Wolves’ thrilling 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux was a performance that not only extended their winning run to four consecutive Premier League matches but also highlighted the remarkable transformation underway at the club under new manager Vitor Pereira. From languishing near the foot of the table just a couple of months ago, Wolves have climbed to 16th and now look like a team reborn. While the goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Matheus Cunha, and the own goal from Djed Spence provided the headlines, it was the immense display of Emmanuel Agbadou at the back that truly underpinned this impressive victory.
Signed for just £15 million in what now looks like a masterstroke by Wolves’ recruitment team, Agbadou has become nothing short of a revelation. The Ivorian defender has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of Pereira’s new-look backline, and his performance against Spurs was arguably his best yet. He faced off against one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the division – a Spurs side that had scored 58 goals before kickoff, behind only Liverpool and Manchester City – and yet he barely looked troubled.
Agbadou combined brute strength with remarkable composure, stepping in time and again to win challenges, intercept passes, and launch attacks from deep. He won 7 of the 9 duels he contested, completed 42 of his 49 passes, and consistently played line-breaking balls that helped Wolves transition from defence to attack with speed and precision. These aren’t just empty stats – they reflect a player who is completely in control, who reads the game intelligently, and who leads by example.
His ability to pick out passes between the lines is a trait not commonly found in centre-backs, and it’s part of what makes Agbadou so valuable to this Wolves side. Whether it’s slipping a ball through midfield pressure or pinging a diagonal out to the flanks, he’s constantly looking to move his team up the pitch. Earlier in the season, Wolves were guilty of slow, predictable build-up play that allowed opponents to regroup. With Agbadou in the side, they now play with far greater verticality and aggression.
And his influence doesn’t stop with the ball at his feet. Defensively, he’s a calming presence. Spurs’ attackers – including the likes of Richarlison, Mathys Tel, and Brennan Johnson – found little joy when trying to go through the middle. When they tried to run at Agbadou, he stood firm. When they looked to press him, he played through it. Fans took to social media to rave about him, with one saying, “They tried running at Agbadou, I audibly laughed.” Another wrote, “Thank goodness Danso went to Tottenham, someone else would have ended up with Agbadou.”
That kind of fan reaction isn’t just about one good performance – it’s about consistency. Game after game, Agbadou has delivered. And in a team where defensive frailty had become the norm earlier in the season, his assuredness has brought belief back to the side and the supporters. Wolves aren’t just grinding out results – they’re playing with identity and clarity, and Agbadou is central to that.
But credit must also go to Vitor Pereira, who has overseen this dramatic upturn in form. His tactical tweaks – placing more emphasis on direct transitions, encouraging wing-backs to push high, and instilling confidence in the backline to play through the press – have all paid dividends. The team now looks fit, organized, and mentally sharp. The goalscoring form of Jorgen Strand Larsen, the impact of Cunha off the bench, and the growing threat from the flanks with players like Ait-Nouri have all contributed to this recent run of results.
Still, it’s hard to overstate the value of Agbadou in this resurgence. He’s become the glue that holds the side together – the defensive leader who also acts as the springboard for attacks. He doesn’t just defend well; he helps Wolves control games in ways they couldn’t before. The confidence he exudes has spread across the team – suddenly, midfielders are taking more risks, wing-backs are getting higher up the pitch, and forwards are making more aggressive runs because they know they have security behind them.
It’s this all-encompassing influence that has prompted some fans and pundits to suggest Agbadou could be destined for even greater things. At 26 years old, he’s entering his prime, and if he keeps up this level of performance, top-six clubs will inevitably start circling. Wolves may have pulled off a coup in signing him for such a reasonable fee, but retaining his services long-term could become a major challenge if the club doesn’t match his ambitions.
For now, though, Wolves supporters will just be enjoying the moment. Four wins on the bounce have injected real belief into the fanbase, and the team is playing with a sense of unity and purpose that had been missing for much of the season. The road ahead is still tough – survival isn’t guaranteed yet – but with players like Agbadou leading the charge, Wolves now have every reason to believe they can not only stay up but push on and build something meaningful.
This is no longer a side clinging to hope. It’s a team with fight, with flair, and crucially, with a genuine defensive leader in Emmanuel Agbadou. And as long as he’s marshalling the backline in old gold, Wolves will fancy their chances against anyone.