Giovani Lo Celso and Japhet Tanganga continued to impress, while overall Tottenham Hotspur struggled overall in 1-1 draw at Southampton in the FA Cup.
Whether due to injury or other factors, Giovani Lo Celso didn’t make his mark in 2019. However, Lo Celso and academy product Japhet Tanganga have arrived in 2020, as Jose Mourinho continues to reshape a stale Tottenham side. Here are the player ratings from the FA Cup Fourth round draw.
Defense
Hugo Lloris – 6.5/10
The skipper was sharper in his second game back following a prolonged injury absence. He continued to be decisive in attacking the ball in the air and did a nice job taking one off of Danny Ings’ head. He had three saves on the day but couldn’t stop Boufal’s late rocket. He was beaten a second time, but Tanganga saved heroically off the line.
Serge Aurier – 6/10
Aurier wasn’t as big of a force in attack as he was midweek versus Norwich. He spent much of the first half tracking Nathan Redmond. He gave the ball away which led to the tying goal. But he was not the only one off the pace. Aurier is a frustrating figure, good when he crosses, bad when he loses possession in the own defensive end. Unfortunately today was more of the latter.
Toby Alderweireld – 7/10
Toby Alderweireld was not at the top of his game. Given the reduced touches, there were fewer opportunities for Alderweireld to ping passes around the pitch. He did have a few nice clearances and played well defensively, but didn’t have the passing game we have grown accustomed too.
Davinson Sánchez – 6/10
Like Alderweireld, Sánchez saw fewer touches than usual. If not for Gedson, he would have had the least of anyone on the pitch. As the only one who completed 80 percent of his passes, Sánchez wasn’t terrible on the day. But he didn’t impact play a ton. His two biggest ‘contributions’ were probably on two off-balance nearly missed clearances which resulted in a corner and goal kick. Sometimes a quiet day from a defender is a good thing. That wasn’t the case today for Sánchez, who was a step off the pace having sat out the last three matches.
Japhet Tanganga – 7.5/10
Starting for the second time in four matches as a left back, Japhet Tanganga put in a solid display. Whether by design or flow, Tanganga had the second most touches, attempting even more than Lo Celso. No play was more important for Spurs – outside of Son’s goal – than Tanganga doing the right thing as a defender, covering his keeper as Lloris stepped up off his line to attack the ball. Japhet curled in and was there to calmly head Ings’ little chip away from harm. Showing good composure on both sides of the ball, Tanganga is earning his place in this squad.
Midfield
Harry Winks – 7/10
I think we were all a bit concerned when Harry Winks hobbled off the pitch and down the tunnel midweek. However, his place on the team sheet just a few days later lifted Spurs. Active in calling for the ball and second on the team in pass attempts, completing 75%, Winks did his thing. While not quite as effective sitting next to Gedson as he was with Lo Celso midweek, Winks took pressure off the centre halves and distributed the ball well. Hopefully the ankle is good and the real Harry Winks will step forward.
Gedson Fernandes – 5.5/10
As many new players do, Gedson Fernandes was making his first start with his new team in a cup competition. Unfortunately for Gedson, this match was against another Premier League club. After picking up an early foul following a poor touch, Gedson seemed to lack the confidence to go seek the ball out and finished the game with a team low 19 touches. On the bright side, he did complete 7 of 10 passes and looked willing to put his nose in. No need to be down on Fernandes, but it wasn’t the first start he, Mourinho, and Daniel Levy were hoping for.
Front Four
Giovani Lo Celso – 7.5/10
Giovani Lo Celso didn’t have the most touches (5th), the most passes (7th), or the best passing accuracy (tied for 2nd). But he did have the most influence on the game. In the span of about five minutes, Lo Celso took control of the game and should have had Tottenham up by two goals if Son had been able to convert. Lo Celso defended well and took the ball from two defenders. He then dribbled by multiple defenders to stop on a dime and provide the assist to Lamela on route to Son’s goal. Moments later he served Son up on a nice lofted pass into the box. But Son’s volley flew over the crossbar and into the crowd. The influence of GLC is starting to grow.
Dele Alli – 7/10
Dele Alli was active over 2/3 of the pitch putting in a strong shift before being replaced by Eric Dier late in the game. On a different day Dele would have picked up a pair of assists after playing in both Lucas Moura and Son for clear attempts on goal. On a day where the opposition was rough, Dele was looking for the ball and was one of only five Spurs to complete at least 70% of his passes. Dele provided a few defensive header clearances as well and played on both ends of the pitch. Unfortunately he never got a real look at goal as he couldn’t control his one potential chance. Clearly annoyed at being subbed, Dele has been just a hair off his best form but seems close.
Heung Min Son – 7/10
The goal helped massively his rating, which would otherwise be much lower. An on-form Son would have had a hat trick today. He was offside as many times as he had shots, one of which cost Spurs and Lo Celso a goal. Add that to two misses, concluding a somewhat subpar performance. Let’s hope the real Son comes back soon.
Lucas Moura – 6.5/10
Playing out of position in the first half as the lone striker up top, Lucas Moura didn’t have the kind of impact on the game Spurs need. In the second half, he switched with Son but played more of an inside support role, pushing Dele further back down the pitch instead of providing width. He had two shots on goal but would have liked to have done better after being played in by Dele.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela – 7/10
Erik Lamela came on early in the second half for Gedson and had an impact with an assist. Like the rest of the team, he wasn’t particularly sharp in his passing overall, but had the big one when it was needed. He was fouled a couple of times to help Spurs slow the game and maintain some possession. With Eriksen gone, Lamela is going to be asked to do more.