Wolves were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening after fighting back from two goals down against Nuno Espiritio Santo’s Tottenham, only to lose on penalties at Molineux. It was a poor start to the game with Wolves two goals down in the first half an hour as a frustrated Molineux watched on, but Leander Dendoncker’s header five minutes before half time changed the game. Daniel Podence restored parity in front of the Southbank but Wolves failed to capitalise on the momentum, and had John Ruddy to thank for keeping the scores level. Having converted their first two penalties, Wolves went on to miss their next three and Spurs went through as deserved winners.
John Ruddy
Couldn’t really have done any more as he make two excellent saves in the second half to ensure the tie went to penalties. He almost let one slip through his gloves too but his misjudgement only resulted in a corner. In the shootout Ruddy saved from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to keep the home side in it, but Wolves could not convert their own penalties. 8/10
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Yerson Mosquera
A frustrating start to his Wolves career continued as he lasted just nine minutes before having to leave the field through injury. N/A
Willy Boly
It was great to see Boly back in the starting XI and he reminded Wolves fans what they had been missing in defence. He will have been disappointed with the first Spurs goal but otherwise put in an assured display. Without Boly the game almost certainly would have been over before penalties. 7/10
Max Kilman
Struggled with the defensive shape at times which was not helped by changing personal both before and during the game. He didn’t look his usual self on the ball, particularly in the first half as Wolves were uncomfortable and the crowd became frustrated. Much better in the second half and is likely to keep his place in the side on Sunday. 6/10
Ki-Jana Hoever
There is a lot to like about the youngster now in his second season at the club. Hoever uses the ball well and looks to link play down the flank or come inside to get up the field at every opportunity. There is still work to do defensively, and he could certainly do with improving his strength, but that will no doubt improve as he gains experience. 7/10
Leander Dendoncker
Just a second start of the season for Leander Dendoncker who, like many, struggled as Spurs dominated the early stages of the game. He covered a lot of ground as we have come to expect but he lacked conviction with his passing. His performance improved in the second period, and he began to get a foothold in the midfield, looking to set Hwang and Traore down the fright hand side. 6/10
Ruben Neves
A disappointing night for Ruben Neves who started the night as captain as Conor Coady dropped to the bench. Neves’ passing was nowhere near the standards which he sets and he, along with Dendoncker, failed to assert any control in the midfield in the first half. He went close on two occasions in the second with a long range deflected effort as well as a free kick. His penalty in the shootout was blazed over and rather summed up his evening. 5/10
Rayan Ait-Nouri
A promising performance from Ait-Nouri who was good on the ball and looked on take players on at every opportunity. His crossing was excellent, including a superb corner which was converted by Dendoncker in the first half. He left the field with concussion with just ten minutes remaining, but will certainly have given Bruno Lage food for thought ahead of Sunday. 7/10
Daniel Podence
Another player who will also have given the Head Coach food for thought is Podence. Took his goal extremely well but also looked like Wolves’ most threatening outlet, particularly in the second half. He looks fit and ready following his injury set back over the summer, and it won’t be long before he finds himself in the starting XI for a league game. 7/10
Fabio Silva
A frustrating night for Fabio Silva, who although it was not entirely his fault, just could not get going. He cut an isolated figure at times with Wolves on the back foot for most of the first half. His first touch was poor, but he was not helped by those around him who didn’t exactly give him the service which he thrives upon. He was withdrawn at half time as Bruno Lage looked for a way back into the game in Adama Traore. 5/10
Hee Chan Hwang
There was a lot of excitement for Hwang’s full debut, but he failed to live up to the heights of his performances against Watford and Brentford. His first touch was poor, and his movement was not quite on the same wavelength as those around him. This will certainly improve over time as he spends more time on the training pitch with his new teammates 6/10
Subs:
Conor Coady
Came on much earlier than anticipated due to the injury to Mosquera. Had an extremely poor first half, putting Boly in a very difficult position for the first goal when in truth it was an entirely avoidable situation. Looked uncomfortable on the right-hand side of defence but improved as he moved back into the more familiar centre. He, like many, didn’t have his best night in a Wolves shirt. 5/10
Adama Traore
Came on at half time and injected some much-needed pace and energy into the attack. He got Wolves up the pitch, but his end product was once again lacking despite getting into some good areas down the right-hand side. He was less effective in the middle of the park where Spurs crowded him out too easily as Traore didn’t get the help he needed from those around him. 7/10
Nelson Semedo (Concussion Substitution)
Played on the left-hand side for the final ten minutes and looked to get involved in attacks as Wolves searched for a winner. Was comfortable defensively without too much to do. 6/10
Joao Moutinho
Came on in the closing stages and added greater assurance to the midfield. He dispatched his penalty superbly which cannot be said for the others. Perhaps most importantly, Moutinho had a well-earned rest ahead of Southampton on Sunday. 6/10
Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.