Tottenham Hotspur secured their first victory under the Ange Postecoglou regime this evening, putting two goals past Manchester United without reply.
Let’s take a look at how the Spurs players got on:
Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-Min runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, on August 6, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Guglielmo Vicario – 8.5 – Saved everything that came his way, including a couple of tips around the post in important moments during the second half. All the nerves he showed last week seemed to vanish, as he was confident off his line and pin-point with the ball at his feet.
Pedro Porro – 7.5 – Drifted in and out of the game, and was a little suspect defending over his shoulder in the first 45. But he grew into the match and was superb on the ball in the second half. Unlucky to see his effort come back off the bar at 0-0.
Cristian Romero – 8.5 – A classic Romero performance this evening. At his best, he’s like a sniffer hound, waiting for a glimpse of ball (or ankle) to charge towards. His passing was a little loose in the first half but he dominated second period of the match.
Micky Van de Ven – 7.5 – Van de Ven looked incredible defensively when put 1v1, showing off that pace and strength Spurs bought him for. He seemed a little less sure of himself when passing out from the back at times, but that is to be expected for a new player in England.
Destiny Udogie – 8 – He didn’t give Garnacho a sniff all game really. Incredible with his 1v1 defending, but also continued to serve as a threat for Spurs going forward too. He was part of some lovely link-up play with Maddison and Son in the second half.
Yves Bissouma – 9 – This guy reminds me of Mousa Dembele, and that is about as good a compliment as you can get at Tottenham. Wriggles out of spaces he shouldn’t be able to and keeps Spurs ticking over. I worry how we would look in the transition without him, and we’re only two games in!
Pape Matar Sarr – 9 – My Man of the Match. Playing off the right, Sarr intercepted and tackled for fun today, turning over possession and not only starting counters, but getting involved in them too. Took his goal very well and covered every blade of grass this evening.
James Maddison – 8.5 – A little quiet in the opening exchanges, but Maddison grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half. Everything went through him, and his dribbling in congested areas was so impressive. Tottenham’s next leader in the making, along with Sonny.
Dejan Kulusevski – 8 – Boy, did he work hard today. Kulusevski was tireless down that right side all game long, as was a thorn in the Man United defence, particularly on the break. The only thing I want to see more of is beating his man to the touchline, rather than chopping back every time. Superb assist one of the times he did take his man on.
Richarlison – 7 – Got a lot better in the second half when he simplified his game. Receive the ball, take a good touch, and bring someone else into play. In the first 45, it was like he was trying to carve an attacking chance from every touch, and that was just wasteful most of the time.
Heung-min Son – 7.5 – I want to see him tuck inside a lot more. At times, it was like he was playing left-wing-back. With Kane gone, Son is our most lethal finisher, and he needs to be attacking the box as much as possible. That being said, he was superb in the latter stages of the match.
Substitutes:
Ben Davies – 7.5 – Came into that inverted left-back goal and essentially scored the second, while also maintaining the clean sheet. What more can you ask for?
Ivan Perisic – 7 – Played on the left side for the final 20 minutes and looked dangerous with his crossing, including the assist for Tottenham’s second.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – N/A
Manor Solomon – N/A
Emerson Royal – N/A
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