Tottenham player ratings vs Wolves: Ndombele endures mixed night as Kane breaks domestic goal duck

Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele endured a mixed night against Wolves in the Carabao Cup
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP22 September 2021

Tottenham beat Wolves 4-2 on penalties to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes at Molineux.

Goals from Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Kane put Spurs in control but Wolves hit back from Leander Dendoncker’s header and equalised after half-time through Daniel Podence.

In the shootout, Ruben Neves, Dendoncker and Conor Coady all missed after successful spot-kicks from Kane, Sergio Reguilon and Bryan Gil to send Spurs through, and relieve the pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo.

Dan Kilpatrick was at Molineux to rate the Spurs players...

Pierluigi Gollini 7

Hard to directly fault him for either goal but he was rooted to the spot for Podence’s cool finish. The hero during penalties, saving from Dendoncker.

Japhet Tanganga 8

Would have been relieved not be up against Adama Traore after last month’s match here. Returned from suspension with another aggressive and purposeful performance.

Cristian Romero 5

All at sea for Wolves’ second goal as he failed to cut out Dendoncker’s pass to Podence. Still finding his feet in English football.

Davinson Sanchez 5

Also looked lost for Podence’s goal in a shaky return to the side. He was guilty of a bad mistake when he tried to out muscle Ki-Jana Hoever but lost out to the defender, leading to a big chance.

Ben Davies 8

Enjoying a quiet game until Wolves introduced Adama at half-time. Immediately beaten but thereafter dealt well with his pace and power.

Oliver Skipp 7

Stood out in the middle of the park with a more accomplished display than he managed in the League game here. Looked good in tandem with Ndombele and took the fight to Adama and Co. when Spurs were up against it.

Dele Alli 7

Offered a timely reminder of his technical quality with a superb first-time pass to assist Kane’s goal. Played with more verve and got in the box more than in previous matches this season.

Tanguy Ndombele 6

If his goal was the best of him – a moment of bravery, strength and poise – then he showed his worst with mistakes for both Wolves’ goals. He was both Spurs’ creative hub and a liability.

Giovani Lo Celso 5

Offered next to nothing from the right of the front three, which is clearly not his best position. When he did get free in the box in the first half, he stumbled over the ball and the chance was lost.

Bryan Gil 7

A live-wire who caused Wolves plenty of problems with his old fashioned wing-play but faded. Took his penalty well and helped Davies subdue Adama before moving to the right flank. Looks raw but promising.

Harry Kane 7

Broke his domestic duck for the season with a cool finish in the first half and should have had another after the break with a point-blank header saved by John Ruddy. A step forward but still not at his dominant best.

Subs

Heung-min Son (Lo Celso 61’) 7

Just as you feared a Spurs collapse, the South Korean helped them earn a foothold. Set up a great chance for Kane with a cross and added menace from the left flank.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Dele 81’) 6

Saw a tame penalty saved by Ruddy after coming on to shore up the midfield.

Sergio Reguilon (Tanganga 90’) 7

Introduced to take a penalty – and did the job superbly.

Subs not used: Austin, Doherty, Rodon, Scarlett.

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