Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Man City

Tottenham started the season in the perfect way this evening, defeating Premier League holders Man City by one goal to nil.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:

Japhet Tanganga, he’s one of our own – Who knew that 80 minutes into the season opener against Man City, Spurs fans would be singing their ‘one of our own’ song for Tanganga after putting in a MOTM right-back display. The man had £100m Jack Grealish on toast. I have always said Japhet isn’t a right back but he proved me wrong today. His style is developing a little like Wan Bissaka at United, in my opinion. Skipp’s performance is also worth a quick mention, fantastic to see!

Hats off to Dier and Sanchez – Some have called for one, if not both, to be sold this summer. However, Dier and Davinson put in a near-perfect display at the back against the Premier League’s best side today. By no means will it define their futures but it puts a lot more respect back on their names. You can criticise them at times but you have to applaud just as loud today.

Life without Kane – It has to be said, Moura, Son and Bergwijn looked lost for large parts of the game today. None of them played as an out-and-out striker as they kind of took it in terms moving across the front three. The link-up play was hit and miss and they lacked chemistry, but that will come. What I can say is that they got better with every minute and all three worked incredibly hard, finally getting their deserved goal in the second half.

Cristian Romero’s debut – Not much to analyse about his short cameo but it was good to see Romero back from injury and ready to play some part in the near future. It’s important that Spurs filter their new signings in to actually add to the squad, as well as making some more. I’m sure he has a big Spurs career ahead of him.

Nuno played a blinder – I have to say, I was screaming for Nuno to bring on some fresh legs between 60 and 75 minutes. I thought it was going to backfire. However, the new Spurs boss waited for Pep to blink first and reacted to that. The timing of the Lo Celso sub was match-winning as the Argentine led so many of Tottenham’s late breaks to tick the clock down. Risky but rewarding from Nuno.