Tottenham show their class in 2-0 win over Juventus

Tottenham, by thoroughly dominating last season’s Champions League finalists for large portions of the match, took Shrek-sized strides in quashing their Wembley critics. 

The contrast between this and Manchester City match couldn’t be more stark. Mauricio Pochettino’s starting 11 had a point to prove, particularly because of the team’s disappointing historical results at the national stadium. They had nothing to prove to themselves, but mainstream media outlets were circling like a shoal of sharks, looking for any reason to lambast Spurs for one of many reasons.

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Tottenham’s first “home” performance, however, spoke volumes.

Sharp from kickoff, Tottenham – pinging the ball around with ultimate control and confidence – dominated. The first half was replete with eye-catching football, particularly on Spurs’ opener.

Click here for the full first half report.

https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/893930882603536384

Second half

Tottenham started the second half in the same way they began the first. Dele Alli swivelled on a dime after receiving a crisp Jan Vertonghen pass. Alli brushed off a challenge, turned almost instantly, and delivered a deft through ball to Christian Eriksen. The maestro took the ball around Gianluigi Buffon with aplomb and slid the ball comfortably into the gaping net.

Harry Kane forced a brilliant fingertip save from Buffon three minutes later. Kane struck a left-footed drive which rebounded off the crossbar after Buffon’s slight touch.

Tottenham took their foot off the gas during the final stages of the match. Paulo Dybala’s low far-post drive forced Hugo Lloris into a wonderful 58th-minute save. Juventus also hit the woodwork twice in the last 10 minutes,  Lloris coming up with a similar save to his Juventus counterpart on the latter Juan Cuadrado strike.

Whether it was down to a flurry of substitutes or fatigue, Spurs let Juventus back into the match in the last 20 minutes.

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Other than a Kieran Trippier injury, Spurs enjoyed a near-flawless season debut at Wembley. Let’s hope the emphatic display is a pre-cursor to Tottenham welcoming Chelsea in a fortnight.

It was the kind of display Pochettino will take great pride in as his lads ready themselves for the all-anticipated season opener against Newcastle in eight days.