Tottenham’s 10 best matches of 2016/17
By Ryan Wrenn
Stoke 0 – 4 Tottenham
Spurs’ season didn’t exactly start with a bang. They drew a weakened Everton side 1-1 in the opener before squeaking by Crystal Palace in a 1-0 win.
After their customary 1-1 draw with Liverpool a week later, there were whispers that perhaps Spurs’ late season slump had carried over into the new term. They were without Mousa Dembélé, still serving his suspension from the eye gouge on Diego Costa, and also lacked Heung-min Son as the South Korean recovered from playing in the Brazil Olympics.
Dembélé wouldn’t be back for another week, but Pochettino saw fit to give Son his first start of the season when the team traveled to Stoke. It would be a vital kickstart to the season — and Son’s career at the club.
The first half started cagey, but Son tapped in a Christian Eriksen pass in the 40th minute to give the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.
Following the interval, Spurs came alive. Stoke were forced back into their own half, and after ten minutes Son again found himself open with the ball at his feat in the area. He curled a lovely right footed shot into Shay Given’s goal — and the flood gates were properly jammed open.
Son’s two goals preced goals from both Dele Alli and Harry Kane. All three of Spurs’ eventual top scorers made this Stoke victory possible, and helped set the tone after a lackluster start to the season.