Tottenham were excellent in their 4-0 thrashing of Stoke, but who impressed the most?
Hugo Lloris, 7
Proved his fitness with a couple of well timed dashes off his line in the first half. He didn’t have much to do, but isn’t it great to have Hugo back?
Kyle Walker, 7
Picked up where he left off against Crystal Palace last month. Walker was taken ill in Spurs’ draw with Liverpool, but he was back to his best today, providing the assist for the visitors’ crucial third goal. Defended well, too.
Toby Alderweireld, 8
Tottenham’s Belgian contingent had a task on their hands with Stoke handing a debut to Wilfried Bony. The striker barely threatened Spurs, primarily because of Alderweireld’s cool head.
Jan Vertonghen, 8
Like Alderweireld, Jan was rarely troubled. Both centre backs were put under pressure early on by Stoke’s short-lived high press. They dealt with it and eventually excelled, bringing the ball out with composure and passing accurately.
Ben Davies, 7
Doesn’t offer half the attacking threat Danny Rose does, but Davies deputised competently as usual. Tottenham are very lucky to have such depth at full-back.
Eric Dier, 7
Likely to settle into the season next week when Mousa Dembele returns to partner him. Dier has started the season perfectly well, but Spurs still look a little mishapen with two holding midfielders.
Victor Wanyama, 6
That’s not to say Dier or his midfield partner Wanyama have been below par. Both have performed well in Dembele’s absence, but only one should be starting. Wanyama effectively shielded the back four but was replaced because of a booking: must learn to control his tackling.
Dele Alli, 8
Alli is quickly becoming one of Tottenham’s most important players. Most attacks go through him, and he dictates the pace of games with his ability to turn slow-moving passages of play into quick counters. Took his goal really well.
Christian Eriksen, 8
Spurs’ main man is well and truly back. Eriksen looked a changed man, the uncertainty of his new contract (which he has now signed) no longer hampering his form. The Dane grabbed two assists and played brilliantly.
Heung-Min Son, 8
Scored two beautifully taken goals, displaying his finishing ability with both feet and interchanging well with his attacking teammates. Still has a tendency to hold onto the ball for too long, but those two goals will aid his confidence to no end.
Harry Kane, 7
Again perhaps not as involved as he’d like to be, but crucially opened his account for the season with a close range finish. It was just what Kane needed, and he should now go on to challenge for back-to-back Golden Boot awards.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela, 7
Replaced Wanyama, who had been booked, and slotted in nicely, almost setting a goal up for Eriksen.
Vincent Janssen, 6
Was only given around 20 minutes, by which time the result was well and truly tied up. Had one shot blocked: still building his confidence after his summer transfer.
Moussa Sissoko, N/A
Had even less time on the pitch than Janssen, but still managed to get a deflected effort on target. Should prove to be a decent option from the bench.
Is Wanyama going to be Spurs’ Charlie Adams?
Poch has some work ahead of him to eliminate his reckless tackling style and keep him on the park.
Good to see his commitment but it’s bloody worrying!
Oh keep cool I can’t see him keeping dembele out anyway but he should be good for cup runs !!