Spurs 1-2 Monaco: (match report)

Spurs kicked off their Champions league campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Monaco in front of a club record 85,000 strong crowd at Wembley stadium on Tuesday evening. It was a highly disappointing result for the Lillywhites as Monaco frustrated Pochettino’s side from the minute go, the well structured French side were incredibly solid and despite the lads best efforts we just couldn’t find the all important equaliser. We started the game encouragingly in the opening minutes and shortly before 10 minutes we almost took an early through Son, after the South Korean international latched on to a pass inside the box before unleashing a shot which was deflected away on the line by a Moncao defender. However, just six minutes later the Ligue 1 side stunned the Lillywhites by taking the lead through Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese winger went on a darting run before cutting inside Vertonghen and firing the ball past Lloris and into the top left hand corner of the net. Lamela almost made an instant reply for Spurs two minutes later after the Argentine struck a fine effort from the edge of the box which was heading for the bottom left hand corner of the net, though Danijel Subasic denied Lamela with a good save.

The crowd were shocked on the half hour mark as Monaco doubled their lead through substitute Thomas Lemar, after the unmarked youngster got on to the rebound in the area following a save from Lloris and the Frenchman fired the ball superbly into the top of the net to double the visitors advantage. Our effort and attacking prowess finally paid off as in stoppage of the first half the Lillywhites got a goal back through Toby Alderweireld. Following the resulting corner from Lamela, Alderweireld rose high to plant a powerful header into the back of the net to give us great hope at the interval. The lads started the second half well and went close to getting level on the 48th minute after Dele Alli hit a testing effort from outside the box but Subasic tipped Alli’s powerful effort over the crossbar. In the minutes that followed the lads just couldn’t get past a stubborn Monaco side and despite everything Spurs threw at them, the French side continually found a way to deny us. Of all the chances Spurs had in the second half their best of all came to Harry Kane in the 79th minute. Following some good work from Janssen, the Dutchman set up Kane who inside the box seemed destined to get the equaliser but Kane powered his shot straight in to the arms of Subasic It was a disappointing end to a historic night, I believe that playing at Wembley affected our performance and style of play. Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle who was on ITV on Thursday spoke of the difficulty that Spurs face in containing their opponents in regards to their high pressing style of play. Despite the result I am still confident that we will adjust to the 90,000 capacity stadium and I also believe that we will top the group. Pochettino’s lads go again on Sunday as they face Sunderland at the Lane.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier (Sissoko 81), Alli; Lamela (Janssen 71), Eriksen, Son (Dembele 46); Kane. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Wanyama.
Monaco (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Raggi, Glik, Jemerson, Sidibe; Bakayoko, Fabinho; Dirar (Lemar 5), Moutinho, Silva; Falcao (c, Germain 81). Substitutes (not used): De Sanctis, Traore, Jean, Diallo, Toure.

Goals: Spurs – Alderweireld 45; Monaco – Silva 15, Lemar 31.
Yellow cards: Spurs – Kane; Monaco – Glik, Fabinho.

Spurs put 6 past Inter Milan in excellent pre season performance in Norway:

This afternoon Spurs put in an exceptional performance in their final pre season match before the start of the season, with Pochettino’s side defeating Italian side Inter Milan 6-1. Spurs took the lead just five minutes in after a penalty was awarded following a foul on Kyle Walker in the penalty area, Harry Kane sent a thumping shot past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 to the Lillywhites. However, Roberto Mancini’s side equalised on 24 minutes through Ivan Perisic, after the Croatian was picked out by Banega on the left wing before darting past Walker and firing inside Vorm’s near post to make it one all. Shortly before half time Mauricio Pochettino’s side regained the lead after Erik Lamela scored an absolutely sensational goal. The Argentine was picked out by Kane and with space Lamela curled a wonderful shot into the top hand corner of the net from 25 yards out leaving Handanovic helpless. We started the second half just as well as we had started the first and we were rewarded seven minutes in through Dele Alli who got Spurs’s third of the game. Dele Alli played a quick one two with Janssen in the box before tucking the ball with great precision and pace in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

A mere five minutes later Harry Kane grabbed his second of the game to make it 4-1 to Spurs, Kane was found by Lamela before shifting the ball onto his right foot from just inside the area before hitting a wonderfully powerful finish which flew in to the back of the net. Janssen got his first goal for Spurs soon after, after the highly impressive Dutchman was played through in the area by Alli who had danced his way past Inter’s defence and a composed Janssen hit an accurate finish to make it five for Spurs. Our final goal of the game came through 19 year old Shayon Harrison who got his first goal for Spurs, after some great hold up play from Janssen the forward passed to Lamela who crossed in to Harrison from right before the youngster tapped home to make it Spurs 6-1 Inter Milan. We couldn’t have asked for a better performance ahead of next weeks opener against Everton our side was simply exceptional in every aspect, every player was extremely impressive. One thing is for certain we will be a better, stronger and more potent side ahead of the upcoming league season. COYS⚽️

