Nuno Espirito Santo must be enjoying his time in North London already as his team continued their perfect, unblemished start to the 2021/2021 campaign with another victory at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Heung-Min Son again, getting on the scoresheet as Spurs kept their third clean sheet of the campaign and in the first three games. The first time in the club's history that they have won all three opening games without conceding.
Watford, who were looking to get their first win over Spurs since 2018 will now have to wait longer, perhaps, in the return leg at Vicarage Road.
Harry Kane returned to start his first Premier League game after a turbulent summer about his future, with the striker announcing that he'd be staying at Spurs for this season.
It didn't take him long to give the fans a taste of what he brings to the team as there were shouts for a penalty in the first 60 seconds, when the England captain tried to turn and was barged in on by Oghenekaro Etebo. The referee waived it away as the contact looked too soft.
Spurs were not deterred and kept pushing. Another chance surfaced in the 13th minute. A good work from Japhet Tanganga down the right side saw him lift a cross from the byline, which was missed by Dele Alli, but fell to Steven Bergwijn. The Dutchman couldn't manage his effort on target.
Tanganga himself got into a bit of the action seven minutes later. A corner into the area was flicked at the near post by Eric Dier. With the attempt blocked, the ball fell to Tanganga, who fired towards goal, but Daniel Bachman had made himself big enough to deny the defender.
With the interval lurking, Tottenham finally took the lead. A well-whipped free kick from Son which looked like a cross to be attacked, was missed by all and it was too late when Bachmann reacted as the ball had found its way into the net.
Kane was not having his day as he got into the referee's book for a lazy challenge on Ismaila Sarr, after Etebo had earlier been booked for a challenge on him, in what looked rather like a slip from the Nigerian.
The start of the second half saw Watford forced into a change as Craig Cathcart was treated for an injury and could no longer continue. He was replaced by former West Ham youth player, Jeremy Ngakia.
Watford, with their first chance at goal having not tested Hugo Lloris in the game, broke down the wing, with former Spurs man, Moussa Sissoko putting in a fine run and getting a cross back in to Sarr from the byline. A timely tackle by Davidson Sanchez ensured that Lloris could gather the ball easily. Sissoko was treated to a warm reception and ovation, especially by the Spurs fans when he was replaced late on by Tom Cleverly.
In search of their second of the game, the hosts caught Watford on the break, with Son releasing Kane, who found Alli in the penalty area. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Alli managed to put his effort wide. That should really have been a goal.
Spurs' second goal almost came from another free kick in the 73rd minute, this time, it was Pierre Emile-Hojberg from about 30 yards out, whose free kick was deflected to send Bachmann the wrong way, but the Austrian stopper reacted quickly to adjust his legs and make a wonderful save.
It just felt like it was not to be Kane's day as he missed two late chances in the space of 60 seconds. First, Lucas Moura found him in the area with a cross, which was slightly deflected by William Troost Ekong and caught Kane unaware. This was followed by Watford failing to clear a corner, with the ball perfectly set for Kane. Bachman was once again alert to make a superb save and deny Kane his first league goal of the season from the half volley as Spurs gladly took the three points nonetheless.
Concluding Thoughts
Spurs will be happy with how they have started the season, not even with their North London rivals sitting rock bottom of the league after their worst start in 67 years.
It may be too early to start any prediction for Spurs as they started last season in almost a similar fashion, only to throw it away mid-season, but they sure looked good to pose a challenge.
Watford should take the defeat with their heads held high after getting four points in their first two games. They may never have expected a better start to the season.
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