Tottenham started 2022 at Vicarage Street with the type of efficiency which neatly encapsulated their most obvious flaws of the earlier yr – affected person however passive, missing decisiveness and a leading edge – however a late headed aim by Davinson Sanchez confirmed a newfound resolve underneath Antonio Conte that can stand them in good stead within the yr to return. A largely dire match like this could have value Tottenham in days passed by, however as an alternative three factors may show invaluable of their chase of the highest 4.
The aim got here within the 96th minute throughout eight added on after the match had been paused whereas a supporter was given medical consideration within the stands. Spurs had lacked harmful supply all through, however Son Heung-min’s free-kick was devilish, dipping into the six-yard field the place Sanchez rose to nod previous an in any other case dogged Daniel Bachmann. On the last whistle Conte didn’t scream and shout however merely punched the air and puffed out his cheeks, aid being the overriding emotion after such a slog.
This was so practically a missed alternative. Spurs host Arsenal subsequent in a vital north London derby, which may go some approach to shaping the battle for Champions League locations. It’s the beginning of a tricky run – their subsequent two away video games are at Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis. Victory right here lifts them to inside two factors of fourth-placed Arsenal with two video games in hand after the Gunners misplaced to Manchester Metropolis earlier within the day.
Conte reverted to his go-to XI, which he predominately used when he first took cost, with Harry Winks dropped to the bench regardless of his spectacular current kind and Oliver Skipp restored to the beginning workforce. Dele Alli additionally made approach with Lucas Moura returning to a three-man entrance line alongside Son and Harry Kane. Claudio Ranieri made three modifications with William Troost-Ekong changing the injured Kiko Femenia on the again, Imran Louza coming into midfield and Ken Sema making his first begin since August in assault.
Experiences circulating earlier than the match claimed Ranieri is already underneath strain at Vicarage Street – a spot the place managers hardly ever reside to see Christmas twice – amid doubts within the dressing room about his suitability to organise the workforce. But right here they appeared unusually nicely drilled, chopping off passing lanes into Spurs’ ahead gamers and forcing them to play broad the place wing-backs Sergio Reguilon and Emerson Royal discovered their radars misplaced in a New Yr’s Day haze.
Tottenham had loads of pedestrian possession however not a lot penetration, a slashed volley over the bar from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg their first threatening effort. Kane had a half-hearted shout for a penalty turned down after a careless problem from behind, then curled a shot broad with a transparent sight of aim after Skipp had pounced on a free contact, however Watford goalkeeper Bachmann was unmoved past fending a few lengthy vary efforts.
Ranieri made a change on the break with Brazilian ahead Joao Pedro changing prime scorer Emmanuel Dennis, understood to have picked up a minor knock, and though Conte despatched out the identical Spurs XI, they started to hurry up their sport. Lucas Moura let a shot fly nevertheless it was too near Bachmann earlier than Kane pressured the Austrian keeper to tip over with a left-footed strike from the sting of the field.
Watford’s cussed defensive position was already deep and so they grew to become increasingly entrenched because the minutes ticked by, but Spurs’ elevated urgency had the impact of leaving more room in behind and Joao Pedro nearly exploited it. He and most of Vicarage Street had been exasperated when, bursting into the Tottenham field, he heard the referee Rob Jones’s whistle convey play again for a foul when a bonus may have been performed. From about 25 yards, Joao Pedro skied the free-kick nearly as excessive over the bar.
Winks changed the booked Skipp and added some spark. Giovani Lo Celso got here on for Reguilon as Spurs swap to a again 4. Son nearly gained it with an over-the-shoulder volley which Bachmann beat away, and it appeared it was to not be till Sanchez’s late header ended Watford’s resolve.
Watford have extra necessary checks on the horizon with a visit to Newcastle earlier than the go to of Norwich, two groups who will sense the chance to pull a rival into the relegation mire, and Ranieri will want outcomes to maintain his job if stories this week are to be believed. The sensation at Spurs is that possibly Conte is simply getting began.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
