What a game, what a performance, and what a way to start the weekend! Not many of us could have predicted the score line and the performance of Tottenham today, who fielded the youngest starting eleven in the Premier League this season so far. I, for one, found it hard to find faults individually with the team today, so here are the Tottenham Hotspur player ratings, and if you don’t agree with any ratings, remember to let us know.
Hugo Lloris- 7
As I noted in “Three key players for Spurs against Manchester City”, Lloris was very important in our victory today. He kept the defense solid, and when he was called upon at set pieces and even with shot stopping, he dealt with it with ease. Not only was his performance fantastic, but his leadership at the back is providing us with some great solidity, and giving us a voice in vital areas.
Kyle Walker- 6:
Not a great performance from Walker, but not a bad one either, so I guess you can say he was above average, which is exactly what Walker needed. Despite giving the ball away prior to the City opener (I know Eriksen played a part in that too), Walker recovered and, believe it or not, actually defended well. Let’s hope that this can be a springboard.
Toby Alderweireld- 8:
Grabbing a goal, and being so solid at the back, Alderweireld is slowly looking like the best buy of the summer for Tottenham. His partnership at the back with Jan Vertonghen is superb, and Alderweireld provides Spurs with confidence in the central position. Let’s not forget that he got on the score sheet too with a rising header to give us the lead!
Jan Vertonghen-7:
Very similar to Alderweireld, Vertonghen is looking like a new player as his partnership at the back is looking superb. Calm play, combined with safe defensive play is making him look like one of the Premier League’s best. Not much more to say about these two really except from the fact this (potentially) could be the best partnership we had since King and Dawson at the back.
Ben Davies-6:
Very quiet in terms of attacking, but Davies was solid when called upon, likewise with everyone else at the back. Davies has been keeping Danny Rose out of the side, and for good reason. He may not be as attacking as Rose, but he is quality nonetheless.
Dele Alli-7:
Yet another stellar performance from the man from Milton Keynes, as he showed he can handle himself in midfield against Yaya Toure, Fernando and Fernandinho. For someone so young, he seems like he has an experienced footballing brain, but the only blot on his performance today is the fact he picked up another booking.
Eric Dier- 9: (Man of the Match)
What a change Dier has gone through this season! Expected to be frozen out of the side as the center back position was chocked full, he must have done something to give Pochettino the idea to play him at holding midfield, and he is playing magnificently. Winning tackles, breaking up play and setting the attackers off with simple and controlled passing, as well as firing home like he did today, Dier is looking superb in recent weeks, with this week being another high point for the former Lisbon man.
Erik Lamela- 8:
The Michael Owen Man of the Match, Lamela played really well today, even scoring the 4th goal, and the relief could be felt all around the stadium when you saw the smile on his face. He chased lost causes and he tried his hardest to create chances for the team, and whilst I gave the Man of the Match to Dier, I won’t argue the decision from Michael Owen (for once).
Christian Eriksen- 6:
A little bit off the pace today after starting in mid week, Eriksen could have played a lot better, but he nearly scored from his free kick which was eventually turned home by Harry Kane. He didn’t effect the game as much as he could have, but he certainly didn’t hide from the ball, and tried to create and to score. When the Dane gets to full fitness, expect to see him have a huge impact on games.
Heung Min Son- 7:
After his great start to life at Spurs, Son would have grabbed another if it wasn’t for the one time the linesman got an offside call correct. He played similarly to Lamela in terms of chasing the City players, and trying hard to get the ball forward and in the goal, but Son put his heart and Seoul into this performance (sorry, I couldn’t resist).
Harry Kane-8:
Finally, our boy got off the mark for the season, and what a feeling! He finished a hard chance following Eriksen’s free kick, but not only the goal, but the performance as a whole was great, with the attack pressing together and moving together as a unit. It was great to watch, and what was even better was seeing the face of the fans, the players, and most importantly, of Kane himself after firing home to give the 3-1 lead at the time.
