still be in the League Cup.
The latest Angeballfest in thumping Burnley away saw one change to his usual lineup that was probably the only decent thing from their midweek League Cup exit, as Sonny played central and got his hat-trick.
The staring XI team sheet put out for Burnley away saw the one change a lot of people wanted to see – unlike the nine changes no one wanted to see midweek – as Richarlison was benched, possibly due to the injury he picked up in that Cup exit.
With no actual striker signed in the transfer window – well bar the one we’re told won’t be ready this year – it meant Son up front, with Solomon taking his place on the left. Other than that it was the same team that had started and won in the previous two league outings. Ange’s best XI, most of whom could have quite easily played one midweek fixture.
One thing that didn’t change was the slow start. Every game so far has seen Spurs off it to begin with and it also the other thing that’s been the same in a number of games. The games in which they’ve conceded, three, all five goals have come down Spurs’ right, a number ending with the ball coming off Micky van de Ven as he slides in to try and block the attempt. And so it happened, less than five minutes in, Porro beaten too easily, Romero nowhere and again vdV is left to cover.
It’s almost like the Conte days, in that they need something to kick them into action, because once they start ticking Spurs start dominating.
It was funny hearing the Brentford manager say his team just like to go forward, when they’ve been the only side to go flat back 10 against Spurs, and get something from it. Burnley, after Man U and Bournemouth tried to play open attacking football and it left them open to inevitable, a little over 10 minutes later. Long ball by Porro to Son, who took it down well, it’s two on two and he plays it to Solomon, who cuts in and plays it back to the captain, one touch to control and the keeper and defender are on him but going to ground, so the second touch is a beautifully lofted ball into the net. A lovely goal. And Son’s first under Ange for the season.
The go ahead goal came out of nowhere on the brink of half time. A corner that was cleared but came back to Maddison, his cross again was eventually cleared and as it ran to the edge of the box, there was Romero running onto it and curl it in the far post. As with the equaliser, VAR tried their best to chalk it off but couldn’t.
Spurs should have been well ahead, numerous real good chances but killed by awful final balls. But in general the forward line was working better than it had in the previous games, sans Richarlison, yes it could be better but with Maddison involved in everything and Solomon looking like a real bargain.
The third came from the pressing we’ve seen from Angeball that’s been so missing under the previous incumbents. Winning the ball the underappreciated Udogie – well no goals have come down his side – squared the ball to Maddison who was left in an unbelievable amount of space. From where he curled it into the far post. Still can’t believe we got Maddison for just £40m. Yes, Levy got something right, shocker.
If the game wasn’t over now, it didn’t take long for the fat lady to start singing. Burnley had chances but Vicario was in full save mode and he likes a bit of post save celebration. Micky vdV picked up the ball, then lost the ball then picked himself up after being fouled to get the ball back, eventually it found its way to Solomon who ran into the box before cutting the ball back to possibly Kulusevski but Son was there knock home the fourth. A few minutes later and he had his hat-trick.
A glorious ball from Porro, curled through and around the Burnley defence, Sonny took a touch to control it then with his left a second to score. Another great goal, that shows how with pace and the go forward that’s as been said missing, they can cut through teams at ease.
Sonny up and running, it was a hat-trick that got him off the mark last season but it didn’t kick start anything like what we know the Korean can produce. Now, now it’s different but only if Ange sticks with him as the central striker. Depending on who comes back fit from the international break there’s only one change i’d make, see what the transfer deadline day signing Brennan Johnson can do, in place of Kulusevski.
There was time though for Burnley to get a second and yet again it came down Spurs’ right and yet again it came with Emerson at right back. Porro had been moved up to right wing when the Brazilian replaced Maddison late on. Emerson clueless as Romero steps up and Burnley get through and yet again vdV is sliding in to try and repair the damage done by others to have the ball come off him for a goal.
Played five games in all competitions, they’ve conceded five goals, all five have come down the right and all but the first goal here have come when Emerson has been on the pitch.
After beating a so called big team in United, Spurs had to follow that up with victories against two of this season’s relegation fodder, they did this, but if Ange had put out a decent starting XI against Fulham they could have done this and still be in with a chance of the League Cup. It’s another one up next after this international break, it kinda all depends on who is left standing and available for selection. Thankfully it looks like Davinson Sanchez won’t be one of them…