FOOTBALL ACTION, GOALS & STATS A late gift for Santo
WOLVES STUN SPURS TO DERAIL TITLE CHARGE
Brighton Fulham
Leicester
Liverpool Spurs
Watford 1 Everton
1 Huddersfield 0
0 Cardiff
5 Arsenal
1 Wolves
1 Newcastle
MAURICIO POCHETTINO blamed Tottenham’s hectic Christmas schedule as his side lost ground in the title race.
Harry Kane had celebrated being awarded an MBE in style with a stunning goal in the first half that put Spurs ahead.
But efforts from Willy Boly, Raul Jimenez and Helder Costa condemned them to a costly defeat against Nuno Espirito Santo’s impressive outfit.
It was Tottenham’s third match in seven days over the festive period and it showed.
“The last 20 minutes was tough for the team to find energy or to try to win the game,” Spurs boss Pochettino said.
“I think the game was under control in the first half, I think maybe it was easier than we expected to dominate the game.”
Wolves boss Nuno said: “I’m very proud. The second half was really, really good.
“We had a lot of belief after the equaliser, I would have said a draw was a good result but I cannot control the emotions of the boys if they see space in front of them.
“It was something very special that we achieved in getting to the Premier League and it has been a very special year.”
Defeat means Spurs are now nine points behind a rampant Liverpool side who hammered Arsenal 5-1 last night thanks to a Roberto Firmino hat-trick and goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
They stay a place above Manchester City, who face Southampton today, but only by a single point and having played a game more.
Pochettino added: “I’m very disappointed, like the players, but there’s nothing to say.
“Some games can happen, this type of result, and now we need to move on and be sure we are ready for the next game.
“We are not machines. We need to understand that we cannot get ourselves in this situation.”