Tottenham Hotspur was not impressive in the 2-0 win over Marseille but did a few things that should leave fans confident about the run ahead.
Tottenham can make something out of nothing, even on a bad day
The end score line read 2-0 Spurs, but anyone watching the game knows Tottenham struggled through most of the first 45 minutes and even a bit after taking a man advantage. However, despite their struggles, Tottenham created something out of almost nothing producing a play that changed the game.
Things started with a Cristian Romero pass up field to Richarlison that the Brazilian flicked on to no one in particular. This allowed Marseille to clear the ball up the pitch, with Eric Dier and Pierre Hojbjerg almost running into each other to win possession.
Dier was able to head the ball to a retreating Romero as Hojbjerg held off a charging Marseille attack with a little old-school obstruction. Romero gathered possession as he continued to retreat, and he played the ball back to Dier, who had not stopped falling back on the play.
At this point, with Dier only about eight yards from his own end line, the play got going. Dier’s hit a one-touch pass up the pitch to Hojbjerg, who tried to turn, only to immediately get tackled by a converging Marseille defense. As the ball popped out, Emerson Royal was alert and controlled the ball, quickly turning up the pitch and finding the feet of Richarlison.
The Brazilian forward did well with a defender draped on his back to hold the ball and then touch it back toward Hojbjerg, who had jumped up from the tackle only a second earlier and was busting a gut to get into the play.
At this point, Hojbjerg was racing to get to what was a 50/50 ball that had two Marseille players rushing toward it along with the Dane. Fortunately, Pierre got to the ball and touched it to Heung-min Son.
Son took one touch to control and played the ball square to Harry Kane but never stopped running as he passed the ball. Kane took a touch himself to turn and face the Marseille goal. From here, it was like taking candy from a baby for Kane as he hit the perfectly weighted through ball to Son, who got a touch in before being fouled by Chancel Mbemba, decisively tilting the game toward Spurs.
The play only took about 20 seconds from Marseille clearance to the Mbemba tackle. It was truly something out of nothing for Tottenham and showed how Spurs could do something dangerous quickly, even on an off day.
The foul for the red did not lead to a spot kick, and Kane hit the subsequent 24-yard free-kick into the wall. And although Marseille had been the dominant side in the first half, after going down to 10 men in the first three minutes of the second half, the game became Tottenham’s to win.
Conte is not afraid to go for it when the circumstances call for it
Up a man for almost an entire half, if Tottenham did not take all three points, it would likely be something the club would come back to rue in the Champions League group stage. This opportunity that could not be lost was not lost on Antonio Conte, who made changes to ensure that Spurs would take all three points.
Bringing on Dejan Kulusevski for Emerson Royal had a major impact on the game. Emerson had not played poorly, but Kulusevski is a true attacking force who can drive Tottenham forward.
This move also marked the first time we have seen Spurs’ top four forwards on the pitch together. Although Dekki had neither a goal nor an assist, Spurs scored twice, and the desired outcome was attained.
As a fan, seeing Conte sense the situation and go for it like we want the whole team to do was positive.
Having a second striker pays dividends for Tottenham Hotspur
One of the biggest complaints regarding Spurs squad during most of the Harry Kane era has been the lack of a competent backup striker. The option to take Kane off and have a Premier League-proven striker has not been an option before this season. Now that Tottenham has a second striker, however, the dividends have been immediate, and Richarlison’s impact in the match is unquestioned with his two goals.
Conte was not technically playing a twin striker formation; however, both goals Richarlison scored demonstrated the benefit of having a second striker in the box.
On the first goal, Richarlison had already made one run toward the near post as it looked like Ivan Perisic was going to attack toward the end line. However, Perisic cut back to his right foot instead of attacking to his left.
As two Marseille defenders converged on Kane, now making the move toward the near post, Richarlison was left unmarked behind Kane and headed home. An inexperienced striker likely would not have made that play; however, as an experienced striker, Richarlison noted the change and backed out enough to reframe the goal and provide a new target.
Likewise, on his second goal, Richarlison reset after the initial corner was cleared and then demonstrated his expert finishing ability, hammering a header off the post and into the goal.
Maybe a less experienced player makes both those plays; maybe they do not. We know that Tottenham has a competent and competitive alternative to Kane, which is something new for Spurs.
Tottenham was not perfect and was even a little lucky, but taking all three points, earning a clean sheet, and getting goals from a new source made it a great night at the stadium.