Tottenham came to important victory against one of the best teams in England Aston Villa. It didn't look good for Spurs fans in first half, but spectacular second half made them surely very happy!
You can see squads, substitutes and scorers on above picture. James Maddison was on the bench again, while Bentancur, Sarr and Kuluševski were on the pitch in the midfield while Son, Solanke and Johnson were in attack. Radu Dragušin replaced injured Van de Ven in defense.
Tottenham players were not able to make any danger in front of goal in first half a part from blocked Solanke's effort in last seconds of it. Only other promising situations were Bentancur's two efforts from outside the box which went over crossbar. On the other end Aston Villa had big chance early in the game, but Olie Watkins missed the ball on around 5 meters after escaping from Dragušin. They scored goal in 32. minute after corner. One Tottenham player I think Porro, but it might be also Bentancur touched the ball which became danger for goal, Vicario deflected it shortly and Rogers did easy tap in from very close range. There was one more dangerous situation when Watkins ran away from Romero, got half meter advantage inside the box, but his effort went wide of goal. Home fans did boo on half time.
It looked like entire different squad with completely different mindset went out in second half. There is meta physic and philosophical debate can something be made out of nothing and we've got answer on that in 48. minute of this game. Creator was Son Heung-min who made world class, spectacular, sublime, pure quality cross from wing despite he had two players in front. Ball went on other post where was Johnson who started hopefully new line of consecutive goals with tap in from close range!
Soon after man of the match Dominic "DOM" Solanke had opportunity, but his cunning shot has been saved by Martinez! Romero got injured and Ben Davies came in and a lot of fans including myself believed that's it, Watkins will escape from him and score and that will be it! How wrong we were! Also Ange made strange decision to replace Son with Richarlison. Son didn't look happy about it. He clearly thought he should play more in this game. If you ask me he just became unplayable for Villa players and his coach replaced him!
Aston Villa had one dangerous shot from inside the box, but ball went wide of goal and that's all what they did in second half. Then the most important thing in the game happen. Aston Villa players passed toward Watkins, he tried to escape from Davies, but Welshman took the ball and sent in forward toward Sarr. Then we saw sublime piece of play of Porro and Kuluševski on short space and Swede sent cunning pass right toward Solanke who did run inside. Dom was alone in front of Martinez and made superb chip over him for 2:1! It could easily be 1:2 if Ben Davies didn't get that ball! Don't let this go under radar! Kuluševski pass was really clever, unexpected and fast!
Aston Villa entered into Tottenham goal machine! Soon after they tried to pass, but excellent Pape Sarr intercepted ball and started great counter attack, Richarlison did follow that on left, got ball in right moment, sent great pass through legs of Aston Villa defender toward Dom who did tap in with his left foot for 3:1 and crowing of Roosters could start on N17! Richarlison soon left the game because of injury. Let's hope it's not long term just like we should hope Romero's isn't long term.
Ange then put Gray, Moore and Maddison in play. Referees decided to add 10 minutes to this game and we should thank them for that, because in 95th minute we saw pure master craft of James Maddison and something what was missing on N17 for so long time and it's fantastic goal from free kick! Man of the match Solanke was fouled on around 17 meters of goal and master Maddison sent ball near the place where post and crossbar connects! Spectacular goal! Well done!
This was superb second half. Well done to players, staff and everyone involved. This was serious opponent with the strongest team and we won them with goal margin like this! Really great performance in second half! It was very serious football and I am very pleased with what I've seen in second half. Dominic Solanke took well deserved man of the match award. I am happy this pressing machine scored goals and hope those 2 are only the beginning of what he is going to do this season! One more player deserve special mention and it's Pape Matar Sarr who made 13 (!!) interceptions during the game!
SpursSongSheet publish fans singing: du-du-du Dom Solanke:
https://x.com/i/status/1853189804701425770
Well done!
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