Tottenham talking points as two-goal Christian Eriksen takes centre stage in 3-0 Swansea win

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  • Christian Eriksen (c) scored twice for Tottenham in the FA Cup win at Swansea.

    Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen stepped into the goalscoring shoes of injured talisman Harry Kane when his brace helped Tottenham defeat Swansea 3-0 in a one-sided FA Cup quarter-final.

    Eriksen, 26, curled home a refined 11th-minute opener at Liberty Stadium, adding his second – and 11th of the season – with a fierce low drive past the hour mark. Between these efforts, Argentina forward Erik Lamela stroked in the visitor’s second after showing silky feet during first-half injury time.

    Here are the talking points:

    ERIKSEN TAKES CENTRE STAGE

    Eriksen does not require misfortune alone from others for his utter brilliance to be known.

    The sublime craftsmanship of the Spurs schemer is only bettered in the Premier League by Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

    But Kane’s ankle damage last time out at Bournemouth and Dele Alli’s thigh problem saw the ex-Ajax man take on a more prominent role – to devastating effect.

    There is something about the Swans that brings out the best in him. Eriksen’s last two-goal club haul came during a 5-0 mauling at White Hart Lane in December 2016, plus he’s been involved in more goals against them (seven goals and five assists) than any other club.

    On the Welsh coast on Saturday, his rapier ability was again undeniable. A total of five of his six shots were on target, while 91.8-per-cent pass accuracy delivered six key passes.

    His brace also saw him move just one below his best tallies at Spurs – from 2016/17 and 2014/15 – and two behind career-best figures registered at Ajax in 2012/13.

    A prodigious talent is moving promisingly into its prime.

    FILLING IN FOR KING KANE

    With Kane out until mid-April, a gargantuan share of goals must be covered.

    Eriksen more than did his bit at Swansea. Joining him on the score sheet – and in some style – was Lamela.

    This second goal of his comeback since a debilitating hip injury kept him out for exactly 400 days was delightful. A driving run caused panic in the backtracking Swansea backline, two delicious drags of his boot over the top of the ball befuddling them before placing a shot effortlessly into the bottom corner.

    This was the highlight of a performance which contained a joint-team-high six dribbles.

    Scrapping with him for the opportunities afforded in Kane’s absence is January addition Lucas Moura. The ex-Brazil winger delivered a regulation assist for Eriksen’s second.

    But you could see the ring rust accrued from just 79 minutes of 2017/18 action at Paris Saint-Germain. Just before the hour mark, a lack of decisiveness saw him twice crowded out by centre-back Mike van der Hoorn and retreating winger Luciano Narsingh.

    Tottenham Hotspur's Argentina midfielder Erik Lamela (l) scores at Swansea.

    Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentina midfielder Erik Lamela (l) scores at Swansea.

    GETTING UP FOR THE CUP

    A second-successive FA Cup semi-final is Spurs’ preserve after this seamless victory.

    Memories of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s dismissive remarks about it in September still reverberate. But just two games now stand in the way of the ex-Argentina defender landing the club’s first trophy since 2008’s League Cup, or ending a wait to lift English football’s most traditional prize since 1991.

    Injuries to the England trio of left-back Danny Rose, attacking midfielder Alli and striker Kane made it to difficult to ascertain his priorities. Changes, or a decision not to rotate Ben Davies, were taken away from him before kick-off.

    With a date on temporary home soil at Wembley now theirs, a genuine shot at silverware should prove too alluring. The time is now to take the FA Cup seriously.

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