Tottenham were spared late embarrassment as João Palhinha struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point against Wolves in a dramatic 1-1 draw. The visitors had looked set to leave north London with their first league win of the season after Santiago Bueno bundled home a scrappy opener, only for concentration to slip at the crucial moment.
The result was a bittersweet one for Wolves. They showed far more fight and determination than in recent weeks, with several new signings finally beginning to settle. A near-perfect tactical setup frustrated Tottenham for long spells, particularly after a switch to a back five at half-time, yet their hard work was undone when Pape Sarr teed up Palhinha for a stunning long-range finish.
The draw nudged Spurs into the company of early surprise packages Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Bournemouth in the top five, but their display was far from convincing. Ahead of a midweek Champions League trip to the Arctic Circle, they created first-half chances but wasted them, with Matt Doherty rattling the bar in a warning that went unheeded.
For Wolves, this was another case of frustration. Nine changes had been made following last weekend’s defeat to Leeds, mirroring the successful formula in the Carabao Cup. New faces such as Jackson Tchatchoua and Jhon Arias added energy and resilience, while Sam Johnstone impressed once again in goal, justifying his selection over José Sá. Arias in particular caught the eye with clever touches and composure on the ball, while fellow South American André impressed in midfield.
Their tactical discipline was rewarded when Arias’s corner caused chaos in the Spurs box, with Bueno reacting quickest to bundle in the opener. From there, Wolves looked in control, with Hugo Bueno forcing Guglielmo Vicario into action and Jørgen Strand Larsen holding the ball up effectively. But as the minutes ticked away, Tottenham’s persistence told.
When Palhinha rifled his shot beyond Johnstone in the dying seconds, Spurs were celebrating survival rather than dominance. Wolves were left with only their first Premier League point of the season, but also a glimpse of the spirit and structure they desperately need to climb away from danger.
