‘Closer to be the best’: Glenn Hoddle says Tottenham top talent currently in their ranks is set to explode
Tottenham Hotspur secured their third consecutive victory with a commanding 3-0 win over Qarabag FK in their Europa League opener.
Despite the convincing scoreline, the game was far from straightforward, as Spurs had to navigate most of the match with ten men, adding to the challenge they faced on Thursday night.
Once again, Tottenham endured an early setback, a recurring theme in recent matches. While they didn’t concede this time, they found themselves at a numerical disadvantage after Radu Dragusin was sent off.
A defensive mistake allowed Qarabag’s forward Juninho to pounce on a loose ball, and in an attempt to prevent a goal, Dragusin committed a foul that earned him a straight red card.
Despite the early adversity, Spurs quickly responded, taking the lead in the 12th minute. Brennan Johnson, who has been in fine form, found the net for the third game in a row.
After some brilliant work from Dominic Solanke, Johnson calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner, giving Spurs an early advantage.
The game continued with Qarabag pushing forward, capitalizing on their extra man, but Tottenham held firm.
The second goal came in the 52nd minute when Pape Matar Sarr capitalized on a defensive error. After a poorly cleared corner from Dejan Kulusevski, Sarr was perfectly positioned to side-foot the ball into the net, doubling Tottenham’s lead and giving them a more comfortable cushion.
Solanke, who has been under scrutiny since his high-profile move to Tottenham, further silenced his critics in the 68th minute.
After Mateusz Kochalski parried a shot, the ball fell kindly to Solanke, who made no mistake and tapped it home to make it 3-0.
This marked his second goal in as many games, a sign that he is settling in well at his new club.
Despite the numerical disadvantage and some nervy moments, Tottenham managed to keep a clean sheet. Qarabag had several chances to score, but the Spurs defense, led by Ben Davies and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, stood firm throughout the match.
After the game, Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle offered his insights on the team’s performance. Speaking on TNT Sports, Hoddle praised the result but noted that there is room for improvement.
He acknowledged the chances Qarabag had during the game but was impressed by Tottenham’s resilience and ability to get the clean sheet.
Hoddle also highlighted the performances of both Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke. He pointed out that Johnson’s goal-scoring form is an excellent sign for Spurs, though he mentioned the forward was substituted at halftime, possibly due to a knock.
Hoddle went on to praise Solanke, who scored again and is showing increased confidence in front of goal. According to Hoddle, Solanke’s performances will only improve as he continues to build his rhythm within the team.
Solanke’s arrival at Tottenham came with significant pressure due to his hefty price tag, a situation that often comes with scrutiny from media and fans alike.
However, after a few games to settle in, Solanke now has two goals in two consecutive matches, demonstrating that he is beginning to find his stride.
His recent performances have quelled some of the early doubts, and Spurs fans will hope to see more of the same as he continues to adapt to his new surroundings.
Tottenham’s next test comes against Manchester United, and all eyes will be on Solanke to see if he can maintain his goal-scoring momentum in such a high-profile clash.
As Tottenham aims to build on their recent form, Solanke will be eager to prove his worth on the big stage and contribute to what could be a pivotal match in the Premier League season.
With confidence running high, Spurs will look to carry the positive momentum forward, hoping that both Solanke and the team can continue to deliver in the matches ahead.
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