Spurs: Vorm (Lloris 46), Walker (Trippier 46), Alderweireld, Carter-Vickers, Rose (Davies 46); Mason (Winks 46), Dier (Amos 85); Lamela (Edwards 81), Alli (Harrison 76), Eriksen (Janssen 46); Kane (Carroll 62). Substitutes (not used): McGee, Walkes,Wimmer.
Inter: Handanovic; Ansaldi (Erkin 60), Miranda (Yao 75), Murillo (Ranocchia 75), D’Ambrosio; Brozovic (Melo 60), Kondogbia; Biabiany, Banega (Jovetic 60), Perisic (Nagatomo 60); Icardi (Bessa 75). Substitutes (not used): Carrizo, Berni, Palacio.
Goals: Spurs – Kane penalty 5, 57, Lamela 40, Alli 52, Janssen 65, Harrison 77; Inter – Perisic 23.

Spurs 1-2 Juventus: (match report)

Spurs played their first official pre season match of the season this morning, after they narrowly lost 2-1 to Italian champions Juventus in their first match of the international champions cup in Melbourne. A youthful side, Spurs found it hard to contain the Bianconeri in the opening minutes of the game and the Italian sides class showed after they took the lead in the fifth minute through striker Paulo Dybala. The goal came about after young defender Dominic Ball Lost possession near the half way line with Juventus capitalising on his error as they surged forward through Roberto Pereyra who played through Dybala who expertly slotted home from with in side the box. Dybala almost doubled Juventus lead shortly afterwards after the Argentine latched onto a loose ball before volleying at the Spurs net. However, Michel Vorm denied Dybala with a fine save to thwart the strikers effort. Juventus doubled their lead shortly after Dybala’s chance through defender Medhi Benatia who got on the end of a wonderful first time ball in to the box from Pjanic and the Moroccan expertly despatched his header which looped high over the head of Vorm and in to the back of the net. Spurs had a penalty shout on the half hour mark after youngster Will Miller surged in to the box before being brought down by Benatia, Miller was unfortunate not to have been awarded the penalty.

Juventus had the first real chance of the second half in the 53rd minute after the ball came to Miralem Pjanic in the box however, the Bosnian international lashed the ball high over the bar from close range. Soon afterwards a good chance came the Lillywhites way after Janssen played the ball in to Lamela whose shot from 20 yards out was deflected narrowly wide of the right post. However, it was the substitute Lamela who scored for Spurs in the 67th minute after sprinting into the area the Argentine received the ball at his feet and made no mistake as he expertly tucked the ball in to the bottom right hand corner of the net. The goal had a lot to do with Wanyama’s great reading of the game after the Kenyan expertly won the ball in the middle of the park which in doing so helped create the attack. Star man Lamela almost grabbed an equaliser with less than ten minutes remaining of the game, after Shayon Harrison passed to him in the box, Lamela hit a powerful shot straight at Neto who thwarted the ball away from danger. It was almost a dramatic ending to the game for Spurs as deep in stoppage time younger Shayon Harrison went desperately close to taking the game to penalties after Lamela danced his way through the Juventus defence before playing in the young striker whose low range shot was saved well from the cat like reflexes of Neto who got down to deny Harrison a goal on his senior debut.

The final score was 2-1 to the Italian champions and although it was a pre season friendly the lads should be proud of their performance as an extremely young Spurs side were narrowly denied a draw against top class opposition. The exceptionally talented 17 year old Marcus Edwards was highly impressive when he was introduced in the second half as too were the other youngsters that played with Harrison, Miller and Amos having a fine game. Wanyama was excellent with in the midfield as he provided great steel to Spurs’s game however, my man of the match has got to be Erik Lamela whose impact on the second half was top class, with Lamela scoring as well as being an extremely potent forward throughout the second half, the winger looks in great form ahead of next season. Up next for Pochettino’s side is our final game of the international champions cup which is against Spanish side Atletico Madrid on Friday at 11:00am, i shall provide a preview for that match in the coming days. COYS⚽️

Juventus: Neto; Lirola, Benatia (Marrone 46), Rugani (Moreno 79), Alex Sandro (Coccolo 79); Lemina (Macek 79), Hernanes (Severin 79), Asamoah (Vitale 66); Pjanic (Parodi 66), Pereyra (Cerri 46); Dybala (Rosseti 79). Substitutes (not used): Audero, Del Favero, Loria, Blanco, Kastanos, Padovan.
Spurs: Vorm; Trippier (Walkes 63), Ball (Amos 79), Carter-Vickers, Miller (Yedlin 46); Mason (c, Winks 46), Wanyama; Son (Lamela 46), Carroll (Edwards 63), Chadli (Onomah 46); Janssen (Harrison 63). Substitutes (not used): McGee, Glover, Walker-Peters.
Goals: Juventus – Dybala 6, Benatia 14. Spurs – Lamela 67.
Yellow card: Juventus – Lirola 88.

