FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM – Tottenham have been up their standard methods at house in Saturday’s go to of Burnley.
It adopted the standard playbook of video games you’d count on them to win with out an excessive amount of of a fuss. Go behind because of their excessive line, frustrate the gang just a little, save the day earlier than oblivion with a late comeback.
Contemplating Spurs went into this one off the again of 4 straight losses – all in opposition to opposition they need to be making an attempt to rival – they’ll take simply getting again within the win column and firming up a spot in Europe. The way of victory was a reminder of the progress they nonetheless have to make to really problem for main honours once more.
Burnley travelled south needing a win to face any probability of Premier League survival. Even a reputable draw would not have been sufficient to maintain them up.
As such, the Clarets got here out with the intention to play, to go toe-to-toe with Spurs even after being thrashed by them earlier within the season with the same strategy.
On the flip facet, Tottenham definitely appeared a group who had taken zero factors from the final 12 accessible to them. The openings have been there due to how Burnley wanted to arrange, however the hosts have been typically caught between selections in their very own heads.
Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min have been all painfully blunt within the first half and for the beginning of the second. Behind them, James Maddison was pulling the strings in a return to type, although Tottenham’s attackers merely weren’t their most potent menace in assault.
In truth, it was right-back Pedro Porro who hauled them degree with a ferocious drive not too dissimilar to his rocket winner on this fixture within the FA Cup third spherical. Late within the day, Micky van de Ven marauded ahead and rolled the ball into the nook to seal the three factors.
On a person degree, Spurs’ beginning backline – Porro, Van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Future Udogie and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario – have all loved fantastic seasons. And but Tottenham have conceded a staggering 59 objectives. They’re an thrilling attacking group, however they ship possibilities and objectives like a fantastic artwork.
Tottenham’s final-third struggles have been massively helped by their defenders bailing them out, too – that favoured foursome have contributed a slightly spectacular 12 objectives between them. They’re extremely rated for a motive however they’re drowning in a sea of stress as a result of techniques of Ange Postecoglou and people in entrance of them not placing video games to mattress.
If Spurs are to bridge the hole to the Premier League’s title challengers, then there are two clear options to attempt to enact – signal some forwards who do not mentally freeze upon moving into the ultimate third, and adapt to make sure the gaps behind them aren’t so eye-opening.
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