How we rated Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur side in their New Year’s Day win over Chelsea at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Hotspur have quietly put together a fine run of form under Mauricio Pochettino of late – and they continued that with a stunning victory over previous Premier League leaders Chelsea at White Hart Lane this evening.
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Whilst all of the Spurs players on show were excellent, this is how we would rated Pochettino’s side individually:
GK) Hugo Lloris 7 – Didn’t actually have that many saves to make, but one or two in the second half were vitally important.
RB) Kyle Walker 7 – Often criticised, but Walker played well and still looks like Tottenham’s best long term option at right back.
CB) Federico Fazio 6 – Fazio is an odd case – Spurs’ form is much better with him in the team, despite the Argentine’s performances being dodgy. At fault for Hazard’s goal.
CB) Jan Vertonghen 7 – Did pretty well and looks to be heading back to his best, although Spurs did their damage in attack rather than defence.
LB) Danny Rose 7 – An odd afternoon for Danny Rose, who was eviscerated by Eden Hazard at times during the first half but recovered to put his side ahead just before the break.
CM) Nabil Bentaleb 7 – Neat and tidy in midfield, Spurs will miss the Algerian when he departs on Cup of Nations duty.
CM) Ryan Mason 6 – Didn’t really have any time to make an impact on the game before going off injured for Mousa Dembele.
ARM) Andros Townsend 7 – A constant threat to Cesar Azpilicueta, although Townsend’s game can be predictable – showed great nerve to step up and score the penalty.
ACM) Christian Eriksen 8 – Was excellent playing in the number ten role for Spurs, he got the better of Nemanja Matic who usually shuts down that position.
ALM) Nacer Chadli 9 – Belgian international winger Chadli has become one of Spurs’ most important players – he was excellent again and is now a genuine goal threat.
SC) Harry Kane 9 – The rise of Kane is one of this season’s real fairytale stories, with the much lauded Chelsea back line unable to handle his movement, intelligence and clinical finishing.
SUB) Mousa Dembele 7 – Kept things ticking over in central midfield, whilst his physicality is always a plus point.
SUB) Paulinho 6 – Sent on to keep things tight and pack the midfield a little bit more – and that’s just what he was able to do.
SUB) Ben Davies 7 – Came on for Danny Rose and offered a little bit more defensive protection than the Englishman.
MAN) Mauricio Pochettino 9 – Excellent stuff, had his team completely up for it and Chelsea never got to grips with the link up play of his front three or four. Has really turned things around.
