Match Report: Comprehensive Spurs Win Reinforces Top-4 Credentials
Mousa Dembele, prior to Sunday's London Derby, spoke highly of this current Tottenham team. "This is the best team I've played in since I've been at Tottenham," the Belgian told SkySports. Given he was part of the Spurs side that came perilously close to securing a top-4 berth in the 2012/13 season, it's high praise indeed. However, it's a comment that certainly rings true given Spurs' fine start to the campaign. As one of the more experienced members of this side, many had tipped the Belgium international to fall by the wayside given Mauricio Pochettino's preference to focus on youth. An injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Everton earlier in the season could have limited his playing time, particularly with the emergence of Dele Alli and Eric Dier.
Yet, the 28-year-old is now as a key member in the starting XI, with Dembele a calming influence in the middle of the park, a factor that was again noted the meeting with West Ham. Coming into the welcome of the Hammers, Mauricio Pochettino's side were on the longest unbeaten run in England's top tier this term. Spurs hadn't tasted defeat since the opening day 1-0 loss at Manchester United, a match they were expected to lose, but one they didn't deserve to. They extended this run of games against the Hammers with a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Hammers, courtesy of a Harry Kane brace, a Toby Alderweireld header and a fine Kyle Walker strike, with Manuel Lanzini netting a late consolation for the visitors.
Pochettino has ridden this team of those not pulling in the same direction and replaced them with players who are more than happy to give their all for the greater good, akin to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
The 2-2 draw with Stoke back in August, where Spurs sacrificed a 2-0 lead, now seems a lifetime ago, with the new-found resiliency helping the club in their quest to secure Champions League football. Only Manchester United (9) have conceded fewer goals than Tottenham (11) in the Premier League this season, with the defensive qualities shown by Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker have been crucial at the back. Ultimately, it was Kane's double that was vital in Spurs' comprehensive win over West Ham, but the game-changer once more was Dembele.
When on-song, Dembele is one of the more difficult midfielders to stop, and he showed that again at White Hart Lane, completing more successful dribbles (5) than any other player in the fixture. Only man of the match Kane (9.17) gained a better WhoScored rating than the experienced midfielder (8.66), who has become undroppable for the north London outfit. It wasn't just his work on the ball that helped Spurs to victory either. No Spurs player made more tackles than Dembele (4), who was a force to be reckoned with once more in front of the defence.
While the key players have quickly bought into Pochettino's philoshopy, Dembele's rise to the fore has perhaps been the most impressive. He's always been a player capable of stepping his game up another level on his day and while he could have regressed under Pochettino, the Argentine has instead helped him break through the ceiling that was holding him back. If Spurs indeed secure a much-coveted top-4 spot, then Dembele is one who will likely play a key role. Pochettino praised the former Fulham star after the full time whistle - "He had a great game" - but was quick to point out that it was a complete performance from the team.
As for West Ham, what stood between them and a positive performance was the absence of Dimitri Payet. The return of Alex Song will buoy the club to no end, but without their French summer signing, the Hammers lacked the spark in the final third. While Manuel Lanzini is a player capable of filling the void in the number 10 role, he is a level below Payet in terms of creative quality and that showed on Sunday. Andy Carroll was left isolated in attack, gaining a WhoScored rating of just 6.17. With no link between the midfield and attack, it was little shock that the Hammers mustered just four shots on target, the same as Kane managed for Spurs.
Payet has rapidly endeared himself to the Hammers faithful following his move from Marseille, but in his absence, West Ham are likely to struggle, especially with the hectic festive period looming. The club's creator-in-chief is expected to miss the next three months of competitive action. If today's outing is anything to go by, it could be long a long three months before Payet's pulling the strings for West Ham once more. Slaven Bilic was quick to downplay the 28-year-old's absence, but his injury will be felt by the Hammers.
Nevertheless, Spurs deserve all the praise thrust their way following Sunday's win over the east London side. Pochettino was right in saying it was a complete performance and it was one that extends their current unbeaten run to 12 games, the longest in the Premier League. Four points off top spot and with the second best goal difference in England's top tier - whisper it quietly, but could this side be considered title contenders? Bilic admitted that Spurs are a very good team, while the performance only reinforced Dembele's comments prior to kick off. The team is indeed good enough to secure a Champions League place, if not more, of that there is no doubt.
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