A painful spectacle, with the players lacking in effort and application. They were outmuscled, out performed by their League 2 opponents and it looked curtains for us until that man Harry Kane saved our blushes. Here is our Player ratings:
Michel Vorm, 6 — Fairly solid from the Dutchman, not much he could’ve done about the goal that gave Newport their lead, remained otherwise solid throughout.
Kieran Trippier, 5 — Was slow to jump with Amond at the back post when the Irishman gave the hosts took the lead. He sent in a fine cross but Kane headed over, Aurier is first choice now and his display wouldn’t have changed that.
Juan Foyth, 6 — The young Argentine looked nervy and rusty in the first half, then so did everyone but he found his feet after the break, growing in confidence with the ball and bringing it out of defence when possible.
Eric Dier, 4 — A headless chicken in the first half, losing the ball outside his own box early and he then failed to clear a cross which gave Newport another decent shot on goal. Upped his game in second half but not his best day overall.
Jan Vertonghen, 6 — After an uncharacteristic shaky start he became the coolest head in a scattered defence in the first half, often getting agitated with the lack of movement in front of him. Slotted in to left-back in the second half and made a few bursting runs.
Kyle Walker-Peters, 5 — Given a rare start and he did look vulnerable defensively and it wasn’t a total surprise that he was substituted at halftime.
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Moussa Sissoko, 5 — The much maligned midfielder gets himself about had he did set up a first-half chance for Kane, who hit the post. But he is the target of many a critic and he does look like he lacks the required technical skills. His efforts aren’t questionable it’s just what he does with it for most of the game that is
Victor Wanyama, 4 — The Kenyan powerhouse had a definite off day surprisingly outmuscled at times and he did lose the ball far too often. However he does need the game time to find his rhythm after a long time out
Mousa Dembele, 5 — Injuries are taking their toll, his energy levels have dropped significantly and he was a peripheral figure in the first half. His second-half display was better, and he’s lacking match sharpness and he did make some clumsy challenges.
Fernando Llorente, 3 — Has been an absolute shambles. Offered nothing against League 2 opposition and the ball just kept bouncing off him. Pochettino’s reluctance to change things saw him stay on the field for neatly 70 minutes but we predictably improved when he went off.
Harry Kane, 7 — Our saviour, our hero dragged us back into the match. Suffered with bog standard service in the first half. Was alert to the Son flick and prodded home an equaliser for his 30th of the season. It’s scary to think what we’d be without him and anymore days like that we might find out sooner rather than later.
Substitutes
Son Heung-min, 7 — Added pace and energy after coming on at the break, denied one on one by the goalkeeper and his sublime flick from Trippier’s corner laid it on a plate for Harry to tap in.
Dele Alli, 6— Replaced Llorente with 20 mins remaining and upped the tempo setting up a glorious chance for Son, and he was inches away from getting his head to a Kane cross late on.
Ben Davies, NR — Replaced Dembele in the 81st minute, and his corner lead to the equaliser.
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