Tottenham’s win against Aston Villa against Jose Mourinho’s script

Tottenham’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa bucked the recent trend, contrasting completely the direction Jose Mourinho is taking his side. 

The match resembled Tottenham’s 3-2 away win over West Ham on Nov. 23, Mourinho’s first match in charge. That match, however, had 26 shot attempts, which pales in comparison to the 51 in yesterday’s wild contest.

Back and forth in an alarmingly open affair, Tottenham and Aston Villa swapped chances like love-stricken teenagers swap spit. The away side were full value for the win, but the result could have gone either way.

As wide open as a blue whale’s mouth while feasting on krill, Tottenham, as a collective, lacked compactness and defensive cohesion. Which, considering defensive expert Eric Dier was anchoring the midfield, is even more concerning.

Any neutrals who tuned into saw a pulsating, end-to-end, highly entertaining match. But Mourinho and his coaching staff won’t want that type of irresponsible defending to persist.

Contrarily, the team’s attacking play was outstanding, with Tottenham’s front four creating chances at will. Had they been more clinical, Spurs would have scored five or six, maybe even more.

What was more surprising is how starkly proceedings contrasted recent Tottenham encounters. Before yesterday’s goal fest, they had conceded just two goals in the last four matches.

Those defensive numbers are more what you expect to from Mourinho’s sides. But yesterday’s match was a throwback to the first few matches of Mourinho’s tenure.

For all the excitement and fluid attacking play, Jose will hope yesterday’s gunslinging affair was a one-off. Because Spurs can ill-afford to play so open against superior opposition.

Mourinho, however, must be elated to see his side persevere in a match that resembled a heavyweight bout between Rocky and Apollo Creed. But next time he’ll ask that his lads also attempt to block a few punches.