Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham: Spurs vault out of relegation zone behind Gallagher, Richarlison goals

Match reactions

• My only pre-match thought was that the midfield of Palhinha-Bentancur surely meant that Spurs intended to defend and counter. Which honestly might not be a bad plan. (Spoiler: they did not do that.) This was also the first time all season that Richarlison, Tel, and Kolo Muani started a football match together.
• Spurs’ early press was really well executed. And it was clear that there was a PLAN as to when to press and when to wait. That’s nice to see if nothing else.
• A goal! From a long throw! And from Conor Gallagher! That was a well executed throw from Danso and exquisitely placed shot from Gallagher. A game of firsts.
• We joked about DUELZ all season, but Spurs pretty much won all of their DUELZ in the first half. And players are making off-the-ball runs into space to support players getting forward with the ball. It’s… dare I say it, FUN, and a massive, massive indictment of Thomas Frank’s tactics.
• WHAT A GOAL FROM RICHARLISON! Incredible cross into the box from Tel, and Richy does what he does best which is jump and head in crosses. Outstanding.
• Mathys Tel had a heck of a first half. His movement, take-ons and delivery were all really promising and as good as we’ve seen from him all season. A couple of bad shots, but I’m still a Tel-liever.
• Halftime stats: lol…lmao

  

• Antonin Kinsky had almost nothing to do but his distribution out of the back was quite nice, and he also was able to switch play on a number of occasions.
• In a game of what was mostly really positive and good performances, it’s strangely a little comforting to know that Randal Kolo Muani is still playing like hot ass. Taking him off for Spence was a little strange, but a good move to get him off the pitch because he was offering very little.
• Finally, a Tottenham match where I have literally no complaints about the match official! It’s refreshing.
• That late goal really screwed up my xG narrative (and honestly the whistle should’ve blown before that goal happened). Final xG: 0.31 – 1.03.
• Roberto De Zerbi is a dickhead, but man, the guy sure can coach. I will grudgingly admit that much.
• Spurs’ future is now in their hands. West Ham’s last three: home to Arsenal, at Newcastle, home to Leeds. Forest’s last three: at Chelsea, at Villa, home to Newcastle. Spurs’ last three: home to Leeds, at Chelsea, home to Everton. No easy wins anywhere, but I think I’d take Spurs’ schedule ahead of either Forest or West Ham’s.