Spurfect response keeps Tottenham in Title hunt

Once Leicester had won against an appalling Sunderland this lunch time, I felt flat. 10 points to chase and another average Leicester performance , just made me feel like going out for a long walk and not bother watching Spurs. And then I gave myself the needed kick up the arse, reminded myself that Spurs are still having a great season and building a prosperous future.

What we needed was a response. We have had the chance to close the gap so many times this season and fallen short. Maybe 10 points is too much to make up, but whilst ever there are games left to play, we are fighting and today we showed just how much this squad still want that title. And now it's only 7 points again.

It's 15 years since we have beaten the Red Devils at the Lane and it was United who started the brightest. With the game having started 30 minutes later due to United being stuck in traffic , Spurs seemed lacklustre and there was just a sense that acceptance of defeat had set in. Having said that, for all of United's possession, Lloris had little to do and it was Spurs who could and should have gone in front.
Eriksen picked up the ball and clipped a beautiful ball into the far post where Lamela had made a great run, only to head the ball wide when the goal was so much easier to hit. As Coco lay on his back, head in hands it felt as if that moment might just encapsulate our season, so close, yet so far.

I will come back to Lamela shortly.

Half time came and Spurs had ended the first period strongly. The pace and energy of Walker and Rose was breathtaking. If they are the starting full backs in France this summer, with Kane and Vardy up front, maybe England can dare to do?!

Man United still pressed and had plenty of possession and it nearly paid off when Martial burst through and had the goal at his mercy. Lloris however made himself big and kept the ball out of the goal. And from that moment, Spurs were not going to do anything but fight.

40 yards from goal, Lamela and Kane between them battled and won the ball. Kane played a delicious ball out to Eriksen who looked up and played the perfect pass into Alli who slotted home. His last goal as a teenager. Another of many for Spurs!

Alderweireld added a second before Lamela fired home the third. And it was a thing of beauty. Quick and incisive passing finished superbly by Lamela. And how he deserved that goal. Yes, he missed a sitter in the first half but he didn't let that affect him. He made numerous tackles, played some lovely passes and his finish was unerring. It was 3-0 and Spurs were still in the title race.

I have slated Lamela in the past, but this season he has been brilliant. Not because of superb skill but because of work rate and sheer application. He embodies Pochettino and today he was excellent.

Kane didn't score today but his work rate was staggering, Dembele was a powerhouse, Dier composed, Vertonghen looked like he had been playing every week and Toby was yet again brilliant.

Whether we win the league or not, I can not question the commitment of this young team. Under Pochettino we will continue to challenge for titles for years to come. Yes, I do truly believe that.

The term 'Spursy' gets used a lot and of course we have missed chances to catch Leicester but this is not a typical Spurs squad. Today, many expected Spurs to just give up, to roll over and admit defeat. But Poch and this Spurs are having none of it.

We are still daring to do and if we don't win the title, I will not be sitting down and feeling bad, I will merely look forward to watching our players do well in France and go for glory next season.

Whatever happens, the Spurs deserve the atmosphere they had today. The Lane was rocking and it's time to keep daring, keep doing and supporting our beloved Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

 

Having watched Leicester I actually felt upbeat as they were poor today and only constant individual errors by Sunderland gifted the leaders the game, but play like that against their following opponents and they will drop plenty of points.
The start of our game was frustrating as United seemed to just want to keep possession for the ninety minutes without actually doing anything with the ball. It was hard to retrieve the ball and when we did we gave it away again soon afterwards. We finally got into our stride and once we had scored the contest was over - and it was sweet, very sweet.
I read Sherringham's comment today that it would be hard for Harry to refuse if Man United came calling - I had to laugh. Today really showed what a gulf in quality there is between the sides.

 

Having watched Lester today, I bet for my life they are going to lose four games in row aginset West Ham, Swansea, Man Utd and Everton
COYS

 

Three good things that came out of todays game - the goals !. No but seriously 1) We kept a clean sheet and didn't let the gap between us and Leicester get bigger. 2) We showed that we are a different Spurs side from seasons past, by our determination to keep going forward and creating chances (even at 2-0 up) & 3) We are back to being 6 points in front of the scum from down the road (pity West Ham couldn't hold on for the win yesterday after coming from 2-0 down).

Champions league is what we wanted (anythjng else - title etc, is a bonus), and finishing above the Arse has to be the sweetest of them all.

