Tottenham Hotspur was back in action from the international break in Antonio Conte‘s first match at home and the team responded with a 2-1 win, here is how the players rated.
Man of the match – Coach Antonio Conte
After a first half that Spurs players and fans would be well to forget, Antonio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur made the adjustments necessary to guide an important comeback victory.
Passive, lifeless, scared, are some of the adjectives that you could use to describe Spurs in the first half. Looking no different in many ways than the team that had let Nuno Sanchez down, things changed at the half with the team’s attitude, approach, and commitment after the break as the Lilywhites were down 0-1.
After looking like a team thinking too hard about what to do, in the second half, Spurs were on the front foot from the off and pushed hard to grab all three points. Whatever was said by Conte the team responded and the coach’s passion was contagious for everyone in lily-white. Here are how the players rated in the comeback 2-1 win over Leeds.
Spurs Defensive Ratings
Leeds was the brighter more active team in the first half and as a result, Spurs’ defence was on their heels for much of the half. It was more assertive defending in the second half that set the tone for Spurs comeback victory.
Hugo Lloris – 8
Spurs captain Hugo Lloris was one of the few players who seemed to be at the ground in the first half, Lloris was steady but unable to prevent Dan James’ opening goal at the end of the first half. In the second half, Lloris was a wall, making five of his six saves and not allowing any rebounds for a scrappy and hungry Leeds attack.
Ben Davies – 7
Ben Davies seems to be a solid fit for Conte’s system on the left side. Davies was willing to push forward to help trap the opposition in their own half, Davies did a bit of everything on the left. Beaten along with Reguilón on the goal at the back post, Davies was strong the rest of the match in defence, making blocks at the right time and showing timing in stepping to intercept passes.
Eric Dier – 7
Eric Dier was strong in the air and had a couple of crucial blocks in the box. Perhaps the biggest contribution of the day for Dier was first convincing Harry Kane not to take the deciding free-kick, then hitting it well enough for Reguilón to score on the rebound. Eric was even willing to push with the ball when no one stepped to him showing his understanding of Conte’s approach. The leader of the defence Eric Dier had a solid all-around match.
Japhet Tanganga – 6
Conte’s choice to replace Cristian Romero who was injured during international duty, Japhet Tanganga did some good things but was also a bit culpable in Leeds’s goal. After Emerson Royal was beaten on the wing by Jack Harrison, as the Leeds winger attacked Tanganga did nothing to cut the space and prevent the cross. Defending that close to the goal, the ball is most dangerous and he should have seen that. Better in the second half helping push forward, replaced for the last 22 minutes by Davinson Sanchez.
Tottenham Midfield Ratings
More than any other unit, it was a tale of two halves for the Tottenham Hotspur midfield. Passive and unsure in the first half, everything through the midfield was rushed and uncertain. A steadier, more aggressive mindset helped settle the unit and team in the second half.
Sergio Reguilón – 7.5
His third start in three under Conte, Sergio Reguilón did well getting forward. After a slow start, Sergio was consistently available on the left as an outlet and pushed forward consistently enough to provide six crosses. Reguilón was beaten at the back post by Daniel James for the Leeds goal as James split Davies and Reggy. The biggest moment for Reguilón, however, was scoring the game-winning goal. The first to react to Dier’s freekick off the post, Reggy’s first goal will hopefully kick Spurs on in the Conte era.
Harry Winks – 6.5
With Oliver Skipp out on yellow card suspension it was Harry Winks getting the nod in the starting XI for Spurs. Winks was practically invisible in the first half of action seemingly unsure of everything on or off the ball on the pitch. Winksy was more forward-thinking in the second half and had several good balls into space in front of both wing-backs creating attacking opportunities. Worked harder in the second half being scrappy and pushing, which is when Winks is at his best.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7
After missing international duty with a knee injury, Pierre Højbjerg started on Sunday but looked like a player coming off an injury in the first half. Almost more than any other player Højbjerg in particular looked hurried and off the pace in the first half. Poor passes and touches along with slow reactions defensively left him and the team scrambling far too often. In the second half, Højbjerg spent most of his time in the Leeds half, including his movement at the top of the box to score Spurs’ opening goal.
Emerson Royal – 6.5
Emerson Royal traveled to South America and back over the break but did not play leaving him little time to work with his new coach. Royal may have been a bit jet-lagged as he was roasted by Jack Harrison on Leeds’s goal. A quick step-over and Royal was beaten. Outside of that moment, however, Royal provided the coverage on both ends of the pitch that Spurs required. His four crosses were second to Reguilón, while also leading the team with 7 tackles.
Rating Tottenham’s Attack
The part of the Tottenham game that has the most needed attention coming into the match was the Tottenham Hotspur attack. Despite an “A” for effort in the first half, the team continued to prolong the unwanted no-shots on the target streak. However, only 30 seconds into the second half that changed and Spurs were again off and running.
Heung-Min Son – 6
Despite his willingness to make himself available for the ball and to make runs over the top, it was a largely ineffective match for Heung-Min Son. The pressure from Leeds made his over-the-top runs less tenable and hold-up play is not Sonny’s strong suit. Son did have a couple of moments where with a little bit of favor he scores, ultimately hitting the post and going wide was the outcome.
Harry Kane – 7.5
Coming off of an incredible seven goals in two matches for the Three Lions, Harry Kane seemed destined to score. However, a lack of service and a little bit of bad luck meant Kane is still waiting for his first league goal under Antonio Conte. It was Kane, however, that kept Spurs afloat in the first half, working hard to pressure Leeds defenders on the ball and playing strong with his hold-up play, despite immense pressure from Calvin Phillips among others. Played a few incredible balls that probably should have resulted in more and was just unlucky after beating Meslier 30-seconds into the second half but not beating the post.
Lucas Moura – 7
Like Harry Kane, Lucas Moura worked hard all over the pitch. Moura does not hold the ball with his back to defenders the way Kane does, however, he is able to use those opportunities to often turn and beat his mark. This was the case for much of the day on Sunday, as Moura looked bright turning and running with the ball. It was Moura who played Kane in for what should have been Spurs opener at the start of the second half.
Spurs Substitutes and Coach ratings
The difference in the match was Antonio Conte who clearly did something at half-time to produce a superior effort, which is what was needed, from his charges.
Davinson Sanchez – 7
For his first change, Conte brought on Davinson Sanchez for Japhet Tanganga. Second, later, Spurs scored the go-ahead goal and then the real reason for Sanchez’s presence became apparent. Sanchez was clearly brought on to attack the ball and work to prevent the ball from coming down the right. A bit sketchy with his first tackle, after the goal in the air, Sanchez was strong.
Ryan Sessegnon – N/A
Only playing for 11 minutes, they were 11 significant minutes for Ryan Sessegnon who has been out of action since before the first international break. The minutes were significant was they were important for both Sessegnon and the game as things were far from decided. Clearly wanting to see how he would respond in the situation, Sessegnon was strong with a good tackle and a nice aerial win.
Dele Alli – N/A
Dele Alli was Conte’s third and final substitute. In two minutes plus injury time Dele ran hard but never touched the ball.
Antonio Conte – 8
Coach Antonio Conte was the star of the match. His half-time will likely be something we remember for a while as the team was completely different in the second half. Conte was the passionate and animated coach that all the fans hope we were getting as he celebrated the win with every player. Vocal and encouraging, you can see how Conte is the kind of coach you want to put it on the line for. For 45 minutes his team did that and against Leeds that was enough.