Match Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur
Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton (Capacity: 29,303)
Wednesday 10th February 2010, Kick Off 19:45
Premier League, Match 26 (25 for Wolves)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 19th in Premier League, 21 points from 72
Tottenham Hotspur: 4th in Premier League, 42 points from 75
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Assistant referees: David Richardson & Ceri Richards
Fourth official: Neil Swarbrick
COMMENT:
Wolverhampton Wanderers host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday 10th Februay at Molineux Stadium in a Premier League match which is vital for both teams, but for vastly different reasons. Wolves, who were the last team to beat Spurs in any competition at White Hart Lane, are in a relegation battle while Spurs will be fired-up to gain the maximum three points as they fight for a Top Four finish to the season.
Wolves' last match was a 2-1 defeat on Sunday against local rivals Birmingham City with Kevin Doyle putting Wolves ahead only for Kevin Phillips to grab a brace for Birmingham. Spurs had a goalless draw against Aston Villa in a match they really should have won comfortably. Dropping vital points when Spurs have been dominant this season has started to become something of a nasty habit for Harry Redknapp's team.
The match in December at White Hart Lane saw Wolves take a very early lead through Kevin Doyle and Mike McCarthy's team defended resolutely to defend their advantage, despite relentless Spurs pressure.
Tottenham's very first Football League match was against Wolverhampton Wanderers at White Hart Lane on 1st September 1908. Wolves were very attractive opposition for the former Southern League side as they were the current FA Cup holders. Many had expected Spurs to crumble under such illustrious opposition but they were in for a shock as Spurs both outplayed and outscored their rivals to finish 3-0 winners.
The great Vivian Woodward had the honour of scoring Tottenham's very first Football League goal after just six minutes. Further goals in the second half came from Woodward again and Tom Morris.
The two teams have met in two Major Cup Finals, firstly in the 1921 FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge where Spurs won 1-0 with a Jimmy Dimmock goal and later in the 1972 UEFA Cup Final over two legs, with Spurs winning 2-1 at Molineux with Martin Chivers scoring twice followed my a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane with the recalled Alan Mullery netting for Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur's current squad features two players who have been on Wolves' books - striker Robbie Keane, now on loan to Celtic, played for Wolves from 1997 to 1999 where he played 87 games and scored 29 times in all competitions. Midfielder Tom Huddlestone was loaned by Spurs to Wolves during the 2005-06 season where he played 13 matches, scoring once.
TEAM NEWS:
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy may ring the changes following his side's defeat to local rivals Birmingham. New signing Adiene Guedioura is pushing for a first start after three consecutive appearances as substitute. Edwards, Keogh & Kightly (all ankle) & Murray (knee) are all injured for Wolves.
Roman Pavlyuchenko has returned to training ahead of Wednesday's Barclays Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The striker has been missing with a groin problem since coming off the bench to score against Leeds in the last round of the FA Cup two and a half weeks ago. However, Ledley King will be rested for the game at Molineux after playing 90 minutes in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. Eidur Gudjohnsen is expected to play a part after being on the bench against Villa.
Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon (groin) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hip) are making steady progress in their comebacks, with the latter running again. Aaron is back in rehab, and manager Harry Redknapp said: "He could possibly be back the weekend after next but it's difficult to say. It's really up to him to see how he feels and how the fitness coaches and physios see him. We won't rush him back until we're sure he's right."
Longer-term absentees Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist, pelvis) continue their recuperation.
MATCH FACTS:
Head-to-head
• The sides have clashed on 88 occasions in the league: Wolves have 26 wins, Tottenham 44 and there have been 18 draws.
• They famously met in the 1972 Uefa Cup final, which Tottenham won 3-2 on aggregate. Spurs won the first leg 2-1 at Molineux before a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane gave Bill Nicholson's side their second European trophy.
• Tottenham won both clashes the last time that Wolves were in the Premier League (5-2 at White Hart Lane and 2-0 at Molineux).
