EPL: Tottenham's Jekyll and Hyde Performance Ends in Frustrating Draw with Wolves

Tottenham's inconsistent form continued as they drew 2-2 with Wolves, despite taking the lead twice in a chaotic Premier League encounter.

Jorgen Strand Larsen's late equalizer capped off a thrilling Premier League encounter, as Vitor Pereira's Wolves shared the spoils with Tottenham in a chaotic draw. The result continues Pereira's promising start as Wolves boss.

Wolves drew first blood, capitalizing on Tottenham's defensive lapse at a free-kick. Hwang Hee-chan was left unmarked on the edge of the box, and he made no mistake, sweeping the ball low into the corner to give his side an early lead.

Tottenham swiftly responded through Rodrigo Bentancur, who expertly glanced a powerful header beyond Jose Sa from Pedro Porro's corner, restoring parity to the match. The momentum swung in Spurs' favor, and they were soon awarded a penalty after Andre's foul on the agile Brennan Johnson. However, Jose Sa guessed correctly, denying Son Heung-min from the spot.

Undeterred, Tottenham continued to press, and a slick exchange between Dejan Kulusevski and Johnson in a congested area led to the latter unleashing a low shot, as Spurs sought to regain the lead.

Tottenham squandered opportunities to extend their lead in the second half, failing to capitalize on their dominance. A prime chance arose when Timo Werner delivered a cross into the six-yard box, but Dominic Solanke was unable to connect. Dejan Kulusevski also had a clear break, yet he failed to make the most of the opportunity.

Wolves adopted a pragmatic approach, content to remain in the contest and await an opening to strike. That moment arrived three minutes from time, when substitute Strand Larsen unleashed a powerful, angled shot that beat Fraser Forster at his near post, restoring parity to the match.

Despite intense pressure from Spurs during 11 minutes of added time, they were unable to conjure a winning goal. As a result, Tottenham concluded December with a meager five points from a possible 21, a disappointing return that will raise concerns among the club's faithful.

Tottenham's performance embodied the essence of life under Ange Postecoglou, marked by a blend of defensive lapses and scintillating attacking play. The team's tendency to concede early was on display once again, as they fell behind for the 15th time in a Premier League home game this year, a record for a single calendar year in the competition.

The concession was a result of a mystifying lack of defensive focus, which allowed Hwang Hee-chan to collect a free-kick rolled into the 18-yard box by Rayan Ait-Nouri and score with ease. However, this momentary lapse was followed by spells of captivating football, as Postecoglou's preferred high-energy attacking approach ignited the Tottenham Stadium.

A notable highlight was the sublime combination play between Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson, which put Tottenham in front. The duo's interplay was a joy to behold, showcasing the attacking flair that Postecoglou's teams are known for.

The manner in which Tottenham relinquished control of the match, failing to secure three crucial points, was perplexing. A lack of effective game management allowed Wolves to capitalize on the opportunity and snatch a late equalizer.

Tottenham's performance was marred by moments of farce, none more evident than when Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke collided while attempting to shoot at the same goal, leaving both players on the turf. The incident encapsulated the team's disorganization and lack of cohesion.

As 2024 draws to a close, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou reflected on the progress made over the past 12 months in his programme notes. However, the reality is that Spurs will enter the new year in a lower league position than seventh for the first time since the 2008-09 season, a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the team.