Tanguy, Tottenham Take all Three from Sheffield United

Tottenham Hotspur has temporarily righted the ship with a 1-3 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, behind a worldie from Tanguy Ndombele.

After taking only five points from the last 15 in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur stopped the bleeding with a 1-3 win over Sheffield United. Spurs were in charge from the off but needed a world class finish from Tanguy Ndombele to quiet a second half Blades rally. After the third the match was never in doubt, as Tottenham got the result, they wanted moving back into the top four, at least temporarily.

Fast Start from Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur got off to a terrific start to the match as Steven Bergwijn forced an early save out of Aaron Ramsdale. The subsequent corner kick, however, brought the result Spurs were looking for. Son Heung-Min drove the ball near post and Serge Aurier was able to beat his marker and rise-up to head the ball home. It was the start and mentality Spurs were looking for.

The play looked simple enough and without fans in the stands, the audio was so clear, you could hear someone say “easy” as the ball hit the back of the net. It was exactly the start Tottenham Hotspur were looking for, to step on last place Sheffield United early and never give them a sniff. Only minutes later, it seemed Spurs had finished the early job.

As we have seen all season, Harry Kane dropped a bit deeper from his center striker position to pick up the ball and on the turn, played in Son. Son was at a tough angle on the right and Ramsdale was charging at him as the defender pressed from the side. The South Korean hit a nice little chip up and over Ramsdale.

However, as has seemingly been the case of late for Son, the ball found the outside of the post and bounced out and the chance was lost. From that point forward the domination was not as great, but Spurs were on the front foot most of the half. While a 2-goal lead would have been a perfect first 8 minutes, settling for the 0-1 advantage would have to do.

Sheffield Went for It

Sheffield United had some possession at 42% and had 1 more shot than Spurs with 15 to Tottenham’s 14, but Spurs were the dominant side throughout the match. Sheffield had a few spells of possession where Spurs were pinned a bit deep. However, the urging of players like Pierre Højbjerg to press and push up, combined with the pressure coming from real work defensively propelled Tottenham.

Players like Son and Sergio Reguilón, who started at left outside midfield in a 3-4-3 line-up, and Joe Rodon who started in the back all put in strong shifts, working to keep Spurs on the front foot. So, yes Spurs got pinned in for a bit and yes Sheffield did score to make it close, but only three minutes later Tanguy Ndombele was scoring and putting the game out of site.

Turnovers Spur Tottenham

We know Mourinho preaches taking advantage of mistakes from the opposition and Tottenham did that to perfection today to put the match out of site. Just before the half and then just after the Sheffield goal to cut the lead to 1, Tottenham were able to use defense to create offense and the goals needed to win the game.

Kane Does his Thing

Spurs second started with a long chip into the box from Højbjerg, which Ramsdale punched out. As Sheffield was seemingly winning the ball off the punch at midfield, Son and Højbjerg converged to make a play. As the ball came in, first Højbjerg made the tackle.

From the tackle it was Son who was quickest to the loose ball, picking up possession. As the Sheffield player turned to try and get the ball back, Son played a short pass right back to Højbjerg who had earned the possession to being with. The Dane looked up and saw Harry Kane posting up about 30 yards out.

Kane received the ball, took one touch to turn, a second touch to set himself up and then his third rocketed into the bottom right corner from just at the semi-circle outside the box. The goal exemplified the kind of opportune attacking Mourinho is looking for and Kane did what he does with a terrific effort.

Ndombele with a Magical Moment

Just moments after Sheffield had cut the lead to one, Tottenham were looking to get back. It started with the kickoff, where Spurs used the youth soccer bully move, with Ndombele simply dribble straight down the pitch from the kickoff and forcing a corner. The Blades were able to clear the subsequent corner, but Tottenham again were able to take advantage of the scrum to follow.

As Spurs recycled the corner, the ball got with from Kane to Aurier who sent in a cross. The cross was cut out resulting in the loose ball in the middle of the pitch. In this instance it was the Spaniard, Sergio Reguilón who was first to the ball winning possession. Reguilón was brilliant all day but had a quiet second half until this big moment.

Reguilón on the ball and touched it back to Steven Bergwijn. Bergwijn played the ball forward to Tanguy who immediately played it back and turned to run forward. The Dutchman saw Ndombele running forward and chipped the ball up into the box over Ndombele’s shoulder. Tanguy was amazing as he drew his arm in the allow the ball to drop just over his left shoulder.

Running away from the goal Tanguy used the outside of his right boot to catch the ball off the bounce and chip it up and over Ramsdale. The helpless keeper could only turn and watch as the ball bounced perfect off the inside of the post into the side-netting. It was a beautiful goal and moment Spurs fans will want to watch again and again.

Following the second, Spurs were able to see out the match, although the game continued to go back and forth, Sheffield never had any more clear-cut chances. Tottenham were able to knock the ball around and did enough defensively to see out the match.

Unless there is a make-up of the Aston Villa match – doubtful given Villa have other matches scheduled as make-ups, Spurs are off from the Premier League until they face Liverpool on January 28. Next weekend Tottenham go to Adams Park to take on the Wycombe Wanders in FA Cup 4th Round action.