Tottenham narrowly secured a 1-2 win over Watford, which sees them go to the third place in the Premier League. Lamela’s first-half goal was quickly cancelled out by Ighalo, who can’t stop scoring. After losing Nathan Ake through a red card, Watford came agonizingly close to winning the match only to be denied by the goal-line technology. Shortly afterwards, Heung min Son ensured Tottenham returned home with all three points as he tucked away a late goal.
Here are the player ratings from the match
Hugo Lloris (5/10)
The Frenchman should have done better for Ighalo’s opener as he was slow to react, uncharacteristically so. Didn’t have to do too much in the game otherwise
Kieran Trippier (7/10)
The summer signing hasn’t got much game time as Pochettino has not tinkered with the starting 11 which has done so well. Trippier started his first Premier League game in the right wing-back position as Pochettino fielded three at the back, and did well for most parts of the game. He technically assisted Son’s last minute goal, and could have got another one where his dreamy cross to Harry Kane really deserved a goal.
Toby Alderweireld (7/10)
The former Atletico Madrid player has been immaculate at the back this season and this game was no different as he kept the threatening duo of Ighalo and Troy Deeney quiet for most of the game.
Eric Dier (6/10)
The youngster has been brilliant for Pochettino in an unfamiliar midfield position all season. He played in the three-man defence against Watford and looked a little out of ease. He was beaten too easily in the air and outdone physically by Ighalo for Watford’s equalizer. Before and after that, the Englishman enjoyed a decent outing.
Jan Vertonghen (7/10)
The Belgian was on the left side of Tottenham’s three-man back line and was able to perform with the same composure Spurs fans have been used to this season.
Danny Rose (6/10)
He didn’t do anything particularly wrong, and it was perhaps because he hardly did anything worthy of note. Surprising to see him have such little effect with so much freedom to move forward playing in the left-wingback position.
Mousa Dembele (6/10)
He was playing very well but was unfortunately taken off right before half time due to injury. The Belgian has improved tremendously and has been a key figure for Spurs this season so Pochettino would hope it’s nothing serious.
Tom Carroll (6/10)
The 23-year-old was composed and solid in the middle of the park but didn’t do anything exceptional to prove to his boss that he deserved a regular starting place.
Dele Alli (7/10)
The youngster was once again instrumental for the Lilywhites. With 3 successful tackles and 5 interceptions, the 19-year-old proved how good he is in both departments of the game.
Erik Lamela (8/10)
Lamela is vindicating Pochettino’s decision of cancelling the player’s loan to Marseille on deadline day in the summer. He flourished in the front three and switched places with Kane to cause all sorts of trouble to the Watford defence for the opener.
Harry Kane (7.5/10)
Despite not ending up with a goal to his name, the England international was very effective in Pochettino’s reconstituted attacking trio. He was full of energy, as per usual. He set up Lamela’s opening goal and kept himself busy throughout the game.
Substitutes
Christian Eriksen (6/10)
So often, the Dane has been Spurs’ shining light but this wasn’t one of those days as he did nothing worthy of note.
Heung min-Son (7/10)
Was a quiet presence of the bench, until his winning goal where his expertly attempted back-heel beat Gomes in Watford’s goal to secure Spurs the late three points.
