Liverpool were the better side against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, but the hosts fought hard to earn a point. So who impressed and who fell short?
Michel Vorm, 8
By far Spurs’ best player on the day, Vorm deputied for the injured Hugo Lloris brilliantly. His save from Philippe Coutinho’s close range blast was stunning, and he swept up excellently on a number of occasions.
Kyle Walker, 5
It was obvious something was wrong when Walker, so impressive so far this season, let a simple pass slip under his foot for a throw-in early on. The full back was taken unwell midway through the first half.
Eric Dier, 6
Dier suddenly looks like a kid again at full-back, a position he moved to when Kyle Walker was taken off. He clearly belongs in the middle, but he must be given credit for his crossing ability: his crucial delivery led to the goal.
Toby Alderweireld, 7
Made a crucial challenge at the death to prevent what would have been an Adam Lallana winner. Alderweireld was as composed as ever, coming out of the defence with the ball effectively.
Jan Vertonghen, 6
Alderweireld’s effortlessness often makes his partner Vertonghen look a little shaky at the back. Jan wasn’t exactly at fault, but Liverpool mostly exploited the gap between him and Rose. Perhaps that partnership needs work.
Danny Rose, 7
Most of Liverpool’s attacks came down the left, and Rose will be keen to improve his defensive relationship with Vertonghen to prevent that happening in the future. Rose’s well taken goal earned Spurs a point, so his misgivings can be forgiven.
Victor Wanyama, 6
Improved in the second half with a few key interceptions. It might take a bit of time for him to learn exactly how Pochettino wants him to cover the back four, but his Spurs career has started well.
Erik Lamela, 5
Worked hard but struggled to make much of an impact. Lamela often held onto the ball for too long and gave away the penalty which led to Liverpool’s opener.
Christian Eriksen, 5
I think we’ll just have to be patient here. Eriksen, at his best, is Tottenham’s most effective player. He slightly improved on his performance against Palace today, but still fell short of what is expected.
Dele Alli, 6
Probably Spurs’ most involved player on the day. Alli has lacked final product so far this term, but like others he should probably be given a bit of time to find his feet after a difficult Euro 2016 campaign. Must calm that temper, too.
Harry Kane, 5
Dropped deep against to accommodate Vincent Janssen, who replaced Walker in the first half. The Tottenham captain didn’t look fully fit, but tried his best to start much-needed attacks. We all know he’ll improve as the season goes on.
Substitutes
Vincent Janssen, 6
Excellent work-rate, particularly in the first half. His touch was a little off, though, and he failed to cut out any chances for himself. Janssen is likely to come good when the rest of the team does.
Josh Onomah, N/A
Ten minutes isn’t enough for a rating, but it should be noted Onomah looked relatively bright when introduced. The offside flag stopped him going through for a late chance to win it.
Harry Winks, N/A
Of course lamela was to blame according to this analysis. Accidental contact whilst helping his mates in defence. He was the only one that looked remotely dangerous. Won a crucial challenge off the cross to set up Rose’s goal. Eriksen should have been 2, Kane 3, Jansen 5, dele
Last week I wrote to say how pathetic the whole team was – running aimlessly no effort no desire – defunct of ideas – slow etc. Lamela running around making fouls etc. One idiot said I should be playing or be a manager.. now I think he should be playing.. what a farce the who team – Delle, Eriksen, janssen.. the lot – lucky the ref favoured us by not penalizing Vertogen for a blatant foul and penalty… Well done Vorm though you saved our blushes.. had it been Lloris, for sure it would have been 3-0 at least to Liverpool.
Lucky if we make it top 10 and if we win a single CL game!! We are all talk and no show game after game – once blue moon we make a grade!
Same old Spurs
Basically everyone else has improved a lot whilst we’ve improved hardly at all. We finally got another striker, but now unless Janssen plays at the same time as Kane we look toothless! So we need another striker off the bench, a youngster would do, we desperately need competition for Eriksen in the playmaker role, and we need some real pace in the attacking half. Possibly another keeper too, though if Vorm continues to play world class games like that, it may not be so much of an issue.
Unless those problem areas are addressed we’re going to struggle over a very long season with so many games. We can’t just rely on last years limited success working again this year, because things have moved on big time. Investment and ambition please. The loyal fans of many years standing want real success. If Leicester City can get it why can’t we?