Tottenham were determined to give White Hart Lane a memorable send-off, and with Manchester United in town for the stadium’s finale, it was fitting that the Lane had a grand occasion to mark its farewell.
Victor Wanyama opened the scoring early in the first half, and at that moment it seemed like momentum would carry Spurs to a rout. However, they wasted a few chances, and even after Harry Kane scored in the second half, Wayne Rooney’s goal meant that Spurs had to endure a few nervy moments before bidding farewell to their stadium with a 2-1 win.
Here are seven deadly stats from the last-ever game at White Hart Lane.
ANOTHER QUICK START
Spurs have made a habit of scoring in the first half, and Sunday was no different.
Victor Wanyama’s goal from a corner-kick meant Spurs got the flying start they would have wanted in this game, and put United under pressure to chase the game from the outset.
Indeed, the bigger question was why the first half ended 1-0.
23 - Spurs have scored 23 goals in the first half of home league games this season; no other PL team has scored more. Alert.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 14, 2017
KANE GETS ANOTHER FIRST
Remarkably, Harry Kane had never scored against Manchester United going into this game.
Given his status as a big-game player, his record against United was a rare blemish for a player with goals against every other team which will finish in this season’s top six.
The Spurs man set the record straight by scoring the goal that ended up being the winner, as well as the final Spurs goal at White Hart Lane.
Harry Kane has scored against 24 of the 25 clubs he has faced with Tottenham in the Premier League.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 14, 2017
His first vs. Man Utd. ✅ pic.twitter.com/XNh6VIukPo
NORTH LONDON DUO SHARING ASSISTS CROWN
The North London derby was boiled down to one matchup: Mesut Ozil vs Christian Eriksen.
Ozil is the more feted player (although he also receives much sharper criticism), but the numbers suggest that there’s absolutely nothing to separate the two.
Does Eriksen’s work rate off the ball make the Spurs man the more valuable player?
Most assists in the Premier League since the start of 2015/16:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 14, 2017
Christian Eriksen (26) 🔵⚪️
Mesut Ozil (26) 🔴⚪️
North London double. pic.twitter.com/mN6cjNzt59
ERIKSEN-KANE COMBO STRIKES AGAIN
9 - Christian Eriksen has provided nine PL assists for Harry Kane since August 2015; no player has provided more for a teammate. Telepathy. pic.twitter.com/NRz0kU63d5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 14, 2017
Of course, Eriksen has had the benefit of playing with a truly world-class striker. (Ozil has Alexis Sanchez, but Sanchez has only begun playing as a striker this season.)
The final Spurs goal at White Hart Lane was the result of what has become a classic combination. Eriksen floated in a free-kick, and Kane did the rest.
Perhaps next year there can be a competition between Eriksen, Kane, and Dele Alli as to which pair among the three is the deadliest.
POCH’S HIGH-FLYING SPURS
Mauricio Pochettino has gotten a lot of credit for how Spurs have strengthened in defence and have become a more energetic pressing team, but he’s equally responsible for what the team have achieved at the other end.
Under the Argentine, Spurs have become lethal in attack.
Of course, it helps having players like Kane, Eriksen, Alli, and Hyun-Min Son leading the way.
Tottenham have now scored 200 goals in 112 PL games under Mauricio Pochettino
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 14, 2017
Kane 68
Alli 27
Eriksen 24
Son 16 pic.twitter.com/K40c90GYnB
UNITED BREAK AWAY DUCK
Going into this game, United’s record in away games against the rest of the top six this season read: five played, no wins, no goals.
They couldn’t find a first victory, but thanks to Rooney they at least finally scored a goal.
In fact, Rooney’s goal briefly threatened a revival, as it seemed United might rain on Spurs’ parade by nicking what would have been a scarcely-deserved draw – although for United, a comeback at White Hart Lane would have been fitting.
Wayne Rooney has scored Man Utd’s first goal away from home against a top-six side in the Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/sJMW1fIiNU
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 14, 2017
SPURS MAKE HISTORY
What a perfect way to end their tenure at White Hart Lane.
Not just Sunday’s win, but the season as a whole. Although there was to be no trophy this season, despite their best efforts, they achieved something they hadn’t done in 52 seasons – an unbeaten league season.
Given that this was the first time they’d achieved the feat in the Premier League, it was a fitting farewell.
19 - Spurs have gone unbeaten at home for the first time in a league season since 1964/65 (W17 D2 L0 this season). Swansong. pic.twitter.com/yEd1jSFSzO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 14, 2017