Tottenham Hotspur survived VAR controversy to seal a very important 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon, with the Lilywhites shifting to inside of simply 3 issues of fourth-placed Manchester United because of that slender victory.
While there is also a way that the Seagulls had been “robbed” because of some “horrendous” officiating – as in step with pundit Chris Sutton – the house facet held their nerve to grasp victory, with talisman Harry Kane netting his 23rd most sensible flight function of the season with a most often scientific end past due on.
The north London outfit had to begin with long gone forward via milestone guy Heung-min Son – who changed into the primary Asian participant to achieve 100 Premier League objectives within the procedure – ahead of Lewis Dunk headed house a bullet header simply ahead of the destroy, after Kaoru Mitoma had noticed his previous effort disallowed for handball.
The away facet had been once more denied by way of handball after the period as Danny Welbeck idea he had finished the comeback, whilst the aforementioned Mitoma noticed his appeals for a penalty waved away in spite of a possible foul at the Japanese winger by way of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The south coast facet’s frustration was once in the long run larger as that guy Kane swept house, with the England skipper having warranted that strike because of his all-round show, significantly successful eight duels and offering two key passes at the day.
The 29-year-old – who recorded a stellar 7.9 fit ranking, as in step with Sofascore – was once no longer by myself in having inspired previous as of late, alternatively, with January arrival Pedro Porro having additionally been one thing of a shining gentle at correct wing-back.
How did Porro carry out in opposition to Brighton?
The Spain global – who’s lately on mortgage at Spurs with an choice to shop for of round £39m – is starting to modify to existence in English soccer, having showcased actual indicators of his high quality down the proper flank in opposition to Roberto De Zerbi’s males.
The 23-year-old equipped ‘lots of attacking intent‘ all the way through the competition, consistent with 90min’s Jude Summerfield, having significantly headed extensive from an Ivan Perisic pass after showcasing an actual need and willingness to get entangled within the ultimate 3rd.
That forward-thinking manner was once additionally lauded by way of soccer.london’s Alasdair Gold, who awarded the Sporting CP loanee an 8/10 fit ranking, whilst additionally writing that: ‘A vibrant first part and despatched a header directly to the roof of the online on the finish of it. Worked difficult in the second one part defensively down the right-hand facet and little were given previous him.’
That hard-work ethic in opposition to the full of life Mitoma was once showcased by way of the truth that Porro received seven of his 11 duels and was once no longer dribbled previous in any respect in his 90-minute day trip, having emerged from the combat with the in-form winger ‘without too many bruises‘, as in step with Summerfield.
While the one-time Manchester City asset did lose ownership on 12 events from his 43 touches, he’s obviously searching for to make his mark in his new atmosphere, with the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick hailing him as taking a look ‘technically sound and impressive at attacking the back post.’
That promising efficiency will have to smartly be of encouragement to Cristian Stellini and co, with the hope being that Porro can proceed to head from power to power over the approaching video games.