Tottenham Player Ratings from 2-0 Victory Over Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur handled Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League in what was one of the better team defending efforts you will see, so how did the lads do?

There were several wonderful individual performances on the afternoon, which collectively led to a fantastic team effort as Tottenham Hotspur defeated Arsenal 2-0. Spurs were happy to concede possession and demonstrated tremendous pride in their defending as Arsenal never really troubled Hugo Lloris on the afternoon. So here is how we rated the team.

Tottenham Ratings

Hugo Lloris – 8

Hugo Lloris was able to bring home his fourth straight clean sheet and fifth in his last six Premier League outings. Lloris did have to make two saves on the afternoon, both off of headers. The first was a possibly flicked header off a free kick. Lloris got down well and did not allow a rebound. The second was a powerful header from Lacazette from one of the many Arsenal crosses, but the Frenchman got down to parry the ball wide of the post. Outside of the two saves, Lloris id not touch the ball a lot as it was the defense clearing most of the crosses, not Lloris claiming them.

Sergio Reguilón – 8

Sergio Reguilón was back in the side after missing midweek in Europe. Reguilón was excellent on the afternoon battling against Willian for most of the afternoon and coming out on top. It was the outstanding effort from Reguilón that helped to create the space for Son’s opener. Another good outing from the young back. Not to mention a great tweet showing how much of a Spur he already is.

Eric Dier – 7

If there was anything to complain about in the first half, it was the passing of Eric Dier. Dier gave the ball away a couple of times with poorly executed passes on poor decisions. Once he tried to force the ball up the channel to Son, but it was easily cut out. On another occasion Dier choose to just boot the ball out of bounds from midfield for a goal kick, rather than roll it to Lo Celso and start the attack. Strange decisions, but then Dier played an inch perfect ball up the line to Bergwijn in the second half. When we are talking about passes from our center half being the worst part of the game, Spurs did well and Dier defended strong throughout.

Toby Alderweireld – 8

Toby Alderweireld has recovered quickly from injury and played very well today. After seeing Joe Rodon last week, Alderweireld likely did not want the Welshman to get too comfortably at right back. While Toby never sent in sweet diagonal balls on the day, he did have one outstanding block on Pierre Aubameyang in the second half and was never out of place defensively.

Serge Aurier – 8.5

The renaissance of Serge Aurier under José Mourinho continues as Aurier was terrific for Tottenham. The Ivorian started the break for Spurs second goal, with excellent anticipation and an interception in front of Aubameyang. Aurier was much further up the pitch most of the match than he has been the last couple of weeks, which helped to keep Kieran Tierney pushed back and out of the attack. No bad fouls, no stupid giveaways, just good defending from Serge!

Moussa Sissoko – 7.5

Moussa Sissoko only really had one foray into the attack and the play fizzled out. However, Sissoko was ever present on the defensive end of the pitch, working to pester and Arsenal at every touch. Sissoko had one excellent moment in the first half, gaining control of a lose ball and wriggling through a couple Gunners to maintain possession. In the second half, it was about sticking his nose in at every opportunity, which he did helping keep Arsenal away from goal.

Pierre Højbjerg – 8.5

In a game of anything you can do, Pierre Højbjerg was playing as much against Sissoko as anyone as he worked tireless to put his imprint on the match. Pierre Højbjerg was all over the pitch, at times even being the furthest Tottenham player up the pitch sprinting to spring the break. Ever present defensively and continuing to show more ability on the ball than likely anyone not named José Mourinho knew he possessed, Pierre Højbjerg is a rock for Tottenham.

Giovani Lo Celso – 7

Giovani Lo Celso was the surprise starter for Tottenham on the day, with Tanguy Ndombele out apparently ill. Lo Celso has had better performances overall as his touch let him down on several occasions on the day. Add in a poor yellow card – and Lo Celso has had better outings. All that said, Lo Celso had one big moment in the match and made it count. It was Gio leading the break just before halftime and finding Son, who found Kane for the goal. Good and aggressive at the right time, Lo Celso was a bit off today following 90 midweek, but did what he needed to do for Spurs to win.

Heung-Min Son – 8

Son Heung-Min continues to do a bit of everything for Spurs and most importantly score goals. Son flew up the left flank before cutting in and curling the opener less than 15 minutes into the match. After that Son, demonstrated his growing hold-up game often dropping deep like Kane to pick up the ball and move Tottenham possession. Assisting Kane on the second, Son did it a bit of it all for Spurs in the attack.

Steven Bergwijn – 7

Steven Bergwijn had a couple of glimmers offensively today, where his pace and power helped to push Arsenal back and occasionally put them on their heels. However, it was again the effort defensively that has Bergwijn garnering big minutes. His work to push back on both wings and then turn around and drive forward with pace help to balance the team. Still looking to get his end production going, Bergwijn is doing his work mostly off the ball and Spurs are benefiting.

Harry Kane – 8.5

Harry Kane had another wonderful game for Tottenham Hotspur, his work in the middle of the pitch asstsing the first goal was something to make many attacking midfielder jealous. His vision and understanding of where his teammates are on the pitch is second to none. His goal was well taken and helped to seal the deal. However, even with all the offensive fireworks, it was probably the four or five defensive clearances from Kane that most demonstrated his all around game as he grafted on both ends of the pitch.

Substitutes and Coach

Ben Davies – N/A

Substitutes were in short supply on Sunday, as Davies got the most bench minutes with just 19. The Welsh defender came in for Gio Lo Celso and then slotted into the back line, pushing Sergio Reguilón a bit wider and higher up the pitch. Seemingly the first person Mourinho turns to hold a lead, Davies is  a professional defender and try hard.

Lucas Moura – N/A

Speaking of a try hard, Lucas Moura came on the for that two minutes of regulation and injury time for Heung-Min Son. Moura never saw the ball and just kind of ran around, but that was all there was for him to do in the last few minutes of the match.

Joe Rodon – N/A

Joe Rodon came on for Steven Bergwijn in injury time to both waste a minute and add another defender to the pitch for Tottenham. Rodon actually got the last touch of the game for Tottenham, clearing yet another Arsenal cross.

José Mourinho – 9

Anytime you beat Arsenal it is a big win. Beating them twice in a row, leaving them in 15th in the table, 11 points behind you, well that is the José Mourinho affect. This team is becoming more and more a reflection of their coach and the confidence is growing on both ends of the pitch. Mourinho seems happy but hungry and that is good for Tottenham and bad for everyone else.