New Tottenham Striker Almost Scores in Premier League Debut

Carlos Vinicius, who came on loan to Tottenham late in the transfer window came on late against West Brom, making the most his 12 minutes of limited action for Spurs.

Carlos Vinicius joined Tottenham late in the transfer window, joining on loan from Benfica on October 2, after Tottenham had already completed three matches in the Premier League. It would be a further two more matches before Vinicius would first make the Premier League bench.

After performing well in his team debut in Europa League, West Brom was Carlos Vinicius’ fifth game in league as a member of Tottenham Hotspur. Vinicius came on for the final 12 minutes to make his debut, after almost coming on against Burnley. 

Tottenham Tries Something new

Carlos Vinicius got thrown on the pitch for the last 12 minutes of the Tottenham game at West Brom. The move came not as a late game replacement for Harry Kane, but rather when Jose Mourinho changed his formation and added a second striker – Vinicius. We previously talked about the possibility of Vinicius being part of a two-man front line as the Brazilian is a playmaker who can work with Harry Kane as part of a 4-4-2 lineup.

While Vinicius did not score or set-up Kane, that was Matt Doherty, he did sure try in the limited looks at the ball he had on the afternoon. Carlos was ultimately so effective and efficient with the ball, his four touches led to three total shots for Tottenham. Vinicius himself had two of the shots and he set up Harry Kane for the third.

Vinicius Making Most of Limited Opportunities

Upon entering the game Vinicius was almost immediately in on the action, as a Lucas Moura effort was blocked, and the ball was eventually recovered by Pierre Højbjerg. At 79 minutes the Dane sent the ball into Carlos with his back to goal. Vinicius played a one touch pass to Harry Kane on the top of the box. Kane does not need to be asked twice and the talisman struck. Unfortunately, the shot was blocked too, and the opportunity passed.

A few minutes later near the 83 minutes mark, Sergio Reguilón was deep down the left flank and cut a low cross back into the box. The cross was a bit behind Vinicius, so his first touch and control were not great. However, as the Brazilian stepped away from the goal, he turned his body and struck a low left-footed shot toward the corner.

Sam Johnstone got down well and got a strong hand out in front of the ball, blocking the shot from goal. He was not able to control the ball, the closest Spur player was again Pierre Højbjerg, unfortunately, he was in an offside position when the shot was taken and could only try to move out of the way and not get flagged. That is three touches and two shots for Vinicius.

The last shot he took was at the very end of the game at 90+5 minutes, when Lloris booted a ball long to Harry Kane who was able to control and then kind of pass the ball and kind of lose it toward the goal. Vinicius was the first to get up on the loose ball and then shot wide right of the far post. There went Carlos’ second shot and the third he was involved in over his 12 minutes and 4 touches on the pitch.

The shot on target at 83 minutes was a good one and had he pass been a bit better or the touch a little tighter Vinicius could have been leaning forward instead of backwards is shot may have had the power to beat Johnstone. Instead Carlos Vinicius will have to live with knowing he came close and did make a difference in the final 12 minutes of Spurs first win at West Brom in over five years.