Still buzzing after that win. Clocked up 20 years now as a supporter, and I can honestly say I'm struggling to recall a better performance. Certainly have not seen a Spurs team show so much fight, energy and be so prepared to get stuck in and win the ball back. The only thing you could criticise was the lack of a composed final touch at times.
It was a travesty we were losing the match for such a long time, but in the end justice was done. I was so impressed with how we stuck at it, with the crowd roaring them on, kept fighting and plugging away against in fairness a pretty resilient defensive outfit and finally were rewarded.
Tactically I often criticise managers, today I thought we were superb in this respect. We finally saw a real concerted high press that everyone bought into and the results were pretty good. There was a 5 minute spell in particular second half where we absolutely strangled them, they were unable to get out, as we carried out wave after wave of attack after snaffling the ball back. We were so dominant that the two centre backs were stationed well inside their half as we completely hemmed them in. Beautiful to see it put into practice. I hope we see much more of this, and the pressure is on now, because today finally it looked like things had clicked.
With the ball we were patient but played with tempo, in keeping with our frantic pressing efforts. We didn't let our heads drop after the early goal and kept plugging away. I thought we played with a lot of adventure and daring, Rose and Walker pushing right on and taking the game to them, and as I said the centre backs played extremely high. There was a chance we would get countered, but we were bold and took it to them. I liked what I saw.
What was most pleasing though has to be the attitude and workrate that we saw all over the pitch. It makes a nice change to see a Tottenham team do the 'dirty work' and want it more than the opposition. We aren't getting bullied out of games anymore. It's epitomised by people like Mason and Rose - tenacious, and sometimes downright nasty, fuckers which you need in the team and to get about the opposition. Unfair to single out individuals though, all over the pitch players put in a shift and no one could be faulted. A real team effort. Only one side wanted it out there today, and got its rewards.
Great stuff. Now to bottle, and repeat it!
Lloris - Not much to do. No chance for the goal. One super save from Welbeck.
Walker - Better from him today I thought. Showed greater urgency, whether that be coming out and pressing the ball/making interceptions or when he attacked his man well and used his speed. Good game.
Dier - First real test. Passed with flying colours. Composed on the ball, good positional sense, quick enough across the ground when he needs to cover across. Looks totally unfazed by it all. Looks a great buy, and a scarily good prospect.
Vertonghen - Solid, composed game. A good foil for Dier and a good partnership for playing proactive football trying to play out from the back.
Rose - He got done from a standing start for the goal, but I don't think that should take away from a very good performance. First half especially he tore down the left and really took the game to them. His energy and tenaciousness were a great example of our pressing and hassling game today. All that was missing was a better final ball on a couple of occasions. Very good game.
Mason - Few blips in the first 20 mins, after that an absolutely heroic performance in the centre of the park. Popped up everywhere, whether that be to pass, dribble, tackle or even kick the opposition when needed. Some bemoaned his fouls but you need to play with an edge and when you press high you need players who will commit dirty fouls to stop the counter attack, is the truth. Greater precision is needed at times, and he needs to strive to improve this, but he was the heartbeat of that performance today.
Bentaleb - Early stages worked his way into it a little bit I thought, as the game wore on though he was his usual composed self and kept things ticking in midfield. Great cross for the winning goal.
Lamela - Worked hard, some nice lay offs and link up play at times, but in and around the box decision making/composure let him down at times. Put in a real shift though and contributed to the team effort.
Dembele - A couple of times was frustrating, and I still think he needs to show more incisiveness at times, but I thought second half in particular he had a good-very good game. He effectively played as a targetman from the No.10 role... It allowed us to push forward passes into a congested area and the ball would stick with him and then we could play off him. Looks a much better use of him than in the Cm2.
Eriksen - Also put in a real shift. Final ball maybe not happening for him today, but saw plenty of the ball and played his part.
Kane - Just keeps on going. Had to do a lot of hold up play today and be patient, when the chances came though he showed the striker he has become over the last few months. The header in particular was top class. Amazing progression.
Fans - Excellent.
Poch - Bravo. Encore...
Kane does it week in week out too (when he's played as the lone striker)
Fabulous performance. Really think Atletico has to be the model for us to be successful - by which i mean win the title! Not just hang close to top 4. Marriage of team spirit, work rate, spotting talent early and giving promising players the opportunity to play and become world beaters. Very un-Spurs! But yesterday's performance made me dream....
