MX23RW : Wednesday, June 5 13:48:37| >> :60:412:412:
[monks data]
Attendance: 31,674
Wolves logo
Premier League
Dec 15, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Spurs logo

1-2

Traore (67')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Moura (8'), Vertonghen (91')

Jose Mourinho hails Wolves' "incredible mentality"

Jose Mourinho hails Wolves'
© Reuters
Tottenham moved up to fifth, three points behind the top four, after victory.

Jose Mourinho believes Wolves can qualify for the Champions League after Tottenham’s smash and grab win at Molineux.

Jan Vertonghen’s injury-time header gave Spurs a fortunate 2-1 victory to end the hosts’ 11-game unbeaten run.

Adama Traore had earlier cancelled out Lucas Moura’s opener at Molineux on Sunday.

Tottenham climbed to fifth, three points behind Chelsea ahead of their clash next Sunday, while Wolves sit two points back in eighth.

But Spurs boss Mourinho expects their opponents to push the top four and challenge in the Europa League, with the draw for the last 32 made on Monday.

He said: “It’s a question for Nuno (Espirito Santo) but they’re with us, Chelsea, United, Arsenal fighting for top six and smelling the top four.

“I think that’s what they do. In the Europa League I always think it’s unfair that the losers (in the Champions League) drop back.

“For me, the losers of the Champions League should go home. But now they get Inter, Ajax, and teams that are already good.

“They get guys from the Champions League, but they can beat anyone – home or away.

“They have an incredible mentality.”

Tottenham have now won five of their seven games under Mourinho since he replaced Mauricio Pochettino last month to continue their revival.

“It was one of those victories where quality is not enough. If you are not a real team in the real sense of what the word team means, it’s impossible,” added Mourinho.

“Sometimes football is strange because you could have exactly the same game and no goal in the last minute and you’re speaking about a draw.

“Wolves would be one point ahead of us and we would not be as happy as we are now.”

Moura opened the scoring after eight minutes, drilling in after a jinking run took him past Jonny and Romain Saiss.

Eric Dier hit the post in the first half but Spurs were second best and Traore’s 20-yard rocket levelled after 67 minutes.

The hosts looked the only winners but Vertonghen’s header from Christian Eriksen’s corner in the first minute of stoppage time stole the points.

Wolves boss Santo called for more protection from referees for Traore after Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Dier were booked for fouls on the winger.

This season 24 players have been cautioned for fouling Traore in 26 games.

Nuno said: “Referees know, we mentioned that, and they realise. They should punish the tackles and protect the players, players who have talent like Adama.

“It’s tough to defend (against) and opponents do what they have to do, it’s up to the referee to judge.

“All the referees knows in cases of players like this they must act immediately to prevent an injury because sometimes a tackle can cause a serious injury and it’s not fair.

“He scored a good goal, it’s one of the things he must do.

“We controlled most parts of the game and created a lot of chances.

“Mistakes happen in football, it happened at the end, but I’m very proud with the way the team performed. We keep on going, it’s football.”

ID:383034: cacheID:383034:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6644:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!