Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur yesterday in the Premier League – but Bruno Lage’s side came in for praise from both Harry Kane and Antonio Conte straight after the match.
Wanderers started very brightly in north London, and carved out a few decent chances.
Goncalo Guedes was lively, and the club’s newest signing Matheus Nunes also impressed.
But Wolves couldn’t find a breakthrough, as has been the case so often of late.
And midway through the second-half, the hosts went 1-0 up, with Ivan Perisic flicking on a corner for Harry Kane to nod past Jose Sa.
There aren’t many better goalscorers around than Kane. Ultimately, it was the team that had the out-and-out number nine that came out on top. Perhaps the story would have been different had Wolves had a Kane-type leading the line.
Despite the defeat, Wolves came in for praise from Kane and Conte post-match.
The England captain said: “For sure (there was a bit of relief). First-half, it was a difficult game. Credit to Wolves, they played well. We couldn’t quite get the pressure we wanted.”
Conte added after: “Wolverhampton in the last week they signed two important players like Guedes and Nunes. If you see the starting XI today, I think you have to be a bit scared. Because Wolverhampton, in my opinion, with Moutinho, with Neves, with Nunes. One of the best midfields for this league.
“And also the players in front, Guedes, Podence and Jimenez… I think it’s a really good team. In the first-half we struggled a bit. We are talking about Wolves playing very good quality, fast. But in the second-half we suffered to win.”
Just one thing needed for Wolves, as Kane and Conte give praise
Clearly Wolves made a big impression on Kane and Conte.
It really was a solid performance, but ultimately the team was undone by some world-class movement from a world-class player. That was the difference on the day.
The goal is simple for Wolves in these next couple of weeks.
Recruitment officials simply must sign a new centre-forward with a bit of pedigree. Someone who is a good poacher.
Raul Jimenez has now returned but the Mexican needs competition.
If the right player comes in, then things could get very exciting indeed.