It was nearly ten months ago, on April 25th 2016, when Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Tony Pulis' West Bromwich Albion side to White Hart lane. Tottenham eight points behind then league leaders--and eventual champions--Leicester city, needed a win to boost their slim title hopes. But West Brom weren't willing to heed to the script. A 1-1 draw, coupled with a subsequent suspension for Spurs midfielder, Dele Alli, all but quashed Tottenham's title challenge. That was back then. Not this time, however. Not with Harry Kane being unstoppable, a defence that's looking impenetrable, & certainly not with the prince of the Lane, Dele Alli, and his partner in crime, Eriksen pulling the strings and unlocking defences at the drop of a hat. Add in the mix the midfield screen provided by Dembele and Wanyama, and its ominous for the other teams in the league. Except if of course, you are a Spurs fan.
Six straight wins in the league tells the story. Not since the high watermark of the Harry Rednapp era, have Spurs being this pleasing on the eye. So incisive on the ball, compact & sturdy without it.
Christian Eriksen's shot deflected off a West Brom defender as Spurs went 2 nil up
Indeed, the question on everyone's lips will most certainly be, is there any stopping Spurs? Chelsea were blown away 2-0 a week ago, and West Bromwich Albion here were brutalized. 4 nil it ended. A hat-trick from Harry Kane, merged with an own-goal from Gareth McAuley dished out a hammering, served hot.
Tony Pulis' side were demolished by a rampant Tottenham side
A fixture against a Tony Pulis led side always poses as a potential banana skin, for even the best of sides. Such is the compactness and organisation of a Pulis team. Save that story for another day. Tottenham are riding high under Pochettino's guidance. He is the bandleader, and his players follow his tune magnificently. On a bright afternoon in north London, Tottenham's football more than mirrored their sparkling white strip. The display was immaculate. At the sound of the whistle, Spurs stormed out of the blocks. Set up in a 3-4-3 formation, their forwards hassled and pressed the Albion defenders. It took just four minutes for Tottenham to sound a warning. Harry Kane got on the end of wing-back Danny Rose's cross, but his attempt flew just inches past the near post. A similar pattern followed. Rose to Kane, but his 20 yard shot flew over the ball. Spurs didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough though. It arrived on 12 minutes. Eriksen made a great run forward, and slotted a great throughball into Harry Kane's path. The striker took it in his stride, one touch, and bang.....the ball nestled in the top corner. It was the least their flying start deserved.
One turned into two soon after, as Eriksen's strike on 26 minutes--off a Danny Rose layoff--took a huge deflection off West Brom defender Gareth McAuley, wrong footing Ben Forster in goal, and giving Spurs a two goal lead. In all honesty, it could have been much worse. Kane hit the post soon after, there was a disallowed goal for Dele Alli, who was flagged offside. But Spurs had no need for worry. The three points were already in the bag. Signed, sealed, and delivered.
Further second half goals from Harry Kane, completing his hat trick in the process, added gloss to the scoreline. Thanks to a majestic assist from Alli.Roy of the rovers stuff. What a player he is turning out to be. Were it not for several brilliant saves from Forster in the West Bromwich Albion goal, we may well have been talking of double figures. But 4- nil will suffice for Spurs today, as their title charge keeps gathering momentum.
Kane clinically completes his hat trick
Four points behind leaders Chelsea who travel to Leicester in the Saturday evening kick-off. On the basis of recent performances, the rest of the pack better beware. As they look out of their tank,they are bound to find white preying sharks lurking round them. The white army of Spurs marches on.
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