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Ange Postecoglou admits he is "hurting immensely" over Tottenham's slump in form but still feels they can compete towards the top this season in the Premier League.

Injury-hit Spurs were on track to end a torrid month of December on a high after first-half goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Hee-Chan Hwang's brilliant opener for Wolves.

Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son also squandered a 43rd-minute penalty, but it did not appear to be too costly until visiting substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed home with three minutes left to ensure the spoils were shared in north London.

Spurs will start 2025 in the bottom half after one win from their last seven Premier League fixtures and yet Postecoglou rallied around his depleted squad, with Destiny Udogie the latest to limp off to become their ninth unavailable player.

As it happened: How Spurs were held by Wolves

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"It hurts me as I'm responsible," he said.

"When I see how hard the players are trying, it hurts even more. I wanted them to get rewards for their effort. It hurts immensely. It's my responsibility for where we're at right now.

"I'll keep going mate, we've got work to do in getting some help with these players. Our role is to help them perform to their best. I can see how hard they're trying. If we were at our sharpest we'd have got that third and fourth goal, we were inches away.

"We are lacking the dynamic movement we need. Where does Deki [Kulusevski] get the energy from? Dom [Solanke], Sonny. These guys are fighting energy and aren't as sharp as we can be.

"We're dealing with a fair bit and we're not getting a smooth run at anything in terms of getting players back to allow us to freshen up the team. When we get one back, we lose one."

Ange: League still 'farly tight'

The draw means Spurs, who were booed off at full-time, have failed to win in their last five home games and leaves them down in 11th in the Premier League table with only 24 points from 19 games.

However, Postecoglou isn't giving up hope of making a charge towards the top end of the Premier League when his key players return.

"It's still fairly tight," he said.

"At some point we will get a healthy squad and we'll be able to perform at a high level. We've shown we can beat anyone.

"There's always a chance to go on a run. That is secondary to getting support to the players both physically and mentally and in terms of numbers."

Tottenham were sixth and only three points off Chelsea after a 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23, but are now closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Postecoglou refused to be too hard on his players, who will get two days off with Spurs set to have a rare clear midweek ahead of Saturday's visit of Newcastle where Bentancur will also be suspended.

He added: "We have to try to get some support for the players. Both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best.

"They're very disappointed, but it's not through the want of trying."

Ange Postecoglou admits he is "hurting immensely" over Tottenham's slump in form but still feels they can compete towards the top this season in the Premier League.

Injury-hit Spurs were on track to end a torrid month of December on a high after first-half goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Hee-Chan Hwang's brilliant opener for Wolves.

Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son also squandered a 43rd-minute penalty, but it did not appear to be too costly until visiting substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed home with three minutes left to ensure the spoils were shared in north London.

Spurs will start 2025 in the bottom half after one win from their last seven Premier League fixtures and yet Postecoglou rallied around his depleted squad, with Destiny Udogie the latest to limp off to become their ninth unavailable player.

As it happened: How Spurs were held by Wolves

Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

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"It hurts me as I'm responsible," he said.

"When I see how hard the players are trying, it hurts even more. I wanted them to get rewards for their effort. It hurts immensely. It's my responsibility for where we're at right now.

"I'll keep going mate, we've got work to do in getting some help with these players. Our role is to help them perform to their best. I can see how hard they're trying. If we were at our sharpest we'd have got that third and fourth goal, we were inches away.

"We are lacking the dynamic movement we need. Where does Deki [Kulusevski] get the energy from? Dom [Solanke], Sonny. These guys are fighting energy and aren't as sharp as we can be.

"We're dealing with a fair bit and we're not getting a smooth run at anything in terms of getting players back to allow us to freshen up the team. When we get one back, we lose one."

Ange: League still 'farly tight'

The draw means Spurs, who were booed off at full-time, have failed to win in their last five home games and leaves them down in 11th in the Premier League table with only 24 points from 19 games.

However, Postecoglou isn't giving up hope of making a charge towards the top end of the Premier League when his key players return.

"It's still fairly tight," he said.

"At some point we will get a healthy squad and we'll be able to perform at a high level. We've shown we can beat anyone.

"There's always a chance to go on a run. That is secondary to getting support to the players both physically and mentally and in terms of numbers."

Tottenham were sixth and only three points off Chelsea after a 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23, but are now closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Postecoglou refused to be too hard on his players, who will get two days off with Spurs set to have a rare clear midweek ahead of Saturday's visit of Newcastle where Bentancur will also be suspended.

He added: "We have to try to get some support for the players. Both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best.

