Jim Holden

shot from striker Raul Jimenez through the legs of Toby Alderweireld.

Another thrilling break delivered a third goal four minutes later after Kieran Trippier played a loose pass. The ball was instantly manoeuvred up field by Wolves and substitute Helder Costa ran clear for a clever finish.

Nobody could complain about the result, and nobody did, with Pochettino volunteering the verdict that his players had fallen victim to thinking this was a match being played on easy street.

“Maybe it was easier in the first half than we expected,” said the Tottenham manager. “In the second half we felt the game was over and played in a different way with too many long balls, playing with our hearts rather than our heads.”

It was an accurate assessment.

At their best Spurs are a classy team, willing and able to play through the high press into midfield space, with Christian Eriksen’s deft touches and laser vision at the heart of it all.

Eriksen was close to scoring the opening goal after 20 minutes with a superb curling left-footed attempt that Wolves keeper Rui Patricio tipped over the bar. A couple of minutes later Spurs were ahead thanks to a magnificent goal from Kane.

When he collected the ball near the halfway line there appeared to be zero threat, but he drove forward, skipped past defender Willy Boly with a simple trick on the right flank and sent a thunderous drive zooming in with his left foot.

The morning news bulletins had been full of the England captain being made an MBE in the New Year Honours list. This was a fine way to celebrate.

But both Kane and Tottenham could not sustain the early momentum. They didn’t have single effort on goal in the second half, never mind one on target.

Wolves were sharp and bold enough to take advantage and manager Espirito Santo said: “I am very proud of my players. It has been a special year for us and we were fantastic in the second half.”