feb 9 (Reuters) - Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a confident 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday. The win moves Juergen Klopps's side three points above second-placed Manchester City who face Chelsea on Sunday and would return to the top on goal difference with a victory.
Liverpool back on top after comfortable win over Bournemouth
WHAT a fond farewell salute: After 16 years, 134 international 'A' caps and five goals, Baihakki Khaizan has fittingly decided to call it a day. He leaves this month, hanging up his international jersey and holding his head high as a role-model Singapore defender, probably one of the finest defenders of his generation, since he […]
Singapore national team, Raddy Avramovic and Shahril Ishak in
Cristiano Ronaldo will pay nearly 19 million euros — or $21.6 million — and is avoiding jail time after he pleaded guilty to four counts of tax fraud in Spain on Tuesday, multiple outlets have
Ronaldo fined $21.6M after pleading guilty to tax fraud - UPI.com
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar