Tottenham Hotspur followed a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray with a disappointing draw at home to Roma this evening in the Europa League.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:
A big result, followed by a disappointing performance. It has been the pattern of Tottenham Hotspur’s season, unfortunately. I’m sure fans will give a little more leeway because it was a European game, but Ange Postecoglou named a very strong line-up and Spurs should have won that game comfortably.
Of course, it goes without saying that Fulham is a must-win this weekend in order to avoid that continued frustrating narrative of win-one lose-one in the Premier League.
Tottenham had so many chances to put the game to bed this evening. Brennan Johnson had one cleared off the line, Dejan Kulusevski hit the post, Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro both hit the bar.
Perhaps the best chances came on the break though, when Kulusevski’s shot was blocked by Mats Hummels only for Johnson to blaze over. Sonny also had a similar chance that he sailed over the bar and Solanke had an opportunity to roll the ball into James Maddison to tap home a third. Alas, they all ended clear of danger for Roma.
At the other end of the pitch, Roma also hit the bar, called Fraser Forster into a number of big saves, and scored three offside goals, so perhaps a 2-2 draw was fair, albeit frustrating.
Brennan Johnson may have pulled off his best finish of the season so far, neatly sweeping home a Kulusevski cross from the middle of the box, but he also annoyed his manager at one point. Ange Postecoglou could been seen berating the Welsh winger from the touchline, shouting at him to play forward instead of going back to Pedro Porro and co. This is a theme of life under Ange, with the Spurs boss always demanding that his players take risks and look for more probing, dangerous forward passes.
Unfortunately, he drifted out of the game in the second half, but Dejan Kulusevski was at his devastating best once again for Spurs in the first 45. His run down the left-wing and clever pullback for Johnson was sensational, and was quickly followed by some quick feet that saw him hit his own effort off the post. We were even treated to a rare right-footed curled effort from the edge of the box that whistled just wide, a reminder that Kulusevski is working on his weak foot at Hotspur Way.
The problem for Tottenham at the moment is not making these moments of brilliance count. In all honesty, the Lilywhites should have been home and dry long before Roma scored their equaliser, and some of Kulusevski’s teammates need to up their levels to match his both on and off the ball.
For the first time, Tottenham have slipped outside the automatic qualification zone for the Europa League knockouts. The top eight go straight through to the main knockout phase, but Spurs are now down in ninth. Failing to make the top eight would mean an extra two games for Ange Postecoglou and co in the preliminary knockouts.
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