Tottenham topple Wolves to boost Europa League qualification hopes

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Tottenham Topple Wolves To Boost Europa League Qualification Hopes
Tottenham put a top-six finish into their own hands with a 2-0 win over Wolves, © PA Wire/PA Images
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Jonathan Veal, PA

Tottenham strengthened their European qualification hopes with a 2-0 win over Wolves which moved them into the top six.

Harry Kane opened the scoring with a goal that advanced his chances of winning the Premier League Golden Boot and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg doubled the lead after the break.

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It was Kane’s 22nd goal of the season, taking him back in front of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the race for a prize he has won twice before, while he also hit the post twice.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made sure of the points with Spurs’ second goal (Shaun Botterill/PA)

Spurs can still mathematically make the top four, but Europa League qualification is looking much more likely and a sixth-placed finish is in their own hands with two games to go.

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Wolves’ campaign is petering out and this loss condemned them to a bottom-half finish for the first time since their return to the top flight.

Surprisingly, Kane had yet to score since one of his best mates Ryan Mason had taken temporary charge but he was on a mission to put that right from the off.

In the fifth minute he was cursing his luck again as he struck the post with an effort from distance. It was the eighth time he had been denied by the woodwork in the Premier League this term – more than any other player.

Still with something to play for, Spurs were the better side and Wolves’ goal was under regular threat.

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Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Man of the match Conor Coady (left) kept Spurs at bay with some heroic defending (Shaun Botterill/PA)

Gareth Bale tested Rui Patricio with a wobbling free-kick from distance while Son Heung-min stung the Portugal goalkeeper’s palms with an attempt at the far post.

Kane then had a header cleared off the line by Conor Coady, who seconds later produced another heroic block from Giovani Lo Celso.

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But Kane can only be kept at bay for so long and he struck in the 45th minute.

Hojbjerg’s pass set him clear and there was little doubt about the outcome – bar a VAR check for offside – as he expertly delayed his finish to fox Coady and Patricio before rolling into an empty net.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Dele Alli put in a decent shift in front of the watching Gareth Southgate (Shaun Botterill/PA)

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With Gareth Southgate watching, Dele Alli seemed determined to remind the England manager of his talents and it was a good piece of play that almost saw Spurs double their advantage.

He won back possession and then fed in Kane, who hit the woodwork for the ninth time as Patricio superbly tipped onto the upright.

That gave Alli the chance to get on the scoresheet as the rebound fell perfectly for him, but his first-time shot struck the other post.

Tottenham deserved their second goal, and it arrived in the 62nd minute.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Hojbjerg (left) made it 2-0 just after the hour mark (Shaun Botterill/PA)

Left-back Sergio Reguilon’s determination saw him win the ball high up the pitch, Son teed up Bale, whose first-time shot was parried by Patricio but Hojbjerg made no mistake from the rebound.

Wolves should have reduced their deficit soon after but the disappointing Fabio Silva dragged a shot wide from an inviting position while Adama Traore also shot wide after dancing into the area.

Spurs saw the game out safely as they prepare to welcome their fans back into their game with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

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