Tottenham 1-1 Wolves: Joao Palhinha rescues Spurs with injury time equaliser after flat display - as Vitor Pereira's side pick up first point of season

Tottenham have not beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers in six meetings although this equaliser came so late it tasted like victory.

It was scored by Palhinha, a composed and clinical finish, a side-footer hit first time from the edge of the penalty area after Pape Matar Sarr nursed a cross by Mathys Tel his way.

Relief washed around the stadium, but this was an escape for Thomas Frank on a day when he knew three points against a team with none would have lifted Spurs into second.

Until half time Frank’s team sizzled with intent. Then Vitor Pereira made changes and reshuffled, nullifying the chief threats of Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie, and nicked a goal from a corner.

Santiago Bueno scored it, his first for Wolves and they defended their advantage until the fourth minute of stoppage time when Palhinha struck.

It was a cruel twist for Pereira and his players, but they at least have a point on the board.

Tottenham will reflect on missed chances in the first half and an inspired save by Sam Johnstone to deny Kudus after only 15 minutes.

Xavi Simons whipped in a cross from the left and Kudus met it with a header at the back post. Somehow the Wolves ‘keeper threw up a hand and deflected the ball against the bar.

Another fine save further frustrated Kudus, who did find the net only to see it ruled out for offside.

Lucas Bergvall released him with a backheel, but Kudus was clearly offside. The flag went up quickly and it was the correct call.

Simons operated from a position wide on the left, drifting inside to open the channel for Destiny Udogie who charged forward to great effect, overloading Wolves right back Matt Doherty on his return to Spurs.

Bergvall missed his kick in front of goal, unable to complete a swift counterattack led by Udogie and made a far better attempt with a far more difficult chance, a scissor-kick volley from a cross by Kudus which flashed narrowly over.

Wolves hit the woodwork in first half stoppage time when a corner reached Doherty in the deep and he fired against the outside of a post from a tight angle.

Pereira reshuffled at half time, making two substitutions and reverting from a back-four to his more familiar back-three formation. 

Jackson Tchatchoua was handed the task of silencing Kudus and made a good job of it, encouraged by the goal soon after the restart.

It was untidy to say the least, a corner met by Jorgen Strand Larsen in the air and Guglielmo Vicario’s save only served to push the ball against Palhinha.

The rebound fell to Santiago Bueno, who forced the chance over the line for his first Wolves goal in two years since joining them from Girona.

Frank changed personnel and took more risks and Wolves threatened on the counter. Vicario’s save from Hugo Bueno kept Spurs in the game and Palhinha rescued them at the death.