An injury-hit Tottenham side grabbed a dramatic late home win over Burnley to maintain the pressure on the two teams above them. Spurs appeared to be returning to earth with a bump after their memorable night at the Camp Nou, drawing 0-0 at a wet, half-empty Wembley in the 91st minute. However, substitute Christian Eriksen struck decisively at the death to secure the north Londoners’ ninth win in 11 matches and take them within three points of second-placed Liverpool.
Positives
This has been the story of Spurs’ season: Despite a host of absentees, they have repeatedly found a way to get the job done. With Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier missing due to injury and illness, respectively, Mauricio Pochettino was left with only one available centre-back and three central midfielders in the treatment room. As a result, 18-year-old midfielder Oliver Skipp was given his first start for the club and Ben Davies was forced to play out of position at the heart of the back line. Despite that, Spurs triumphed once again, avoiding a major slip-up at home. Skipp also looks like he has the self-belief required to succeed at this level.
Negatives
This was by no means a vintage performance, with Tottenham managing just four shots on target against a side who had only taken five points from their previous nine top-flight fixtures. Not for the first time, Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela both failed to make the necessary impact as starters and Pochettino needed to introduce Eriksen, Son Heung-Min and Fernando Llorente to get the crucial strike.
Manager rating out of 10
7 — Pochettino’s squad has been decimated by injuries but he oversaw another victory, mostly thanks to his substitutes. All three made an impact.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 6 — Didn’t have to make a save but gifted Burnley a chance when he passed the ball straight to the visitors in the first half. Luckily Ashley Barnes headed over.
DF Kieran Trippier, 5 — The right-back’s crossing ability should have been a useful weapon against a Burnley side who were predictably hard to break down in the middle. But he didn’t really impose himself on the game.
DF Toby Alderweireld, 7 — Ensured Burnley had very few chances and importantly blocked a Barnes volley early in the second half.
DF Ben Davies, 8 — Filled in well in an unusual role in the centre of a back four and made a couple of important diving headers to intercept Robbie Brady crosses, while bringing the ball forward effectively.
DF Danny Rose, 7 — Ran at Burnley throughout. His end product could have been more consistent but he created a good chance with a chipped cross that landed at Lamela’s feet.
Christian Eriksen came off the bench to score the winner for Tottenham when a draw had looked on the cards.
MF Oliver Skipp, 7 — Sought to get on the ball as much as possible and be positive in possession. While he lost the ball a few times, he never hid. That confidence and desire to make an impact is encouraging in one so young.
MF Moussa Sissoko, 7 — Worked hard in the middle and was influential when Spurs created their best chance. The Frenchman started the move with a quick free kick and then popped up at the other end moments later to free Lamela in front of goal. He deserved an assist for that.
MF Erik Lamela, 5 — Set up an early chance for Lucas with a fine ball over the top but otherwise struggled to open Burnley up, and he needed to be more clinical with a couple of opportunities, especially when Sissoko’s cross found him unmarked in front of goal.
MF Dele Alli, 6 — A peripheral figure for most of the game and he missed a couple of chances. But he played a key role in the winner by attacking the box and chesting the ball to Harry Kane.
MF Lucas Moura, 5 — Volleyed wide from Lamela’s pass early on and offered little after that. Spurs needed more from the man who scored their late equaliser at the Camp Nou.
FW Harry Kane, 7 — Didn’t score but had a penalty appeal turned down and helped to create chances for others before setting up the crucial late goal, just as he did in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Substitutes:
MF Christian Eriksen, 8 — Replaced the ineffective Lucas and arrived in the right place at the right time to score the winner, similarly to his 80th-minute strike in last month’s 1-0 home win over Inter Milan.
MF Son Heung-Min, NR – Missed a big chance in the 85th minute, firing across goal, before creating a chance for Alli with a low cross.
FW Fernando Llorente, NR – Made his presence felt after entering the fray in the 82nd minute. The Spaniard laid on the chance for Son with a neat chested pass and his aerial presence then helped Spurs to score their winner, which came from a high ball.
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