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Tottenham Players Wanted to Respond in a Big Way Against Stoke

By Alexander Balano

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with team matesduring the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at White Hart Lane on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with team matesduring the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at White Hart Lane on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham came away with a big win and a trio of Spurs’ players talked about how putting in a better performance against Stoke was needed.

If there was a theme to Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli’s responses following a big win over Stoke on Sunday, it was to play a much better game than they did against Gent.

All three Tottenham players mentioned how the team wanted to respond in a big way. That after exiting the Europa League, Spurs had to get back to winning ways.

A 4-0 result with Harry Kane picking up yet another hat-trick just a week after scoring a treble on Fulham in the FA Cup was the exact response that Spurs needed following their elimination in Europe last Thursday.

Related Story: Match Report: Tottenham 4-0 Stoke City

In fact, Kane stated that a fast start and scoring early was a key to victory and no doubt that was on full display after 13 minutes into the match.

"“It was important coming off the back of Thursday, we were all disappointed and gutted,” Kane said. “We wanted to change that.”“We knew if we started fast and scored a couple of goals it would be a good day for us and we did that. It was a great first half to go 4-0 up and we then controlled it in the second half.”“It was a tough game on Thursday and it took a lot out of the legs going down to 10 men. We worked so hard to try to get back into the game as well, so a lot [of] the players were tired after that.”More from Match ReportsFrom glory, glory to gory, gory, for Mason and Tottenham HotspurRyan Mason’s Elegant Solution to Tottenham’s ProblemsTottenham – Defensive needs show over last two gamesTottenham Hotspur hold off Brighton in much needed 2-1 winMason moves make the difference for lucky Tottenham against Brighton“It was important we had two good days of recovery leading up to this game and the lads were great, we came flying out of the blocks again and that just showed how fit and strong the squad is because it was the same team that started on Thursday.”“That shows where we’re at and hopefully we can continue that from now until the end of the season.”"

The performance that Spurs showed yesterday is something that Eric Dier wanted to address as well.

That Tottenham were disappointed with their 3-2 aggregate loss at Wembley, so playing the way they did against Stoke was not only needed, but it was expected.

With Spurs owning 10 wins and two draws at home in the Premier League prior to Sunday’s match-up, Dier has a great point that Spurs should have been up for this game. And, to beat Stoke the way they did, in convincing fashion yet again.

"“It was really good to bounce back after the disappointment of Thursday so everyone is really happy with that,” Dier stated.“This is where we have to go – we have to keep going this way. It’s really important that we keep our home record the way it is.”"

Dele Alli agreed that Tottenham’s home record helps make Spurs successful.

The presence of the fans sitting very close to the pitch is a great atmosphere to be in, which makes this ground very intimidating to play at for the opposition. But for Spurs, it’s a great home field advantage.

And it was evident yesterday that the Tottenham faithful can impact a match greatly.

Next: Dele Alli Wanted to Make Amends After Gent Match

"“We’ve been dominant all year at White Hart Lane and we owed it to the fans as well, especially after what happened on Thursday,” Alli mentioned.“It was a great performance from all the lads, especially Harry getting another hat-trick. He’s a great striker and when you’ve got a striker like that to score the goals it makes it a lot easier for you.”"