Bale, Aurier top ratings as Tottenham Hotspur slash Sheffield 4-0

By Aaron Coe | May 3, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale (L) with Tottenham Hotspur's interim head coach Ryan Mason (R) after the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Justin Setterfield / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN SETTERFIELD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale (L) with Tottenham Hotspur’s interim head coach Ryan Mason (R) after the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. (Photo by JUSTIN SETTERFIELD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

After a disappointing run at Manchester City a week prior, anything less than going for it would have sent Tottenham fans ballistic. With both Gareth Bale and Dele Alli in the starting line-up, Ryan Mason and Tottenham Hotspur looked to dominate from the off. As Tottenham played from the front foot, the Lilywhites dominated for most of the match, eventually overwhelming Sheffield United 4-0. With the Spurs running riot against the Blades, here are our ratings.

Tottenham tactics were spot on

Heading into the match-up, we knew Tottenham was not going to get a better chance this season to get right than facing a last-place team already relegated. From the start, Tottenham was the stronger side, looking to press and pressure from the front foot.

Early in the match, you could see the inclusion of Dele Alli was going to change things with his movement and energy in the middle of the park. While Dele was not great, his movement and runs create space for others and make things happen. Add in a healthy dose of play on the wings, some long diagonal balls, and even a few crosses and suddenly Tottenham looked a proper team again.

Yes, it was just Sheffield United and no Tottenham was not great. However, winning 4-0 in the aggressive, attacking style Spurs did after the no-show last week was exactly what Dr. Tottenham ordered. Here are our ratings for the team in a much-needed, big win over Sheffield United.