Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Spurs Gut Reaction Rant: Draw against Swansea City

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen (23) makes a corner kick during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game against the MLS All Stars at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen (23) makes a corner kick during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game against the MLS All Stars at Dick /
facebooktwitterreddit

Spurs come back to draw 2-2 after twice falling behind.

Leading up to today’s game, there was a familiar name listed on Mauricio Pochettino’s 18-man matchday squad who would be coming back from injury and that would be Mousa Dembélé. The Belgian midfielder was deemed fit enough to return and would later make a substitution appearance coming on for Harry Kane in the 81st minute and getting back on the pitch for the first time after missing the last six games in all competitions after being injured in a 0-0 draw vs Everton.

With Mousa Dembélé returning to the fold, this gives Mauricio Pochettino a capable option to play while resting Eric Dier during the remaining Europa League group stage matches as well as the FA Cup once it starts. So far, Dier has started every single game this season, and at some point he needs a break.

Once today’s game got underway, it was a back and forth affair with both sides looking pretty balanced through the first 45 minutes. But once the first half ended, Swansea City were able to head into halftime with a 2-1 scoreline courtesy of two goals. One by André Ayew off of a header from Jefferson Montero’s cross and a Harry Kane own goal while he was trying to clear the ball away from the near post, to no avail. At the very least Harry Kane’s goal scoring form has continued with two goals in two games, so he can say that he’s fining the back of the net right?

POPULAR: Eriksen Shows What Spurs Have Been Missing

In all seriousness though, due to Dele Alli drawing a Swansea foul outside the penalty box, this would set up Spurs’ first goal at the 27th minute with a Christian Eriksen free kick. It would be the Danish international’s first goal of the season. Then, in the 65th minute after the second half got underway, and Spurs trailing 2-1 still, Dele Alli would once again get fouled just outside the penalty box. Another free kick and another Christian Eriksen goal. His second of the game which would draw Spurs level once more and eventually be the final scoreline. Tottenham were able to come back and salvage a single point after looking like they would lose.

View image | gettyimages.com

One area that Tottenham had trouble with during the game, was trying to contain Swansea’s left winger Jefferson Montero in the first half.

More from Match Reports

The Ecuadorian was being given too much space to work with as Érik Lamela never really helped Kyle Walker out to contain the left winger through the opening 31 minutes when the Swans scored two goals.

During the second half though, this wasn’t much of a problem but Montero still had his way, albeit once in a while.

Other areas of concern were seeing Érik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Harry Kane not being able to do much when reaching the attacking third. Two of Mauricio Pochettino’s subs (Andros Townsend for Lamela and Clinton N’Jie for Chadli) had some better results. But Townsend’s game was hit or miss as he started having problems near the end of the game. At one point he had a great shot blocked by Łukasz Fabiański’s foot when he initially dove the wrong way to save the shot. Another instance, he had a woeful cross when trying to find Clinton N’Jie.

In Townsend’s defense, he routinely made runs down the flank and put pressure on Swansea’s left back, but Spurs couldn’t do much with that kind of momentum like Swansea did when they got a goal from Montero’s run and cross. As for N’jie, he’s able to get into the opposition’s 18-yard box but is looking to pass first rather than shoot. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but on a 1v1 situation, Clinton N’Jie should try to get a shot off and see what happens.

Next up is the second international break of the season and a home game versus Liverpool on October 17. Right now Spurs’ form in the Premier League is very respectable as they’ve gone undefeated in their last three Premier League games (1 win and 2 draws) and have gone undefeated in 9 out of their last 10 games (4W-5D-1L). Unfortunately for Spurs, the month of October is slowly starting to resemble August which is cause for concern and hopefully something that is fixed.

Next: Matchday: Swansea 2-2 Tottenham

More from Hotspur HQ