After a run of poor results and performances for Jose Mourinho’s team, there was some cheer at last as Gareth Bale and Dele Alli class helped Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-1 victory in Hungary.
Dele Alli Class and Gareth Bale Goal See Spurs Win
Gareth Bale and Dele Alli Show Class is Permanent
Tottenham required a win after five defeats from the last six games going into this first leg round of 32 Europa League tie. Dele Alli and Gareth Bale started the match – two players with only three Premier League starts between them.
Alli and Bale both took their chances to show that they still have the class to make a difference to Tottenham’s season that has started to flounder. It was those two that were heaving involved in Spurs’ first goal after twelve minutes. Toby Alderweireld hit one of his searching crossfield balls, Alli chested the ball down to Son Heung-min whose shot was blocked. The ball was then worked out to Bale who hit a low cross from the right and Son was on hand to head home after a lovely Tottenham move.
Bale then showed a little bit of skill that reminded fans that class is permanent. He ran onto a through ball, did a little drag back and then fired home with his left foot and Spurs were looking the class above their opponents that they are.
The third was a fabulous solo run from Lucas Moura who beat four men and then hit a low shot to put Tottenham in complete control before half time.
Individual Errors Still Being Made
Tottenham’s season haas been littered with individual errors and once again they showed that they simply are not learning from them. Moussa Sissoko had control of the ball, facing his own goal, but poor control allowed the opponent to nip in. Sissoko brought him down in the box and Micheal Liendl pulled a goal back.
Spurs started to become complacent and it could have been back to 3-2 when Christopher Wernitznig crashed the ball against the bar, and although it did drop down it was not over the line. There was a collective sigh of relief as well as a cry of anger and anguish from Jose Mourinho. These mistakes and taking the foot off the gas are exactly the reasons why Spurs are ninth in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup.
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Carlos Vinicius Seals Result
Carlos Vinicius grabbed a late goal to ensure that Spurs’ concerns were put to bed and a 4-1 victory is taken back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the second leg. What should be a safe and easy passage to the next round of the Europa League, which may be Spurs’ best chance of qualifying for next seasons Champions League, the club will be pleased with the result.
Better From Spurs But Errors Persist
This was a lively first-half performance from Tottenham and a more laboured second-half display, but it was ultimately professional and a case of job done. When Tottenham play on the front foot and attack teams, that is when they are at their best and surely must now focus on playing this way to end the season in the top four.
Errors are still there and need to be resolved but this was a more encouraging performance for Jose Mourinho from his players and he will hope they can carry that forward into Sunday’s London Derby away to West Ham United.
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