Spurs 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: (match report)

Spurs fell to a two-one defeat against the German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund at the lane last night in the second leg of their Europa league round of 16 tie, meaning the Lillywhites have been eliminated from the competition, having been defeated five-one on aggregate. Things didn’t start accordingly for Pochettino’s lads as the dazzling Dortmund seemed as overwhelming as ever whilst on the attack, and on 14 minutes the Germans almost opened the scoring. Mkhitarayan’s clever back heel to Reus in the box led to the winger firing a shot narrowly wide with his powerful shot hitting the side netting. A little over five minutes later Dortmund broke the deadlock after a superb goal for Aubameyang, the Gabonese international hit a sweet and powerful shot from 22 metres out which nestled perfectly in the right hand corner of the net, 1-0 Dortmund! Son almost levelled for Spurs on 41 minutes after receiving a fine pass from Ryan Mason inside the box as Son saw his effort drag wide of the left post. Shortly afterwards Dortmund almost doubled their lead after Mkhitarayan danced his way through the defence the Armenian found himself one on one with Lloris almost destined to score however, Toby Alderweireld recovered exceptionally well and blocked the Dortmund mans shot in what as good a challenge as you’ll see all season, it was a magnificent challenge from the Belgian.

Shortly before the hour mark in the second half Aubameyang almost scored a brace, after surging forward he was closing in on goal however, the Gabonese forward mishit his effort which flew harmlessly wide. The German outfit doubled their lead on 71 minutes sending the majority of the Spurs fans home in their droves, it was a brace for Aubameyang after he received a great pass from Mkhitarayan and the Dortmund striker fired the ball in to the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Lloris, 2-0 Dortmund! However it was not all doom and gloom on the night as a mere three minutes after Dortmunds second, Heung-Min Son scored a consolation goal for the Lillywhites. After pouncing on Subotic’s poor back pass the South Korean expertly rounded Weidenfeller and slotted home to make it 2-1 on the night and to restore some pride into the tie. Although it was not to be anymore than a consolation goal as the match finished 2-1 to Dortmund on the night and 5-1 on aggregate to the world class German outfit. There’s no time to reflect on our elimination as we face Bourenmouth in a massive premier league tie at the lane on Sunday. COYS⚽️

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c), Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies (Rose 13), Dier, Mason, Lamela (Onomah 74), Alli (Carroll 69), Chadli, Son. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Kane.

Spurs 2-0 Aston Villa: (Match report)

The lads dissolved any memory of Thursday’s heart rending display with a glorious two, nil win against Aston Villa earlier this afternoon, as Pochettino’s men march on positively in their quest for the league title. The game was only four minutes old when Harry Kane almost took the lead, the 22 year old received a fine pass from Lamela and on the edge of the box Kane went for glory and his effort was mighty close as it clipped the crossbar leaving Guzan stunned in the Villa nets. 20 minutes afterwards Kane again went close to breaking the deadlock, after creating himself some space in the oppositions box Kane launched a powerful low drive which was thwarted excellently wide by Guzan. Kane was again desperately unlucky two minutes afterwards, he embarked on a searching run wrong footing the Villa defence only to have his shot saved by Guzan in between the villa sticks. The Spurs faithful must have been thinking it wasn’t going to be our day as the lilywhites just couldn’t make the net bulge. Half an hour in Lamela hit the woodwork after shooting first time from point blank range, the Argentine’s effort could only rattle the right hand post. However just before the referee Anthony Taylor was about to bring the first half proceedings to an end, Spurs broke the deadlock. After being played in by the intelligent Alli, Kane rolled the ball past the helpless Guzan to give the Lillywhites the lead, 1-0 Spurs!

The second half begun to an almighty roar generated from the Spurs faithful in the away end, as three minutes in Spurs had doubled their lead. Harry Kane had got his second of the game courtesy of a wonderful individual assist from Alli as the teenager released a perfectly weighted ball to the feet of Kane in the Villa box, and Kane needed no second chance as he stabbed home his 19th league goal of the season, 2-0 Spurs! On 75 minutes Erik Lamela almost sealed victory after picking up a pass in the box Lamela created some space for a shot. However the Argentina internationals effort was deflected narrowly wide of the post, leaving Guzan stationary and relieved. The lads became complacent near the end as Villa hit the woodwork on three separate occasions as they looked to spare their blushes. The first occasion was with five minutes remaining as Ayew carved his way through our defence before hitting a searing effort against the left post rebounding in to the path of the towering Gestede who thumped the ball against the crossbar. The final scare for Spurs came just before the 90 as an unmarked Joleon Lescott hit the post after being picked out from the resulting corner, another let off for the lads late on.

