A wonderful team performance saw Tottenham overcome league leaders Manchester City 2-0 at White Hart Lane. But which individuals impressed the most?
Hugo Lloris, 8
Made two crucial stops at 2-0 to retain the hosts’ two goal advantage. Was a little inaccurate with his distribution early on, but grew into the game and captained the young team in front of him with a cool head and safe hands.
Kyle Walker, 8
Impressed with plenty of competent defensive play. Excellent on the ball, too, playing a key part in moving Spurs forward from the back. I’m stunned by the confidence Walker has gained since the beginning of last season. He no longer looks like the error-prone defender of two years ago.
Toby Alderweireld, 9
Arguments for Toby Alderweireld being the best defender in the world are becoming justified. He’s certainly the best in the Premier League. Against City his decision-making was his most brilliantly apparent trait. The Belgian knows where to be, when to tackle, when to pass and when to clear it, at all times.
Jan Vertonghen, 9
Vertonghen usually looks untidy compared to his partner Alderweireld, but not today. The left-sided centre back was every bit as good as his partner, completing numerous vital interceptions and getting Tottenham out of trouble on the rare occasion they were in it.
Danny Rose, 8
For a player making his first appearance after returning from injury, Rose looked like a man possessed, rampaging down the left hand side and making life difficult for the visitors all afternoon. Walked a tightrope for most of the contest after an early booking, but was integral to the win: Rose crossed the ball for the opener — an own goal by Aleksandar Kolarov.
Victor Wanyama, 9
12. Million. Pounds. If Wanyama performs like he did today against the other big boys, Tottenham have got themselves a bargain. The midfielder broke up the majority of City’s attacks with some excellently timed tackles, and always found a teammate afterwards. Like Rose he was booked for a silly early tackle, but didn’t let it affect his game. A sublime, man-of-the-match display.
Dele Alli, 8
Much improved after a poor performance against CSKA Moscow in midweek, scoring the all-important second goal. Alli was arguably the best player on the pitch in the first half, his movement in around the box perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game. Quietened after the break and was eventually substituted.
Mousa Sissoko, 7
The Frenchman appears to be improving all the time, but he still looks a little behind his teammates in terms of sharpness and quality on the ball. His work rate can’t be faulted, however, and he provided one lovely piece of skill to get round Kolarov on the right wing — hopefully a sign of things to come, if yet another injury that saw him substituted doesn’t hamper his progress again.
Christian Eriksen, 7
Eriksen’s strange season continues. The Dane was central to much of Spurs’ best play in the first half, creating a couple of chances and making room for one or two shots of his own. But the midfielder was wasteful from the second goal onwards, losing the ball very carelessly on one occasion when he was seemingly through on goal. Still, Eriksen is only just finding his feet this season and deserves praise for his efforts in the first half.
Erik Lamela, 6
It feels a little needless to criticise individuals after such an excellent team performance, but the anomaly of the day was undeniably Erik Lamela. After an eager start (in fact he started as well as anyone), he fell into old habits, often hogging the ball for too long and missing a penalty that would have made things much easier for the team. Deserves some patience, though, as his potential is there for all to see.
Heung-Min Son, 8
Set the pace of the game from minute one with his direct dribbling and eye for goal. Son was really impressive in the first half and it was his perfect pass that sent Alli through to make it 2-0. The South Korean faded in the second half, but so did the rest of an attack that pressed City relentless for at least an hour.
Substitutes
Eric Dier, 7
Replaced Mousa Sissoko with 18 minutes to go and didn’t really have much to do aside from dispelling some inconsistent City pressure. Completed six of his seven passes and did very little wrong.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, N/A
Played just four minutes plus stoppage time.
Vincent Janssen, N/A
Stoppage time introduction if only to waste time.
i would give them all a big fat 10/10 a real team effort