Spurs beat Rotherham United  3-1 in behind closed doors friendly at Hotspur way:

This afternoon a spurs side which included both senior and development squad players defeated Rotherham United 3-1, in a behind closed doors friendly at Hotspur way. However, it was the millers that took the lead courtesy of a Danny Miller goal on 17 minutes, after an intelligent finish. Pochettino’s side pulled level on the 59th minute courtesy of Vincent Janssen’s first goal for the lillywhites. Janssen got on the end of Trippier’s low cross before smartly slotting home. Our talented young forward Shayon Harrison put spurs ahead on the 82nd minute after the youngster converted from close range after a good run by spurs starlet Marcus Edwards on the right wing helped create the goal. It was Edwards who confirmed our victory three minutes from time after the youngster done well to win back the ball on the byline, Edwards turned away from the nearest defender, before firing the ball high in to the net from an acute angle. It was an impressive victory for spurs with many of the youngsters impressing throughout, the players that I am aware played are as follows: Tom Glover, Kieran Trippier, Victor Wanyama, Ryan Mason, Nacer Chadli, Marcus Edwards, Shayon Harrison and Vincent Janssen. Up next for Spurs are Juventus in the international champions cup next Tuesday in Australia, some of the youngsters that played today are expected to travel.

Spurs 2-2 Chelsea: (match report)

Our title hopes were ended in dramatic fashion last night as Spurs drew two all against arch rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was a game that saw passion, pride and utter emotion from Pochettino’s men as regardless of the result they made each and every Spurs fan so proud of what the club have achieved this season. However, our draw against the blues confirmed that Leicester city were champions of the Barclays premier league. The game included much controversy as tempers boiled throughout and Spurs subsequently received 9 yellow cards, that were all picked up by different players which is the first time that has occurred since the premier leagues inception in 1992, this remarkable statistic indicates how heated and passionate a derby it was. The game started with a great intensity from both sides as both were well set up and looking to pounce on one another’s errors. Danny Rose went close eleven minutes in after the full back let fly from 25 metres out, Rose’s effort flew narrowly wide of the angle. Cesc Fàbregas went the closest for the blues shortly after 25 minutes, after the spaniard shot narrowly wide after receiving a pass on the edge of the box, Fàbregas hit a low effort which went agonisingly wide of the left post.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men took the lead less than ten minutes later with a beautifully worked goal, after Érik Lamela showcased his great vision after the Argentine played through Harry Kane who one on one, calmly jinked past Begović in the Chelsea net before slotting the ball in to the back of the net. Lamela almost scored five minutes later after the winger ran into to the box, Lamela hit a fine effort on goal after receiving a well measured cross from Kyle Walker. However, Gary Cahill made a vital block to deny Lamela from doubling our lead. However, it wasn’t to matter for Spurs as less than five minutes after Lamela’s opportunity Spurs doubled their lead through Son Heung-min. The South Korean international latched on to Eriksen’s through ball before firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The Lillywhites almost made the perfect start to the second half as on 54 minutes Son came desperately close to getting Spurs’s third, after he curled an effort narrowly wide of the left post from the edge of the box. The blues pulled one back a few minutes later after an unmarked Gary Cahill fired the ball beyond the helpless Lloris, as he saw his effort nestle into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

(Son pictured below doubling Tottenhams lead in the first half)

With less than 15 minutes remaining the newly introduced Ryan Mason almost made the headlines after the 24 year old received a pass just outside the area before side footing an effort towards the centre of the goal, which Begović saved well. Our title hopes dissipated on the 83rd minute through Eden Hazard, after the Belgian who was assisted by Diego Costa, curled a wonderfully accurate effort into the top right hand corner of the net. The Spurs players were visibly devastated at the full time whistle and so too were the fans, some unpleasant skirmishes occurred down the tunnel at the end between the Spurs players and staff and the Chelsea players and staff. However, we must remain upbeat for the Southampton match as we look to round off a magnificent season by finishing in second position. Let’s roar on the players for next weeks match against the saints, so we can show our appreciation for has been one of the best league campaigns in Tottenham Hotspur’s history. COYS⚽️

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic (Oscar 77); Willian, Fabregas, Pedro (Hazard 46); Costa. Substitutes (not used): Amelia, Baba, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Traore.
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Walker, Alderweireld (Chadli 90+1), Vertonghen, Rose (Davies 82); Dembele, Dier; Son (Mason 64), Eriksen, Lamela; Kane. Substitutes (not used):  Vorm, Wimmer, Carroll, Clinton.
Goals: Chelsea – Cahill 58, Hazard 83. Spurs – Kane 35, Son 44.