Spurs 4-0 Stoke: (match report)

Tottenham Hotspur produced yet another stunning performance as they defeated Stoke city in spectacular fashion winning four nil on the night, meaning that the Lillywhites have now cut Leicester’s lead at the top to just five points. Mauricio Pochettino’s men started with a flourish to their game as they attacked with great passion from the offing, with top scorer Harry Kane coming close seven minutes in. Kane went for goal from inside the box after controlling the ball with a fine touch, Kane unleashed a shot which Stoke city goalkeeper Shay Given held well. A mere two minutes after his first chance Harry Kane had another, and this time he was deadly breaking the deadlock with just nine minutes gone. After receiving a pass from Dembele Kane broke the deadlock with a wonderful solo effort, as from just outside the Stoke area Kane curled the ball wonderfully beyond the helpless Given, into the bottom right hand corner of the net, to give the Lillywhites an early lead. In the half hour that followed Kane’s opener, Spurs played tremendous attacking football with a panache about their game as they fluently moved the ball about, frightening the Stoke eleven.

Christian Eriksen came desperately close to doubling Spur’s lead just before half time, after Eriksen latched on to a wonderful through ball by Dele Alli, the Dane one on one with Given fired an effort which hit the upright, as the score somehow stayed only one nil to Spurs at the interval. Spurs started the second half with the same attacking flare and hunger in which they had demonstrated in the first and Erik Lamela came close to scoring just before the hour mark. The Argentine from an almost improbable angle inside the box fired an effort at goal, which was thwarted well by the experienced Given. Ten minutes after Lamela’s chance Spurs took the lead in scintillating fashion after Eriksen hit a defence splitting pass through to Dele Alli who had the goal at his mercy, and the 20 year old put a delightful chip over Given to double Spurs’s lead. Alli so nearly scored a brace minutes afterwards as the skilful Alli found his way through the defence before rounding Given. However, with the goal gaping at his mercy the young Alli miscued his effort which devastatingly clipped the outside of the post, before heading out of play. Although Spurs again were only looking forward to extending their lead and less than a minute later Spurs got their third through Harry Kane.

The ever threatening Kane slotted the ball home from close range after being played through from Lamela on the Tottenham break. Things got even better for Spurs a little over ten minutes after Harry Kane netted his 24th league goal of the season, as Dele Alli scored a brace after being found by a perfectly weighted chipped pass by Eriksen in the box, the highly skilful Alli scored a wonderful first time volley which nestled perfectly in the bottom right hand corner of Stoke’s net. Erik Lamela almost capped of an outstanding individual performance with a goal in stoppage time after he found his way through the potters defence, the Argentine sent his effort narrowly over the crossbar. Full time at the Britannia, Spurs 4-0 Stoke a game in which Spurs played total football as they remarkably thrashed Stoke with an almost poetic quality to their game, as they look to do the unthinkable and topple the foxes at the top of the table with just four games remaining. COYS⚽️

Additional notes: Spurs included the whole team as an option to vote for on their poll on Twitter and it was a fitting tribute to an exceptional team performance, every single player played remarkably. The tenacious defensive pairing of Alderweireld and Vertonghen proved remarkably efficient in stopping the menacing Arnautović, whilst the two full backs were equally remarkable as they defensively and offensively surged the flanks. Erik Lamela again produced another world class display his creativity and knowledge of the game proved to be an imperative part of Spurs’s victory, with the Argentinian winger almost getting an assist on the night. Christian Eriksen also had another fantastic match as the Spurs star was relentless on the right wing with his excellent passes the Dane accumulated two assists to take his league tally to 13 assists in the current campaign. Another star who was unlucky not to bag a hat-trick was Dele Alli who exhibited his extraordinary maturity with an excellent display, the attacking midfielder scored two goals on the night taking him to double figures in the league. Finally Harry Kane proved yet again why he is the best striker in England as he put in an exceptionally rounded display as he scored a brace taking his league tally to an outstanding 24 league goals.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele (Mason 87), Dier; Lamela (Son 90), Eriksen, Alli (Chadli 84); Kane. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Wimmer.
Goals: Spurs – Kane 9, 71, Alli 67, 82.

