KANE’S TIME IS TICKING AWAY
Dele delivers for Spurs but all eyes on Harry as deadline day approaches
WITH the clock ticking down on his dream transfer to Manchester City it was ironic that Harry Kane was booked for time-wasting on his Tottenham return.
Time is the one thing Kane does not have – with just eight days to secure his move to the Etihad.
His yellow card as he ran down the clock on the win at Molineux at least shows he is committed to Spurs for now.
The England striker made his first appearance of the season from the bench with 18 minutes to go after a turbulent summer, and helped Spurs maintain their winning start to the Premier League campaign.
He went over to the club’s fans after the final whistle on his own and applauded them in what was perhaps in his mind a final goodbye.
After taunting him at the end of last Sunday’s win over City by chanting “Are you watching Harry Kane?” the supporters were in more generous mood and clapped back.
He then disappeared down the tunnel on his own, while Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who continues to block his move to City, looked on.
While Kane’s return was the main takeaway from this game, Nuno Espirito Santo enjoyed a winning return to Molineux and the rejuvenated Dele Alli scored his first league goal since March 2020.
Spurs boss Nuno bears no grudge over his Wolves departure at the end of last season. And he knows they were a little fortunate to win yesterday after his former side had more possession, territory and shots.
Nuno must thank Hugo Lloris, who stood stall on his 300th appearance for the club, making important saves, especially in the second half. New Wolves boss Bruno Lage deserved more than a second defeat and his men played well enough to suggest they will start winning soon.
Tottenham took the lead in the ninth minute when Sergio Reguilon played in Alli, who was chopped down by Wolves keeper, Jose Sa. Alli then dispatched the spot-kick. Wolves star Adama Traore was unplayable at times and from one thrust, Joao Moutinho backheeled his cross but Raul Jimenez shot just over. Jimenez also had an effort deflected wide, Ruben Neves a volley saved and Nelson Semedo a penalty shout waved away by referee Stuart Attwell.
Lloris, above, made even better saves as the game wore on. He pulled off a smart stop from Semedo before to thwarting Traore when Neves had played him clean through. That miss summed up the frustration of Traore, who still lacks the end product at times. A nod from Nuno heralded Kane’s introduction to chants of “Harry Kane, he’s one of our own” from Spurs fans. He nearly marked his return with a goal as his right-foot shot was blocked by Sa following good work by Steven Bergwijn. Sa made a finer save to deny Eric Dier’s close-range glancing header as Tottenham finally showed some attacking intent. Wolves still pressed, only to be denied again by Lloris when he plucked Fabio Silva’s header from under the bar. Time ran out for Wolves – and it may do too for Kane.