"They're very disappointed, but it's not through the want of trying."

Ange Postecoglou admits he is "hurting immensely" over Tottenham's slump in form but still feels they can compete towards the top this season in the Premier League.

Injury-hit Spurs were on track to end a torrid month of December on a high after first-half goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson cancelled out Hee-Chan Hwang's brilliant opener for Wolves.

Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son also squandered a 43rd-minute penalty, but it did not appear to be too costly until visiting substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen smashed home with three minutes left to ensure the spoils were shared in north London.

Spurs will start 2025 in the bottom half after one win from their last seven Premier League fixtures and yet Postecoglou rallied around his depleted squad, with Destiny Udogie the latest to limp off to become their ninth unavailable player.

As it happened: How Spurs were held by Wolves

Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

"It hurts me as I'm responsible," he said.

"When I see how hard the players are trying, it hurts even more. I wanted them to get rewards for their effort. It hurts immensely. It's my responsibility for where we're at right now.

"I'll keep going mate, we've got work to do in getting some help with these players. Our role is to help them perform to their best. I can see how hard they're trying. If we were at our sharpest we'd have got that third and fourth goal, we were inches away.

"We are lacking the dynamic movement we need. Where does Deki [Kulusevski] get the energy from? Dom [Solanke], Sonny. These guys are fighting energy and aren't as sharp as we can be.

"We're dealing with a fair bit and we're not getting a smooth run at anything in terms of getting players back to allow us to freshen up the team. When we get one back, we lose one."

Ange: League still 'farly tight'

The draw means Spurs, who were booed off at full-time, have failed to win in their last five home games and leaves them down in 11th in the Premier League table with only 24 points from 19 games.

However, Postecoglou isn't giving up hope of making a charge towards the top end of the Premier League when his key players return.

"It's still fairly tight," he said.

"At some point we will get a healthy squad and we'll be able to perform at a high level. We've shown we can beat anyone.

"There's always a chance to go on a run. That is secondary to getting support to the players both physically and mentally and in terms of numbers."

Tottenham were sixth and only three points off Chelsea after a 4-0 win at Manchester City on November 23, but are now closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

Postecoglou refused to be too hard on his players, who will get two days off with Spurs set to have a rare clear midweek ahead of Saturday's visit of Newcastle where Bentancur will also be suspended.

He added: "We have to try to get some support for the players. Both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best.

"They're very disappointed, but it's not through the want of trying."

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Tottenham made it just two wins in their last 10 games as Wolves struck late on to bag a 2-2 draw in front of a disgruntled home crowd.

Spurs looked to have the game in the bag as goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson put them 2-1 up after Hee-Chan Hwang's opener.

However, despite losing key man Matheus Cunha at half-time to injury, Wolves found a late leveller through Jorgen Strand Larsen, meaning they have taken seven points from Vítor Pereira's first three games in charge.

Ange 'hurting immensely' over poor Tottenham form

The draw means Spurs, who also missed a penalty through Heung-Min Son at 1-1 and were booed off at full-time, have failed to win in their last five home games and leaves them down in 11th in the Premier League table with only 24 points from 19 games.

It also leaves boss Ange Postecoglou under huge pressure.

As it happened: How Spurs were held by Wolves

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A torrid month of December, with poor results matched by a growing injury list, had seen Spurs slip down the table, but they looked on track to finish 2024 with a win after a strong finish to the first half.

Postecoglou's depleted side could not add a third or hold on, though, and their injury curse struck again as Destiny Udogie limped off in the second half with a hamstring injury.

Ange: It hurts me immensely

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"It hurts me as I'm responsible.

"When I see how hard they're trying, it hurts even more. I wanted them to get rewards for their effort. It hurts immensely. It's my responsibility for where we're at right now.

"I'll keep going mate, we've got work to do in getting some help with these players. Our role is to help them perform to their best. I can see how hard they're trying. If we were at our sharpest we'd have got that third and fourth goal, we were inches away. We are lacking the dynamic movement we need. Where does Deki [Kulusevski] get the energy from? Dom, Sonny. These guys are fighting energy and aren't as sharp as we can be.

"We're dealing with a fair bit and we're not getting a smooth run at anything in terms of getting players back to allow us to freshen up the team. When we get one back, we lose one."

Analysis: Kulusevski is a machine

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

If you could bottle and sell Dejan Kulusevski's secret formula you'd make millions.

Ange Postecoglou said after watching star man: "Where does Deki [Kulusevski] get the energy from?"

Such is his relentless energy, there is an argument forming that he might not be human.

