Eriksen comes through late again as Spurs claim 3 points
By Aaron Coe
For not the first time this season Tottenham Hotspur used a late Christian Eriksen goal to walk out with all three points, this time in the matchday 35 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
A lot is written, frankly almost every day, about all the suitors for Christian Eriksen with only a year left on his contract. The good news for Spurs fans, is he is in our side right now and truly is coming into his prime. For the third time in the Premier League this season and fourth overall – yeah that first Inter goal was kind of important – Eriksen came through for Tottenham when he was most needed.
Impact of Eriksen’s Goals
Yes, he had THE goal that turned the entire season around in north London on November 28 of last year versus Inter at the 80th minute. Lest us forget the 90th minute winner for Spurs against Burnley and his 80th minute goal versus Palace just a few weeks back, which sealed that game at 2-0 Spurs. With the winner in the 88th minute against Brighton that is 9 points he has directly provided this season with late winners.
That is 9 points Eriksen has directly through goals, made possible for Spurs this season. This is just the last 10 minutes of games and not even thinking about his assists. 9 points from the last 10 minutes of games!
Let’s even say for fun Eriksen didn’t score those goals, but we hung on at Palace and drew the other two, that means we earned 5, so you take 4 from our total of 70. Chelsea is now in sole possession of third. We are tied with Arsenal with an even goal difference – Eriksen has 7 total right? And now we are only two points in front of Manchester United. Tell me where you would want to be? I’ll take what we’ve got thanks!
The margins are that tight, where one dynamic player – insert Christian Eriksen here – can make the difference between 70 points and 66 points, 3rd and tied for 5th. Have I mentioned 12 assists and all of the other work Eriksen does offensively and defensively across the full 90 of most games, where is known for logging the kilometers? The man does it all.
Arguably the Champions League goal versus Inter has been the most important for Spurs in any game in any match this season. That goal and the three accompanying points breathed life into a European campaign run adrift and now Spurs are preparing for a semi-final match being hosted at their new stadium. Remember he also scored the lone away goal at Inter which helped Tottenham advance out of the Group Stage.
An Eriksen Masterpiece
The winner against Brighton was no accident, as Eriksen had taken three previous left footed shots from a similar position earlier in the game. With the first two attempts, one was over the target and one was blocked. But the third attempt at about 81 minutes, well that was low and on target. Mat Ryan had a clear view and got a good jump to block the effort wide for a corner. However, like a golfer studying the nuances of a hole, Eriksen had found his spot on the pitch and had honed is effort.
At the 88th minute as the ball started to recycle and Dele Alli found Eriksen on the right outside the box with a little space to maneuver. After the previous three attempts a marksman like Eriksen isn’t going to let a 4th go by. He took a touch to get the ball out from under his feet, took a step and blasted the ball with his left. This time Ryan was a little later the response and was beaten at his post, 1-0 Spurs, game over, 3 points Tottenham.
Extend this Man Please
There is a reason the man now has 48 goals in the Premier League since joining the team, he is a master craftsman. Daniel Levy the stadium is great and all but sign this man to a long-term extension. What is 9 direct points and our Champions League run worth to you? I know what it is worth to the fans, EVERYTHING. So, do everything you can to keep this man a Spur.
On a day where one Tottenham legend – Ledley King – lost his fastest goal record, Christian Eriksen wrote another verse in what we hope is just this chapter of his own Tottenham Hotspur legacy as a legend and with goals like the one against Brighton he is well on his way!
Funny part is Christian Eriksen already took one swing at Ledley too, as he has the fourth fastest goal in Premier League history. But that was just in the first 10 second of a game and today we are only talking about the last 10 minutes, and the legend grows.