Two Tottenham players have made it into WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 21 despite defeat to Bournemouth.
The Tottenham Hotspur players desperately needed a good performance after drawing back-to-back games against Brentford and Sunderland.
Bournemouth away was not the fixture the Lilywhites would have wanted, despite the south coast club’s 13-game winless run in the Premier League. However, Spurs started the game extremely well, getting their noses in front as quickly as the fifth minute via Mathys Tel.
But, as we’ve seen time and again from Thomas Frank’s side, they have failed to control games and defend poorly. The same thing happened in midweek, as the Cherries equalised through Evanilson before Eli Kroupi Junior gave them the lead. Spurs did show fight and resilience to make it 2-2 thanks to a wonderful bicycle goal from Joao Palhinha in the second half.
In the 95th minute, Antoine Semenyo delivered a dagger to the Tottenham fans’ hearts when he drilled his shot past goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, sending a parting gift to the home fans and ending Bournemouth’s 13-game winless run.
Tottenham duo make WhoScored Team of the Week
Regardless of a cruel, stoppage-time defeat at the Vitality Stadium, a couple of Tottenham players have enjoyed representation in the WhoScored Team of the Week. Cristian Romero and Mathys Tel have been named in the WhoScored Team of the Week for gameweek 21.
Romero’s inclusion is a bit baffling, to say the least. The Tottenham skipper actually endured a rough evening at the Vitality Stadium, failing to mark Evanilson for the equaliser and being caught badly out of position for Kroupi’s goal that put Bournemouth ahead before the break. The Argentine was not as crisp as he usually is on the ball, while failing to organise Spurs’ defence amid the home side’s constant pressing and direct attacks.
Yet, if we purely go by the stats, Romero won the most aerial duels (12) by any player in the game, made the joint-most key passes (3), made the most tackles (7), intercepted twice and made seven clearances. He also completed one dribble and had a decent 81.9% pass success rate. (courtesy: WhoScored)
When it comes to Mathys Tel, his inclusion in the team can be justified. Starting on the left flank, the Frenchman gave the visitors the perfect start with a composed, low drive in the fifth minute that demonstrated his technical quality and ability in front of goal. He was direct, decisive and bags full of tricks, causing problems for the hosts with his dribbling and enigmatic movement.
The Sarcelles-born talent had 66 touches in the game, had one shot on target from two attempts, made three key passes, completed six dribbles, delivered four accurate crosses and 1 accurate long ball. (courtesy: WhoScored)
Eventually, Tottenham lost to Bournemouth, dampening the mood further in the white half of north London. If Spurs are to improve and make something tangible out of this season, they have to click as a unit and not rely on just individuals.
