When do Tottenham Hotspur ever do it the easy way?
Spurs were pegged back after only a minute or two in their must-win Champions League home tie against PSV yesterday evening.
After pummelling the Dutch leaders with attack after attack for the next 80 minutes, it looked as if it simply wouldn’t be Tottenham’s night.
Then captain Harry Kane stepped up to grab two late goals to keep his side’s Champions League hopes alive.
Here are five things we learned in the match:
Tottenham still have hope!
Tottenham still have a glimmer of hope in the Champions League after grabbing three points last night. The win means that Spurs still need six points from their final two matches against Inter Milan and Barcelona, but there is mathematically still a chance.
Kane is clinical
Harry Kane barely touched the ball in the first 75 minutes or so, and when he did he was kicked to the ground by the PSV defence. However, the Spurs captain only needed two half chances to drag his side into the next Champions League game week.
Harry Winks is the player Spurs have been missing
Harry Winks is now establishing himself as one of the very best central midfielders in England, personified by his performance last night. As the sole midfielder, he covered the ground of two or three players to boss the centre of the park. Crunching challenges, driving runs, pinpoint passing, he has it all.
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Spurs remain in Europe
You would think that Tottenham’s result against PSV last night will be enough to at least guarantee Pochettino’s side a European stay this season. Even if they miss out on the Champions League qualification spots, their points and head to head result against PSV should secure Europa League.
Gazzaniga is a future number one
It should not be overlooked that this was Paulo Gazzaniga’s Champions League debut tonight. The Argentine is only 26, and has only played a handful of Premier League games for Spurs. Yet on the most important night of Tottenham’s season, he stepped up to command between the Spurs sticks. He pulled off a number of good saves, and even had the confidence to Cruyff turn past a PSV forward.
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