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Match Reports

REPORT: SPURS 4-0 TOWN

13 April 2019

Match Reports

REPORT: SPURS 4-0 TOWN

13 April 2019

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Victor Wanyama and Lucas Moura (3) condemned Town to defeat in just the third game played at the newly-opened Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Wanyama's and the first of Moura's trio virtually sealed the points ahead of the half-hour during a frantic three-minute spell, and although Town had a go late-on with a number of chances, Brazilian Moura capped a comfortable victory for Mauricio Pochettino's side with a second and the hat-trick confirming third in injury-time.

Three changes were made to the Town starting XI in north London, as Florent Hadergjonaj, Juninho Bacuna and Elias Kachunga came in ahead of Tommy Smith, Aaron Mooy and Alex Pritchard.

One of those players brought in almost initiated the first chance of the match just 30 seconds in. Having intercepted the ball in midfield, Juninho Bacuna looked to slide a through ball for Karlan Grant to chase. On this occasion, the weight of the pass was adequate, but the pace of Davinson Sánchez all but cut off the promising move before it could materialise further.

That aside, Town had to weather an early Spurs storm. The home crowd were in good voice to back their side, who - fresh off a midweek Champions League success over Manchester City - can still achieve a top three finish in the Premier League,

Ben Hamer looked calm to claim a number of high balls with authority under pressure each time from a combination of Fernando Llorente and Lucas Moura, with Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama also coming close having seen an effort land the wrong side of Hamer's right-post from 20 yards.

Arguably the best move of the contest in the opening 15 minutes arrived via the Terriers' right flank. Neat exchanges between Florent Hadergjonaj and Elias Kachunga resulted in Flo delivering an inviting cross towards the penalty spot and the run of Chris Löwe. The latter seemed to have timed his run to perfection, only for the cross to just trickle out of reach with Juan Foyth in attendance on the recovery.

Despite several positive moves, it was Spurs who took the lead. As Fernando Llorente used his body well to shield an opening for Victor Wanyama, who rounded Ben Hamer to slot home the opener.

Shortly after, it was two. Lucas Moura powerfully drilled across Hamer into the far corner, played in nicely by Moussa Sissoko. It was a tough assignment before the match had even began; even tougher two goals down.

Even then, Jon Gorenc Stanković must've thought he'd reduced the arrears in the aftermath. Unfortunately for the Slovenian, he miscued his volley from Juninho Bacuna's corner having arrived in the box un-marked.

Physical presence Llorente looked to add his own name to the tally. The Spaniard once again rolled his marker to fashion a shooting opportunity on his left-foot, and Ben Hamer might have been troubled if it wasn't for the heroic sliding block of Florent Hadergjonaj to keep it at 2-0 for the time being at least.

Llorente remained in the thick of the action, narrowly missing with a glancing header across the face of goal from a typically accurate Christian Eriksen touchline free-kick delivery.

Second period, same pattern. Llorente's continued to be out of luck, rattling the crossbar with a clever volley as a result of quick movement in-behind the static Town back-line.

A quiet half rarely witnessed chances on goal. One, however, arrived courtesy of second goalscorer Lucas Moura. The winger used pace to run directly at the heart of the Town defence, and after cutting inside on his desired right foot, fired straight into the courteous arms of Ben Hamer.

Town had scarcely threatened in truth, but a major chance to get one on the board occurred 70 minutes in.

Just like the first minute of the game, Juninho Bacuna aimed to slip through for the run of Karlan Grant in space on the left. This time, Juninho's pass managed to squirm its way through to Londoner Grant, but despite breaking with a superb degree of acceleration, the striker was to be halted as he pulled the trigger by Moussa Sissoko's tremendous recovering tackle.

Town was looking to finish with a flourish. Substitute Steve Mounié somehow nodded wide having broken free from all Spurs' defensive attention in a menacing position inside the area, all as a result of Jonathan Hogg's inventive loft over the heads of the home side rearguard.

Juninho Bacuna forced Hugo Lloris into a smart save. A dipping free-kick from 30 yards looked to be heading for the top corner until the World Cup-winning Frenchman clawed away from danger.

From that corner, Spurs broke dangerously and rattled the post through Eriksen. Kyle Walker-Peters led the charge in centre-field, and found the Danish playmaker on the overlap who's resulting shot took a wicked deflection to thump the up-right with venom.

Eriksen struck the post on that attack, and would play a key role in putting the icing on the cake for the hosts. The Dane's cross fell kindly for Lucas Moura to poke home past Hamer, and when most thought that was that, Moura rounded off an impressive display by finding the top corner in added time for a cruel fourth.

The upcoming Easter weekend sees Town play its penultimate home fixture of the season against Watford (Saturday 20 April, 3pm).

TOWN (5-4-1)

Ben Hamer; Erik Durm (Steve Mounié, 69'), Terence Kongolo, Jon Gorenc Stanković (Aaron Mooy, 82'), Christopher Schindler (c), Florent Hadergjonaj; Chris Löwe, Jonathan Hogg, Juninho Bacuna (Danny Williams, 90'), Elias Kachunga; Karlan Grant

UNUSED SUBS

Joel Coleman, Tommy Smith, Zanka, Alex Pritchard

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (3-4-2-1)

Hugo Lloris (c); Juan Foyth, Davinson Sánchez, Jan Vertonghen (Danny Rose, 84'); Kyle Walker-Peters, Moussa Sissoko (Oliver Skipp, 74'), Victor Wanyama, Ben Davies; Lucas Moura, Christian Eriksen; Fernando Llorente (Heung-Min Son, 87')

UNUSED SUBS

Paulo Gazzaniga, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, George Marsh

REFEREE

Lee Mason

GATE

58,308 (3,300 Town)


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