Wolverhampton Wanderers
• With 19 goals, Wolves are the second lowest goal-scorers in Premier League this season and they have scored more goals away from home (11) than they have at Molineux (9).
• The nine goals Wolves have conceded from corners is the most in the Premier League.
• Mick McCarthy's men have hit the target with just 37% of their shots this season, the lowest in the top flight.
Tottenham Hotspur
• Tottenham have only scored three goals in the league in 2010 and their only victory in five matches came at home against Fulham.
• Spurs fell out of the top four for the first time since Boxing Day on Saturday. They have never been lower than sixth position all season.
• 44% of the goals Tottenham have conceded have come from left-footed shots, the highest proportion in the league.
LAST MATCH LINE-UPS:
Wolverhampton Wanderers (L 1-2 Birmingham City A):
Hahnemann, Craddock, Ward, Berra, Zubar, Mancienne, Foley (Ebanks-Blake 88), Henry, Jones (Guedioura 67), Jarvis (Surman 88)
Doyle
Substitutes: Hennessey, Elokobi, Mujangi Bia, Vokes
Yellow Cards: Mancienne, Henry, Jones
Goal: Doyle 42
Tottenham Hotspur (D 0-0 Aston Villa H):
Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale, Bentley, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Defoe, Crouch.
Substitutes: Alnwick, Kaboul, Bassong, Jenas, Kyle Walker, Kranjcar, Gudjohnsen
Yellow Card: Bentley
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):
Tottenham are not in the most convincing of form at the moment. They are playing some decent football but lack a cutting edge.
I am not quite sure the last time Wolves won - and they are definitely a team that is struggling to find the back of the net.
Verdict: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Saturday's match will be the 93rd meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Woilverhampton Wanderers.
The two clubs met in the 1921 FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge with Spurs winning 1-0 with a Jimmy Dimmock goal. They also met in the 1972 UEFA Cup Final, played over two legs, with Spurs winning 2-1 at Molineux with a brace from Martin Chivers while the return leg at White Hart Lane resulted in a 1-1 draw with Alan Mullery scoring for Spurs.
Here are the results of the previous 92 matches with Spurs' score shown first:
01-Sep-1908
Division 2 20,000H W 3 - 0Morris, Woodward (2) (Tottenham Hotspur's first Football League match)
Division 2 20,000H W 3 - 0Morris, Woodward (2) (Tottenham Hotspur's first Football League match)28-Dec-08Division 2 9,000A L 0 - 1
Division 2 9,000A L 0 - 1 02-Apr-20Division 2 38,000H W 4 - 2Cantrell, Bliss (3)
Division 2 38,000H W 4 - 2Cantrell, Bliss (3) 05-Apr-20Division 2 25,000A W 3 - 1Grimsdell (2), Cantrell
Division 2 25,000A W 3 - 1Grimsdell (2), Cantrell 23-Apr-21F.A. Cup Final 72,805F W 1 - 0Dimmock
