MUNETSI’S WOLVES ALMOST SAFE

WARRIORS interim skipper, Marshall Munetsi is virtually assured of English Premiership football next season as Wolves scored twice either side of half-time to see off Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux, climbing to 16th and further away from the dropzone.

Munetsi, a January signing from the French Ligue 1, played the entire match and was involved in one of the goals.

In a goalfest at Molineux, Rayan Ait-Nouri struck after just 85 seconds to register Wolves’ fastest-ever Premier League goal, before a Djed Spence own goal sent the hosts into the break up by two goals.

An action-packed second half saw an improved Spurs mount a response. Mathys Tel pulled one back not long after the restart, before Jorgen Strand Larsen restored Wolves’ two-goal cushion.

Richarlison provided a late scare with five minutes left on the clock, but the returning Matheus Cunha sealed the win moments later to secure all three points for Wolves.

Fresh from a late comeback away at Ipswich the week before — making it three consecutive Premier League victories — Wolves picked up where they left off in Suffolk, taking just two minutes to open the scoring at Molineux.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde delivered an inswinging free-kick into the box, which Guglielmo Vicario could only punch as far as Ait-Nouri, lurking on the edge of the crowd. The Algerian swung his boot at the loose ball and watched his effort bounce into the net.

Wolves had a golden opportunity to double their lead three minutes later, presented to them by Vicario after a poor pass. Nelson Semedo pounced on the loose ball and squared it across to Strand Larsen. His initial chance was cut out, before his follow-up trickled agonisingly wide of the post.

The home side started brightly and forced Spurs onto the back foot early on in the game, but they eventually found their rhythm around the 20-minute mark. Yves Bissouma registered the visitors’ first effort on goal with a thumping strike, forcing Jose Sa into a diving, one-handed stop to preserve the lead.

Spurs continued to grow into the game, and for much of the first half, Wolves’ focus shifted to protecting their advantage and weathering the visitor’s pressure. Brennan Johnson should have done better with an effort 37 minutes in, but he watched his shot blaze over the crossbar after he did well to set himself for the strike.

However, just a minute later, Spurs were left to rue their missed opportunity as the Old Gold struck again before the break.

Ait-Nouri’s cross took a wicked deflection, looping awkwardly into the air and fortuitously into Munetsi’s path.

The Zimbabwean glanced a header goalwards, forcing Vicario into a stop − but the parried save hit Djed Spence’s midriff and into the net, to send Wolves into the break two goals to the good.

Pereira’s side emerged from the break with energy and started brightly. Strand Larsen had Wolves’ first attempt in the second half, linking up neatly with Sarabia inside the penalty area. The forward struck at goal, but his effort was saved well at the near post.

Spurs also began the second half with intent and pulled one back just shy of the hour mark. Johnson burst down the right and delivered a low ball across the face of goal, where Tel arrived at the back post to bundle the ball past Sa.

Wolves responded impressively to conceding, and restored their two-goal advantage five minutes later. − Wolves.