Joao Palhinha ensured Tottenham did not leave empty-handed against Wolverhampton Wanderers, yet the midfielder is far from satisfied with his team’s performance.
Tottenham Hotspur failed to take advantage of their fixture coming later in the day, after some of their closest rivals had already dropped points.
Liverpool had suffered defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, while Chelsea also fell short against Brighton in the earlier Premier League kick-offs.
With the opportunity clear, Spurs needed to claim maximum points against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers to cut the gap on leaders Liverpool to just two points and also create further breathing space from the chasing pack in the race for a Champions League spot.
Joao Palhinha expresses frustration after Tottenham draw with Wolves
Tottenham started on the front foot and carved out chances early, but their inability to convert them allowed Wolves to settle into the contest and grow in belief, which eventually resulted in the visitors striking first.
When it looked as though Spurs were heading for a damaging defeat, Joao Palhinha struck from distance to rescue a point and prevent Thomas Frank’s side from slumping to what would have been a costly loss.
Speaking after the game, Palhinha admitted his frustration at the outcome, stressing that Tottenham needed to be far more ruthless in matches of this nature.
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The Tottenham midfielder told Sky Sports: “I am not happy at all. These are the games we need to win. We did a great first half. The second half not really. We could have created more chances.
“It is one more game for us to improve and analyse. It is not going to be easy. I am really sad, me and my teammates and the staff, because it is mandatory for us to win these games. It feels like a loss.
“We fight until the last minute. Wolves defended well. We need to score our chances.”
Spurs’ recurring struggles in winnable matches
Spurs have often come unstuck in fixtures against sides they should be putting away if they are to secure a top-four finish.
Brighton, who are a strong side but not among the very top, held Tottenham to a draw after Frank’s men had gone two goals down, and Bournemouth also managed to take all three points in their 1-0 victory.
Although neither of those sides can be dismissed as easy opposition, Tottenham simply have to deliver wins in such encounters if they are serious about consolidating their place in the top four.