F.A. Cup Final 72,805F W 1 - 0Dimmock 08-Sep-28Division 2 26,018H W 3 - 2Galloway, Hartley, Scott
Division 2 26,018H W 3 - 2Galloway, Hartley, Scott 19-Jan-29Division 2 11,956A L 2 - 4Osborne, Dimmock
Division 2 11,956A L 2 - 4Osborne, Dimmock 19-Oct-29Division 2 26,591A L 0 - 3
Division 2 26,591A L 0 - 3 22-Feb-30Division 2 29,341H W 4 - 2Thompson, Rowley (3)
Division 2 29,341H W 4 - 2Thompson, Rowley (3) 06-Sep-30Division 2 24,990A L 1 - 3Cook
Division 2 24,990A L 1 - 3Cook 03-Jan-31Division 2 26,221H W 1 - 0Cook
Division 2 26,221H W 1 - 0Cook 29-Aug-31Division 2 23,267A L 0 - 4
Division 2 23,267A L 0 - 4 02-Jan-32Division 2 25,122H D 3 - 3Hunt GS (3)
Division 2 25,122H D 3 - 3Hunt GS (3) 28-Aug-33Division 1 20,953H W 4 - 0O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2)
Division 1 20,953H W 4 - 0O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2)04-Sep-33Division 1 20,510A L 0 - 1
Division 1 20,510A L 0 - 1 08-Sep-34Division 1 37,114H W 3 - 1McCormick, Hunt GS, Hall GW
Division 1 37,114H W 3 - 1McCormick, Hunt GS, Hall GW19-Jan-35Division 1 28,209A L 2 - 6McCormick, Evans W
Division 1 28,209A L 2 - 6McCormick, Evans W 25-Aug-45Football Lge Sth 33,852H L 1 - 4Broadis
Football Lge Sth 33,852H L 1 - 4Broadis 01-Sep-45Football Lge Sth 24,889A L 2 - 4Ward (pen), Lyman
Football Lge Sth 24,889A L 2 - 4Ward (pen), Lyman 16-Sep-50Division 1 55,364A L 1 - 2Chatham og
Division 1 55,364A L 1 - 2Chatham og 20-Jan-51Division 1 66,796H W 2 - 1Walters, McClellan
Division 1 66,796H W 2 - 1Walters, McClellan 03-Nov-51Division 1 61,626H W 4 - 2Ramsey (pen), Walters, Bennett, Duquemin
Division 1 61,626H W 4 - 2Ramsey (pen), Walters, Bennett, Duquemin22-Mar-52Division 1 45,343A D 1 - 1Baily
Division 1 45,343A D 1 - 1Baily 06-Dec-52Division 1 37,062A D 0 - 0
Division 1 37,062A D 0 - 0 25-Apr-53Division 1 48,136H W 3 - 2Ramsey (pen), Bennett (2)
Division 1 48,136H W 3 - 2Ramsey (pen), Bennett (2) 05-Dec-53Division 1 48,164H L 2 - 3Bennett, Duquemin
Division 1 48,164H L 2 - 3Bennett, Duquemin 24-Apr-54Division 1 44,055A L 0 - 2
Division 1 44,055A L 0 - 2 25-Aug-54Division 1 47,776H W 3 - 2Dunmore (3)
Division 1 47,776H W 3 - 2Dunmore (3) 30-Aug-54Division 1 37,384A L 2 - 4Walters, Robb
Division 1 37,384A L 2 - 4Walters, Robb 19-Nov-55Division 1 51,363H W 2 - 1McClellan, Robb
Division 1 51,363H W 2 - 1McClellan, Robb 14-Apr-56Division 1 29,890A L 1 - 5Harmer (pen)
Division 1 29,890A L 1 - 5Harmer (pen) 08-Sep-56Division 1 62,592H W 4 - 1Smith R (2), Brooks (2)
Division 1 62,592H W 4 - 1Smith R (2), Brooks (2) 12-Jan-57Division 1 42,416A L 0 - 3
Division 1 42,416A L 0 - 3 02-Oct-57Division 1 36,024A L 0 - 4
Division 1 36,024A L 0 - 4 26-Dec-57Division 1 58,393H W 1 - 0Smith R
Division 1 58,393H W 1 - 0Smith R 27-Sep-58Division 1 48,563H W 2 - 1Smith R, Clayton
Division 1 48,563H W 2 - 1Smith R, Clayton 02-Mar-59Division 1 30,437A D 1 - 1Harmer
