A great 7-2 victory and we have Stoke in the cup… it can only get better!
To the goal extravaganza.
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick, and Dele Alli also found the target to help us reach the group stage of the Europa League. A brilliant victory over the Israeli side Maccabi Haifa. With this, our seventh game in 19 exhausting days at the start of the season, you would have forgiven the team for sinking down into depression, and most teams would have! Instead, a frantic first half produced five goals, four of which went to us. Magnificent Harry Kane slotted in the opener from close range before former QPR forward Tjaronn Chery bent in a superb equaliser for Maccabi Haifa. Of course, once their equaliser went in, we turned up the pressure. We quickly restored our lead when Lucas Moura flicked the ball in off his back from a corner. Then we claimed total control, courtesy of two Giovani lo Celso finishes, assisted by the lively Steven Bergwijn and sneaky Kane.
Lo Celso made way for Alli to play in the second half.
We also saw two penalties awarded via controversial handballs. Players will quickly learn to shoot the ball at the arm, and you’ve got a penalty. Matt Doherty and Maccabi’s Ernest Mabouka both had their arms by their side to block crosses. Still, each were penalised, leading to Nikita Rukavytsya narrowing the three-goal margin before Kane restored it.
Harry Kane completed a fantastic night with a neat chipped ending following a Bergwijn pass, before Alli won a penalty with a sharp turn to draw a foul that he converted.
Spurs didn’t have it all their own way against a Maccabi side who pressed with pleasure early on and kept us on our toes.
With Kane’s brilliant strikes, Moura’s and Bergwijn’s drive and Lo Celso’s hard-nosed inspiration between them, we see Mourinho is gradually moulding the team into his thinking. As for Alli, being left out recently, it is encouraging to see him put all his efforts into the game and contributing well. To be fair on Mourinho, he has never wavered where Alli’s concerned. Alli producing 45 minutes full of graft, sprinkled with astuteness and topped off with a self-assured nutmeg to win the final penalty, and level-headedness to finish it.
Man of the match – Harry Kane.
What next?
We face Manchester United on Sunday (4th October), at Old Trafford (still no fans). This will be at 4.30 pm. I believe the match is on Sky and NowTV. Then a 13 day break for International football.
Best Regards, Glenn
COYS!
But that isn’t the end folks, oh, no. In my blog, there is a fuller version, which includes the draws for Europa & League Cup. My comments and how I see things panning out. To read more click here. To comment then, you can do so below, or go to our fans forum, for that click here .
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”