Five Observations from Tottenham Hotspur Draw at LASK

Two Cheeky Tottenham Moments

Højbjerg Being Højbjerg

In just the latest example of Pierre Højbjerg doing whatever is necessary to win the ball, Højbjerg was ruthless in the penalty box in the first half to win a corner kick. The Dane was fighting for possession as the ball was moving toward the end line for a corner kick. The attacking player had fallen to the ground near the penalty area and as Højbjerg tracked back he turned and passed the ball off the players face and out of bounds for the goal kick.

It was an example of the intelligent all-out play you get from Højbjerg, but it you kind of felt bad for the attacker who had already gone face-first into the turf, only to then take a ball off the head too. Luckily, it was not vicious in anyway, it was Højbjerg being Højbjerg and the game continued.

Dele’s Penalty Kick

Dele was very quick to grab the ball to take the penalty kick after Steven Bergwijn went down in the box. A lot quicker than he was closing out defensively on the second goal that is for certain. It is not so much that Dele was quick to grab the ball or take the kick or even make the kick, it was the nature of the kick that drew our attention.

While it was not a Panenka, the attempt was kind of a chip of sorts mostly down the middle. The grin on Dele’s face after he grabbed the ball out of the net and whispered something behind his hand to Serge Aurier told us all there was something to what had transpired. Given the situation, either Mourinho will have loved the conviction and confidence or have hated the recklessness of the attempt had the keeper stood his ground.

Dele is already walking a tightrope of sorts with José Mourinho and we will not know if this display impressed Mourinho or not for a few days or even weeks, but eventually we will know. Ultimately, we are glad the ball went in because as it turned out Spurs needed the goal.