Spurs 3-0 Manchester United:(match report)

Tottenham Hotspur were involved in a thrilling victory at White Hart lane yesterday afternoon as they saw off Manchester United at White Hart Lane for the first time in 14 seasons, as Mauricio Pochettino’s men won by three goals to nil. The first half started in uninspiring fashion due to the Red Devils defensive game plan, Van Gaal’s side halted nearly any creativity produced from the Lillywhites as they choked us with their high line and defensive duals through out the field of play. However, the one chance of note in the first half came just before the half hour mark as Erik Lamela headed a fraction wide of the left post, after being found well by a Christian Eriksen pass which was played in perfectly by the Dane, Lamela from close range got his angles wrong as his headed effort went out for a goal kick. The game changed considerably in the second half as Spurs started with an attacking flair and they went close shortly after the restart through Eriksen who danced his way past two defenders before firing an effort from just outside the box, his shot was well saved from the alert De Gea. De Gea again produced a fine save shortly afterwards after Eric Dier let fly from distance and the Spaniard was forced into action to pull of a good save to deny Dier.

Man united’s best chance of the game came just past the hour mark, via a fine piece of skill from Anthony Martial who criss crossed through the Spurs Defence before firing an effort from close range straight at Lloris in the Tottenham net. However our captain dealt well with his fellow internationals effort as he palmed it away from danger. Tottenham’s patience finally paid off 70 minutes in as Dele Alli started off a sensational six minute goal rush for the Lillywhites after he received a perfectly measured cross from Eriksen on the left wing and Alli confidently slotted home from close range to beat David De Gea and put Spurs one up. Four minutes later Spurs doubled their lead through Toby Alderweireld, the Belgian got on the end of Erik Lamela’s cross from the resulting free kick and the central defender rose high to plant his header perfectly in to the bottom right hand corner of the net. Erik Lamela sent the Spurs fans jumping for joy two minutes afterwards as he struck Spurs’s third of the game after receiving a low cross from Rose, the Argentine sweetly placed the ball first time in the bottom left hand corner of the net in what was a superb goal to put the game out of sight for Man United.

Within less than six minutes Spurs crushed man united with their wonderfully executed attacking prowess and Pochettino’s men almost got a fourth through Harry Kane on 79 minutes, Kane’s headed effort came after a fine Lamela free kick and the England international was desperately unlucky not to get on the score sheet as De Gea pulled off a wonderful save to tip the ball over the bar. The final score in this thrilling match, Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Manchester United as Pochettino’s men keep the title race open for at least another week. COYS⚽️

Additional notes: Erik Lamela was my man of the match, the Argentine worked exceptionally hard as he covered more ground than any one on the pitch and his hard work paid off for he got an assist and a goal in yesterday’s thrilling match. Furthermore, Christan put in another exceptional performance as his creativity helped win us the match, the Denmark international also got an assist after setting up the first goal. Another key performer was Toby Alderweireld who’s dominant and impressive display in the centre of defence was excellent, and the Belgian also scored the second goal to put the distance between us and Man United.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Dier, Dembele, Lamela (Chadli 87), Alli (Mason 90+2), Eriksen, Kane (Son 89). Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Carroll.

Spurs 1-1 Liverpool: (match report)

Pochettino’s men drew one all with Liverpool today at Anfield in a match that many had billed as a must win fixture as Spurs challenge for the league title. However, the lads battled so very hard for the point and put in maximum effort as they beseeched a victory. Although a draw was all the 11 men of Tottenham could manage, as it takes them one point closer to league leaders Leicester, who face Southampton tomorrow afternoon in a game that every Spurs fan will be rooting for the south coast club. Both teams started the first 25 minutes of the match with a high attacking tempo however, the first chance for either side came on 26 minutes. After Harry Kane was found in space, the centre forward spurred forward into the penalty area before unleashing a low shot, which flew narrowly wide of the left post. A mere ten minutes after Tottenham’s best chance of the game, Liverpool created their own after Sturridge received the ball in the Tottenham penalty area, and the England international struck the ball early as his effort was powered straight at Lloris who thwarted the ball comfortably wide. Liverpool again went close two minutes later, this time through Adam Lallana who went for goal after receiving a pass inside the box and Lallana’s effort almost dumbfounded the Frenchman. However, Lloris got down to make a fine save as he palmed the ball away from the danger zone.

It was a disastrous start to the second half for Spurs as they were carved open on 51 minutes after Daniel Sturridge found the unmarked Philippe Coutinho who stroked the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net, 1-0 to Liverpool! Son-Heung Min almost levelled for the Lillywhites on 58 minutes, after receiving a wonderful pass from Dier as the South Korea international volleyed agonisingly wide of Simon Mignolet’s left post. However, Spurs finally got level five minutes after Son’s chance after Harry Kane scored a spectacular goal. Kane received a pass from Eriksen after he raced to get to the ball before it crossed the byline and passed to Kane from inside the box who swivelled and from an extremely acute angle fired the ball fantastically beyond the reach of Mignolet and into bottom right hand corner of the net, Kane had no right to score from there, 1-1 the score. Christian Eriksen almost put the Spurs fans into delirium, as three minutes later the Dane was in space and hit a low and hard shot which forced Mignolet into making a fine save, as the Belgian stopped it from going in past the left post.

