Before yesterday’s game, Tottenham’s 4-1 victory over Manchester City from last season was beamed out on the White Hart Lane video screen.
It was notable for ending Harry Kane’s 748-minute goal drought and inflicting a third defeat in four games on Manuel Pellegrini’s City who were missing the injured Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.
It was also a result in which Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs gave a first indicator of what they’re capable ofin the wider context of the title race, having started with just two wins from their opening six matches.
Just over a year to the day later, the scoreline may not be as impressive but the performance and magnitude of the win far outstrips what Spurs were revelling in prior to kick-off.
For the 2-0 triumph came against a previously-unbeaten City side who have been playing the best football in the Premier League. It also was achieved without midfield fulcrums Eric Dier and Moussa Dembele as well as Kane.
This was as impressive a performance by anyone this term; outstripping Liverpool’s first 45 minutes at Arsenal, City against United in the Manchester derby and Pep Guardiola’s side dismantling of Bournemouth.
hprolic: Dele Alli scores NBC Sports N… Premier League Soccer: Tottenham vs. Manchester City https://t.co/qNaghxQV3f pic.twitter.com/TILpUcO8qm
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) October 2, 2016
It may have owed an element of gratitude to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic who showed with committed pressing and pace in attack, you can find faults in Guardiola’s initial blueprint, but unlike their Champions League wake-up call, City were never in this game.
Spurs played with a purpose in possession. Moving the ball quickly and playing off each other, creating space and attacking City’s defence at speed. But what was integral to the performance was what Tottenham did without the ball.
Pochettino’s intended approach was clear with the selection of Son Heung-Min ahead of Vincent Janssen. The Korean is a wide forward by trade but one who works relentlessly and possesses a real diligence in closing down defenders.
Heung-min Son has now been directly involved in 6 goals in just 4 Premier League games this season for Tottenham (4G,2A).
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 2, 2016
On 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/TIhrO9cb2i
Son’s willingness to not give City’s defence – plus goalkeeper Claudio Bravo – any time to get comfortable on the ball meant they were always hurried when trying to build possession.
In the 83rd minute after a serious afternoon’s graft, there he was, closing down Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta, before Fernandinho was rushed into a long ball forward, which was easily cut out.
Pochettino fielded his favoured three attacking midfielders in Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela, who in most sides would be nominal No10s; given a freedom to create.
They’re afforded that privilege when in possession, but without it they were dropping deeper, restricting Fernandinho’s balls into David Silva and Raheem Sterling and denying any space for passing lanes to open up.
Manchester City have completed just 65% of their passes.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 2, 2016
Their Premier League average this season is 85%.
Great pressure from Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/hCxreShYOi
Tottenham also possess the best centre-back pairing in the league in Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. A symbiotic partnership yet to concede a league goal from open play this term and while Sergio Aguero had his moments, in the main, he was well-shackled.
Spurs’ challenge fell apart last season through fatigue and inexperience. Pochettino’s squad building has safeguarded the former fault – although the Champions League carries its own pitfalls – while his overall team structure and dynamic looks to only have improved over the course of time.
We won’t know how much these Spurs players have matured until the pressures of April and May, but it looks highly unlikely we’ll be denied the chance to find out.
