Tactical analysis of Tottenham’s Premier League return to form

Tottenham surged back to form in the Premier League as they swept away Crystal Palace with a convincing 4-0 victory at home in the English Premier League.

Picking up all three points was necessary to keep within striking distance of breakaway leaders Liverpool and Manchester City, as a lacklustre beginning to the season found Spurs languishing in 9th place before the international break.

Tactical realignment from manager Mauricio Pochettino was key to Tottenham’s turnaround in the win versus Palace. While it’s too soon to rest on any laurels, the home test showed how well they can play when they execute the following well.

Quick Passing

The international break arrived at a helpful time for Tottenham, as it allowed Pochettino and his staff time to reassess and discuss tactics and strategy for their upcoming cluster of fixtures.

The energy levels were certainly higher than their opening fixtures, and a key indicator of the intensity was the fluent, quick passing from midfield to attack.

Pochettino clearly identified that a slow, sluggish build up was allowing opposite defences time to settle and set up a solid structure. Pochettino needs his side to move the ball quickly up field, and they did so by using Harry Kane as a key part of the build up.

Tottenham quickly shifted the ball from full backs Serge Aurier and Danny Rose in field to Harry Winks or Christian Eriksen, with the next ball typically aimed for Harry Kane.

Kane, with his back to goal, utilised his exquisite passing range and first touch, and looked to play in Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, or the rampant Heung-Min Son as much as possible.

Utilising Full Backs

Pochettino’s Tottenham has always relied on aggressive and attacking full backs.

Historically, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose were rotated every second game, as is the energy required to play successfully as a full back under Pochettino.

With a developing Kyle Walker-Peters and an out-of-position Davinson Sánchez playing at right back to start the season, Pochettino has not been able to implement his hard-hitting style of attacking from wide positions.

A resurgent Aurier was a welcome addition back to the side, with the powerful right back finding himself up the pitch in space on numerous occasions. Aurier was then able to quickly whip in crosses in an attempt to catch out the unsettled Palace defence. With an assist to Lamela’s calm finish, and a deflected own goal from a driven cross, Aurier’s dynamism and intensity was a key feature of Tottenham’s energy throughout the match.

Based on that performance, expect to see a lot more of the Ivorian in the coming weeks.

Long Ball Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld’s passing is a weapon that sometimes goes unnoticed. The Belgian centre-half has exquisite range and is a calming influence when passing out of defence.

With time and space on the ball, Alderweireld’s passing ability often unnerves opposing teams.

Alderweireld is clearly permitted to move the ball quickly and directly out from centre back whenever he so desires, a facet of his game on full display against Palace.

With Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha allowing Tottenham’s centre backs time to assess and pick a pass from the halfway line, Alderweireld relished the opportunity to bypass Tottenham’s midfield.

By doing so Christian Eriksen was able to put the opposing defence on their heels in a much more advanced position.

Eriksen is much more valuable to Tottenham when he is joining the attack. It’s a crucial element of Tottenham’s offence, made immeasurably easier when Alderweireld is knocking missiles accurately to anywhere he chooses.