Tottenham’s many changes throughout campaign pay off in decisive way
Tottenham’s season appears to have perfect bookends. They began the year by beating the best team in the league, Manchester City, and finished it by beating the team at the bottom of the table, Norwich City.
Heung-min Son began the scoring for the season and closed it with a couple more goals (which, incidentally, got him his share of the Golden Boot).
Today’s game against Norwich showed a significantly changed Spurs since the opening weekend. The changes visible on the field from that first week highlight the difference between a team stumbling to mid-table, poised for a rebuild, and one racing to Champions League play, once again an elite squad.
Going back to Jose Mourinho’s tenure and continuing under Nuno Espirito Santo’s brief stint, the team (and many fans) suffered from a laggard, defensive style of play.
This afternoon, needing only a draw, Tottenham came out on the offensive, scoring just 16 minutes into the game and staying on the front foot.
Their style contrasted markedly the Canaries’ approach. As Spurs looked for goals, their opponents, despite having nothing to lose, dropped deep and played a cautious, defensive strategy. Antonio Conte’s Spurs haven’t been reckless, but their flexibility and willingness to start attacks have made the team more dangerous, more successful, and more fun to watch.
That first goal highlighted another significant change from the start of the campaign. During the January transfer window, the team brought in winger Dejan Kulusevski and midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.
The two connected for today’s first, with Kulusevski getting the finishing touch. The Swede has been getting attention for the frequency of his assists, but today he contributed two of the team’s goals while Bentancur tallied a couple assists.
Both of those players have been instrumental to the Spurs’ turnaround and after Oliver Skipp when down with an uncomfortable injury, Bentancur’s strong play became a necessity. Their exceptional play today capped off a great run.
One other key change from the early weeks of the season made its mark today. Few people doubted the unhappy, late-to-camp Harry Kane would go goalless for the year, but it did take him until November to score in the league.
Once he got his mojo back, he stayed on fire, ending the season with 17 goals, fourth most in the Premier League and just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo. He also finished the season with nine assists, among the league’s top 10. He added one of each today, again showcasing his status as one of the world’s best forwards.
Tottenham’s last game demonstrated several key elements of its season. Improved tactics gave the team an offensive mind frame. New players provided goals, assists, and energy. A number of players were revitalized under Conte, epitomized by Kane’s stellar stretch and noteworthy finish.
Next. Player ratings in dominant 5-0 win over Norwich. dark
None of those points, however, impacted Tottenham’s one constant, from that opener against Man City game to the final Norwich showdown, Sonny’s nonstop scoring.