How Tottenham Won: Home vs Anderlecht

Reviewing the game and watching highlights makes that headline seem wrong. Surely this was nothing but a draw? Tottenham were outplayed for significant portions of the game, particularly in the second half. Right up until Mousa Dembélé’s goal it seemed as if the visitors were destined to go on and win it, just as they did in these two sides’ first Europa League match two weeks ago.

There’s an argument to be made that Anderlecht has been Tottenham’s toughest opposition so far this season. Even Manchesters United and City seemed less confident of a result despite being favorites in their respective games against Spurs. The Belgians frequently outplayed Tottenham in every phase of play, from defense to midfield to attack. They regularly found ways to get the ball into Hugo Lloris’ box, pressed so hard in midfield that most of Eric Dier and Ryan Mason’s distribution were weak lateral or backward passes and successfully forced Tottenham’s attack into wider, less dangerous areas. It was a holistic performance from Anderlecht that honestly deserved a better result.

In truth, Tottenham played a big role in how easy a time Anderlecht had in playing their own game. Kieran Trippier continues to be a liability at right-back. He was repeatedly exposed by Anderlecht left winger Frank Acheampong, who would round the former Burnley man on his way to sending a potentially dangerous cross into Tottenham’s box. Thankfully, the centre-box pair of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were again indomitable in defense and successfully cleared most of those balls before they could be threats.

Higher up the pitch it was a surprising reversal of fortune that compromised many of Tottenham’s attempts to make their way through Anderlecht’s midfield and defense. Contrary to what was expected before the match, Mason started in the center of midfield with Dele Alli ahead of him in the attacking band of three. Despite the fact that he was just returning from injury and never known for his defensive mettle, Mason turned in a competent performance alongside Dier.

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Alli, in contrast, was wasteful. He was overwhelmed far too often by Anderlecht’s tight pressing and consequently recorded the lowest pass accuracy (68 percent) and lowest total successful passes (21) of the outfield players besides Harry Kane. On at least two of the occasions when he found himself in a dangerous areas he whiffed on passes that could have turned into shots or even goals. This was not the composed performance fans have come to expect from the precious 19-year-old.

The important part there is that Alli is, of course, only 19-years-old and also not accustomed to football at this level. Clinton Njie was faced with many of the same issues against Anderlecht last time out. Both players will continue to grow. By this time next season, they’ll be able to shrug off competition like Anderlecht.

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For all that went wrong in this match, what went right for Tottenham did so in the best possible way. Harry Kane’s goal came against the run of play in the 28th minute. Anderlecht striker Stefano Okaka was off the pitch due to a possibly exaggerated injury sustained in fouling Érik Lamela. The resulting free-kick was a simple pass forward to Christian Eriksen, but the Dane playmaker deftly shuttled the ball onto Kane as he moved into the center of Anderlecht’s box. The resulting goal was scored as simply and calmly as any goal the England striker scored last season.

Anderlecht were content to sit back for much of that first half, even after going a goal down. They still defended well and kept Tottenham limited to only one shot on target more before the interval.

It was in the second half that it became clear what Anderlecht were really doing in the first half: conserving energy. They came out after halftime and controlled the game, pressing down each Tottenham attempt to build up play and looking particularly dangerous when they reclaimed the ball. They threatened on half a dozen occasions before they eventually scored the equalizer through an expertly delivered pass from Steven Defour from the midfield for substitute Imoh Ezekiel to convert past Lloris.

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Anderlecht were not content with a mere draw, however. They pressed their advantage and it seemed a foregone conclusion that they would find their second goal.

Tottenham’s defense held strong long enough for Dembélé to arrive on the pitch in place of Mason. It still feels premature to call Dembélé is a player reborn, but what other conclusion can be drawn from three goals in as many games? His increased willingness to shoot – and do so with such skill – is primarily what sets this Dembélé from the Dembélé that has at times appeared literally and figuratively aimless at Spurs over the last three seasons.

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In any case, the Belgian was clearly what was lacking from this Tottenham side. He offers a robust, two-way presence high up the pitch in a way that Alli doesn’t. It was no surprise that, in his current form, he’d come on and save this game for Tottenham.

And there’s no question that this game needed to be saved. Mauricio Pochettino is undoubtedly happy with the result but likely not much else. Even if they survived this encounter, Tottenham should leave this game feeling exposed. Twice now Anderlecht have played an aggressive pressing game combined with a pacey counter and came perilously close to getting two wins with it. Other teams in both Europe and the Premier League might not be physically or tactically capable of this level of play, but that won’t stop them from trying. Anderlecht should be a warning that Tottenham does not take lightly.