 

Wish I had time to write a player ratings post, but I was already 30 minutes late to my niece's noontime birthday party, so here is a brief post:

Lloris-7- Honestly, nothing to do
Walker-7- Dangerous all game. Love his fire and was unlucky when he deftly split two united defenders but couldn't score
Vertonghen-7- Great return to the side for the Belgian
Alderweireld-8- In control and a great goal.
Rose-7- Lively early when no one else but Mousa was
Dier-7- In control as always
Dembele-9- He's so strong and almost impossible to knock off the ball. A Man United friend tried to compare Schneiderlin to him and that's an insult to Mousa
Eriksen-8- Lively and spry. Great all game
Alli-7- Great goal.
Lamela-9- Man, have we missed this guy in the lineup. How far he has come since his arrival and the work rate is immense.
Kane-7- No goal today, but always a threat and ever confident.

COYS

 

Feri, you're on another planet. Leicester have lost 3 games all season and you think they're going to lose their next 4? No chance, they are where they are because they deserve to be and they deserve our respect for what they've done this season. That's not to belittle our achievements his season, I wasn't confident going into yesterday's game but I think 2nd is so much more achievable after this weekend's results and am looking forward to not having to suffer St Totteringhams day this year. We need to create our own version starting this year and keep it up!

 

Before the game I thought we would draw and the title dream would be over.
Instead the whole side put in a great shift in particular Lamela who made 6 tackles in the first half alone! He was brilliant today and deserved his goal and assist.
I believe we can still catch Leicester. Their next game is a very tricky one against west ham and hopefully their average performance shows.
They also haveManure away ,chelsea and everton and also swansea who can play very well against the big teams.
As long as our players keep fighting we will be proud no matter the results
COYS

 

Spiderneil. I am in planet footbal. I know they have lost only three games so far and I respect that. Also I am more than happy with second place but I believe they are going to lose few games in a row. It is not wishfull thinking. If West Ham came out of Man U game with no injury they can deffit them and that will start a rollo Custer .
I am going to abetting shop today and see if I can bet on that

 

Post Manure Thoughts........

The Golden 11 did us proud yesterday, every man jack of them. For me Lamela was great, but Moussa was greater - I thought he was awesome.

I still believe we can do this. Okay, so the results and the gap say otherwise, but as long as we keep winning......see it's easy!!

Back before the Palace 3-1 I posted some thoughts on how we'd need to score 30 goals from somewhere in the remaining games, plus how we might fare if Harry got injured.

Since then we've netted 22 of the 30, with 5 games to play. I had Harry down for 10 - bless him he's scored those already. Fingers crossed that the knocks he took are not serious. Of the 30 I had Son down for 3 - that doesn't look like a good call, but with Harry on the money, we're doing all the right things. Just need the Foxes to trip up a couple of times, soon. So we've won 8, drawn 2, lost 1, scored 22, conceded 6. We're the top scorers, best defence, best goal difference.....so much quality all around and a team to be proud of.

Okay we're still 7 adrift, but who would have bet against Jordan Spieth yesterday. I fell asleep and woke up to watch him take a 7 on that tricky par 3.....there's a link there somewhere. It's definitely not over yet.

COYS

 

I thought it was an inevitable stalemate- until Alli scored then we steam rolled them.
Time is running out we need a clean sweep from here, and pray Leicester slip up.

 

Feri, save your money, or better yet just give it to me! I'll put it to better use!

If you're right I'll buy you Spurs shirt from next season.

 

Great win in what turned out to be a very difficult game ... Both teams defense's pushed up as is there norm and it made for a very condensed battle in the middle third , was impossible to get any time on the ball and almost impossible to find any space to string anything together and to be fair they were handling it a bit better then us for long spells but we kept going , kept fighting and ultimately , by the final whistle there was one team who was far superior at both ends of the pitch .. For all their possession they only had one proper chance , while we scored 3 and it could easily have been 5 or 6 in the end .. We,ve heard this cliche umpteen times this season but that really was a game we wouldn't have won in the past .. Great weekend in terms of top 4 and with the scum messing up again it's all but finished their hopes of catching the Leaders .. I know a lot of you felt it wasn't going to happen anyway but I couldn't accept that , too many scars that will take a long time to disappear I think .. Sometimes I wish I had a short memory ... Anyway we fight on for another week at least , stating the bleeding obvious but we really need to take something off them over the next couple of games , need that gap to be smaller heading into the final 3 games ... One little slip could change everything as one poster mentioned look at Spieth in the golf last night , so unbelievable and unexpected but that's sport .. As that old tune goes , It's not over , It's not over yet ....
As always we live in hope ... C.O.Y.S. .....

