Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves 3 Spurs 3: Steven Fletcher levels late after Jermain Defoe and Kevin Doyle doubles
Tears were replaced by goals, incident and controversy at Molineux as a thrilling advert for the Barclays Premier League ended with both managers having smiles on their faces.[LNB]The two clubs came together before kick-off to salute their former defender Dean Richards, who died nine days ago aged just 36 after a long-term illness. But then they collided for 90 absorbing minutes in which both camps had reason to bemoan their luck.[LNB]Wolves undoubtedly came off the worse following two contentious decisions by referee Mark Halsey, but earned the point they deserved with Steven Fletcher's 87th-minute header.[LNB] All square: Fletcher rises to to head home the equaliser for Wolves with just a few minutes remaining[LNB] [LNB]Despite the late equaliser, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was relatively happy too. [LNB]MATCH FACTSWOLVES (4-4-1-1): Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Hammill (Fletcher 73), Henry, Milijas, Jarvis; Ward (Ebanks-Blake 60); Doyle. Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Mouyokolo, Doherty, Griffiths. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Gomes; Hutton, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Pienaar (Bale 69), Jenas , Sandro , Modric (Kranjcar 84); Pavlyuchenko (Lennon 73), Defoe. Subs not used: Palacios, Crouch, Bassong, Cudicini. Referee: M Halsey[LNB]He was clearly not overjoyed with his team's defending but three high-class finishes and a return to action for Gareth Bale ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League return against AC Milan had undoubtedly lifted his spirits.[LNB]Kevin Doyle's first-half header for Wolves was wiped out by two sumptuous Jermain Defoe shots from outside the area. [LNB]However, as the opening half drew to a close, Alan Hutton pulled back Nenad Milijas as the Serb chased a loose ball inside the Spurs area. Halsey awarded a penalty converted by Doyle but the homecrowd were incensed by Hutton being spared a red card.[LNB]Roman Pavlyuchenko arrowed a left-foot screamer past Wayne Hennessey shortly after the re-start to restore Spurs' lead before the other contentious issue 10 minutes from time when visiting goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes appeared to throw the ball into his own net after a floated free-kick.[LNB] [LNB] Two good: Defoe scores his second, almost a carbon copy of his first, to turn the game on its head[LNB]The referee blew for a foul on Gomes by Richard Stearman, but the sense of injustice felt by the home fans was eased by Fletcher's late equaliser.[LNB]McCarthy said: 'It is the party line that when someone challenges a keeper, most keepers are given a free-kick. I think it's poor that the goalkeeper gets the benefit of thedoubt. It wasn't a free-kick at all. As for the penalty, I didn't see it at the time but the rules are that if you stop a clear, goalscoring opportunity then it's a red card.' [LNB]Redknapp was magnanimous and accepted that Hutton should have been sent off. But he was more concerned with Defoe's return to goalscoring form.[LNB] Tribute: Players from both teams applaud in memory of Dean Richards who played for both clubs[LNB] [LNB] 'He just scored them like he did whenhe was 15 half a yard, then bang,' quipped the Spurs boss.[LNB]It had been a staggering 323 days since Defoe's Premier League goal.[LNB]'There were loads of positives for me three fantastic goals, amazing strikes, and the front two looked a threat.[LNB] Farewell: James Beattie, Don Goodman, Dave Jones and Graham Taylor join Samantha Richards, wife of late star Dean, and the defender's young sons Rio and Jaden[LNB]'Add to that Gareth Bale coming back andwe can be a threat to anyone. Gareth has a chance of starting on Wednesday, as does Aaron Lennon and Rafael Van der Vaart has every chance too. You know, we will have a go at them.'[LNB]And on Wolves, Redknapp added: 'Look this team has beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City here. It's a tough place to come. They play with real enthusiasm. They won't be relegated, no way.'[LNB]Heads up: Doyle climbs to nod the ball past Gomes as Wolves make a positive start[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] It really was breathless, breathtaking stuff a thoroughly good game. It was capped at the finalwhistle by the two sets of supporters shouting 'There's only Deano', in reference to Richards. [LNB]A fitting end, indeed.[LNB] Farewell, Deano: Tributes for former Bradford, Wolves and Spurs starToure ban will hand us a Euro boost, claims Spurs boss RedknappAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinionAll the latest Wolves news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Kevin Doyle, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Hennessey, Gareth Bale, Nenad Milijas, Harry Redknapp, Alan Hutton, Aaron Lennon, Steven Fletcher
