Tottenham Hotspur was in control of their second-leg match-up versus Paços from the off; so who played well and who truly shined for Spurs, our ratings break it down.
Being in the inaugural Europa Conference League was certainly not the competition that Tottenham was hoping to qualify for last season. However, the reality is what it is and Tottenham needs to make the most of it. Before the Spurs can make a run at winning the Conference League, they had to beat Paços and qualify for the group stage. Led by several outstanding performances Tottenham carried the day, so here are our ratings, starting with our player of the game, Harry Kane.
Harry Kane showed his stuff
It should come as no surprise that Harry Kane was off and running from the very beginning of the game. The only thing Kane did not do right on the evening was his miss less than 20 seconds into the game, which he clearly made up for with two other goals.
We saw the complete all-around game from Kane against Paços on Thursday evening. That opening salvo from a Romero longball showed Kane can still run off the shoulder of the last defender. Despite missing that particular opportunity, the Spurs talisman would get more.
Both goals showcased Kane’s finishing ability and his instincts as a natural striker. Additionally, we saw that the deep-lying Harry Kane that Jose Mourinho introduced last season is still part of the dynamic. Kane routinely dropped deep toward midfield to collect the ball and distribute it around the park. With Kane, Bryan Gil, and Giovani Lo Celso all receiving the ball and pinging it around the attacking half, Paços never stood a chance.
Rating the Tottenham Defense
The reality is Tottenham did not have a lot to do defensively and some of the only opportunities that Paços had come from their own doing. The group showed some early nerves but ultimately settled down and led the Spurs to their third shutout in four games this season.
Ben Davies – 6.5
Ben Davies got the start at left-back for Tottenham Hotspur and did his job. Davies did his part trying to get forward, although, with Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan in front of him, that was not always necessary. Davies’s biggest contribution was probably obstructing a Paços defender after Winks had won the ball back before the first goal. His little step to block oncoming defender opened the way for Winks to dribble up-field and make the pass to Bryan. Davies was solid throughout.
Eric Dier – 6.5
Like Davies, Eric Dier really had little to do most of the evening. With his backs pushing forward around him and Winks occupying the midfield in front of him, Dier did not have to do much. Willing to sit back as the deepest defender most of the evening, Dier was never pushed or tested.
Cristian Romero – 7.5
Cristian Romero did not necessarily have more work to do defensively than did Davies or Dier, however, he managed to create more, in a good way. Romero was the most aggressive of the Tottenham defenders working to close out on loose balls and defend all over the pitch. Romero actually pushed all the way into the Paços box on a couple of occasions and looks to try and get involved in the offense. Cuti displayed a sweet long-ball as well. He was harshly given a yellow card for what probably should have been a 2-on-1 breakaway for him and Harry Kane. Much better than his first start last week and a little glimpse of the all-around game Romero brings to Tottenham.
Matt Doherty – 7
Matt Doherty was certainly more involved in the offense on the right than was ben Davies on the left. Whether by design or just how it worked out, Doherty spent a good part of the evening up near the Paços box working to put in some crosses. Doherty maybe should have scored but instead, tried to feed Kane when he got behind the defense. Doherty looked better than most of last season.
Pierluigi Gollini – 6.5
Pierluigi Gollini almost made a big mistake to start the match but ultimately settled in and had a fine game. Gollini was a bit lackadaisical on the ball early near the end line and ultimately turned the ball over for a Paços corner kick. A few minutes later Gollini played a pass that from the TV angle maybe looked a bit too close for comfort. However, after those little hiccups, Gollini settled in and did his part. Stopping all three attempts on goal and show a big punch in the box, Gollini did what little that was asked of him.
Tottenham Midfield Ratings
Tottenham dominated possession and the middle of the park against Paços. Although it was hard to really define the Tottenham formation, as it was a very amoebas-like 4-3-3-, Harry Winks, Giovani Lo Celso, and Bryan Gil ran the show.
