By Kevin Darling BBC Sport

Tottenham missed the chance to go level on points with the Premier League leaders as they were held by Wolves.

Steven Fletcher put the visitors ahead with their first attack, prodding home from close range after Brad Friedel parried a Roger Johnson header.

Luka Modric drew Spurs level with a 20-yard drive after Gareth Bale's lay-off but the goal failed to spark the hosts.

Wolves defended resolutely, with keeper Wayne Hennessey staying alert to deny Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.

This was a deflating end to an otherwise excellent week for Tottenham, whose title ambitions have been widely feted since they beat Everton 2-0 on Wednesday.

Spurs could have gone joint top of the league, albeit with an inferior goal difference, had they defeated struggling Wolves.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Steven Fletcher's strike makes Tottenham the first team to concede 1,000 Premier League goals.

But after requiring four months of white-hot form for their championship challenge to finally be taken seriously, Harry Redknapp's side undid some of their fine recent work in a lacklustre 90 minutes at White Hart Lane.

Wolves' goal had an element of fortune, with some controversy about the corner that led to it, but Mick McCarthy's industrious side were good value for their point.

After a confident start from the hosts, in which Modric three times tried his luck but failed to hit the target, Wolves took the lead against the run of play.

From a Matt Jarvis corner, Johnson's header was superbly clawed away by Friedel but only as far as top scorer Fletcher, who gleefully tucked home from six yards.

Spurs were livid, replays showing that the corner should not have been given as the last touch appeared to come off Wolves' Dave Edwards.

Redknapp credits 'hard-working' Wolves

Tottenham almost hit back straight away but Gareth Bale could only fire straight at the keeper after finding some space in the box.

The hosts could not turn possession into clear-cut chances for the remainder of the half - the closest they came was an Emmanuel Adebayor strike ruled out for offside.

Wolves, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break and Edwards could have doubled their lead but spooned an effort wide from 12 yards after being teed up by Jarvis.

The unfancied visitors started the second half brightly as Emmanuel Frimpong, on loan from Arsenal, forced a good stop from Friedel.

But, moments later, Spurs were level with the simplest of attacks as Bale laid the ball back to Modric 20 yards out and the Croatian's low drive went under Hennessey.

Modric then almost put Spurs ahead with a similar effort from the edge of the box but this time the Wales keeper stopped it, before also denying Lennon on the rebound.

McCarthy delighted with 'terrific' point

Just when it looked as if Spurs were taking control, the intensity of the game dropped and the hosts were restricted to wayward pot shots from distance.

Redknapp brought on Defoe to add some attacking urgency and the striker quickly saw an effort saved by Hennessey's legs.

But there was no final flourish from Tottenham, perhaps feeling the effect of playing two games in a week, and Wolves held out comfortably.

Spurs will have the perfect chance to revive belief in their title credentials in their next match - a trip to leaders Manchester City on Sunday 22 January.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 03 Bale
  • 04 Kaboul
  • 20 Dawson
  • 28 Walker
  • 32 Assou-Ekotto Booked (Rose - 80' )
  • 07 Lennon (Defoe - 74' )
  • 08 Parker
  • 11 Van der Vaart
  • 14 Modric
  • 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 19 Bassong
  • 21 Kranjcar
  • 25 Rose
  • 29 Livermore
  • 09 Pavlyuchenko
  • 18 Defoe

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • 01 Hennessey
  • 11 Ward
  • 14 Johnson Booked
  • 16 Berra
  • 32 Foley
  • 04 Edwards (Milijas - 81' )
  • 07 Kightly
  • 08 Henry Booked
  • 15 Frimpong Booked (Hunt - 67' )
  • 17 Jarvis (Elokobi - 85' )
  • 10 Fletcher

Substitutes

  • 31 De Vries
  • 03 Elokobi
  • 05 Stearman
  • 12 Hunt
  • 20 Milijas
  • 09 Ebanks-Blake
  • 29 Doyle
Ref: Jones
Att: 36,194

Match Stats

Shots

22 5

On target

10 3

Corners

8 1

Fouls

6 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:02 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +3:31

Foul by Christophe Berra on Scott Parker, free kick awarded. Strike on goal comes in from Gareth Bale from the free kick.

90:00 +2:57

Gareth Bale produces a cross, clearance made by Stephen Hunt.

90:00 +2:05

Emmanuel Adebayor challenges Roger Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Karl Henry crosses the ball in from the free kick, Michael Dawson manages to make a clearance.

89:56 Booking

Booking Booking for Roger Johnson.

90:00 +0:25

Emmanuel Adebayor challenges Karl Henry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

89:56 Booking

Booking Wayne Hennessey goes into the referee's book.

86:48

Foul by Kevin Foley on Gareth Bale, free kick awarded. Gareth Bale takes the free kick.

84:41 Substitution

Substitution George Elokobi joins the action as a substitute, replacing Matthew Jarvis.

