Forget the media narrative about poor, hard done by United. This was a steely performance by Tottenham with many positives to draw from. Fazio is growing into his role as a defensive lynchpin, and it’s a pleasure to see Kane, Mason and even Townsend working hard and wearing the shirt with pride. Davies is improving at left-back. We’re beginning to look like a team.
I really dislike United because their players cheat constantly, challenging every decision, and their arrogant fans have the cheek to sing “You’ve only come to watch United”. Perhaps they need reminding that’s no victory for them against us in 5.
Young should have been sent off. Fact. We should have had a penalty. Fact. We have an outstanding keeper. Fact. Didn’t hear United fans complaining about de Gea keeping them in several matches recently. Lloris is part of the team and his contribution, along with that of the other players, got us the point. Had Young been sent off and Rooney been penalised we would have won. That not being possible, we did the next best thing. We didn’t lose.
Chiriches is not a full-back, but he was there on the line like any good centre back would be to head the ball out when we were up against it. Walker will be back against Chelsea, who will present a tougher challenge, but I do believe we can get something from the match. We always look like we’re going for the win under Pochettino.
Dembele did well when he came on. Lamela didn’t get much time on the ball but was a good option to have. United made three negative substitutions, bringing on 3 defenders. There was only one team trying to win it at the end. Our fitness really does elevate us above the rest of the Premier League in the last 15 minutes of matches.
In the first half, United pressed us well, and that led to us misplacing passes. Nearly all their chances came from free kicks that we took quickly and immediately handed back to them. Chelsea will not be so generous.
Player ratings:
Lloris: 9 Outstanding. Distribution still needs work.
Davies: 7 Growing in stature.
Vertonghen: 6 Relies to much on putting his hands on players.
Fazio: 7 Generally excellent. Mopped up everything in the air and looked a threat at the other end.
Chiriches: 5 A fish out of water but he improved in the second half.
Mason: 7 Broke up play well and constantly pushed forward. Dynamic.
Stambouli: 6 I like him. Neat and tidy. Better than Capoue.
Chadli: 6 A lovely step over trick in the first half, but doesn’t work as hard as others.
Eriksen: 6 Constantly probing but didn’t get many opportunities.
Townsend: 7 One of his best games in our shirt. Another with a lovely stepover.
Kane: 7 Tireless running. Won the ball back in difficult circumstances.
Subs.
Dembele: 7 A positive impact.
Lamela: 6 Little time on the ball.
Bring on Chelsea in 2015. COYS.
another wise spurs blog 