Spurs 2-1 Man United - Seven Deadly Stats

Aditya Devavrat 22:40 14/05/2017
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  • 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.

    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.

    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?

    ERIKSEN-KANE COMBO STRIKES AGAIN

    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.

    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.

    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.

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