Plus: Manchester United's finishing woes continue as they spurn more big chances in draw with Chelsea; Unai Emery tempers expectations as Aston Villa's unbeaten run comes to an abrupt end; Lisandro Martinez discovers the perfect antidote to stopping Cole Palmer: foul him
Monday 4 November 2024 07:45, UK
After 473 minutes without a goal, a barren run dating back to the end of September, Dominic Solanke only needed four minutes to turn one into two. His quick-fire double was crucial as Tottenham came from behind to beat top-four rivals Aston Villa 4-1.
His first was beautifully-taken as he latched onto Dejan Kulusevski's pass to lift a delicate finish over Emiliano Martinez. For his second, he was in the right place at the right time following a turnover to meet Richarlison's low cross with a powerful strike from close range.
The goals delighted Ange Postecoglou, but the Spurs boss has consistently talked up the importance of his all-round contribution to the side and that was his message again.
"Just unbelievable," he said of Solanke's work-rate in the game, this display coming only a few days after a similarly industrious performance in the Carabao Cup win over Manchester City.
His effort was evident throughout as he hounded and harried Villa defenders and it was reflected in Premier League tracking data which showed he made 36 high-intensity sprints - the second-highest total by any player in a Premier League game all season.
"I'm sure he loves the fact that he can score a couple of goals," added Postecoglou. "But even if he didn't, I can't speak highly enough of what he's contributing to our team. Long may it continue because with him playing that way, he just makes us a better team."
Nick Wright
Manchester United, not for the first time this season, might have taken more from this game if their shooting had been sharper. There was hope that Ruud van Nistelrooy's presence in the dugout might inspire goals, as seen against Leicester, but that was not the case here.
Four big chances compared to Chelsea's one was surely enough to see them over the line, even if their performance was not that of a side that clearly merited three points.
Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes particularly will feel they should have done better against Chelsea. Each of them missed the target in the final minute of regulation time from inside the box. Those two have been guilty of spurning chances throughout the campaign.
The other troubling takeaway from the game against Chelsea was the failure to supply striker Rasmus Hojlund, whose only touch in the opposition box came when he won the penalty for Fernandes in the second half. He has so often been devoid of service at Old Trafford.
United's finishing is one of the more alarming aspects of their game this season, considering how they rank to the rest of the Premier League. Their nine goals scored is the second worst, behind only Southampton, who are 19th in the table after claiming their first win this weekend.
No side has a worse big-chance conversion than United, who are missing 81 per cent of such opportunities. No wonder this is their worst start to a Premier League season.
Ruben Amorim has it all to do.
Zinny Boswell
If you can't stop him, kick him.
That's the message opposition teams are dishing out to Cole Palmer as they try to stop a player that has quickly become one of the most dangerous in world football.
Manchester United were the latest team to do a job on Chelsea's playmaking sensation, fouling him four times in the 1-1 draw - two of the fouls led to yellow cards and in the case of Lisandro Martinez, he was a lucky boy to stay on the pitch after his ugly challenge aimed at Palmer's knee cap - thankfully for all concerned - lacked connection.
Palmer has now been fouled 23 times in his last seven starts for Chelsea, which is a huge spike on his numbers from last season. He is a marked man.
Stop Palmer and you may just stop Chelsea based on their stuttering attacking showing at Old Trafford. He's going to need bigger shinpads at this rate.
Lewis Jones
Aston Villa's loss at Tottenham was Unai Emery's first taste of defeat in the Premier League since mid-September. Since the Villans lost to Arsenal in the third game of the season they have since gone seven games without defeat.
However, another loss to a north London side may be the product of an emerging trend for Villa that may be cause for some concern.
The Spurs defeat means of the three meetings with the traditional big six this season Villa are yet to win, their only point coming against Manchester United. Villa have also only scored one goal in those fixtures. Emery's side have also one win in four games against teams that finished in last season's top 10.
The Spaniard was adamant after the Spurs game that the first target remains a top-seven finish.
"We have been consistent until today," Emery told press.
"But we will need more. It's not enough, but we are still in the top-seven positions and this is the first objective we can try to keep. I am not really worried about the result because it could happen, with how the match was going."
However, within the fact that Villa have growing issues against some of the top sides they've impressed in the Champions League, sitting top of the table with a 100% record after three games, conceding none in their return to the competition after over four decades.
Emery isn't worried about their form, and given their season so far there have been real positives. However, the Spurs defeat has to form some warning for a side who have growing ambitions.
William Bitibiri
