Spurs show they’re more than a one trick pony

There is a is a common misconception about Tottenham that they are just a one man show with Harry Kane usually claiming all the plaudits in the headlines, yet on Wednesday against, second placed, Manchester United the north Londoners showed there is more to them than just their star striker.

Spurs wasted no time in taking the lead with Christian Eriksen scoring only after eleven seconds, what came after that provided a statement to the sides above them: “Underestimate us at your own peril”. Spurs were excellent in the face of United’s reply after the first goal and were resolute in their defence. Once the game had settled that’s when the real Spurs came out.

In the big games its usually the smallest things which decide these fixtures, and one of those namely being the one-on-one duels in key areas the pitch. Spurs’ right hand side proved to be one of those areas as Kieran Trippier won out against new signing Alexis Sanchez and exposed the Chilean’s defending (or lack thereof). On several occasions the Spurs full back found joy down the touchline with the ample space provided to him by Sanchez’s reluctance to track back and help out Ashley Young. Unfortunately for United one of those occasions proved to be key in deciding the game with Trippier supplying the cross which lead to Phil Jones’ own goal.

In the second half Spurs bossed proceedings as United switched off and all together looked to have given up. The Spurs midfield in particular, gained the upper hand as they neutralized what little influence Paul Pogba had on the game while producing numerous chances. Harry Kane’s name hadn’t been worth a mention up until then, and the Spurs talisman had a few good chances to score his hundredth Premier League but he wasn’t his normal composed self in front of goal.

Dele Alli also played with the swagger and class that had once made him a rumoured target by Europe’s elite sides, while Moussa Demebele produced a master class in how effortlessly he kept Spurs ticking over. Davinson Sanchez was class beside man of the match Jan Vertonghen. The defensive pair made some key interceptions and tackles in the early stages and later on to cancel out what few chances the opposition could muster.

All in all, as much as the headlines were about how bad Manchester United were on the day, credit should be given to Spurs as they proved that as a team they’re more than just the goal scoring exploits of Harry Kane and that they have a few more strings to their bow.