Match Center: Tottenham v Sunderland

3 of 4

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur (R) controls the ball while under pressure from Jason Denayer of Sunderland (L) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Half-time Reaction

Tottenham have enjoyed over 70% possession. They’ve taken 19 shots, six on target. Sunderland can’t seem to get out of their own half. And yet the only thing standing in between Tottenham being 1-0 down at the break is Kyle Walker’s well-placed boot.

Steven Pienaar came close to scoring for the visitors right at the death of the half, a goal that would have been well against the run of play. Prior to that attempt Tottenham were by far the favorites to go ahead first, with Kane getting two shots on goal and Son hitting the post.

It’s hard to credit the scoreline as it is after 45 minutes to much more than luck. Jordan Pickford’s had his say, but you play that half ten more times, Tottenham are up by at least one goal in nine of them.

More from Hotspur HQ

Beyond the goose egg scoreline, what makes this effort from Tottenham so remarkable is that they’re doing it without any recognized playmakers. Eriksen and Lamela are benched, and thus play in Sunderland’s third has been decidedly more direct.

The vast majority of the quality Tottenham are finding with this change in tactics is coming through Son. The South Korean is staying wide on the left and getting on the end of switches and through balls. It’s his spectacular crosses that are giving Tottenham their best chances. He keeps this up and he’ll inevitably find an assist or a goal himself.

Dembélé looks like he hasn’t missed a beat after being out of the Premier League for six matches. Wanyama looks comfortable alongside him as well.

Sunderland’s attempts to clog up the middle of the pitch are working in the sense that Tottenham’s bypassing that area almost entirely. Son’s getting the better chances, but Walker and Sissoko are doing their part on the right as well.

So long as Tottenham don’t suffer any more lapses in concentration as they did for Pienaar’s attempt, this should be a game that ultimately breaks in the host’s direction.

Check back here after the full-time whistle for some final thoughts!