Division 1 30,437A D 1 - 1Harmer 10-Oct-59Division 1 59,344H W 5 - 1Smith R (4), Jones
Division 1 59,344H W 5 - 1Smith R (4), Jones 23-Apr-60Division 1 56,283A W 3 - 1Jones, Smith R, Mackay
Division 1 56,283A W 3 - 1Jones, Smith R, Mackay 01-Oct-60Division 1 52,829A W 4 - 0Blanchflower, Jones, Allen, Dyson
Division 1 52,829A W 4 - 0Blanchflower, Jones, Allen, Dyson22-Feb-61Division 1 62,261H D 1 - 1Smith R
Division 1 62,261H D 1 - 1Smith R 16-Sep-61Division 1 45,334H W 1 - 0Mackay
Division 1 45,334H W 1 - 0Mackay 03-Feb-62Division 1 45,687A L 1 - 3White
Division 1 45,687A L 1 - 3White 12-Sep-62Division 1 61,412H L 1 - 2White
Division 1 61,412H L 1 - 2White 19-Sep-62Division 1 48,166A D 2 - 2Greaves (2)
Division 1 48,166A D 2 - 2Greaves (2) 28-Aug-63Division 1 41,488A W 4 - 1Smith R (2), Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 41,488A W 4 - 1Smith R (2), Greaves (2, 1pen)04-Sep-63Division 1 51,851H W 4 - 3Norman, White, Dyson (2)
Division 1 51,851H W 4 - 3Norman, White, Dyson (2) 14-Nov-64Division 1 28,728A L 1 - 3Brown L
Division 1 28,728A L 1 - 3Brown L 27-Mar-65Division 1 28,974H W 7 - 4Clayton, Allen, Gilzean (2), Jones (3)
Division 1 28,974H W 7 - 4Clayton, Allen, Gilzean (2), Jones (3)06-Sep-67Division 1 44,408H W 2 - 1Robertson, Greaves
Division 1 44,408H W 2 - 1Robertson, Greaves 11-May-68Division 1 40,929A L 1 - 2Greaves
Division 1 40,929A L 1 - 2Greaves 07-Dec-68Division 1 30,846A L 0 - 2
Division 1 30,846A L 0 - 2 25-Jan-69F.A. Cup 4 48,985H W 2 - 1Johnson, Greaves
F.A. Cup 4 48,985H W 2 - 1Johnson, Greaves 22-Feb-69Division 1 35,912H D 1 - 1Morgan
Division 1 35,912H D 1 - 1Morgan 03-Sep-69League Cup 2 34,017A L 0 - 1
League Cup 2 34,017A L 0 - 1 11-Oct-69Division 1 36,736H L 0 - 1
Division 1 36,736H L 0 - 1 07-Feb-70Division 1 27,295A D 2 - 2Chivers (2)
Division 1 27,295A D 2 - 2Chivers (2) 22-Aug-70Division 1 23,896A W 3 - 0Mullery, Chivers, Morgan
Division 1 23,896A W 3 - 0Mullery, Chivers, Morgan 19-Dec-70Division 1 30,544H D 0 - 0
Division 1 30,544H D 0 - 0 14-Aug-71Division 1 30,495A D 2 - 2Chivers, Gilzean
Division 1 30,495A D 2 - 2Chivers, Gilzean 16-Oct-71Division 1 36,582H W 4 - 1Neighbour, Chivers (2), Gilzean
Division 1 36,582H W 4 - 1Neighbour, Chivers (2), Gilzean03-May-72UEFA Cup Final (1L) 38,362A W 2 - 1Chivers (2)
UEFA Cup Final (1L) 38,362A W 2 - 1Chivers (2) 17-May-72UEFA Cup Final (2L) 54,303H D 1 - 1Mullery (Spurs won 3-2 on aggregate)
UEFA Cup Final (2L) 54,303H D 1 - 1Mullery (Spurs won 3-2 on aggregate)19-Aug-72Division 1 24,237A L 2 - 3Pratt, Peters
Division 1 24,237A L 2 - 3Pratt, Peters 20-Dec-72League Cup SF (1L) 29,327A W 2 - 1Pratt, Peters
League Cup SF (1L) 29,327A W 2 - 1Pratt, Peters 30-Dec-72League Cup SF (2L) 41,653H D 2 - 2Chivers, Peters (aet)
League Cup SF (2L) 41,653H D 2 - 2Chivers, Peters (aet)30-Apr-73Division 1 16,942H D 2 - 2Coates, Collins
Division 1 16,942H D 2 - 2Coates, Collins 24-Nov-73Division 1 22,541H L 1 - 3Chivers (pen)
