Tottenham survived a major scare at Molineux as a 3-0 lead became a narrow 3-2 advantage, but they held on for a victory that leaves them just three points off the top of the table. In an even first half, Spurs took their chances while riding their luck at the other end: Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura struck, while Raul Jimenez had a perfectly good goal wrongly disallowed for offside at the other end.

Mauricio Pochettino's side faced a number of shots on their goal after the interval but somehow found themselves 3-0 up as Harry Kane struck in the 61st minute. But Wolves eventually got their deserved rewards, with Ruben Neves and Jimenez both scoring penalties after fouls by 20-year-old centre-back Juan Foyth.

The final 10 minutes were horribly nervy for Tottenham, but they fought their way over the line and now find themselves back in the thick of the title race, in fourth position on goal difference.

Positives

Tottenham were clinical in the final third -- eight of their 10 shots were on target -- and they escaped from a difficult match with all three points, taking advantage of the draw between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Negatives

While Spurs were fortunate to find themselves 3-0 up, they should never have allowed their hosts to get back within one goal. Foyth, so impressive during Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against West Ham, went to pieces and Pochettino had to introduce Davinson Sanchez to shore up his defence.

Mousa Dembele also limped off early on with an ankle injury, which now leaves Spurs without three central midfielders since Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are also out of action. It is a problematic position for Pochettino ahead of Tuesday's Champions League duel with PSV Eindhoven and next Saturday's London derby at Crystal Palace, and it will be difficult for him to rotate now. Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko have a busy week ahead.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Pochettino faced a difficult situation after losing Dembele right at the start, having to change his tactics and also introduce players who were meant to be resting at the end of a hectic week. He did the best he could in the circumstances.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Hugo Lloris, 8 -- Produced three good saves in quick succession early in the second half, denying Jimenez and Helder Costa before getting down to palm Neves' shot away from the bottom corner.

DF Kieran Trippier, 5 -- Delivered a fine half-volleyed cross for Lucas' goal, but cancelled that out at the other end when his attempt to nutmeg an opponent in a dangerous area led to Wolves' first penalty. He was then lucky when, having allowed Costa to run through on goal, his opponent prodded a shot wide.

DF Juan Foyth, 4 -- Looked confident in the first half on his Premier League debut but had a torrid second period, clumsily conceding two penalties and forcing his manager to bring on another centre-back.

DF Toby Alderweireld, 6 -- Made some important interventions but looked more vulnerable than usual, and Wolves could easily have scored more.

DF Ben Davies, 5 -- Struggled against Matt Doherty throughout and, once again, offered precious little in possession.

MF Moussa Sissoko, 6 -- A solid presence in the first half but went missing when Wolves fought back in the final 20 minutes.

MF Harry Winks, 6 -- Faced two fine passers in Joao Moutinho and Neves, and while he held his own in the first half, he was unable to halt Wolves' growing threat and get his side back on the front foot when things went wrong.

MF Mousa Dembele, N/R -- Suffered an ankle injury inside the opening two minutes, ending his involvement.

FW Erik Lamela, 8 -- Gave Spurs their crucial breakthrough, scoring his sixth goal of the season, and set up Kane's strike too after wriggling out of a tight area and crossing for his teammate.

FW Lucas Moura, 7 -- Registered for the second time in three games, heading home six yards out, and also setting up a chance for Kane with a first-half through ball.

FW Harry Kane, 8 -- Scored his second goal in three appearances while also forcing a number of saves from Rui Patricio, who had to produce a particularly acrobatic stop to tip a curling effort out of the top-right corner.

Substitutes:

MF Son Heung-Min, 7 -- The South Korean was expecting a night on the bench but had to replace Dembele mere seconds into the match. He made an impact, setting up Lamela's opening goal before being withdrawn on the hour-mark, possibly because Pochettino wanted to protect him from fatigue.

MF Christian Eriksen, 5 -- Replaced Son but had little impact as Wolves launched their fightback.

DF Davinson Sanchez, N/R -- Came on at 3-2 to reinforce a vulnerable rearguard and helped his side to crawl over the line.