Nuno Espirito Santo has left Molineux a happy man for the second time this season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers went out of the Carabao Cup to Tottenham Hotspur last night, losing on penalties.
Leander Dendoncker, Ruben Neves and Conor Coady all missed for the hosts.
That was a real disappointment given Wolves had staged a comeback in the game.
After Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Kane had scored for Spurs, Dendoncker and Daniel Podence dragged Wolves back into it.
But Bruno Lage’s side couldn’t find a winner at 2-2, and to spot-kicks the game went.
There is an element of frustration that Nuno has now got one over on Wolves twice so soon after departing Molineux.
Speaking after the game, he said of his former club (via football.london): “It’s a very good team, a very good team. You know the quality and the talent that they have. It’s a very tough atmosphere at Molineux – it helps the team a lot.”
He also picked out John Ruddy for his amazing point-blank range save from Kane in the second-half.
In the 67th minute, Heung-min Son whipped in a tasty cross from the left and Kane met the ball powerfully, but was thwarted by Ruddy who made himself big.
“I think John Ruddy made an amazing save with a header of Harry. I’m still wondering how he did it,” he said.
Ruddy gave good account of himself
It was a bitterly disappointing night in the end for Wolves.
Losing on penalties is always a tough one to take.
But the performance of Ruddy was a small positive. As well as the save from Kane, he also brilliantly denied Bryan Gil with his legs.
The save from Kane was absolutely superb, and he then made one stop in the shootout.
Hopefully Ruddy can continue to be a reliable back-up for Jose Sa this season.