Tottenham are shaping up nicely this season after a poor start, the Spurs are up to fifth in the Premier League after a sketchy game at Turf Moor. The 1-0 win over Burnley made it 10 games unbeaten since the opening day defeat to Everton.
Their third away win this season also holds great essence after only four wins and eight draws in 19 away games last season. Spurs ran riot at Southampton and United, scoring 11 times, but patience despite heavy possession against Burnley’s rigid block won them the game.
It is pertinent that only a week ago, Tottenham dropped points to a late Manuel Lanzini equalizer after going 3-0 up in a breathtaking first half against West Ham but “football happened”, as José Mourinho put it. Against Burnley, they failed to register a first-half shot and were limited to one touch in the box before the hour mark.
However, this Spurs are over their away-day hangovers and are the Premier League’s highest goalscorers.
Harry Kane refined
Harry Kane has been vital to Tottenham’s hopes down the years and the club captain is even more so in 2020/21.
Mourinho has refined a little detail in Kane’s game as he drops into wide midfield channels to create chances with his exquisite vision and passing range – to even more devastating effect on the counter-attack.
A key part of his game which makes him one of the few World Class nine-and-a-halves.
The England captain has found the deadliest attacking duo with Son Heung-Min, combining for nine goals this season with a career-high eight assists for Kane and eight goals for Son who is the Premier League’s top scorer. The pair have now combined for 29 Premier League goals, the second-highest in history behind Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (36).
Theirs is a remarkable two-pronged attack for Tottenham in that when Kane drops deep to elude his marker in the buildup, Son makes dangerous runs in behind filled with the confidence that Kane would find him with a ranging pass. This telepathic understanding has been forged for years playing together but now harnessed by the fluid attacking movements of Mourinho’s counter-attacking style.
“I don’t want all the credit myself, let’s share with Mauricio”. Mourinho said. “They played together for a long time, probably a different way because Harry is not always a nine now.
“What pleases me more about them both is that they are two top players but close friends, no jealousy, they both play for the team”.
Harry Kane’s goal-line clearance four minutes before assisting the winner shows his total commitment to the cause. All is falling into place for a special season for the 27-year-old.
Squad Depth
Crucially, Tottenham’s marksman and creator-in-chief is also enjoying a different season off the pitch. The hectic Europa League schedule prompted the loan signing of Carlos Vinícius from Benfica, and the competition will afford Kane crucial rest, unlike previous seasons where he constantly broke down injured.
A successful Transfer window has afforded Spurs a squad filled with experience, hunger, and pragmatism. The Spurs faithful hope it will bring an end to their 13-year trophy drought. Mourinho has stuck to his preferred 4-3-3 shape where the midfielders perform specific roles to bring balance to the side, allowing his pacy attackers freedom to attack on the counter.
Eric Dier is now well and truly a defender for Mourinho while Dele Alli is yet to add the work ethic to play in a midfield trio for José. Hence the attacking midfielder’s frequent omission.
The manager now has his stamp on the squad and in typical Mourinho style, hopes can be placed on the attacking trio of Kane, Son, and Gareth Bale. Certainly, not many of their rivals can boast of a front three with 251 Premier League goals between them
In a strange season where a lack of pre-season preparation and huge turnover of games has left many teams dealing with inconsistency and injuries. Only Liverpool and Leicester are ahead of Spurs from last season’s Top Six.
Furthermore, the Lilywhites are two points off top spot with more than half their rivals still adjusting to the circumstances of this strange season.
Indeed, with Mourinho’s pedigree to count on as Liverpool lose Van Dijk and City are without Sergio Aguero again. Tottenham can be the Premier League’s dark horses.
They just need to be ruthless at the Tottenham Stadium.
