Tottenham Hotspur did what was needed Sunday afternoon, digging deep and finding a way through a pesky West Brom for 3 points, so how did the lads do?
Tottenham kept a clean sheet and won behind a late Harry Kane header; besides that, we have seen Spurs play a better match of football. Of course, three points on a day like today are the kind of points that can lead a team to a trophy. With the last Spurs football for a couple weeks, who is going to break happy and who is going to break with some things to think about?
Tottenham Player Ratings
Hugo Lloris – 8
Hugo Lloris did not really have a ton to do, but when the time for action came, he made the plays needed. Lloris had a punch in the first minute of the match and then a save in the second. Hugo’s biggest moment was around 70 minutes off a corner as Darnell Furlong redirected Flilip Krovinovic’s cross toward the far corner. Lloris got a strong left hand up and parried the ball away. A clean sheet is exactly what this side needed.
Sergio Reguilón – 8
The first year Spur from Real Madrid has been equally praised for his offensive work as bemoaned for his defensive positioning and awareness here at HotspurHQ. However, on this day, Reguilón was equal parts attacker and defender. Sergio led the team in touches with 97 and was all over the stat sheet with 2 tackles, 3 shots, 5 crosses, and 3 fouls. The kind of all-around effort on both ends Spurs are looking for from their young left back.
Eric Dier – 7.5
Outside of Reguilón and Hojbjerg no Spur was on the ball more on the day than Eric Dier. Unfortunately, Dier was just not as crisp with his passing as were the Spaniard and Dane. That said, Dier was okay with the ball, completing 47 of 64 passes for about 75% completion. Dier’s biggest contribution of the match probably came about 25 minutes into the game when Hugo Lloris was chipped on a cross/shot which Eric cleared away from the front of the goal and out of danger. An excellent heads up play, showing Dier’s focus, which Spurs really needed.
Toby Alderweireld – 7
Alderweireld had an okay match, where he did not put a foot wrong, but did not impact the proceedings a ton either. Serving as the relief valve defensively as the deepest defender, much of Alderweireld’s work was collecting the ball and choosing to go back to Lloris or turn and play it forward. Given the success of his long balls, the Belgian was never given the time or space to craft one of his patented cross field diagonal balls.
Matt Doherty – 7.5
After a match together midweek one would think Matt Doherty and Gareth Bale would be developing some chemistry on the right side of the pitch. If that is the case, it was not on display on this day. Doherty did his grafting best on the day but has seen better days with Spurs. All that said, when Tottenham needed a moment late, Matt Doherty delivered with a beautiful cross which Kane finished for the win. A solid day in the end for a back who made the play when the team needed it.
Moussa Sissoko – 6
Moussa Sissoko had some moments in the match, but overall had a quiet day at the office. He was able to get on the ball a little in the first half, popping up and springing some attacks. However, as the game wore on Sissoko seemed to wear down as both he and Højbjerg looked human. Sissoko had two fewer touches than Tanguy Ndombele on 15 more minutes.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 6.5
Today was the first match where critics might say this is the real Pierre-Emile Højbjerg excellent in the tackle – seven on the day – but sloppy with the ball – being dispossessed and only completing 83% of his passes. What we saw were the first glimpses of a man who is just that a man. Højbjerg has been incredible for Tottenham and as such has played a mountain of minutes. With a huge stretch coming after the break finding some rest here and there to keep Højbjerg fresh will be critical.
Tanguy Ndombele – 6.5
Tanguy Ndombele was not the influential playmaker we have seen for much of the season on this night. The issue was one of spacing as Tanguy seemed too close to the attack and too far removed from the defense meaning there was just not enough link-up play. Bale was dropping deeper more, and Kane was running, and the understanding was not quite the same among the front four. Second best of the quartet on the day, but that is not saying much.
Gareth Bale – 6
Spurs fans finally got the start they have been longing for from Gareth Bale in the Premier League and the results were underwhelming. Coming off over an hour midweek, Bale starting again was always going to be questionable. Mourinho went for it and at times it seemed to be paying off, but ultimately, fitness is still holding Bale back as he looked exhausted when he came off at 78 minutes and may have picked up a knock to boot.
Heung-Min Son – 5
While Gareth Bale is still working his way up to full fitness, Heung-Min Son does not have a similar excuse. Unfortunately, the lack of form Son has been playing with caught up with him today. Prior to today, his outstanding skill and timing has helped Son overcome a struggle with his touch. Today, his touch simply let him down. He was in on goal within the first quarter hour and a series of poor touches left Son without a meaningful crack at goal. Given he has been scoring and Spurs have been winning, Spurs can get over it, but Son will need to get his touch back for Tottenham to win trophies.
Harry Kane – 8
It was a bit different a game for Harry Kane as he spent a bit more time running the channels than we normally see. Instead of Kane trying to bang the ball up the pitch to let Bale run, it was often Bale dropping and playing the ball up to Kane. Harry demonstrated his all-around game, creating four shots, taking seven shots, sending in a cross and of course scoring the game winner. Kane’s activity was probably the most promising aspect today, as he led all attackers in touches and passes. A big week with his 300th appearance, 200th club goal, and now 55th winner.
Rating the Subs and Coach
Giovani Lo Celso – 7
Giovanni Lo Celso got just over 25 minutes in the match coming on after Ndombele took a hard stomp to the top of the foot. Lo Celso was not particularly sharp, but his activity was higher than Tanguy’s and it impacted proceedings. Whether it was the odd tackle or his short, quick passes, Lo Celso made things happen today.
Lucas Moura – N/A
Lucas Moura came on for Gareth Bale for the last 12 minutes of the match. Not long enough to warrant a rating, but long enough to show that Bale probably could have done more today. Moura attacked toward the middle several times driving with the ball but not much more.
Carlos Vinicius – N/A
Carlos Vinicius was brought on to provide an additional target up top and take some pressure off Harry Kane. Vinicius managed two shots, with one forcing a tough save out of Sam Johnstone. Good to see him out there and nice to know Mourinho is willing to play with the two strikers.
Jose Mourinho – 7.5
Jose Mourinho came out with a strong team but did not get the full response he was looking for. Made the right changes with his substitutes, although he was a bit slow in making a change in the back of the midfield as Sissoko and Højbjerg just were not working as desired today. It was taking out Sissoko and changing to a 4-4-2 which ultimately led to the goal. A late plan B is better than no plan B at all and for that Jose got us the three points as much as Harry Kane!
Those are our ratings, what did you think?