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Opening weekend and Tottenham were happy to bag all three points, away at Selhurst Park. Newly promoted Crystal Palace are by no means newcomers to the Premiership.
A lone goal by the debutant Roberto Soldado saw the away team take the lead in the 50th minute, and they held on to it till the final whistle.
No surprises were headed our way, as Crystal Palace came through on a predictably unsure attack which lacked the conviction to disturb the net. Spurs didn’t look too exceptional either, but were clinical when it mattered. A little premature and maybe Crystal Palace are not the best barometer, but Spurs may just make it into the Champions League this season. Here’s why:
New Signings
Spurs have made the best of the opportunities this summer, and Arsenal could certainly use a little advice for their rivals. Brazilian midfielder Paulinho and Spanish forward Roberto Soldado remain the two key signings that should brighten up White Hart Lane.
Add Belgian Nacer Chadli and the French Étienne Capoue to that mix, and it gets even better. Paulinho looked eager to get to the ball and Chadli was almost everywhere. Both of them have enough pace and strength to qualify as future pillars of the club and should be able to command possession and the opposition’s attention.
Soldado, an out-and-out striker, was the perfect addition to the club, and he will score goals freely, once he makes his space in the box. He may have been a little wayward this time, but the laidback attitude seemed infectious for AVB’s squad.
Overall, a brilliant set up for the new additions to blossom, especially with the returning Sandro and Kaboul.
The Attack
This particular department is why Tottenham look right on course to pip Arsenal in the days to come. If the Gunners maintain status quo on their transfers for this season, Tottenham will simply refuse to give way in the race for top four.
AVB is known to play the 4-4-1-1 formation, and he did. Soldado played up front, with Sigurdsson playing the role of a supporting striker. Lennon, Paulinho, Dembele and Chadli formed the midfield, ensuring the continuous supply of quick through-balls and slick passing.
Seventeen shots came from the visiting side, as opposed to a paltry five from the home side, and that demonstrates the aforementioned point.
Although, Spurs should have done much better with the chances they had, especially when both Sigurdsson and Defoe looked clear on goal, but they have the liberty to do better the next time around.
Arsenal are already lagging and there is enough reason why they will continue to suffer. AVB needs to ensure that his team score more, and with greater conviction.
The Back Line
Tottenham never looked the best with possession, although the pace of Lennon, Chadli and Sigurdsson impressed highly. But even in the worst of times, Tottenham were quick to quell any hopeful attack, and Danny Rose seemed the best bet in that part of the field.
Stretching a decisive leg and clearing the wayward cross was critical to his game. Vertonghen walked gingerly in the closing moments, when Chadli fell back to cover up, and that may prove to be a wasteful experiment on his ankle.
Spurs were always quivery when not in possession, but were quick to close down the opposition. Although leading by a goal, no team can afford to have 7 players in the opposition’s half in the last ten minutes of a game. Attack may be the best defense but common sense lies in holding the ball and ensuring possession, rather than risking a counter-attack. Other than that single instance of shoddy game sense, Spurs looked well equipped to last the season.
Walker, Vertonghen and Dawson were never exceptional, and had a couple of awkward moments, only to be saved the blushes by the sensational Hugo Lloris.
The French goalkeeper is probably the only chance France will have in 2014, and he certainly deserves a go in anybody’s fantasy team.
At only 26, the number 25 has made a name for him with precision saves and lightning reflexes. Crystal Palace’s only noteworthy chance came in the final few minutes, where a looping header put the Spurs defense out of commission, and left Lloris to push the ball to safety, twice in quick succession.
His ability to judge aerial balls is still a little iffy, but he will be one of the main reasons why Spurs have a shot at the bigger league and he can only add to the nine clean sheets of last season.
