Antonio Conte selected his first-ever Tottenham Hotspur XI, which included his trademark three-man back-line and at times the energy Conte demands, here are Spurs ratings.
Rating Spurs Defence
Tottenham did some things right in defence, particularly early in the match, when everyone had energy and was looking to step on passes. As the game persisted and the intensity waned, it impacted the defense. Ultimately, a couple of poor tackles impacted the game.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris started his first European match of the season in Antonio Conte’s first game as the coach started a strong team and it may have been a good idea. Although Lloris did concede a couple of goals over a frantic eight minutes as Vitesse fought their way back into the match. Either side of those goals, Lloris had some big saves, totaling four to keep Spurs level and later on top. Maintained his calm as others seemed to be stretched when Spurs when down to 10 men. 7
Left-back – Ben Davies
Ben Davies was possibly a surprise to some to start at left-back in Conte’s first XI. Davies has quite a bit of experience in the position playing for Wales and is a naturally left-footed player, giving him a plus. Lucky not to give up a penalty less than three minutes in with a clumsy challenge in the box but the lack of VAR saved Davies and Spurs. Besides that early near calamity, Davies was probably the best of the back three and pushed forward well overlapping with Sergio Reguilon and just missed assisting on the third goal, which became an own goal. 7
Center-back – Eric Dier
Many, HotspurHQ included, thought it would be Cristian Romero who started at the center of the back three but instead Conte opted for Eric Dier. Given Romero’s greater ability in space, it probably made sense for Dier to be in the middle of the three. DIer was good on the ball, which is nothing new for the Englishman. However, Eric was beaten on the corner for the first Vitesse goal and successfully unsighted Lloris while not blocking the second. Although not his fault, still not his finest moment or performance. 5
Right-back – Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero looked great at right-back early. Stepping his defense to midfield, his pressure was part of Spurs’ early dominance. It was Romero who intercepted the ball and then played the seeing-eye pass through the defense to put Son Heung-Min in the opening minutes of the game. Romero’s game was defined by two poor challenges that left him with two yellow cards and Spurs playing with 10 men for the final 31 minutes. A disappointing day from an otherwise strong season. 4
Tottenham midfield ratings
The approach before losing a man was sticking with three defenders and allowing the wingbacks or outside midfielders to push forward. Following Romero’s sending off the shape and roles changed but we are leaving the wide-men with the midfielders.
Right midfield/wingback- Emerson Royal
From an offensive perspective, Emerson Royal is getting better and better. Royal was a consistent outlet on the right and pushed forward early and often. Royal showed stepovers and a willingness to knock the ball into the box. As the team went down a man Royal did what he could in the back four, although not a natural fullback. Was right back on the front foot after the Vitesse card. It was Royal beating Markus Schubert to a ball down that wing that led to Vitesse’s second red card. Endless energy and effort. 7.5
Center midfield – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Pierre Hojbjerg‘s performance mirrored that of the team. Hojbjerg was everywhere early creating an opportunity within the opening minutes and winning several loose balls early. Displayed a couple of distribution passes we have not seen from him before. As the match wore on and Spurs went down a man Hojbjerg was more on the back foot than front, like the team as a whole. Looked great for the first 30 minutes in middle. 6.5
Center midfield – Oliver Skipp
Oliver Skipp had a terrific first half, with several timely interventions and some solid passing under strong pressure from Vitesse. Skipp was able to get to the ball on multiple occasions just before Vitesse to maintain possession or clear the ball to safety. Skipp was replaced by Winks as part of a triple change in response to the red card. 6
Left midfield/wingback- Sergio Reguilon
Sergio Reguilon was doing a decent job getting forward early in the match. Despite his mistake a few weeks back to concede, Reguilon was still willing to try and take on defenders. Combined well with Ben Davies on Tottenham’s third goal and just missed connecting at the back post from one of Royal’s many crosses. A solid outing on both ends of the pitch. 6.5
Tottenham forward ratings
Tottenham looked connected if not fluid early in the match attacking. A bit more composure and luck and Spurs could have had five in the first half. As it was, a mistake from a forward opened the door for Vitesse.
Lucas Moura – Right forward
Lucas Moura was alert and lively particularly early in the match. Moura almost hit a perfect through ball to Kane for an early goal but was a bit too strong on his pass. Lucas showed good composure after Kane had hit him behind the Vitesse defense. Moura’s dribbling of the ball into the attack was a big part of Tottenham’s early success. Turned the ball over in a bad spot on the second goal and was quiet thereafter. 6
Harry Kane – Center forward
It was an interesting match for Harry Kane as he nearly scored and had an assist but Spurs’ third goal was ultimately called an own goal. The best work Kane did was away from goal. His hold-up play was terrific all evening. Kane absorbed a lot of punishment and drew his share of fouls providing a real presence in the possession near midfield. HIs turn and pass to Moura for the second goal was reminiscent of last season when Harry was on fire with assists. Kane pressed and pressured as best he could from his position most of the evening. Played every minute and probably needed to. 7
Son Heung-Min – Left forward
Like everyone else on the team, Heung-Min Son was terrific early but faded as the match went on. Sonny probably should have had a hat-trick in the first 10-minutes but only had one goal instead. Son had an excellent turn in the opening moments and had a shot past the keeper but cleared just short of the line. Later Son pounced on a loose ball in the box and again beat the keeper but not the post. A more clinical Son would have made the game a true blowout instead of a nail-biter. 6
Spurs substitutes and coaching rating
Davinson Sanchez – Center-back
Davinson Sanchez came on for Lucas Moura after the red card and settled in to reform Conte’s preferred back three. Before that both Royal and Reguilon had moved to fullback with Dier and Davies between as center-halves. Sanchez’s introduction settle the team as the back three created a foundation for Reguilon and especially Royal to keep getting forward. Not great on the ball as evidenced by him being pressured to pass the ball out of bounds but excellent at defending it. 7
Harry Winks – Center midfield
Harry Winks came on for Oliver Skipp in what was very much a like-for-like move. The difference was Winks had not played an hour already and that made a difference. Winks was running more than we have seen in some time and played an excellent first-time longball that led to Schubert being sent off. It is hard to say if Winks plays that pass a week ago but it was great to see it on Thursday. 7
Tanguy Ndombele – Center midfield
Ndombele came on for Son to provide a fifth midfielder as Spurs switched from a 4-4-1 to a 3-5-1 formation. Ndombele did well getting up and down the pitch and connected on a couple of passes. Almost had a moment with a nice cutback and dribble drive, only to have Lo Celso not finish. Like the other subs looks willing to fight for a spot. 7
Giovani Lo Celso – Center midfield
Giovani Lo Celso was a late substitution for Hojbjerg and popped up well. Lo Celso had in the right spot a couple of times but once lost the ball and then had his shot saved and another blocked. N/A
Antonio Conte – Coach
Antonio Conte’s presence was obvious from the beginning. The energy, movement, and effort were more than have been seen since the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Manchester City. Immediately had his team in his back three but still needs to work on it. Showed his stuff in response to the red card. His insertion of Sanchez to back to a back three to push Royal and Reguilon wide again to open up the pitch was brilliant. Will be disappointed in how and how many were conceded but a proper coach for sure. 9