Richarlison (\u00a36.3m) stands to benefit from Solanke\u2019s absence, while Mathys Tel (\u00a36.2m), who again looked bright off the bench, may be the one deputising for Xavi.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can play with Mathys Tel on the left, Kolo Muani on the right. Souza on the right, Bergvall on the left. We have to create. I don\u2019t want to change too much, three defenders, four defenders\u2026 I don\u2019t want to put more confusion on the players, especially this season because they changed a lot of tactical disposition. I want to be clear and simple.\u201d \u2013 Roberto De Zerbi on how he plans to fill the void left by Xavi<\/p>\n
NERVY + VERY NEARLY SPURSY<\/p>\n
While Spurs secured their first league win and clean sheet of 2026 here, this was much less convincing a performance than the one they delivered in Gameweek 33.<\/p>\n
The Lilywhites did start well enough, coming out of the blocks quickly to take control of the game, but it amounted to few clear openings. The longer the match went on, the more nervous it became. Wolves could even have had a claim of being in the ascendancy at the point of Joao Palhinha\u2018s (\u00a35.5m) 82nd-minute opener.<\/p>\n
Indeed, that crucial goal \u2013 the initial Richarlison shot and the goalbound diversion from Palhinha \u2013 accounted for well over half of Spurs\u2019 total xG (1.05).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-260.png\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cI think in the first half, in the first 30-35 minutes, we played well. We didn\u2019t create big chances to score, but anyway we had total control of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then, I don\u2019t know, the pressure, maybe because we didn\u2019t win any game in 2026, maybe this pressure, maybe because we played against Wolverhampton already relegated. We lost distances, we lost order on the pitch. Every one of us wanted to go one-to-one.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut anyway, I\u2019m happy for the result. I hope this result can change something in our head, in our mentality.\u201d \u2013 Roberto De Zerbi<\/p>\n
Not a great advert for anyone considering Spurs assets beyond the Free Hit punt.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-261-1024x97.png\")
PORRO PROSPERING<\/p>\n
One of the few Lilywhites to catch the eye was Pedro Porro (\u00a35.2m).<\/p>\n
While his tangible FPL returns were mostly defensive in nature (a clean sheet and DefCon points, as well as two bonus), he flirted heavily with an assist.<\/p>\n
Curling in an early free-kick that Kevin Danso (\u00a34.2m) nodded invitingly across goal, Porro also set up Xavi\u2019s good chance and delivered the corner that Rodrigo Bentancur (\u00a35.2m) nodded powerfully at Jose Sa (\u00a34.2m).<\/p>\n
The Spurs right-back sent over a number of crosses that were just missing that finishing touch, including one delivery that Matt Doherty (\u00a34.4m) only just flicked away from an incoming Richarlison. Had the veteran Wolves defender not got that feather-touch, the Brazilian forward likely would have scored.<\/p>\n
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITY<\/p>\n
After the capitulations of Gameweeks 32 and 33, this was a bit better from Wolves. Only a bit, mind.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, despite the improvement in 2026 (peaking with wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa) and being \u2018not quite as bad\u2019 as last week, they still allowed Spurs to a) break their 14-match clean sheet drought and b) pick up three points for the first time since December.<\/p>\n
Antonin Kinsky (\u00a33.9m) had to be alert to advance and thwart an onrushing Adam Armstrong (\u00a35.2m), who also nodded wide from a Matheus Mane (\u00a34.3m) cross.<\/p>\n
Kinsky then saved well from Joao Gomes\u2019 (\u00a35.3m) injury-time free-kick, but that was only his second stop of the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey really, really tried. They\u2019re with it. They\u2019re with us. They\u2019re fighting.\u00a0They really are.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been hard this week. The final nail in the coffin, relegated. Maybe other teams would have just gone, completely, today and it might have been an absolute shambles. It wasn\u2019t, it was a proper game of football.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose boys out there today gave everything.\u201d \u2013 Rob Edwards on his players<\/p>\n
![\"price](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG-20250820-WA0000-1-1024x1024.jpg\")
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