The game became almost an end to end encounter in the following minutes after Coutinho almost put Liverpool back in to the lead on 70 minutes as he fired an effort from a tight angle, the Brazilian saw his shot fly a whisker wide of Hugo Lloris’s right post. Furthermore, the Brazilian almost won the game for the Merseyside club on 85 minutes, after Coutinho got on the end of a cross and the Liverpool man made some space before firing just wide of the left post. The final score at Anfield, Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Liverpool in a game that showcased our pedigree and tenacity on the field. However, at the end one can fairly summarise with a degree of disappointment that a draw was the fair result, as for now all Spurs eyes are cast on a Leicester slip up tomorrow afternoon at the King Power stadium as they host Leicester. COYS⚽️

Additional notes: Harry Kane was one of our finest performers on the field of play this afternoon as he showed exactly why he is the best striker in England as he netted his 22nd of the league campaign, although despite his wonderful goal Kane was again omnipresent on the pitch as he pressurised the opposition with great effectiveness and the Tottenham mans eagerness to defend, attack and score was one of the key reasons why we got a point today. In addition Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele bossed the midfield with their great tenacity and defensive instinct also the partnership of Kevin Wimmer and Toby Alderweireld again produced another superb defensive display. On the other hand Klopp’s men marked Alli throughout as he was unable despite his best efforts to imprint himself on the game. Another key performer was our captain Hugo Lloris who pulled of a variety of excellent saves, six in total as he again helped us keep our point.

Spurs international player reports: Saturday

DeAndre Yedlin: Our young American full back DeAndre Yedlin who is currently on loan at Sunderland played the full 90 minutes of the USA’s surprise 2-0 defeat to Guatemala. Yedlin played the entirety of the match at right back, the match was part of the USA’s World Cup qualification campaign.

Kevin Wimmer: Our key performer at centre back, Kevin Wimmer was in action yesterday for Austria. Wimmer played the whole of the second half as Austria saw off Albania 2-1 in an international friendly.

Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker: It was a match of sheer ecstasy for our fantastic four, as four of our five lads played in last nights victory as England phenomenally beat Germany 3-2 in an exhibition match in the German capital. Danny Rose completed the whole of the match at left back and it was a proud day for the Yorkshire man, as he made his debut for the three lions. Furthermore, Rose marked this special occasion in spectacular fashion, as he put in an outstanding performance at left back with Rose playing incredibly in the defence. Hence Rose was awarded Vauxhall man of the match for his excellent display. It was similarly a match to remember for Eric Dier, the 22 year old was dominant in the midfield with his superb defensive efficiency and it was the man from Cheltenham who sealed England’s fine comeback at the last, as Dier’s bullet header from the resulting corner made it 3-2 to England to capp of a marvellous night for the three lions.

Our young star Dele Alli also played extremely well in Berlin, the 19 year old wonder kid showcased his astounding midfield prowess as he contributed excellently to both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. In addition Alli once again wowed the crowd with another trademark nutmeg, on Emre Can. Harry Kane also played very well last night, Kane triggered the comback with an excellent individual goal to make it 2-1, as Kane fittingly done a Cruyff turn inside the box before firing an excellent finish beyond the reach of Manuel Neuer. However, our right back Kyle Walker was an unused substitute in last nights match.

For those wanting to watch the highlights from last nights match between England and Germany, please visit the below link.

http://www.itv.com/hub/international-football-highlights-england/2a3642a0006

Spurs international player reports: Wednesday and Thursday

Ben Davies: Davies wasn’t in Wales match day squad for the friendly match against Northern Ireland last night. The Welshman’s absence is most likely down to his recent concussion in which the left back suffered whilst playing against Dortmund last Thursday at the lane.

Christian Eriksen: Eriksen had a fine match for the Danish national side last night as they faced Iceland in an exhibition match. Eriksen played 62 minutes of Denmark’s 2-1 victory over Iceland, and the Spurs star got an assist after setting up Nicolai Jørgensen’s second goal of the game. The Dane’s superb assist can be viewed on the link provided below.

Erik Lamela: Our Argentine winger, Erik Lamela was an unused substitute in Argentina’s 2-1 victory over Chile in a South American World Cup qualification match, last night.

Hugo Lloris: Our captain Hugo Lloris was an unused substitute in France’s 3-2 victory over the Netherlands this evening. Lloris was likely rested for this evenings friendly, and may well start against Russia next Tuesday.