Tottenham Hotspur were unable to seal the deal, but against a better opponent in Brighton, Spurs looked competent for the better part of 90 minutes and certainly played much better than they did offensively in Roberto De Zerbi's second game in charge than they did in the first or in the preceding 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
There is still a lot of work to be done, but Spurs were better at creating chances and moving the ball in this one, already showing growth under the new manager. And no player made a bigger statement to the coach than Xavi Simons.
The most talented player on Tottenham, Simons cost the club 60 million euros and has been a starter in pretty much every win for Spurs this season. After De Zerbi brutally snubbed the Dutchman in his first game in charge and then made comments insinuating that Simons may only play about 30 minutes off the bench, Simons ended up being THE key player against De Zerbi's former employers.
Xavi Simons is crucial to Spurs
With a goal and an assist, Xavi Simons was at the heart of everything good in this 2-2 draw with Brighton for Tottenham. From an all around perspective, he ws brilliant and showed an intensity that many of his teammates have been sorely lacking. Simons totaled off two key passes, two dribbles completed, and four fouls drawn.
Even though Simons didn't get to play as a true No. 10, with James Maddison coming back from injury soon, Simons shning off the left of the formation is not a bad thing at all. And regardless of where he plays in the XI, it is far, far better for Tottenham Hotspur to have Simons involved in the lineup than not involved at all.
Roberto De Zerbi made an inexcusable error by benching Simons in his first game in charge, and in a shutout loss to Sunderland, the Dutch midfielder's presence was clearly missed. By shining to this degree as the best player on the pitch for Tottenham in a rather unlucky draw, Simons has proven to De Zerbi that he needs to be starting in every single game.
De Zerbi made the mistake of not starting Simons, but now seeing the full extent of the difference in the team's overall play, progression, and chance creation with and without Simons, you had better believe the Italian manager won't be making that same error twice.
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