TANGUY NDOMBELE netted a debut goal as Tottenham shattered Aston Villa’s resistance – but he was almost subbed off before it.
It wasn’t the most polished of performances from the club’s record-signing from Lyon, and boss Mauricio Pochettino was ready to hook him off.
But the ball fell to him 25 yards out on 73 minutes, and he hammered his effort home, via a Tyrone Mings deflection.
And Harry Kane delivered the fatal blows with a pair of late strikes in Spurs’ 3-1 win.
Here are Alec Shilton’s player ratings from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Most French skipper had to do was pick the ball out of the net. Villa had their chances but Lloris’ defenders got between Villa and his goal.
Villa sat deep after striking early and the young right-back’s raids caught the eye. But he was closed down well and the best his crosses yielded were corners.
Strength and class, the Belgian had giant Villa striker Welsey throwing his toys out of the pram after winning their first-half. Looked composed after yet another transfer window of speculation.
Colombian was outmuscled by Villa’s record signing Wesley in the build-up to John McGinn’s opener.
Made to look foolish for John McGinn’s opener after buying a dummy from the Scot, who then buried his finish. Was also caught out by a Trezeguet burst of pace.
A class act at the heart of Spurs’ midfield, Winks’ diagonal passes stretched Villa’s defence. Winks drew the loudest cheer of the first half for a majestic turn in the centre-circle, but made a tackle on Trezeguet before that which stopped Villa’ winger racing clear.
The workaholic Frenchman met his match in John McGinn and was well-marshalled by Villa right-back Ahmed Almohamady when he tried to pull out wide for space.
Switched to the right after the break and should have scored – but instead almost hit the corner flag for six yards out.
Plenty of quality touches but perhaps the £65million club-record signing was a too eager to please at times.
But his brilliant, lofted pass should have led to a leveller before the break.
Was fortunate it was Winks and not himself who was hooked for Christian Eriksen – and then came up with a super leveller.
Hard to see how the Argentinian gets in this team once Mauricio Pochettino has a full-fit squad.
Saw enough of the ball but did nothing with it. Had sight of goal when Tom Heaton rushed out but fluffed his effort.
Played on the shoulder of Villa’s centre-backs and looked lively, but could have done with the guile of Christian Eriksen to find him
Dropped deeper with Lucas Moura running into the channels. Took until 35 minutes to get his first sight of goal and then missed two sitters before half-time.
Talisman came good to bag the winner and then a brilliant third and will see this as laying an early marker in race for Golden Boot.
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