A guest blog from the always balanced AnotherWiseMonkey
Its been a while. Life has been busy. I’ve run a marathon and been through a busy period at work, but I’m back, rat fans.
We performed well against City at the Lane today. As Mourinho would point out, the important statistic- goals scored- was not in our favour, but considering the drubbings we’ve received from City recently, this was an excellent showing. We dominated and played with confidence before the clinical counterattack that led to Aguero’s goal. Almost everyone in a Spurs shirt had a good match, so here are my ratings.
Lloris: 7 Customary excellent shot-stopping. A couple of jittery moments when coming for the ball, but far more good than bad. Improved distribution today.
Dier: 7 A swashbuckling performance at right back. I’ve loved seeing Dier come on in leaps and bounds this season. I prefer him at right back to centre back. The volley from Rose’s superb cross was almost Roy of the Rovers stuff. Dealt with everything that was asked of him defensively. If only his header in the first minute had been on target. At least he’s getting into those positions. His post-match interview on Spurs TV demonstrates that he cares about the club.
Fazio: 7 Defended well, got his head on everything, seems to have adapted his game to suit the pace of the Premiership..
Rose: 7 Excellent. Had Milner in his pocket for most of the match. Gutsy and determined, winning the ball back from unlikely positions.
Mason: 7 Despite the usual 10 minute spell where he mishit passes, Ryan played well and got into the box superbly before fluffing his lines.
Bentaleb: 7 Demonstrated sublime skill and bullied the aging Frank Lampard. Is growing into quite a player.
Lamela: 7 His best Premier League game for the club. Suckered by Silva when defending the counterattack, but he was our most creative player, several times almost unlocking the City defence. Is growing in confidence and could have snatched an equaliser at the death. Spent the majority of the match playing behind Kane, which he was enabled to do by Dier’s excellent wing-back play. Remember, Bale only came good in his third season.
Eriksen: 6 Some good touches and passing but found it difficult to impose himself against the physical size of City’s back 6.
Chadli: 6 A good performance. Tracked back well and created some opportunities.
Kane: 6 Could have had a hat-trick, but tried too much and achieved too little. Must improve his passing when building attacks. Superb defensively.
Soldado: 5 Bless him. Assiduous, but failed to grasp the opportunity to challenge Eriksen for a first-team place.
Paulinho: 7 Made an impact and several times his positive, physical style caused the ball to break invitingly only for the half-chance to be snuffed out by good City defending.
Adebayor: 6 Ran around with gusto. Fell comically in the box hoping for a penalty. Was up for it, for once.
Before the match I’d have taken a draw. A defeat is harsh but you have to put the ball in the net.
On to the next.
