Most of Tottenham’s World Cup stars featured from the start and overcame fatigue and an inspired Newcastle team to get three points away from home.
Most of Tottenham’s World Cup stars featured from the start and overcame fatigue and an inspired Newcastle team to get three points away from home.
ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop had a case of deja vu after watching Tottenham’s opener against Newcastle.
Mauricio Pochettino says if Tottenham are to win trophies, they need players focused on the team’s goals and not individual targets.
Dele Alli said it is time for Tottenham Hotspur to start winning trophies.
Alli scored the winning goal as Spurs began their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Newcastle United on Saturday, and he hopes there will be silverware at the end of it.
“Every season since I’ve been here I feel as though we’ve improved as a squad, but we want to start winning things,” Alli said. “We keep coming close, but it’s getting to the point now where we’ve got to start winning trophies. That’s the next step.
“We’re very ambitious, every player. We want to achieve things. We want to keep improving as a team and individually as well. We want to help the team go as far as we can.”
Tottenham reached the FA Cup semifinals last season, and Alli was then one of nine Spurs players who reached the semifinals of the World Cup.
But only captain Hugo Lloris got past that stage as France lifted the trophy — and the goalkeeper can sense his teammates’ latest disappointment during the summer has only fuelled their desire for success.
“I’m really pleased to be part of the winning team at the World Cup, but you could say the England and Belgium players have got back with more hunger because they were so close to the final and the most important trophy of their careers,” Lloris said. “All together, we must put in the right mentality, the experience that we shared in the last few seasons.
“It’s true that, for me, winning the World Cup brought a lot of positive energy, a lot of energy for the future to keep the same mentality, keep working hard, keep leading the team. I was really happy to be back with the [Tottenham] team and it’s a good feeling, especially after the win.”
Tottenham’s Dele Alli scored his side’s second goal in the victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Jan Vertonghen’s opener at St James’ Park on Saturday was quickly cancelled out by Joselu, but Alli then ghosted in unmarked to head home at the back post in the 18th minute, scoring in very similar style to his goal against Sweden in the World Cup quarterfinals.
“It’s a position I like to get in,” Alli said. “It’s a great cross from Serge [Aurier]. Sometimes those ones are harder to miss, but at the same time, if you take your eye off the ball, you can head it over. I’m happy to score but it’s more important to get three points.”
Mauricio Pochettino said in the build-up to the match that some of his players have been distracted by transfer speculation — and a few of his squad members could yet move abroad this month.
Toby Alderweireld was reportedly a target of Manchester United, although no approach was made, and Danny Rose has been linked with a loan move to either Paris Saint-Germain or Schalke.
“There’s always rumours, but all we can do is keep playing together, keep enjoying it and keep improving as a team,” Alli said. “We don’t get caught up in what’s going on around [us].
“Everyone is dedicated to Tottenham. Everyone wants to help the team. For some people, it might not be the right place or whatever, and that’s their decision, but all we can do is keep working hard.”
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