Touch of class makes the difference in Tottenham win over Blades

Tottenham, thanks to a Harry Kane goal and a touch of class from Tanguy Ndombele, got the job done against a reeling Sheffield United side. 

It was, for the most part, a comfortable 3-1 victory for the visitors. While Tottenham didn’t completely dominate from start to finish, Jose Mourinho will be content with the way his side acquitted themselves. Some statistics reflected an even match, with both sides having five shots on target.

But what stood out for supporters was the way in which Spurs held onto possession through large periods. They were, of course, expected to dominate the ball against the league’s bottom feeders, but sometimes that feat is easier said than done, especially within a possession-averse Mourinho side.

The Blades made things interesting when David McGoldrick cut the deficit in half. His goal immediately drove Spurs supporters to thoughts of, “Oh no, not this again.” But, thanks to an Ndombele wonder goal, nerves were settled just three minutes later.

Supporters have been waiting weeks for that type of killer instinct, which Ndombele so gracefully obliged. It wasn’t just the dazzling skill it took to execute the finish that made the goal so impressive, but the timing and importance of the right footed lob.

One could almost hear a collective exhalation, a gratifying sign of relief from Spurs supporters once Ndombele’s lob found the bottom corner.

Tottenham finally killed off a match and secured all three vital away points. While still far from immaculate, it was a strong performance deserving of the accompanying result.

Now we wait to see if Manchester United and Liverpool can take points off one another, as grandiose thoughts of Spurs winning the title once again enter the fray. As we are, yet again, just three points off the top of the Premier League table.