Opponent : Tottenham

Date : 12/12/09

Result : W 1 - 0

Game :

Report :

Wolves went into the game with an unchanged side that had beaten Bolton the previous weekend and so looked to continue the momentum.
Kevin Doyle scored the crucial winner to help Wolves move out of the bottom three to the sheer delight of the travelling fans.

Doyle netted the only goal of the game after just three minutes after Henry had adjudged to have been fouled. Milijas took the free-kick, just outside the Spurs box, and whipped the ball into the box which Doyle got the faintest of glances and ended in the back of the net.

Spurs were well and truly shocked and although they had the lion’s share of possession Wolves were resilient in defence.
Jermain Defoe was kept quiet most of the game and so resorted to long range efforts, one in the 21st minute from 25 yards out which was comfortably saved by Hahnemann. Then Jody slid in to prevent Keane from getting a clear shot on goal after Kranjcar had laid the ball back, which went harmlessly over Hahnemann’s goal. Huddlestone drove with the ball into the box but slipped at the crucial moment but still managed to shoot albeit wide of the target.
Just before the half time whistle Matt Jarvis was booked for diving as he was challenged by Corluka.

Half Time: Spurs 0  Wolves  1

Within the first couple of minutes Ebanks-Blake was put through by Doyle and drove a low shot to the near post which Gomes gathered after the second attempt. We had two more corners which Milijas took but both were dealt with by Spurs’ defence, after which Spurs made a double substitution with Keane and Palacios making way for Crouch and Modric. Just before the subs could come on Edwards fell awkwardly and was stretchered off so on came Foley in his place.
Spurs kept pressing throughout the second half as expected but Wolves remained resolute.
A second substitution for Wolves saw Mancienne on to replace Milijas who had another terrific game and continues to grow in stature, followed by big Chris Iwelumo coming on for Stearman.
Kranjcar had the best of Spurs’ chances but shot wide from 8 yards out. Then Huddleastone turned Henry and struck a curling left footed shot which Hahnemann made an excellent diving save.
Foley lofted the ball towards the edge of the Spurs box and Iwelumo managed to knock it down into the path of Ebanks-Blake despite being pressured by two Spurs defenders. Ebanks took one touch then hit it with his left and saw his shot deflected inches wide of the post.
Just before the 90 minutes were up Ekoto crossed the ball into Wolves’ box and Crouch out jumped Berra only to put his header wide of Hahnemann’s goal. Then the board went up showing 6 minutes of added time to play, the Wolves fans were dismayed by this must of thought they were at Old Trafford!
As Spurs pushed for an equaliser Lennon played a cross field ball deep in Wolves half but was intercepted by Jarvis and Wolves had a three on two situation as Jarvis ran with the ball in to Spurs half. Jarvis passed the ball to Ebanks who drove into the box but ran it wide and then played it back to Jarvis who ran it into the corner to waste time, a great opportunity to make it 2 if only Ebanks had confidence in himself to keep going on goal and shoot. Spurs won back the ball and lumped it forward and Hahnemann guided the ball safely out for a goal kick, which was the last of the action as the ref blew for full time.

Full Time: Spurs  0  Wolves  1

A brilliant performance by all and a well deserved victory for us, and now we are out of the bottom three and only a point behind Hull, with a game in hand, the players should go into the game with Man Utd with confidence and who knows what will happen.

Man of the Match – Kevin Doyle.