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Published: 20 September 2010
by DAN CARRIER

‘PORQURIA y ortigas’ -that’s muck and nettles in Spanish - is perhaps not a phrase Rafael Van Der Vaart would have come across too often in La Liga.

But the meaning of the phrase would have been instantly apparent against Wolves. 

The Dutch playmaker professed in an interview screened before the game that he was looking forward to tasting the intensity of the Premiership, and comparing it to his experiences  in Holland, Germany and Spain.

And judging by his performance today, he was ready for the physical approach of Wolves.

“I am happy to have the chance to play in England,” he said.

“This is a good experience for me, and is different to other Championships I have played in. It is physically very demanding.”

Harry Redknapp, in his 100th game in charge, opted for a fluid diamond formation, with Van Der Vaart nominally at the apex and Huddlestone providing the base. It meant Van Der Vaart was regularly set upon by two centre backs and the Wolves skipper,  defensive midfielder Karl Henry, yet the ankle biting and snappy tackles did not seem to faze him.

Wolves are a committed and well organised team - the type Spurs so often find it hard to break down, and Van Der Vaart was given a taste of this when he was clattered on 17 by Stephen Ward.

Yet on a day when Spurs were disappointing for long stretches, it was in spite of Van Der Vaart‘s classy touches. Every time he received the ball he seemed to have a little more time than every one else. His effort on 29, when he collected a neat ball from Gareth Bale, flipped it up and volleyed goal wards, was a mark of his talent: it took an athletic leap by Wolves keeper Hahnemann to keep it out.

On 44, Wolves hit Spurs with a sucker punch: with Kaboul struggling after picking up a knock - he was replaced before the restart by Alan Hutton - Spurs’ defence was stretched on the break, and Wolves striker Stephen Fletcher tapped home a simple cross.

The second half saw Van Der Vaart try desperately to prompt a response from his team-mates.  On 56, he spun on the edge of the box and sent a well flighted shot inches wide, and then we also saw another side of the Dutchman’s game. On 65, he gave a little back with a late challenge on Jelle Van Damme, which earned him a booking.

All his performance needed was a goal, and it came, eventually through a penalty after Alan Hutton stormed forward from his own half and was dumped on his backside in the area. Two more goals at the death from Pavlyuchenko and Hutton gave the result a respectability.

Let us not forget how important this game was: the need for intensity in the league performances has never been more marked. Spurs went in to it with out a home win this term. Wolves, who did the double over Spurs last year, are one of those teams who need to be put to the sword if the club are going to finish in the upper echelons again.

And to do so, Spurs need their gifted players like Van Der Vaart to show they can mix it when the going gets tough.

FINAL SCORE
Spurs…3 Wolves…1
Attendance: 35,940

PLAYER RATINGS

Spurs:
23. Cudicini, 5 (out of 10) (G): Little to do, and was not at faulty for the Wolves goal.
3. Bale, 7: Always a danger. Provided the ammunition but the forwards were profligate. 
4. Kaboul (Hutton, 44): 8. Before going off with an injury, Kaboul had turned in a super performance. As well as looking strong at the back, he got forward and caused trouble whenever in the Wolves half. The best moment was his nutmegging of Fletcher, as if he were a tricky little winger, not a centre back asked to play on the right. Hutton looked keen, and it was his barnstorming run that won a penalty, and then his determination that forced the third.
6 Huddlestone, 5:  Subdued. Failed to get his passing game going. 
8 Jenas, 7: energetic display, with some neat tackles and a good range of passing.
The forgotten man reminded us why he used to be a mainstay. 
10 Keane, 4. (Pavlyuchenko, 67): Three first half chances went begging as he snatched at them: one header on the six yard line wasn’t on target when the goal was at his mercy. First touch awry.
11 Van der Vaart, 8: A class act: mouth-watering to think how he will improve with games under his belt.
13 Gallas, 6: Not always comfortable when being attacked with the ball on the deck. 
15 Crouch, 5: Held it up well but found himself crowded out too often. Physical presence not matched by speed of thought.
26 King, 7: Makes everything look easy peasy, as ever.
32 Assou-Ekotto, 6: occasional makes the heart race when under pressure, but was always committed.

MAN OF THE MATCH:
Rafael Van Der Vaart.
Subs: 
37 Pletikosa (g)
2 Hutton
7 Lennon
9 Pavlyuchenko
12 Palacios
19 Bassong
21 Kranjcar

Wolves: Hahnemann, Stearman, Craddock, Henry, Fletcher, Ward, Jones, Jarvis,  Mancienne, Doyle, Foley
Subs: Hennessey, Van Damme, Elokobi, Edwards, Ebanks-Blake, Bent,  Guedioura