Tottenham did just enough to edge past a poor Sunderland side at White Hart Lane. So who impressed and who struggled for the hosts?
Hugo Lloris, 6
The Spurs skipper had absolutely nothing to do in a goalkeeping capacity. That aside, his distribution was a little off, which is perhaps the only thing he needs to work on.
Kyle Walker, 6
Had a good first half but wasted most of his good work with a couple of poor crosses. Crucially cleared one off the line at 0-0. The right back faded after feeling his hamstring midway through the second half.
Toby Alderweireld, 8
Copy and paste: A solid, composed defensive performance. Every week. Need I say more?
Eric Dier, 7
Moved back into his former position of centre back and looked strong and composed. Worryingly, he was taken off with a hamstring injury in the second half.
Jan Vertonghen, 6
Looks nowhere near as comfortable on the ball at left back. The Belgian saw a few passes go astray but was hardly threatened by Sunderland’s woeful attack.
Victor Wanyama, 7
Seems to be settling in after a few matches, and might be starting more games during the next month or so if Dier’s hamstring injury is serious. Started most of Tottenham’s attacks from the back with some quick, accurate passes.
Mousa Dembele, 8
Spurs fans are starting to forget what it was like before Mousa Dembele came good last year. The Belgian returned from suspension to the delight of many and performed admirably, linking Tottenham’s play with his trademark dribbling and assurance on the ball. Makes his hamstring injury (yes, another) even tougher to take.
Moussa Sissoko, 6
Played on the right of an attacking midfield trio and looked reluctant to drift inside. The Frenchman was sloppy in possession but certainly carried a threat with his pace and strength. Looks far from a £30 million player but is undeniably a good squad addition, and should be given time before conclusions are jumped to.
Dele Alli, 6
As usual, Alli was incredibly eager to get his team forward at every opportunity. He was wasteful with his final pass but his influence shouldn’t be underestimated.
Heung-Min Son, 8
Gave his full back a torrid time down the left wing with some scintillating dribbling and frequently impressive crossing. If it wasn’t already obvious, it’s now clear Spurs did right to keep hold of him this summer.
Harry Kane, 7
Much improved after a poor display against Monaco. Kane linked the play well, even if he struggled to create opportunities for himself as he usually does. Got his goal but turned his ankle badly — a real shame.
Substitues
Erik Lamela, 7
Did more creatively in 15 minutes than most did for the whole 90. Lamela loves to showboat, which is risky when only 1-0 up, but his tricks mostly came off. Had a brilliantly struck shot somehow tipped round the post.
Ben Davies, N/A
Didn’t really spend enough time on the pitch for a rating. Had very little to do on a quiet day for the entire Tottenham defence.
Vincent Janssen, N/A
Played just three minutes plus stoppage time. Looks like he is trying too hard to impress as a substitute, exemplified by a wild, wasteful attempt at goal late on. Should get a run in the side now if Kane’s injury is as serious as it looked.
like to know why george dident get a go would of been nice to see his potentional and speed give the lboy a go gillingham coming up chance for him to get a start hope so come on you spurs
Alli, yet again, was the worst player on the pitch for us. I’ve always noted that he turns over possession too much in the centre but yesterday he was turning over possession even in wide positions. One Wednesday he wasn’t even chasing down balls that were his to chase. Think he needs a break to be drilled on ball retention. We cant afford to play him against city, they’ll kill us.
Was absolutely stupid of Poch yesterday to risk Vertonghen being injured at left back, when Davies was available, and Vertonghen looked apprehensive with that in mind.
Where last year our best 3 behind Kane was Lamela, Alli and Eriksen, there is no doubt at this moment that our best 3 behind Kane is Son, Lamela and Eriksen. It is Lamela who looks most composed in the centre and he was a menace when he came on.
very hard to say who was worst yesterday Toby and Walker and Son apart the rest were all very poor good job Walker was on the goal line late on not seen a decent home game this season so far how are we top 3 ?
Based on what people done with the ball, Alli was the stand out worst. Attempted a little one touch flick onto (I think) Walker but other than that it was awful. He got dispossessed almost everytime he got that ball and couldnt string a pass together.
Last season he was struggling with ball retention in the centre (definitely the hardest position to retain the ball) but was much better than this.
Were you even at Wembley? All was one of our better players in the game. Eriksen was awful.
No, I was in the middle east watching on BeinSports and up close Eriksen was awesome. He was a constant menace although Kamil Glik was world class in breaking up our attacks.
Alli was awful, when Dembele came on in the second half, the team looked better but Alli started looking progressively either more tired or less interested. There were times when he knew it was his job to get the ball back but just looked completely disinterested in doing so.
When you play Guardiola teams they will just pass you into the ground and its notoriously hard to get the ball back. This is why Alli needs to work on this aspect of his game much more. The majority of a teams attacks should pass through the number 10 position, but at the minute its become merely the area where we turn over possession.