Tottenham 0-1 Wolverhampton: Early Doyle Strike Earns All Three Points

Kevin Doyle got the only goal of the game for Wolverhampton after a battling defensive display earned all three points against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Spurs midfielder David Bentley was left out of the squad, after a row with Redknapp during the week, but Robbie Keane returned to the starting line-up to play against his former club, with Peter Crouch dropping to the bench.

The away side raced out of the traps and took the lead after just three minutes. A Nenad Milijas free-kick came in from the right and was glanced in by Kevin Doyle with a deft touch with his head.

Spurs tried to bounce back straight away and pushed forward, with Keane testing the Wolves defense on numerous occasions, narrowly firing over the bar and misjudging a header from close range.

Aaron Lennon on the right for Spurs looked a threat throughout the first half and has surely done enough to be on the plane to South Africa next year. Jermain Defoe got himself in some good positions, but his finishing was poor, hitting two efforts straight at Marcus Hahnemann in the Wolves goal.

Since the opening goal the away side were happy to sit back and try to protect their lead. Doyle did had a chance to get his second after he got on the end of corner, however the Irishman could not get enough on his header to cause Heurelho Gomes any trouble.

The second half took a similar pattern to the first, with Spurs dominating possession, although Wolves did see a bit more of the ball.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Redknapp made a double substitution, bringing on Crouch and Luka Modric, who was returning after a broken leg.

The height of Crouch gave the home side an extra dimension going forward and immediately caused problems for the Wolves defense, although his header on goal was easily saved my Hahnemann.

At the other end, Sylvain Ebanks-Blake tried to hold the ball up for his side, but his lack of support ensured Spurs kept winning the ball back.

As time ticked on, Tom Huddlestone had two chances in quick succession, but fired both straight at the keeper.

Spurs pushed further and further forward at the death, but could not find the equalizer.

A great defensive display saw Wolves hang on to their victory and record a crucial three points, which sees them move out of the drop zone.

Steve Alexander, Goal.com