Utterly sensational. An absolutely majestic performance from minute one secures a massive 6-1 over Spurs, sending us six clear of our top-four rivals and up to third.
Our best performance of the season in our biggest game of the season, moving us one step closer to Champions League football. Here come the ratings from a jubilant St. James Park.
Nick Pope – 7 – Barely had a thing to do all afternoon and couldn’t do anything about Kane’s low strike. Sometimes a tad slow off his line (not like him) and made one stop to deny Danjuma’s powerful effort late on.
Kieran Trippier – 9 – Superb first half, bombing forward and providing a constant outlet down our right-hand side, completely dominating the Spurs defence. A masterclass in offensive and defensive right back play. A true leader and one that is an absolute steal for the reported £12m fee. Subbed off at 70 for a rest.
Fabian Schar – 9 – Two assists in the first half and played like a prime Beckenbauer. His distribution was absolutely sensational and dominated Spurs all afternoon. Got done by Kane with a little lapse in concentration for the Spurs goal, other than that – masterful.
Sven Botman – 8 – Hardly noticed in the game, which shows how easy he makes it look at times. Totally negated the Spurs threat, showing his turn of pace to stay with Son the odd time they countered. A brilliant response to his off day at Villa.
Dan Burn – 8 – Responded to his horror show at Villa with a superb performance. Mature defensively, sensible in possession and kept Kulusevski silent. Many called for Matt Targett to start, but the big man didn’t let us down. Could’ve scored had his late header not been blocked.
Sean Longstaff – 8 – Our engine and unsung hero. He was a big miss last weekend and all of his dirty work helped us dominate a Spurs midfield that couldn’t match our energy and intensity. Keeps it simple and came close to scoring after his first half effort flew just wide. Reminds me of Michael Carrick.
Bruno Guimaraes – 9 – Midfield masterclass, completely dominated Spurs with 60 passes, winning six duels and constantly setting the tempo for our slick attacking play. A sensational performance from our Brazilian genius, who was also taken off early to protect his sore ankle. What a player he is.
Joe Willock – 10* – Unplayable, energetic, creative and deliverer of one of the best assists you’ll see all season. Could wax lyrical about his performance all night, with his outside of the foot pass for Isak a thing of beauty. A faultless midfield display other than his missed chance in the first half and one that SURELY catches Southgate’s attention. If he doesn’t get picked for England in the next squad, there’s something seriously wrong.
Joelinton – 10 – Narrowly misses out on the MOTM after contributing another midfield masterclass. Caused the entirety of the Spurs midfield and defence all sorts of problems, particularly in the first 20 minutes. His physicality, power and dribbling ability was a total mismatch against the Spurs players. Took his goal beautifully majestically skipping past Lloris for a tap in after a superb first touch. That diagonal run in behind coming off the left is causing teams huge problems. Played in three different roles on the day (LW, LCM, CM) and executed each superbly.
Alexander Isak – 9 – Took his two goals emphatically. Looks a superstar up top. So active all throughout the game, in the press and in possession, with some of his link up play also slick. Thrived off the crowds energy and wasn’t far from a hat-trick. Unplayable. Taken off just after the hour for Wilson.
Jacob Murphy – 9 – His second goal is absolutely ridiculous, a strike that any player would be proud of from 30 yards. Took his first goal fantastically with a first time finish over Lloris. Another outstanding performance and a further example of Eddie Howe’s elite level coaching abilities. Murphy is a microcosm of the feeling around the whole club at present.
Substitutes:
Callum Wilson – 8 – The finish for his goal 60 seconds after coming on a trademark Wilson slotted first time strike. Gave Spurs nightmares and looked sharp. What an option to have off the bench.
Anthony Gordon – 7 – Full of running and was denied what would’ve been a lovely goal, having an effort saved by Forster after he and Willock burst clear on the counter. Mixed success when he ran at the Spurs defence and looked a tad unfit (he was blowing late on), but it was a positive cameo for him.
Miguel Almiron – 7 – Looked really sharp and offered a totally different dimension than Murphy. Cut inside really well and caused Spurs big problems in the dying embers. Set up Wilson’s strike with a deflected ‘shot’.
Javi Manquillo – 7 – Did really well replacing Trippier. Was quick into the tackle and passed the ball well.
Jamaal Lascelles – 7 – Was pretty solid after coming on for the injured Schar, hopefully it isn’t serious.
