Match Report: Trippier an Unlikely Hero as Spurs Go Second
Leicester City's 3-1 win at Manchester City in Saturday's early kick off not only extended the Foxes' lead at the summit of the Premier League, but opened up the opportunity for Tottenham to leapfrog the Citizens into second. The north London side hosted Watford in their bid to consolidate their place in the Premier League's top four. However, the Hornest weren't simply going to roll over and allow Spurs an easy three points, with the aim of Quique Snachez Flores' game plan to frustrate the home side.
Sanchez started captain Troy Deeney on the bench for the encounter at White Hart Lane, with the Watford boss looking to flood the midfield to frustrate Spurs. Etienne Capoue, Ben Watson and January arrival Mario Suarez were the trio utilised to limit Spurs' influence, but with the visitors remaining compact, Mauricio Pochettino's side looked to the flanks to attack Watford and they were well worth their lead when Kieran Trippier opened his Spurs account a little after the hour mark. The former Burnley right-back initially struggled upon his arrival - both in terms of performance and action due to Kyle Walker's form - but has begun to show why Spurs acted swiftly to secure his services back in the summer.
His battle with Nathan Ake on the right was a particular highlight over the 90 minutes, with Trippier instructed to break forward as regularly as possible to help stretch the Watford defence. Given the 25-year-old's quality when delivering from the touchline, it was little wonder Pochettino opted for Trippier ahead of Walker for this encounter. The latter has the pace to trouble any side, but his final ball often leaves a lot to be desired. The same cannot be said for the former.
Trippier attempted a total of 10 crosses over the 90 minutes and while only three were accurate, the Watford defence frequently struggled to clear their ranks when the right-back put the ball into the danger zone, instead relying on Gomes to alleviate the danger. The Brazilian is one who perhaps did not deserve to be on the losing side given his goalkeeping display on his return to White Hart Lane.
Gomes has made a solid argument to be dubbed goalkeeper of the season in England's top tier and he once more showcased why as he made eight saves, six punches clear and claimed a further two crosses to contribute to a WhoScored rating of 8.64 - only Trippier (8.81) gained higher. That he had more touches (58) than any other Watford player effectively sums up how dominant Spurs were over the 90 minutes. However, while the Brazilian was in exceptional form for the visiting side, he was unable to keep out the cross that resulted in Trippier's goal, despite getting his fingertips to the ball.
It was the introduction of Dele Alli, though, that provided Spurs with the necessary three points to move into second in the Premier League. In the opening 45 minutes, left-back Ben Davies proved to be one of the primary offensive outlets for this home side, only to be denied by Gomes in search of goal. With Nyom at times struggling, it was clear Pochettino demanded the England international attack down the left - as his above touch map shows - and it was from this flank where the breakthrough was made, with Alli's outside-of-the-boot ball across goal finding Trippier at the far post.
Ultimately, though, Flores' approach to frustrate Spurs ending up backfiring. Bar a late flurry of pressure as the match neared its climax, Watford were second best for much of the game, highlighted in that they managed just three shots to Spurs' 26 and 35% possession to the home side's 65%. Pochettino was keen to avoid talk of a title pursuit given the five-point gap between themselves at Leicester in his post-match press conference, but it's difficult to deny they are firmly in the race. "Tottenham deserve to fight for the league," Flores said after the match, with the Watford boss full of praise for Spurs. The hosts may have been forced to work for the three points, but it's a crucial victory in the race to achieving their seasonal goal.
Can Spurs win the title or will they be pipped to the summit by league leaders Leicester? Let us know in the comments below