Division 1 22,541H L 1 - 3Chivers (pen) 06-Apr-74Division 1 24,073A D 1 - 1McGrath
Division 1 24,073A D 1 - 1McGrath 21-Sep-74Division 1 20,647A W 3 - 2Chivers (2), Peters
Division 1 20,647A W 3 - 2Chivers (2), Peters 28-Mar-75Division 1 27,238H W 3 - 0Perryman (2), Duncan
Division 1 27,238H W 3 - 0Perryman (2), Duncan 01-Nov-75Division 1 26,102H W 2 - 1Young, Neighbour
Division 1 26,102H W 2 - 1Young, Neighbour 16-Mar-76Division 1 21,544A W 1 - 0Pratt
Division 1 21,544A W 1 - 0Pratt 16-Oct-78Friendly - A L 1 - 2Jones
Friendly - A L 1 - 2Jones 25-Nov-78Division 1 35,430H W 1 - 0Taylor
Division 1 35,430H W 1 - 0Taylor 03-Apr-79Division 1 19,819A L 2 - 3Jones (2)
Division 1 19,819A L 2 - 3Jones (2) 05-Apr-80Division 1 30,713A W 2 - 1Jones, Galvin
Division 1 30,713A W 2 - 1Jones, Galvin 23-Apr-80Division 1 19,843H D 2 - 2Armstrong, Galvin
Division 1 19,843H D 2 - 2Armstrong, Galvin 08-Nov-80Division 1 29,244H D 2 - 2Hoddle(pen), Crooks
Division 1 29,244H D 2 - 2Hoddle(pen), Crooks 11-Apr-81F.A. Cup SF 40,174Hl D 2 - 2Archibald, Hoddle (aet)
F.A. Cup SF 40,174Hl D 2 - 2Archibald, Hoddle (aet) 15-Apr-81F.A. Cup SF Replay52,539Hi W 3 - 0Crooks (2), Villa
F.A. Cup SF Replay52,539Hi W 3 - 0Crooks (2), Villa 30-Apr-81Division 1 18,350A L 0 - 1
Division 1 18,350A L 0 - 1 12-Sep-81Division 1 18,675A W 1 - 0Galvin
Division 1 18,675A W 1 - 0Galvin 06-Feb-82Division 1 29,960H W 6 - 1Villa (3), Falco, Hoddle (pen), Crooks
Division 1 29,960H W 6 - 1Villa (3), Falco, Hoddle (pen), Crooks15-Oct-83Division 1 12,523A W 3 - 2Archibald (2), Falco
Division 1 12,523A W 3 - 2Archibald (2), Falco 31-Mar-84Division 1 19,296H W 1 - 0Hazard
Division 1 19,296H W 1 - 0Hazard 27-Jan-96F.A. Cup 4 32,812H D 1 - 1Wilson
F.A. Cup 4 32,812H D 1 - 1Wilson 07-Feb-96F.A. Cup 4 Replay27,846A W 2 - 0Rosenthal, Sheringham
F.A. Cup 4 Replay27,846A W 2 - 0Rosenthal, Sheringham 31-Jul-99Friendly 11,418A D 1 - 1Iversen
Friendly 11,418A D 1 - 1Iversen 06-Dec-2003FA Prem 34,825H W 5 - 2Keane (3), Kanoute, Dalmat
FA Prem 34,825H W 5 - 2Keane (3), Kanoute, Dalmat15-May-04 FA Prem 29,389 A W 2 - 0Keane, Defoe
FA Prem 29,389 A W 2 - 0Keane, Defoe 12-Dec-09 FA Prem 36,012HL 0 - 1
FA Prem 36,012HL 0 - 110-Feb-10 FA Prem A
FA Prem A LAST TIME WE MET...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
White Hart Lane, Premier League, 12th December 2009
Wolves achieved successive top-flight victories for the first time in 26 years after edging out Tottenham. They struck after only three minutes when Kevin Doyle got the faintest of headers on a cross from Nenad Milijas. Jermain Defoe had a near-post volley saved, Robbie Keane headed over and Niko Kranjcar struck a volley wide as Spurs struggled to find a way back. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake twice sent a shot narrowly wide but Wolves had done enough to move out of the bottom three.
