Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings from Draw at Wolves

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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 27: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur react during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Carl Recine – Pool/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player Ratings

Tottenham had a new formation for Wolves, opting for a back three of Ben Davies, Eric Dier, and Davinson Sanchez to defend in front of Hugo Lloris. The defense played well for most of the match, absorbing a ton of pressure both with and without the ball from Wolves. However, just one lapse in focus cost Spurs on the afternoon.

Hugo Lloris – 6.5

Hugo Lloris had a solid game defensively, with five saves and one nice claim on a cross that could have cost Spurs all three points in injury time. Hugo’s five saves were relatively routine, but Tottenham needed Hugo to produce one out of this world save to stop the goal and it did not happen. Did show great alertness to beat Adama Traore to a through ball off a quickly taken Wolves free kick around 65 minutes. Had Lloris not beaten Traore to the ball it probably would have been disaster. Hugo struggled with his distribution and passing as he only connected on 12 of 23 attempts, just 52%. Those are 11 possessions just given away in some respects. For comparison, Rui Patricio completed 10 of 11 passes, 91%.

Ben Davies – 7

Ben Davies was one of the better Tottenham performers, although like the rest of the team his first half was far better than his second half. Made two key passes on the day, but both were within the first minute of the match and led to Spurs goal. Hit the nice long ball to Son and then the layoff to Ndombele for the goal. Had a couple clearances, a couple tackles and won three balls in the air. All that said, Davies fell behind Romain Saiss on the corner, which Saiss scored for the tying goal. Davies lost focus for a second and it cost Spurs, such are the razor thin margins for Tottenham right now. Provided little going forward after the opening foray.

Eric Dier – 6.5

Eric Dier had a solid evening overall marshalling the defense from the middle of the back three. With six clearances, a blocked shot and four aerial wins, Dier was working to repel Wolves again and again. Eric had one of his better passing evenings completing about 87% of his 53 attempts. That percentage was the best of anyone on the team who attempted at least 10 passes. Looked comfortable in the middle of the back three and had one crack at goal on a free kick that got up and down but went just wide.

Davinson Sanchez – 6.5

Davinson Sanchez did a solid job with his on-ball defending in space playing the right center half in the back three. Sanchez was a bit clumsy in the air at times, but at least he is aggressively trying to win the ball. Maybe the most important thing for Sanchez was avoiding any real mental errors and any fouls in completing the full 90. Sanchez has tools no one else in defense has and getting him right should be a top priority for the coaching staff and Sunday was pretty right for him.