84:26

Effort on goal by Luka Modric from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

83:07

Free kick taken by Scott Parker.

83:07 Booking

Booking Booking for Karl Henry for unsporting behaviour.

82:59

Karl Henry gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luka Modric.

81:54

Roger Johnson concedes a free kick for a foul on Younes Kaboul. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from right wing, clearance by Roger Johnson.

81:34

Corner taken by Gareth Bale.

81:19

Kyle Walker takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in.

79:33

Free kick taken by Brad Friedel.

79:33 Substitution

Substitution Nenad Milijas on for David Edwards.

79:33 Substitution

Substitution Danny Rose on for Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

79:33

Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled by Michael Kightly, the ref awards a free kick.

78:02

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, Shot from just outside the box by Benoit Assou-Ekotto goes over the target.

77:36

Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey.

75:00

Emmanuel Adebayor is caught offside. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.

73:07 Substitution

Substitution Aaron Lennon leaves the field to be replaced by Jermain Defoe.

72:55

Kyle Walker produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

72:49

The ball is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance made by Stephen Ward.

71:05

Effort on goal by Gareth Bale from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.

69:36

Corner from the right by-line taken by Luka Modric, Shot from deep inside the area by Michael Dawson clears the crossbar.

68:44

Direct free kick taken by Christophe Berra.

68:44 Booking

Booking Benoit Assou-Ekotto is cautioned.

68:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by Benoit Assou-Ekotto on Michael Kightly.

66:23

Scott Parker restarts play with the free kick.

66:23 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Hunt is brought on as a substitute for Emmanuel Frimpong.

66:23

Rafael Van der Vaart fouled by Karl Henry, the ref awards a free kick.

64:25

Emmanuel Frimpong gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon. Rafael Van der Vaart produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

63:59

Michael Kightly produces a cross, Michael Dawson makes a clearance.

62:48

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

60:20

Header from deep inside the penalty area by Gareth Bale goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

58:10

Benoit Assou-Ekotto delivers the ball, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.

56:04

Kyle Walker delivers the ball, Kevin Foley manages to make a clearance.

54:18

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Steven Fletcher.

53:19

Luka Modric takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.

50:13

Assist on the goal came from Gareth Bale.

50:13 Goal scored

Goal - Luka Modric - Tottenham 1 - 1 Wolves Luka Modric finds the back of the net with a goal from just outside the area low into the middle of the goal. Tottenham 1-1 Wolverhampton.

48:38

Emmanuel Frimpong takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.

48:38

Roger Johnson takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.

48:02

Unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Christophe Berra results in a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the direct free kick.

47:10

Effort on goal by Gareth Bale from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

46:11

Foul by Emmanuel Frimpong on Luka Modric, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Luka Modric.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +3:43 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +2:56

Kyle Walker challenges Steven Fletcher unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Matthew Jarvis, Emmanuel Adebayor makes a clearance.

45:00 +2:04

Unfair challenge on Karl Henry by Rafael Van der Vaart results in a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

45:00 +0:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Stephen Ward. Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Wayne Hennessey.

43:40

The assistant referee signals for offside against Emmanuel Adebayor. Wayne Hennessey takes the free kick.

42:32

Younes Kaboul takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.

41:00

Michael Kightly produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

38:16

A cross is delivered by Matthew Jarvis, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

36:08

Effort on goal by David Edwards from inside the box misses to the right of the target.

35:22

Aaron Lennon crosses the ball, clearance by Kevin Foley.

33:48

The ball is swung over by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance by Stephen Ward.

32:59

Luka Modric takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey.

32:51

The ball is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance by Stephen Ward.

32:41

The ball is crossed by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, clearance by Roger Johnson.

32:11

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line played to the near post.

31:51

Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.

29:03

Emmanuel Frimpong concedes a free kick for a foul on Gareth Bale. Free kick taken by Michael Dawson.

28:54 Booking

Booking Emmanuel Frimpong receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

28:30

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Blocked by Emmanuel Frimpong.

26:39

Effort on goal by Rafael Van der Vaart from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

25:29

Corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric to the near post, Steven Fletcher makes a clearance.

25:05

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.

21:33

Assist on the goal came from Roger Johnson.

21:33 Goal scored

Goal - Steven Fletcher - Tottenham 0 - 1 Wolves Steven Fletcher fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Tottenham 0-1 Wolverhampton.

21:19

Corner from the left by-line taken by Matthew Jarvis, Roger Johnson takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.

20:06

Shot from just outside the box by Luka Modric misses to the right of the goal.

19:05

Short corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart.

18:15

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line.

17:58

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in.

12:51

Centre by Aaron Lennon, clearance made by Kevin Foley.

11:11

Karl Henry fouled by Scott Parker, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.

3:44

Luka Modric produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.

2:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Foley on Rafael Van der Vaart. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the direct free kick.

1:10

The referee blows for offside against David Edwards. Michael Dawson restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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