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Playing his fifth straight 90 minutes in just 14 days, he yet again was Tottenham's best player in possession, creating a goal and three other chances, and their most hard-working without it.

No player on the pitch ran further than Kulusevski's 12.3km total and his 16 sprints was also the most of any player.

He must sleep well at night.

It's clear Spurs are running on empty though. Not only are they missing their best defenders, but their key men in attack also need a rest. Heung-Min Son just can't cope playing this type of relentless schedule now and his penalty miss showed it whilst Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson are giving it their all but are a yard short of their best. Good job Spurs have Kulusevski then.

His shoulders must be aching carrying this side.

Opta: Home struggles for Spurs

Tottenham (D2 L3) have failed to win in five successive home Premier League games for the first time since October 2008 (a run of eight), in what were Juande Ramos' final eight such games in

Pereira is just the fourth manager to go unbeaten in his first three top-flight league games in charge of Wolves (W2 D1) after Andy Beattie in 1964, Ronnie Allen in 1967 and Sammy Chung in 1977.

Tottenham conceded the opening goal at home in the Premier League for the 15th time in 2024, the most a side has done so in a single year in the competition.

Son Heung-min's saved penalty against Wolves is just the second time he's failed to convert a penalty for Tottenham, seeing a spot kick against Aston Villa in the Premier League in February 2020 saved by Pepe Reina.

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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Tottenham 0-0 Wolves

Wolves sporting their eye-catching purple away kit. One of my favs.

Here come the teams!

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

“The sheer weirdness of Spurs is summed up by the fact they have lost nine of their last 16 Premier League games but six of their seven wins this season have come by a three or more goal margin. Good luck trying to dissect that one.”

Son & Hwang factor...

There is a huge South Korean presence as always - here to cheer on Son Heung-Min. But they get the bonus of watching Son's international teammate Hwang Hee-Chan too, who starts for Wolves.

'Gimme, gimme, gimme a ginger from Sweden'

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

“As the DJ spins a bit of ABBA – Gimme, Gimme, my attention immediately draws to the man who that tune is sung to. Dejan Kulusevski has been Tottenham’s best player this season – by a mile. His attacking output has increased to match his insane workload off the ball. He’s a gem. If he plays well today, Spurs win.”

LAST TIME OUT: Wolves 2-0 Man Utd

Matheus Cunha's magic from a corner led the way for Wolves against 10-man Manchester United...

LAST TIME OUT: Forest 1-0 Spurs

A disappointing away day for Tottenham on Boxing Day...

Bentancur-Bissouma dynamic - will it work?

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"I'm interested to see the dynamic in the Spurs midfield with both Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma playing in there. Once again James Maddison has to settle for a place on the bench."

Dawson starts for Wolves

Wolves make three changes from the Manchester United win as Craig Dawson, Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde and Hwang Hee-Chan are handed starts.

Toti Gomes, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Gonçalo Guedes drop out.

Dragusin starts, Porro returns

Radu Dragusin has been passed fit to play for Tottenham meaning at least Spurs will have a natural centre-back playing this afternoon. He partners Archie Gray once again.

Yves Bissouma replaces Pape Sarr and Pedro Porro returns in two changes made.

Tottenham are missing Djed Spence (suspension), Micky Van De Ven (hamstring), Ben Davies (thigh), Richarlison (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Guglielmo Vicario (ankle).

Tottenham team news - Dragusin starts!

Team to play Wolves: Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke

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Wolves team news

Team to play Tottenham: Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Dawson, Bueno, Ait-Nouri, Andre, Gomes, Bellegarde, Cunha, Hwang

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Jones Knows: Back a heavy Spurs win

Sky Sports' betting expert Lewis Jones:

"If you fancy Tottenham, there is huge value in taking them to win on the handicap rather than just backing the 8/13 with Sky Bet for the home win. That price does look tight considering this Spurs team have won just three of their last 15 Premier League games. But under Ange Postecoglou, when Spurs win their style means they win by a big margin.

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"All their last eight Premier League wins have seen them prevail by two or more goals and, remarkably, seven of those wins have come with a three or more margin of victory.

"And although they've found a manager bounce, this Wolves defence is prone to a collapse - they have conceded an average of 2.04 goals in 2024 - the worst record of any ever-present Premier League team. Spurs to win by three or more goals, or -2 on the handicap, is the way to play at 7/2 with Sky Bet."

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-1

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Ravenous Liverpool to feast on West Ham

Sky Sports

No Dragusin?

