What a difference a victory makes. As Roberto De Zerbi had predicted. triumph at Aston Villa after winning at Wolverhampton. Tottenham is moving after two victories in nine days and a glimmer of the London bus theory.
Just in time, they climbed out of the mess they had created. De Zerbi said they will win their next five games after they lost to Brighton at home in stoppage time in his second game in charge.
That’s two out of two, even though it seemed fantastical. With three games remaining, West Ham has fallen back into the bottom three and will now face Premier League leaders Arsenal after Spurs’ seven points from three games.
Spurs will observe and bide their time. Even if it brings them closer to another championship, perhaps they can put up with three points for their North London rivals this time. But with that one, you can never be sure.
Before concluding the season with a journey across London to Chelsea at Everton at home, De Zerbi’s club won’t play again until Monday when Leeds visits N17. If they play with this kind of attitude, there’s no reason they can’t fulfil his pledge to win five straight games and end this campaign on a high note.
Tottenham defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on Sunday to move out of the relegation zone.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team won back-to-back games and moved up one point ahead of West Ham.
Aston Villa was penalised for fielding a second-string squad before to their pivotal Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest in the middle of the week.
Martinez 5.5; Cash 5, Lindelof 5, Mings 5.5, Maatsen 4; Sancho 4.5 (Bailey 85), Tielemans 6, Bogarde 5.5, Rogers 5; Barkley 4 (Buendia 85); Abraham 4 for Aston Villa (4-4-1-1).
Bizot, Konsa, Buendia, Watkins, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Luiz, and Bailey are the substitutes.
Objectives:
Reservations: Rogers, Barkley,
Supervisor: Unai Emery 5
Kinsky 6; Porro 6, Danso 6.5, Van de Ven 6, Udogie 6.5; Palhinha 8, Bentancur 7.5 (Bissouma 66, 6); Kolo Muani 7 (Spence 66, 5.5), Gallagher 7.5, Tel 7 (Bergvall 90+1); Richarlison 7 (Sarr 90+1) are the Spurs (4-2-3-1).
Austin, Dragusin, Maddison, Grey, and Sarr are substitutes.
Objectives: Richarlison and Gallagher
Reservations: Bentancur, Danso, Gallagher, Kolo Muani, Tel
Supervisor: Roberto De Zerbi 7
Reference: Sam Barrott 6
Att: 42,767
With goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison and a sincere display of energy, they appeared to be a team ready for battle for the first time. It’s true that it came later, but those on the other end also noticed it.
As they streamed onto the streets, they sung into the night, applauded the tackles, and gave their side fantastic vocal support. After the last whistle, they roared and shouted De Zerbi’s name while he shook his fist in the air.
Of course, it’s not over yet, but Spurs felt much better about themselves and their prospects of escaping the drop when they drove home.
By defeating West Ham on Saturday, Brentford established an escape route, and Villa followed suit. Emery made seven changes, starting with a number of regular first team players on the bench. Despite growing dissatisfaction, he was slow to make changes.
It was evident that the second leg of their Europa League semifinal is his first priority. The players he brought in responded appropriately, acting as though their participation in this match meant they were unlikely to start Thursday’s match against Nottingham Forest.
Having pursued the same goal last season, Spurs are familiar with that emotion. Five days before the Europa League final in Bilbao, they lost in the Premier League after arriving at Villa Park under Ange Postecoglou with the fringe players on parade.
The guests exploited Villa because they were too docile. Richarlison, who led the line in Dominic Solanke’s absence due to a hamstring injury, wasted the opening opportunity of the day when they forced an early error in control from keeper Emi Martinez.
After Mathys Tel replaced Xavi Simons on the left wing with Randal Kolo Muani on the right, Gallagher emerged in the number 10 spot, where he fizzed in an incredible opening goal and gave his best performance in Spurs colours.
In the twelfth minute, Conor Gallagher scored the first goal with a beautiful shot from outside the box.
Midway through the first half, Richarlison doubled Tottenham’s lead, giving Spurs complete control.
Since turning down Villa’s offer to join Spurs from Atletico Madrid in January, Gallagher has failed miserably. He was dropped from the team after Igor Tudor moved him out wide into the right, but De Zerbi has put him back in this role and given him the freedom to continue.
This was his prize. Kevin Danso’s long throw was headed out by Youri Tielemans. Gallagher’s first touch was terrific, and his second, a shot from the edge of the penalty box that was arrowed into the corner, was even better.
The guests exuded confidence. They seized the initiative and pushed Villa back in the direction of their own objective. Joao Palhinha’s low drive was tipped against a post by Martinez, who also beat away Kolo Muani’s attempt from a Tel cross.
Despite their frequent inefficiency this season, Tottenham’s front three were simmering with intent. The second came after another set piece. This time, Tel recycled a corner and blasted it back into the packed goal area. Richarlison beat Martinez with a header from six yards out, his tenth Premier League goal of the year.
De Zerbi ran around in a tight circle of joy as he stormed onto the pitch in celebration. It was all he had asked of his squad. Seldom were they smooth. The play lacked finesse, but it didn’t matter.
They were determined, combative, and full of energy. They showed no indication of self-pity. Palhinha, who returned to the starting lineup as a reward for his victory at Wolverhampton and celebrated the tackles he won in midfield, embodied the mindset.
Long before a chorus of jeers erupted at halftime, the home crowd’s discontent was evident. By then, Villa had only made one touch inside the Spurs penalty box and had not made a single attempt at goal of any kind.
Emery fought the impulse to alter things. After the break, the same players came back, but momentarily with a greater sense of purpose. Micky van Ven had to shift gears to make a recovery tackle on Tammy Abraham after Villa forced an early corner.
However, Spurs quickly regained control. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Emi Buendia’s looping header reduced arrears, but it was too late before Emery grudgingly turned to his replacements. Spurs had another victory. Villa won’t decide whether to discard this one until Thursday.
