In the first “Korean Derby” of the season in the English Professional Soccer Premier League (EPL), neither Son Heung-min (Tottenham) nor Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) could find the back of the net.
In the end, it was Hwang who had the last laugh as Wolverhampton exploded for two goals in second-half stoppage time to come from behind to win the match.
Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan started up front for Tottenham and Wolverhampton, respectively, in their 2023-2024 EPL Round 12 clash at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, on Nov. 11.
It was the first meeting of the season for Son, who has eight goals in the league this season, and Hwang, who has six.
Neither Son Heung-min, who is second only to top scorer Elling Holland (Manchester City-11 goals), nor Hwang Hee-chan, who has recorded an attacking point (four goals and two assists) in his last six official matches, were able to register a goal or an assist on the day.
They played full-time alongside each other, and Wolverhampton came from behind to win 2-1.
With the win, which snapped a two-match winless streak in the league (one draw, one loss) despite the absence of Pedro Neto, who leads the team in assists this season (seven), Wolverhampton leaps to 12th place (15 points).
Tottenham remained in second place (26 points), but have lost two in a row after opening the league unbeaten (8 wins, 2 draws).
The 1-4 defeat at Chelsea in the last round was the latest in a string of defeats for Spurs, who have been hit hard by a number of injuries and suspensions.
Midfielder James Maddison and defender Micky Van der Vaart, who have been key additions to the squad this season, both went down with injuries against Chelsea, while defenders Christian Romero and Destiny Udogie were sent off. Striker Alexandre Lacazette also recently underwent surgery on a groin injury and will be out for a while, giving Spurs their first crisis of the season.
Tottenham’s attacking lineup featured Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson, and Dejan Kuluczewski, while Wolverhampton’s lineup featured Hwang Hee-chan, Mateusz Cunha, and Jean-Luc Bellegarde.
Three minutes into the match, Tottenham struck first.
On the right side of the penalty area, Kuluczewski opened the way with an exquisite back-footed pass, and Pedro Foro’s subsequent low, quick cross was finished by Johnson in front of goal.
Wolverhampton then pushed hard to get back into the game.
In the 33rd minute, Mario Lemina’s right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area was saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
After a first half that saw Tottenham protect their one-goal advantage, Hwang Hee-chan had one crucial chance in the 10th minute of the second half.
Following a Wolverhampton corner, a strong shot from João Gomes was deflected and dropped in front of Hwang, but the South Korean’s right-footed effort went wide of the right-hand post.
Tottenham then made changes, bringing on Rodrigo Bentancur, Bryan Hill and Giovani Rosselso, while Wolverhampton took off Matt Doherty, Sasha Kalajic, Pablo Sarabia and Tommy Doyle.
A fruitless back-and-forth ensued before Wolverhampton finally broke through as the game entered second-half stoppage time.
Hwang’s ball from the left flank was floated in by Cunha, and Sarabia caught it with his right foot on the left side of the goal area and struck it with his left foot to rattle the net.
Then, in second-half stoppage time, Wolverhampton pulled a goal back.
Sarabia’s cross from the right flank was met by Lemina, who slid in and slotted home with his right foot to complete the comeback. Sarabia, who came 카지노사이트 on in the 42nd minute of the second half, was the man of the match with a goal and an assist in less than 10 minutes.