Tottenham 2-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Spurs cruise into top six

16 May 2021 06:05

Tottenham Hotspur reignited their European qualification push with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

Harry Kane came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening 10 minutes, but his fierce strike from range rattled the post and bounced away to safety. Chances were at a premium in the first half, although Kane almost headed home on 43 minutes, only for his effort to be blocked on the line by Conor Coady.

The England star did get his goal seconds before the half-time whistle though, running off the back of Coady to dart in behind, round Rui Patricio and slot into an empty net.

Wolves had the opportunity to equalise five minutes into the second half, but Romain Saiss headed straight into the hands of Hugo Lloris. Spurs responded through Kane and Dele Alli, but both players rattled the post, allowing huge chances to go begging. The pressure did pay off though as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg raced in to tuck away a loose ball from Gareth Bale's initial shot.

The hosts saw out the final 25 minutes with ease, leapfrogging to sixth in the Premier League table. Let's check out the player ratings.


Tottenham player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Keeping close tabs | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Hugo Lloris (GK) - 6/10 - Few genuine saves to make throughout the match, and commanded his box well enough. A very comfortable afternoon.

Japhet Tanganga (RB) - 7/10 - Solid against Gibbs-White, and always prepared to maraud up the line and overlap around Bale. In his element in this defence.

Toby Alderweireld (CB) - 7/10 - Confident first half, faced little threat and felt no danger against the movement of Silva. Passed the ball exceptionally.

Eric Dier (CB) - 8/10 - The playmaker from the back, hitting long diagonal passes to his wide players. Didn't have too many problems against the young Silva.

Sergio Reguilon (LB) - 8/10 - Never easy against Traore but mustered all his strength to put up a great fight. Did brilliantly to keep the ball alive for the second goal, beating Hoever twice and cutting a pass back into the middle.


2. Midfielders

Enjoying himself | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Giovani Lo Celso (CM) - 6/10 - Industrious, but slightly off the pace of the game. Lost possession too often and looked slow when tracking back.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - 9/10 - What a glorious pass to supply Kane! Split the Wolves defence with an eye of the needle ball, and the forward did the rest. Rushed into the box to finish the second.

Dele Alli (AM) - 8/10 -
Produced a beautiful nutmeg on Dendoncker. Fully looks like he's enjoying his football again - FIFA Street Dele. Timed a pass through to Kane brilliantly, then hit the post from the rebound.


3. Forwards

Back at it again | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Gareth Bale (RW) - 7/10 - Struck a vicious free-kick, but Patricio did enough to keep it out. Made to cut in and try to whip play out to the left flank, also playing a key role in Spurs' second.

Harry Kane (ST) - 8/10 - Smashed the post early on. Denied by Coady on the line, but broke the deadlock with the smartest of runs and coolest of finishes.

Son Heung-min (LW) - 7/10 - Strayed offside a few times too many, trying to get the edge over his pacy marker. Mesmerised Hoever before cracking a shot off from an angle, but the Wolves shot-stopper got in the way.


4. Substitutes

Harry Winks (CM) - 7/10

Tanguy Ndombele (CM) - 6/10

Moussa Sissoko (CM) - N/A


Wolves player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

On the ball | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Rui Patricio (GK) - 6/10 - Weak against Kane and dug out by Coady, but the defender left him exposed for the opener. Superb save to tip Kane's next strike onto the post.

Ki-Jana Hoever (RB) - 5/10 - Won't have many tougher afternoons than against Son. Allowed Reguilon to beat him to the ball twice in the buildup to the second goal. Inexperience showing, there.

Conor Coady (CB) - 5/10 -
Great block on the line to deny Kane, but all for nothing after he let the striker ghost in behind to score the opener. Also slow to react to Patricio's save prior to the second. Gary Neville's man of the match but certainly not ours.

Romain Saiss (CB) - 6/10 - Produced a perfectly-timed tackle on Dele in the penalty area, a split-second later and that's a spot-kick. Couldn't get back in time to stop Kane.

Nelson Semedo (LB) - 6/10 -
Didn't struggle too much against Bale, forcing the Welshman to offload the ball to teammates, rather than bursting in behind. Not overly convincing, though.


6. Midfielders

Laying one on Kane | Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Joao Moutinho (CM) - 6/10 - Caught in possession at times, taking one too many touches on more than one occasion. Got stuck in and broke up Spurs' attacks through the middle of the pitch.

Leandro Dendoncker (CM) - 6/10 - Won't want to see the GIFs of Dele rolling the ball through his legs for the next week or so.

Vitinha (AM) - 5/10 - Hung around the base of the Spurs midfield, nicking back possession and springing counter-attacks. Not very involved in an attacking sense though and subbed.


7. Forwards

Don't get in his way | Pool/Getty Images

Adama Traore (RW) - 7/10 - Set off on the charge on a couple of occasions in the first half, flying past opponents to set up Silva. A constant threat, but no one to support him.

Fabio Silva (ST) - 5/10 - Dragged a couple of shots wide - never seems to strike the ball cleanly. Doesn't look Premier League ready at all. Plenty of time to learn, but worrying signs.

Morgan Gibbs-White (LW) - 6/10 -
Calm on the ball, often drifting inside to try and link up with Silva and Vitinha. Not one to make a real difference in the final third.


8. Substitutes

Willian Jose (ST) - 6/10

Ruben Neves (CM) - 6/10

Theodor Corbeanu (ST) - N/A

Source: 90min