Tottenham ended their run of defeats in the Premier League following a goalless draw at Everton.
Here’s how every Spurs player rated on the day.
Hugo Lloris, 6 – Thought he gave away a penalty on Richarlison, only for VAR to correctly overturn the decision.
Cristian Romero, 6 – Solid showing from the Argentine, who made some important blocks and interceptions.
Eric Dier, 6 – Dealt with threat of Richarlison relatively well.
Ben Davies, 6 – Kept his place on the left-side of the back-three and it was another steady afternoon’s work.
Emerson Royal, 7 – Headed over in the first-half when under pressure, but provided great support going forward and is really benefitting from playing higher up the pitch.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, 5 – Got better as the game wore on, but still struggling to find his form from last season.
Oliver Skipp, 7 – Battled well in midfield and used the ball impressively. Only blot on his copy book was the fact he collected a late booking, which means he’ll be suspended for Leeds.
Sergio Reguilon, 5 – Missed a golden chance right at the end of the first-half when he fired over from Kane’s cross at the back-post.
Lucas Moura, 5 – Looked dangerous in periods, but his final ball needs to improve.
Son Heung-min, 4 – Made absolutely no impact and was luckily to last as long as he did.
Harry Kane, 4 – Created Spurs’ best chance for Reguilon, but it was another poor display from the striker, whose passing was particularly bad.
Substitutes
Matt Doherty, 5 – Make his first Premier League appearance since the opening day.
Giovani Lo Celso, N/A – Almost won it late on, only to see his curling effort come back off the post.
Tanguy Ndombele, N/A – Not enough time to make an impact.
We can keep plugging away with 7 defenders and hope to get something or we can be bold and stick Locelso or Tanguy in, with more possibilities of finding an opening. The pairing Skipp and PEH looks good defensively, but when you are creating chances there is absolutely no need for 2 similar holding mid. Hojberg is trying to come out and be more progressive knowing Skipp is behind but he has no creative nous to his game. He is running and running not different than Moura. So either we go without a Lucas keep the 2 holding and find room for Tanguy or Locelso. I hope Conte figure that out and give it time to gel.
Could not understand taking Reguilón off for Doherty when you’ve a left back playing centre half. What’s Roden got to do for a game who’s a left sided centre back. Hojberg over rated. Play Skipp & Ndombele. Hope Mason’s input is reduced in time.
I understand the Rodon sentiments and I said it for like 100 times. Rodon is not only behind Davies, but also Tangana and Sanchez. As far as this game goes. Davies was having a good game and the back 3 were stable, why mess it up by moving Davies out of position. It is clear Conte is going to them 3 as the primary centerbacks. Reggie was spent chasing those long balls from Cuti and Hojberg with a yellow card to tote. I think it was a great piece of game management to stem them ganging out wide with Townsend taking aim at the cavernous gaps left by having Reggie so high. If we had done the same on the right by pulling Royal back, bring in Locelso and Tanguy, maybe their creativity would have find us a goal. Tanguy was eating the rightback lunch in the short space of time he came on and maybe he will get a kick up the rear to give it all with limited time.
Don’t know that Mason has had much influence on this game . I agree Rodon should definitely be in as the left sided cantre back, he’s calm and really quick. I also agree about Skipp and Hojlberg. I really like them both, but with three at the back we don’t need two holding midfield players. If we play them both we reduce our chances of playing any creativity in midfield. The comment about seven defenders is not correct as the wing backs are more attacking. Give LoCelso a run and sell NDOMBELE, he doesn’t want to play for us anyway.
They are primarily defenders and they better bust their rear ends to get back to defend as they play in this kind of system. You lose a creative player with 3 at the back and 2 plodders. I agree we need to roll the dice and drop Tanguy or Locelso in there. If we are going to play this system of having the wingbacks so high, then you do not need Lucas, but if you do, he is suppose to play as the number 10 or 8 and not out wide. I played and coach this game. I think we can be successful playing this same system with just that personnel tweak and I would go for Tanguy or Locelso with a long look until someone claim the shirt.