Harry Winks – 7
Harry WInks looked a lot more like the young Harry Winks that used to get fans excited. As the deepest of the midfielders, the game was in front of Harry most of the night and he took full advantage of it. Before anyone gets too excited we need to remember the competition but regardless the effort and energy from Winks were what was really impressive. His tackle and then pre-assist for the first goal are the kind of plays that catch the eye and remind you that Winks may yet have a part to play in a successful Spurs side.
Giovani Lo Celso – 7.5
Giovani Lo Celso was instrumental throughout the evening for Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine midfielder was ever-present look for the ball in the middle of the park and making runs into the attack. Lo Celso was unlucky not to get an assist on Kane’s second but was probably a bit fortunate on the goal he did score off a free-kick. Lo Celso showed both creativity and craft on the evening and was unlucky not to pick up at least one assist.
Bryan Gil – 8
Giovani Lo Celso was quite influential on the evening and yet Bryan Gil was even better. The young Spaniard who most figured was a winger spent most of his evening tucking inside as a #10 with both Ryan Sessegnon and Davies available to overlap on the left. Yet, despite often playing in a deeper playmaking role, Bryan was still getting forward and to the end line to create some service for his mates. All action, all the time on both sides of the ball, Bryan’s willingness and desire to look for the ball is going to be huge for this Tottenham team.
Spurs Forward Ratings
Tottenham seemed to play some kind of a 4-3-3 with Lucas Moura and Sessegnon on either side of Harry Kane at the tip of the attack. While the group overall was not quite as clinical as we would all like to see, they did their jobs and helped Spurs cruise.
Ryan Sessegnon – 6
If there was any Tottenham Hotspur player who had a bad game it was Ryan Sessegnon and even then Sessegnon did a lot right. Sessegnon found himself in a position to score on three different occasions yet managed not a single shot on target. It is hard to say if this is just about luck or confidence or something more. However, Santo is good with young players and at only 21, Sessegnon has a lot of opportunity in front of him, hopefully moving forward he really takes it.
Harry Kane – 8.5
Outside the miss in the first 15 seconds of the match, Kane was spectacular for Tottenham on Thursday. Darting runs, precision finishing, and a real eye for a troublesome pass all were part of the all-around performance from Kane on the evening. If any fans had any doubts about Kane, performances like the one Thursday can help quiet those concerns.
Lucas Moura – 6
Like Ryan Sessegnon, Lucas Moura could just not quite get it all right on Thursday. Lucas did have a few nice little dribbles but was always tackled or knocked off the ball before making any real noise in the final third. His cross that went 20 feet over Harry Kane’s head as Kane ran toward the near post to meet a ball from Lucas and the Brazilian went for the throw-in on the other side really typified a really benign evening for Moura.
Tottenham Substitute and Coach Ratings
The match was mostly in hand by the time any of the substitutes came on, with only Pierre Højbjerg playing any significant minutes.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 6.5
Pierre Højbjerg was the only substitute to play more than 25 minutes as he came in just past the hour mark for Sessegnon. Højbjerg did not stay in Sessegnon’s advanced role and instead slotted in at the right-sided midfield allowing Lo Celso and Bryan to take more liberties in the attacking half. Højbjerg brought immediate calm to the team and was solid.
Heung-Min Son – N/A
Heung-Min Son came in for 18 minutes replacing Harry Kane and seemed to get a decent runout. Son should have scored on a little ball to him in the box from Lo Celso but instead hit the post.
Steven Bergwijn – N/A
Steven Bergwijn came on at the same time as Son only for Bryan Gil. Bergwijn showed his continued desire to push forward and try and attack.
Dele Alli – N/A
Dele Alli came in for the last six minutes replacing Lucas Moura.
Coach Santo – 7.5
It is really hard to say what the formation truly was Thursday evening a 4-2-3-1, a 4-1-3-2, or a 4-3-3. Regardless of the formation, the approach and attitude were a clear success. With the defense more organized and the offense trying to be on the front foot, the team looks vastly different than the one who lost to Dinamo Zagreb last season. Integrating the new players, blooding the young, and handling the Kane situation to perfection, Nuno is getting it done at the moment.