Wolves's win, which was their first top-flight success in the capital since 1976, was reward for a tenacious, determined and disciplined display as they effectively suffocated Spurs. Boss Mick McCarthy would have been aware that Tottenham have been in free-scoring form at home of late, notching 13 goals in their last three games at White Hart Lane. But McCarthy, up against Spurs manager Harry Redknapp for the first time, formulated a plan to nullify that threat and it was executed superbly by his players. They were helped by the hosts lacking their usual cut and thrust, but it would be unfair to not give Wolves a lot of credit for stifling their opponents. And for a side that went into the game having kept only one clean sheet all season, Wolves showed tremendous resilience, not to say improvement, to hang on to their lead.
They could hardly have had longer to keep Tottenham at bay after taking the lead with their first attack of the afternoon when the impressive Milijas curled in a free-kick and Doyle glanced the ball in. It was Doyle's fourth goal of the season and made him joint top scorer with centre-back Jody Craddock - a statistic that goes some way to explain why Wolves had won only one game away from home. Inevitably, Wolves's strategy was to sit back and protect their advantage - cue an afternoon of frustration for Spurs, who were even booed by their own fans. Despite the game mostly being played in Wolves's half, Spurs could not find a penetrative pass.
Defoe's 25-yard shot was easy for Marcus Hahnemann, Craddock's intervention helped Robbie Keane's shot over the bar and the Irishman later headed over. Aaron Lennon, quiet throughout, hit a tame shot at Hahnemann, who also got down well to deal with Defoe's volley, while Tom Huddlestone poked an effort wide. In fact, the clearer chances fell the way of Wolves, with Ebanks-Blake going close after a breakaway and much later the striker had a shot that was deflected narrowly wide. Tottenham's desperation was evident, with high balls going into the box aimed at substitute Peter Crouch but nothing came from them.
Redknapp had also brought on Luka Modric for his first game since he broke his leg back in August but still opportunities were hard to come by. When Spurs did fashion a decent chance, Kranjcar hit his volley into the ground and wide. Huddlestone did manage to test Hahnemann with a fierce drive but the American was equal to it. And it was no more than Wolves deserved as they shut Tottenham out and earned three points that could prove vital at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp:
"It was frustrating - we conceded early on and then could not break them down.
"We had lots of possession but we did not find that cutting edge to open them up. We probably had 80% of the possession but they defended very well.
"Full credit to Wolves - Mick McCarthy has done a great job there."
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy:
"Marcus Hahnemann's not been diving around making saves everywhere. I expect my keeper to have to make saves when we go to Spurs.
"Possession and passes and switching play - really good stuff at times from Spurs but Marcus made one really good save and no, we haven't been mullered.
"They've to work like that every game. If we have passengers we're knackered."
Tottenham Hotspur
Gomes, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Palacios (Modric 58), Kranjcar (Giovani 78), Keane (Crouch 58), Defoe
Substitutes: Alnwick, Hutton, Bale, Rose, Giovani
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Hahnemann, Stearman (Iwelumo 79), Craddock, Ward, Berra, Edwards (Foley 59), Henry, Jarvis, Milijas (Mancienne 70), Ebanks-Blake,
Doyle
Substitutes: Hennessey, Surman, Castillo, Maierhofer
Yellow Cards: Hahnemann, Ward, Henry, Jarvis, Mancienne
Goal: Doyle 3
Referee: Attwell, Attendance: 36,012
Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview: Season 2009-10
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