Tottenham dominated from the outset against Norwich and, along with the comprehensive 5-0 win, booked their ticket into next season’s Champions League.
It’s one of the best achievements, considering the circumstances earlier in the season, in recent memory. Conte will be keen to get planning for next season, but first will celebrate this odds-defying accomplishment.
And what an emphatic way to accomplish the feat. Spurs were full value for their 5-0 win against the bottom feeders of the division.
They created bundles of chances and, for the most part, kept things solid at the back. Here’s the player ratings from Tottenham’s final match of the season, the one that booked their place in Europe’s top club competition for the first time since 2019.
Defence
Hugo Lloris 8/10
Tough to rate Hugo Lloris, who wasn’t forced into a save all afternoon. He whiffed on a deflected cross, but did everything asked of him otherwise, which, admittedly, wasn’t a lot.
Ben Davies 8/10
Ben Davies was one of Tottenham’s top defenders during the run-in, which started with a superb performance at Anfield against Liverpool. While he made a few minor blunders in possession, Davies enjoyed another strong defensive outing and is one of the key reasons Spurs are in next season’s Champions League. Conte certainly found a way to get the best out of the Welshman.
Eric Dier 7/10
Eric Dier committed a few careless errors, one of which almost cost his team early in the first half when the score was still 0-0. He scuffed a left-footed half-volleyed clearance in the second half, but it didn’t lead to any subsequent issues. He was otherwise sturdy, like he has been for most of the campaign.
Davinson Sanchez 8/10
Davinson Sanches has stepped up in Cristian Romero’s absence, making sure not to make any grave errors in the process. He wasn’t troubled much at all today but still did the job asked of him.
Midfield
Pierre Hojbjerg 8/10
Pierre Hojbjerg made a few brilliant passes, one of which to midfield partner Bentancur on Kulu’s opener. He missed a sitter (not too surprisingly) but was solid otherwise.
Rodrigo Bentancur 8.5/10
What a mid-season addition. Rodrigo Bentancur was yet again influential in the middle of the park. He set up Kane’s goal and dominated proceedings. Outstanding.
Ryan Sessegnon 8/10
Ryan Sessegnon has made the left wingback role his since returning from injury. Sergio Reguilon has struggled for fitness, but Sessegnon’s play speaks for itself. We’re finally starting to see what has been expected of him since arriving at Tottenham. As long as he can avoid injury, he should continue to grow under Conte’s guidance.
Emerson Royal 8/10
Emerson Royal has improved his defensive play substantially in recent weeks, which was on display again this afternoon. Obviously Norwich didn’t present much of a challenge going forward, but nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what Conte plans for the right back.
Forwards and Subs
Dejan Kulusevski 10/10
Dejan rolled off his sick bed to put in yet another outstanding performance. Thanks to an unselfish and astute pass by Bentancur, Kulusevski passed into a gaping net to score his fourth top flight goal. At the moment, he offers as much going forward as his two superstar colleagues. Kulu set Hojbjerg up on a platter in the opening minutes, a chance the midfielder skied over the goal.
Strangely Kulu was unable to sort out his feet with a gaping cage in the second half, eventually scuffing his attempted finish. Nobody will hold that against him, though, especially after making up for it minutes later, smashing an arrow into the side netting for Spurs’ third.
Everyone is already looking forward to seeing what the 23-year-old can accomplish in a full season with Spurs, one that includes Champions League football.
Harry Kane 9/10
Harry Kane scored a poachers goal off a catastrophic Tim Krul giveaway and was otherwise steady throughout. He did exactly what was required of him to get Spurs into the Champions League. He found Sonny on multiple occasions. No surprise there.
One of his first-time crosses begged to be smashed home, only for Sonny’s resultant half volley to be saved by Krul. Kane also pinged a pinpoint pass to Kulu, who scored seconds later.
Son Heung-min 10/10
Sonny had loads of chances to increase his already impressive goal tally, and made no mistake in doing so. Krul made a few strong saves on Sonny, but the Korean’s perseverance paid off with a solid finish.
He thought he won the Golden Boot outright on a sublime right-footed cracker, but was pegged back by a late Salah goal at Anfield. Still, to come back and equal the Egyptian’s total is a sensational accomplishment.
Lucas Moura 8/10
Lucas Moura made a deft pass to set up Sonny’s goal. Great to see him get a well-deserved assist on Sonny’s 22nd of the campaign.