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"Although there have been some murmurings that Radu Dragusin trained yesterday, there was no sign of him as the Spurs players came out for the pre-match walk around the pitch. We'll know for sure his availability in about 10 minutes."

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Sky Sports' Lewis Jones at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

"Always a pleasure to be reporting from this magnificent sporting venue - it’s a shame for the locals their football team doesn’t quite match up to the glorious surroundings.

"You’re always guaranteed a great time here though.

"Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are the hottest ticket in town. This place will be packed to the rafters as usual.

"Spurs should have too much firepower for lowly Wolves but the visitors arrive in good spirits under a new manager whilst the atmosphere here at the moment is very edgy.

"Stay with us as we bring you all the action. Teams dropping shortly."

PREDICTION TIME!

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Postecoglou searching for answers to injury crisis

Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham are looking into why so many players have suffered injury setbacks this season.

Ben Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh

international initially primed to return for Sunday's visit of Wolves but no longer available.

Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday's 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue.

Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7.

"Yeah, that's been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such," Postecoglou said.

"We're looking at those things and why they're happening. It's certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they're the ones who are missing.

"I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury.

"Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it's still a guy coming back, so it's something we're looking at."

Pereira: Ange is a manager with very offensive ideas

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"I love, I love [Postecoglou's football]. I appreciate it a lot. We competed against each other in Asia. He was the manager of Yokohama Marinos and I was the manager of Shanghai SIPG in China. We played in Asian Champions League I think two or three times against each other.

"He is a manager with different ideas, very offensive ideas. It's a team that can score a lot of goals so we have to be at our best level to compete with them. The next game will be a very hard game for us."

Pereira: I eat, breathe, sleep football here!

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"I remember the time when the Japanese players are very technical when you compare with the Chinese players. In the game we played the games together, the ball was always at the Yokohama Marinos' feet. They had something special and he made a fantastic work in Japan.

"Now, we face together here in England. The country of football. I said that here I can't see the sun, but I breathe, eat and see football."

Wolves braced for Cunha ban

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira:

"We are trying to prepare with other players [a team set up to be without Matheus Cunha, who is facing a potential suspension]. When it happens, we must be ready with other players. They are doing a good work and they are trying to understand this idea of what we want with and without the ball so they are waiting for their opportunity."

The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Ange Postecoglou maintains the backing of Tottenham's board but the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool is emerging as key to the Australian's prospects.

Federico Chiesa is reportedly looking for a way out of Liverpool in January, just five months after his arrival from Juventus.

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Jurgen Klopp has been offered the chance to get acquainted with Red Bull's Formula 1 team as he prepares to take up his new role at the Austrian company.

Real Madrid are growing increasingly convinced they can win the race to capture the prized signature of Trent Alexander-Arnold and hope he will join them on a free transfer next summer.

Santi Cazorla revealed that he would consider a return to Arsenal, as the 40-year-old nears the end of his contract in Spain.

Liverpool coach John Heitinga has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacant manager's job at West Bromwich Albion.

Ligue 1's social media team have hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo in a post to the league's official account following his controversial recent comments.

Cesc Fabregas has given Dele a boost as the former England star begins his trial period at Como FC in his bid to resurrect his career.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY

Manchester United are set to lose out on £10m in expected income if they continue on their current trajectory.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Tamworth FC have been criticised for a huge hike in ticket prices for the non-League club's FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Stuart Lancaster has hit out at former England international Andy Goode for suggesting he is in danger of losing his job at Racing 92.

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Manchester United are very likely to extend Harry Maguire's contract by 12 months after the former captain successfully earned Ruben Amorim's trust, according to reports.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Pep Guardiola has a five-player wishlist to improve his Manchester City side as the January transfer window approaches.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United, with current No1 Andre Onana under increasing pressure.

THE OBSERVER

Barcelona have reportedly closed a last-minute €100m (£82.9m) deal to sell VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors. The club are hopeful the sale will allow them to meet financial fair play rules and finally extend Dani Olmo's registration.

A Brazilian judge has ordered the release from prison of four players from River Plate's women's football team, all of whom were arrested over an alleged racial slur during a match against Gremio.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Alisson has challenged his Liverpool team-mates to put their names alongside the legends of the past and write a new page in the club's rich history.

SUNDAY MAIL

The Romanian media are ramping up the hype around Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru - with close ally and former manager Cristi Pustai talking up a potential move to Rangers.

Zander Clark could cross the capital divide with the current Hearts No 2 on Hibs' list of targets, according to a report.

Hearts are reportedly in the market for Elton Kabangu from Union Saint-Gilloise.