 

Difikoult (the way Poch says it) match. Van Gaal played correctly this one... Yet his team melted down and ultimately capitulated as Spurs shredded them to pieces in 5+ minutes. I do care about the title, yet this win shall not be forgotten in the spoffish chase taken over the headlines. This was a clinical demolition I will never forget! Title or not. Come On You Spurs!!!

 

What a fantastic season it has been regardless of what happens from now on in.. First place is unrealistic but second is ours to lose!
For sure we have dropped some silly points but so have Lester and in the main been the best and most consistent in the league. My hope now is that we can add a CF a left winger a right sided centre half and go one better next term..

 

I am very satisfied! Spurs plaied a huge match followed by a good result. Hoo doo of lane' s match without a win against red devils is finally over! I remember when Willem Korsten scored twice 15 years ago...an eternity! We must end this season as well as possible...I hope above bitter rivals Gooners! London this year is ours!

 

Some good points raised here lads.

This was a good win yesterday. I thought our heads may have dropped in light of the earlier result but not this reformed team; superb in the 2nd half. They have certainly exceeded our expectations and CL football is pretty much nailed on 4next season

Toby, Erik and Mousa all stood out for me yesterday. Great to see Jan back too.

Now, I'm personally going to keep optimistic - NOT deluded! Yes those damn Foxes keep grinding out the wins but there is potential for points to be dropped with their forthcoming fixtures. I keep saying it.... remember Liverpool were 5 points clear with only 3 PL games to go.

It would be very interesting to see the Foxes lose and us win with the next round of fixtures.... Very interesting indeed.

All to play for!

COYS

 

I would tell you guys that I told ya so...but to be honest, I wouldn't really know where to start!!

Dembele, Rose, Chadli, Pochettino, Walker, team identity, clever signings, title aspirations - The Ram has spoken about it all, with a foresight/ vision that Nostradamus would be proud of.

I was called all sorts by a select few - none of whom I hold any grudge towards.

But when I say I have a EXTENSIVE knowledge, & deep UNDERSTANDING of the game we all enjoy/ love, I do so because it has, and will continue to be proven!!!

Anyway it's exciting times...but you guys already know that!!!

For those who didn't read it at the time (or perhaps want a little refresher)

http://tottenhamlive.com/threads/users-guide-why-pochettino-is-a-spurfect-fit-for-tottenham.54/

 

Would like to know your thoughts on kyle naughton whether he's a player good enough for spurs. How good lamela and eriksen could be with spurs. If Kane is the real deal or not and of course is Jan verthonghen any good.? Without the benefit of hindsight Ramos of course? Also thoughts on stambouli !

 

Ah, It appears I have a challenger...*rubs hands*

Harry Kane is the ONLY player to EVER make The Ram appear as a mere mortal, I will happily admit that.

The kid has surpassed anything that I thought he was capable of, and looks every inch the world class CF Spurs have been on the look out for, for the past 5/6 years. in saying that though, this is a vastly different Kane to the one that played the last 8 (or so) games of the season under Tim Sherwood.

It is CLEAR to me, if no one else, that Harry has dedicated himself to his profession to an extent that makes a mockery of his seemingly endless stints on loan.

In hinsdsight, perhaps those loan stints helped him focus on what it is he wanted out of his career. And to be fair to the kid, ever since he began tasting EPL action regularly, towards the end of Tim's reign, he has gone from strength to strength.

But lets NOT for one moment kid ourselves, and suggest that Kane was playing anywhere close to the level he currently finds himself operating at now, back then. Because, although, he has ALWAYS had his talents, what he has done to get to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable.

Everyone else you have mentioned, however, I have called EXACTLY right...including Stambouli (who often impressed in a Spurs shirt, WHEN he had the opportunities to play) ...But hey, I did ALWAYS say Poch was as ruthless as they come!

Next...

 

I'm sure the handful of people who went into the bookmakers at the start of the year and backed Leicester to win the League @ 5000/1 will also be claiming it was down to their superior knowledge of the game but I'm not quite sure I buy that ... Nostradamus predicted a lot of things but there's no way he seen the collapse of Chelsea and City or the rise of Leicester and Spurs coming ....... Call me cynical .........