Solid win for Tottenham Hotspur in first pre-season friendly
By Tom Vinall
Ange Postecoglou's men made it the perfect start to pre-season with a 5-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.
Ironically, Ange's first-ever league game as Celtic manager was a 1-0 defeat away to Hearts, on the 31st of July 2021.
On the scoresheet were; Brennan Johnson, Will Lankshear, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence, and a Lewis Neilson own goal.
It was really encouraging to see two academy players score, as well as a player who has been massively out of favor making his mark.
The first-half XI was; Austin; Porro, Gray, Skipp, Donley; Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Kulusevski, Solomon; and Son. All 11 players played 45 minutes exactly as Ange made 11 changes at half-time. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0.
The second-half XI was; Whiteman; Spence, Royal, Phillips, Robson; Hall, Bergrave, Devine; Moore, Lankshear, and Werner. Alejo Veliz played 15 minutes in place of Lankshear before being substituted for Dane Scarlett. Luca Gunter replaced Alfie Whiteman in the 84th minute. The second-half score was 4-1 to Spurs.
Hearts equalizer came a minute into the second half as Emerson Royal was caught Cruyff turning in his own box and Lawrence Shankland slotted home.
But it was all positive from that, as Spurs scored 4 uninterrupted goals to win emphatically. Lankshear scored from a clever Spence pass to make it 2-1 before Lucas Bergvall assisted Mikey Moore in a goal that has Spurs fans extremely excited. Spence then scored himself after tapping home a Timo Werner cross, before an own goal 5 minutes from time via Hearts' Lewis Neilson.
You did read that back a few paragraphs ago correctly. Ange did indeed play a back four of Porro, Gray, Skipp, and Donley. By all accounts, Gray was praised for his performance in central defense.
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Solid win for Tottenham Hotspur in first pre-season friendly
The makeshift center-half made 1 clearance, 3 interceptions, and 1 tackle, whilst winning all 4 of his duels and completing 2/2 long balls (SofaScore).
Djed Spence has been praised a lot too. His goal and assist have excited Spurs fans and there is thought that he could be involved in the first-team next season. With Spurs now playing European football, squad depth will be key and there is still every chance that Emerson Royal leaves this summer. Spence of course also counts as a homegrown player.
Ange spoke to The Athletic's Jay Harris about Spence - "Djed did well. He has had a tough couple of years. He is training with us and I think with all of the players when they are here with us I treat them as Tottenham players unless something suddenly changes.
Mixed feelings about this quote, it implies that as long as Spence is at the club, he has a clean slate, and could be of use, but also gives off the impression that he thinks Spence could leave the club this summer.
New signing Lucas Bergvall impressed, with his aforementioned assist for Mikey Moore as well as creating a further big chance. Spurs fans are very excited about the 18-year-old Swede, who comes with a big reputation, and who turned down Barcelona to come to N17.
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All in all, a very productive afternoon at the office for Spurs. The club's next friendly is against QPR on Saturday.