However we were victorious on the day as we ran out 2-0 winners in a game we were heavily expected to triumph in. We faired well against the pressure and bounced back brilliantly after Thursday weeks heartache, Dele Alli was key to our victory as I predicted in my preview. The 19 year old got two assists as he was creatively exceptional, as was Harry Kane who’s clinical finishing was superb. The Spurs icon now has 19 goals in the league this season. On a defensive note I thought Kyle Walker’s fantastically rounded performance deserved great credit! The right back was immense through out and didn’t step out of line once. It was another great team performance from a team who are trying to carve their name on English footballs premier trophy. COYS⚽️

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele; Lamela (Chadli 89), Alli (Mason 86), Eriksen (Carroll 78); Kane. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Son.

Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Spurs: (Match report)

Our lads were defeated by Borussia Dortmund 3-0 yesterday evening at the Westfalenstadion in what was a hugely one sided affair, as the German heavyweights dismantled our young side with their technical brilliance and poetical skill. It was Die Borussen who started the match with a flourish as they dictated the tempo from the moment go as they overwhelmed us with their artistry both on and off the pitch as their fans showcased the spectacle that is the yellow wall. Dortmund almost took an early lead on seven minutes as Erik Durm received a good pass inside the box and the German decided to let fly. However, the German internationals shot flashed agonisingly wide of the right post. Dortmund again went close five minutes afterwards as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a close range effort narrowly over the crossbar. The bombardment of chances that Dortmund were creating didn’t slow down in the preceding minutes and on 14 minutes Lloris was forced into making a fine save. The Armenian international Mkhitarayan hit a thumping effort from 25 metres out, and the alert Lloris was forced into making an excellent reflex save as the ball fell to the instinctive Aubameyang who managed to put the ball in to the back of the net. However the Gabonese international was ruled offside.

The struggling Lillywhites were unable to hold on and on the half hour mark the deadlock was broken by none over than Aubameyang. The forever threatening striker got on the end of Schmelzer’s wonderful cross and the Gabon international planted a header of exceptional precision in to the bottom right hand corner of the net, 1-0 Dortmund! We were unable to create any clear cut chances in the remaining minutes of the first half, and the lads walked down the tunnel at half time evidently relieved that it wasn’t three or four goals more to Dortmund as we were overwhelmed by their explosiveness in the first 45. The second half begun as similarly disappointing as the first for Pochetinno’s men as Dortmund almost doubled their lead. Aubameyang one on one with Lloris seemed destined to score, however his chipped effort went just wide as It fell at an awkward angle to Gonzalo Castro as he smashed the post. Spurs were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty shortly after as the skilful son was brought down forcefully in the Dortmund box by Bender. However the beautiful football that Dortmund played in the minutes after was some of the best seen in Europe all season, and on 61 minutes they reaped their rewards. Nevan Subotic knocked a deft header down to Marco Reus, and the extremely talented winger fired Dortmund into a two goal lead as he expertly volleyed the ball in to the roof of the net, 2-0 Dortmund!

Things went from bad to worse for our lads as less than 10 minutes after grabbing his first, Reus scored his second to make it three for Dortmund. The winger received a perfectly weighted cross inside the box and the German coolly slotted the ball with a side footed volley past the helpless Lloris, 3-0 to Dortmund. There were to be no more clear cut chances for either side in the remaining minutes as Dortmund won the match three nil on the night to send our lads home bitterly disappointed. It was an extremely dispiriting night for the Spurs fans as we had witnessed our high flying men be destroyed by a much better side, we were carved open from the start as Pochettino’s weakened side were unable to get a grasp on the game. Despite from an abundance of negativity that will be voiced by some fans from this game there were positives that should be highlighted. The defeat didn’t come down to a host of poor individual performances, it in fact came down to the fact that we lacked the steel and shape of a team that could deal with the tactically flawless Dortmund.

Pochettino’s selection was rightfully questioned and scrutinised by the fans as it was a much weakened side, we missed Dier’s tenaciousness in the midfield as well as Kane’s instinct and threat up front. However Alderweireld played extremely well despite the scoreline, the Belgian was omnipresent his individual performance was incredible and he was the reason that Dortmund didn’t score more. Lamela also showed great passion and hunger when he came on later in the match as did Onomah. However we are left with a humongous task next Thursday at the lane and if we are to gain anything from that match, we will need to field our strongest 11 and Dier and Dembele will be key to the scoreline in that match as well as the atmosphere generated from the White Hart lane faithful. COYS⚽️

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason; Onomah, Eriksen (Lamela 65), Son (Kane 76); Chadli (Dembele 57). Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Walker, Bentaleb.

It has just been officially announced that Spurs starlet Harry Winks has signed a new contract which will keep him at Spurs until 2019. The youngster from Hemel Hempstead is clearly a massive part of Pochettino’s plan as he looks to build a young squad for years to come, it is the second contract the 20 year old has signed in less than a year, after he signed one last summer along with Onomah who also was rewarded with another contract not that long ago. The talented England under 20 midfielder has made a handful of appearances this season and will be hoping to get some more game time in the coming weeks. This is great news for all associated with the club as the talented Winks is one of our best youth prospects.