Contrary to fears that their main defenders were missing en masse, Tottenham Hotspur maintained their one-goal lead against Wolverhampton until the 45th minute.
Eric Dier and Ben Davies, who started for the first time this season, were both rated 7/10 in the second 45 minutes by soccer statistician Footmob.
However, the duo were unable to survive second-half stoppage time.
Tottenham lost 1-2 in the 12th round of the 2023-24 English Premier League on Nov. 11 at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England.
Against Chelsea on Sept. 7, Tottenham lost two of their top defenders, Mickey van der Vaart and Christian Romero, at the same time.
Van der Penn left the game with a hamstring injury, while Romero was sent off with a red card and suspended for an additional three games.
With the loss of a third defender, Davinson Sanchez, to Galatasaray, Eric Dier was the only defender left in the Tottenham first team.
Tottenham called up 2005-born Ashley Phillips, who has been playing for the Under-21s, to the first team.
Contrary to expectations that Phillips would be a surprise starter, Postecoglou opted for veterans in his starting defense. Dyer and Davies paired up as the starting center backs. It was Dyer’s first start and Davies’ second. 카지노사이트777
Romero and van der Penn are two of the fastest defenders in the Premier League.
That’s why Postecoglou was able to play them high up the line. Dier and Davies, on the other hand, are two defenders who lack a lot of speed compared to those two players.
Given Postecoglou’s traditional tactics, the question was whether Dyer and Davies would be able to stop the Wolverhampton attack. On top of that, it was their first time playing together at center back.
Contrary to expectations, the two defenders performed like experienced defenders and steadily shut down the Wolverhampton attack with Hwang Hee-chan up front.
Instead of forcing their feet out, they kept their center of gravity behind them and worked together with their teammates.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Vicario was also solid behind them.
Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the third minute of the first half, and Spurs didn’t concede again until the 45th minute, with all three points on the line.
But the stalwart Tottenham defense crumbled in a single moment, as Mateusz Cunha won the ball on the left flank and sent a right-footed roving pass to an onrushing Pablo Sarabia beyond the Spurs backline.
Sarabia rattled the Tottenham net with a powerful left-footed shot past Vicario.
Dyer got a hand to it, but Sarabia was ahead of him.
Wolverhampton, who had brought on a number of attack-minded players in search of an equalizer, continued to rattle the Spurs camp after the equalizer, breaking down the Spurs defense held up by Dyer and Davies.
After winning the ball on the right flank, Sarabia’s through ball found Lemina in front of goal, who tapped it home.
Dyer came forward for the offside trap at the moment of the pass but was not caught.
Both players’ ratings, which were in the high 7s, dropped sharply after the two blunders.
Davies finished the game with a 6.8 rating and Dyer with a 6.4 rating.
The shocking reversal of fortune leaves Spurs with a lot to think about on defense for the next two games without Romero.
Furthermore, the last game Romero will serve his suspension is against Manchester City.
With van der Penn expected to be months away from a return, Spurs are reportedly looking to sign Bournemouth defender Lloyd Callum in the January winter transfer window.
However, there are eight games left before the January transfer window opens.