Tottenham continued their fine start to the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough. The away side were without Harry Kane, who was injured in the last game, but Son Heung-min took over goal-scoring duties.
The other major player missing was Mousa Dembele and even Eric Dier was not part of the side but it was Son who shone the brightest for Tottenham.
The South Korean scored a quick-fire brace in the first half, which Boro could not recover from in the first half. The home side were much better in the second half as they scored from a Ben Gibson header after a great free-kick was delivered into the box.
Spurs held on for the win and we rate the performance of the Tottenham players from a hard-fought win at the Riverside Stadium.
Hugo Lloris – 7/10
The captain for the day didn’t really have a lot to do. The goalkeeper was barely threatened in the first half and could not do anything to stop Boro from scoring their goal. The Frenchman did have a few shaky moments in the second half but kept the score line in Tottenham’s favour.
Ben Davies – 7/10
The Welshman had a decent game for the London side. Davies was a willing runner and was constantly getting into the opposition half. His passing was also good as he tried to unlock the Boro defence with the rest of the team.
Toby Alderweireld – 7/10
The Belgian defender had a good game and dealt with all that the home side threw at them in the second half really well.
Jan Vertonghen – 8/10
This was just proof that Tottenham needs the Belgian duo playing together. Vertonghen and Alderweireld were rock solid and complimented each other against a spirited Boro team in the second half.
Kyle Walker – 7/10
Probably one of the best right-backs in England, Walker had a pretty good game down the right hand side for Tottenham.
Victor Wanyama – 6/10
The midfielder was the deepest player in the middle of the park and was tidy in the first half. It was his foul in the second half which led to the free-kick which gave Boro their goal.
Dele Alli – 8/10
The English youngster was excellent throughout the game and was linking up with the rest of the attackers really well. He had a glorious chance to score late in the first half but blasted over. Alli was often interchanging positions with Christian Eriksen and was also picking up balls from deep in midfield.
Son Heung-min – 9/10
The South Korean was simply irresistible. His two goals in the first half were brilliant and he was a willing running to the long diagonals pinged to him. This could be the real Son which Spurs fans would be expecting for the rest of the season.
Christian Eriksen – 7/10
The Danish attacker was constantly testing the Boro defence and had a decent game, though he could have done more to increase Tottenham’s lead.
Moussa Sissoko – 6/10
Sissoko was a good option for Tottenham on the right-hand side of the attack but was not as sharp as the other attackers. He certainly could have done better to stop Ben Gibson from scoring in the second half. The former Newcastle man was substituted in the second half for Erik Lamela.
Vincent Janssen – 7/10
The Dutchman was played as the lone striker against Boro and although he did not get on the scoresheet, he was strong with the ball at his feet. Janssen set up Son for the first Spurs goals and was a threat all afternoon for the Lilywhites. He was substituted late in the second half with Harry Winks.
Substitutes
Erik Lamela – 6/10
The Argentine came on in the second half and had a great chance to score the third goal for Spurs but couldn’t get that banker for Spurs.
Harry Winks – NA
There are high expectations from the young midfielder and he got a few minutes under his belt at the Riverside Stadium.
Georges-Kevin N’koudou – NA
The Frenchman came on late in the second half but did not really have a lot of time to do much.
