and they outplay you.
Spurs lost more ground on the Champions League spots as they scraped a draw against Burnley that saw more chopping and changing of players and formation.
So from back four midweek, for the Cup exit, Jose went to a back three, that was more a back five for the trip to Burnley. Back five with five centre-backs. Sean Dyche could only dream of such a team.
Instead, Dyche picked a team that pretty much rang rings around Spurs for the first half. Outplayed by Burnley… a Sean Dyche Burnley. Spurs midfield were completely overran, the forward line wasn’t in the game and it was only time before a defensive howler would prove costly, as it has for most of the season.
It came 13 minutes in, from Hugo. For the second game running a Spurs keeper palmed a shot straight back into the danger area for an opposing player to pounce on and score from. The first cross in the build up was blocked by Sanchez and rebounded off the Burnley player’s arm, which controlled the ball for him to get his second cross into the area, of course VAR decided that this handball didn’t count so the goal stood.
Individual errors. How many times are Spurs punished for individual errors? The original shot Hugo fluffed came from a header from Dier, who again had a good game but of course will shortly be banned for his foray into the stands.
Woods, got the opener, someone said during the transfer window that he would have been a cheap replacement for Kane, well he would have done a job. Would have given the other players someone to work with, as we found out yet again that Dele ain’t a front man.
Spurs, yet again behind and having to make changes to get back into a game. Jose did make them at half-time, they could have come a lot sooner, do wonder when Poch would have made them.
Skipp and Ndombele went off for Moura and Lo Celso. The former pair had not been in the game at all, and it wasn’t as if they were outnumbered, with Burnley’s 4-4-2. The latter of the latter, Lo Celso made an immediate impact. And a few minutes into the second half he took the ball of a Burnley player, then charging forward, he played the perfect pass to Lamela, who taking the ball in the area was clipped by Mee for a clear penalty. Even Dyche couldn’t moan about that one. Don’t suppose he moaned about his players not being carded for their persistent fouls. Somehow it took until the 76th minute before Hendrick was booked.
Hendrick has got away with so many fouls, Pep Guardiola is looking at signing him… #COYS #THFC
— Токсическая сеть (@Toxic_Web) March 7, 2020
Dele calmly slotted the penalty, with a Kane style power and accuracy, for his 50th goal in the league.
Lo Celso was close to scoring his first league goal for Spurs, with a curling shot that just went past the post. He made the difference in the second half. But end the end they finished the game with just 2 shots on target, compared to the home sides 8 from 21 attempts.
So did Jose prioritise Leipzig over this? What formation, what players will he put out on Tuesday? Will they keep up this calamitous playing…