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Tottenham back to winning ways with emphatic victory over Stoke

By Spencer Sharpe

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his sides first goal with his team mates which came through a own goal by Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at Wembley Stadium on December 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his sides first goal with his team mates which came through a own goal by Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at Wembley Stadium on December 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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It was a brilliant performance from the team as Tottenham cruised to a 5-1 win over Stoke at Wembley.

Struggling these past few weeks to gain any sort of league form, Spurs finally recaptured the spark from the previous season and put on a dominating display over Stoke City.

Mauricio Pochettino shuffled his team around, bringing Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen into central defense, opting for a back four instead of the usual three man defence. This had been a major talking point for the past few weeks, and the manager switched up his style accordingly.

The match started slowly, with Tottenham constantly on the offensive, recycling possession in the Stoke half.

The deadlock was broken on 21 minutes as Son Heung-Min fizzed a ball in from the left hand side after beating his man on the dribble. Harry Kane attacked the cross at the near post, forcing Potters defender Ryan Shawcross to challenge the play, resulting in a own goal flicked past Jack Butland.

Kane had another chance 16 minutes later. Played through by Son, Kane went 1v1 with the keeper before firing wide. Son went close again before halftime, but Spurs entered the break deservedly up 1-0.

Once again Tottenham kept up the intensity and were rewarded seven minutes into the half as Son added a second goal, his 4th in the league this season. It was a lovely play as Harry Winks broke up play in the midfield before playing forward to Dele. The English playmaker was able to spot the run of Son who made no mistake, firing home for 2-0.

It was three a minute later as Harry Kane nodded home at the far post after a sublime cross from Welshman Ben Davies.

Tottenham skipper Hugo Lloris made a smart save on Mame Diouf, but it made no matter as Kane bagged his second and Spurs’ fourth upon 64 minutes.

Tottenham broke down the right side through Christian Eriksen whose cross eventually fell into the path of the talisman striker who made no mistake from 20 yards.

Once again Erik Lamela came off the bench, replacing Dele on 66 minutes. Alli was back on form as his influence on the game was felt for his entire spell. He made a great assist for Son’s goal, but in general looked to be back to his skillful ways.

Spurs added a fifth with around a quarter of the match left through Eriksen. Son made the goal as he sprinted half the pitch before playing in the Dane who finished calmly passed Butland.

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Stoke pulled one back after a Lloris blunder, but the damage was already done as Spurs wrapped the match up and picked up the three points in classic style.

They ran rampant as expected as it was a clinical performance by all eleven men on the pitch.

WhoScored awarded Son Man of the Match for his goal and assist, giving him a 9.36 rating.

This was his 3rd goal in his last three matches.

Harry Kane also found himself back in the lead for the Golden Boot, picking up his 11th and 12th PL goals this season.

With the busy Christmas schedule fast approaching, Tottenham will need to carry this performance into the coming weeks, with a big match against the rampant league leaders Manchester City coming in a week’s time.