Tottenham 1-0 Inter Ratings Explained: Late Eriksen strike seals all three points
Tottenham kept their slim Champions League hopes alive with a late 1-0 win over Inter Milan at Wembley.
TOTTENHAM
Hugo Lloris - 7.18 - Almost gifted Inter a chance after playing the ball to Ivan Perisic, though he wasn’t helped by Harry Winks’ lofted back pass, but you’d expect better from the Tottenham captain. On a relatively quiet evening, he made a big save to deny Perisic at the near post with a superb reaction stop.
Serge Aurier - 7.24 - Made a superb tackle to deny a Borja Valero chance on the stroke of half time. Linked up well with Moussa Sissoko once more down the Tottenham right.
Toby Alderweireld - 7.18 - Penalised for a tactical foul on Mauro Icardi 30 yards from goal as the Inter striker bore down on Hugo Lloris. Not a memorable display, but a solid one from the Belgian.
Jan Vertonghen - 7.67 (Man of the Match) - Making his first start since September in place of the ineligible Juan Foyth and was hugely impressive alongside compatriot Toby Alderweireld at the heart of the defence. He should have scored after getting on the end of a Christian Eriksen cross, but he headed the wrong side of the post from close range. Made the most interceptions (7) of all players in the win.
Ben Davies - 7.42 - Looked far more composed than he did in the reverse fixture. Almost had an assist after showing great awareness to head into the path of Dele Alli, who sliced his effort wide.
Harry Winks - 7.51 - Dictated the tempo in the middle of the park, though an unnecessary lofted back pass to Hugo Lloris out Tottenham under pressure that Inter didn’t capitalise on didn't help. Came close to breaking the deadlock as he curled a 20-yard shot off the bar in the latter stages of the first half. Tried his luck from distance 10 minutes after the break, but his volley went out for a throw in. Came off for Eric Dier late on.
Moussa Sissoko - 7.27 - Won possession well and then released Erik Lamela midway through the first half, only for the Argentine to drag his effort wide. Was key in the first shot on target of the night after nicking the ball away from Marcelo Brozovic to instigate a counter attack. It was he who kickstarted the move that resulted in Christian Eriksen’s goal.
Erik Lamela - 6.29 - Dragged a first half shot wide after some good work by Moussa Sissoko and went into the book on the stroke of half time for a foul on Marcelo Brozovic. Worked hard to pressure the Inter defence before coming off with 20 minutes to go.
Dele Alli - 7.34 - Failed to keep a 20-yard effort down on the 12-minute mark after being picked out by Harry Kane. Was a livewire from start to finish and played the pass that resulted in Christian Eriksen’s goal.
Lucas Moura - 7.13 - Saw an early penalty appeal waved away after he appeared to have been fouled in the box by Matteo Politano. Mustered Tottenham’s first shot on target on the half hour mark after some good work by Moussa Sissoko, but his effort was comfortable for Samir Handanovic. Taken off on the hour mark having completed three dribbles and created four goalscoring chances.
Harry Kane - 7.60 - Won possession and went on a surging run from the halfway line that almost resulted in a Dele Alli goal early on. Worked hard on and off the ball, yet he failed to get the better Samir Handanovic with a weak effort at the start of the second half.
Subs
Son Heung-Min - 6.10 - Almost made an immediate impact as he got the better of Danilo D’Ambrosio, but Stefan de Vrij was on hand to alleviate the pressure on Samir Handanovic’s goal.
Christian Eriksen - 7.32 - Came close to registering an assist with his first touch as he picked out Jan Vertonghen with a superb free-kick. Made no mistake from close range with 10 minutes left to play to bury past Samir Handanovic after Dele Alli played the ball into the path of the Dane.
Eric Dier - 6.24 - Not enough time to impact the match.
INTER
Samir Handanovic - 6.54 - Did well to hold onto Lucas Moura’s shot, the first on target of the night, and moments later prevented Spurs from winning a corner after Ben Davies’ cross was deflected. Dealt with a tame Harry Kane effort easily enough five minutes after the restart. Stood no chance with Christian Eriksen’s winner, however.
Danilo D’Ambrosio - 6.13 - Struggled with Tottenham’s attacks down their left and was at fault for Christian Eriksen’s late winner due to a lack of concentration.
Stefan de Vrij - 6.75 - Made a great challenge to deny a rampaging Harry Kane from forcing his way into the Inter box at the start of the second half. Booked midway through the second half for a foul on Erik Lamela. Was withdrawn for Miranda with eight minutes to play.
Milan Skriniar - 6.89 - Another mature performance from the young centre-back, despite ending up on the losing side as he made four tackles and seven clearances to help ease the pressure on Samir Handanovic’s goal. Was top for passes (66) in this one.
Kwadwo Asamoah - 6.32 - Looked threatening whenever he did push forward, but nothing seemed to come off for the Inter left-back tonight. Saw an injury time goal bound effort blocked and cleared, much to the delight of the Tottenham fans.
Matias Vecino - 6.18 - Presented with Inter’s first chance of the second half after being teed up by Mauro Icardi, yet only succeeded in dragging his effort wide. Struggled with the pace and pressing of Tottenham’s midfield.
Marcelo Brozovic - 6.62 - Struggled to stamp his authority on the match, though showed glimpses of his defensive nous as he made four tackles.
Matteo Politano - 6.08 - Lucky to not have conceded a penalty after he appeared to foul Lucas Moura shortly after kick off. Could have proved the first assist of the game as he picked out Borja Valero moments before half time, but the sub couldn’t get his shot away. Came off for Keita Balde late on.
Radja Nainggolan - 6.00 - Forced off due to injury on the stroke of half time. Struggled to gain a foothold in the game prior to his withdrawal.
Ivan Perisic - 6.80 - Failed to capitalise on a wayward Hugo Lloris pass out from the back as his cross was blocked behind for a corner. Put in a teasing cross to the back post midway through the second half that no teammate could get on the end of. Forced Hugo Lloris into a superb stop at his near post with 15 minutes to go.
Mauro Icardi - 6.40 - Quiet up until the 28th minute, where he suddenly sprung to life to win a foul off of Toby Alderweireld 30 yards from goal that saw the Belgian booked. Poor decision making cost Inter a chance at a goal early in the second half after some good work by Matteo Politano.
Subs
Borja Valero - 6.19 - Replaced the injured Radja Nainggolan on the stroke of half time. Failed to make his chance count in first half injury time after dawdling on the ball having been picked out by Matteo Politano before losing possession.
Miranda - 6.05 - Headed just wide with the final chance of the game.
Keita Balde - 5.97 - Not enough time to impact the match.
