What a goal, what a result: Tottenham Hotspur 4 Ludogorets Razgrad 0
Alves Morais (16’minutes, 34’minutes), Winks (63’minutes), Lucas Moura (73’minutes)
Assists: Alli (34’minutes), Davies (63’minutes), Alves Morais (73’minutes)
Yes, what a goal from Winks. The question we’ve been asking, did he plan it or was it a fluke? Whatever way we look at it, it was a brilliant goal—four goals in all. Which means we are now on the same goal difference – 9pts – with Royal Antwerp who are at the top of the group J.
After the game, Winks said that the goal was a fluke. He could have taken credit, but he decided to be honest—full marks to him.
I watched the match on my iPad with my free football app. At least I was in my comfortable chair downstairs, rather than upstairs sitting at my computer watching the game. But enough of this hilarity, to the game Jeeves!
Carlos Vinicius scored his first two goals for us, Winks and Moura were the other two scorers, which means we remain on course to reach the Europa League knockout stage with a comfortable victory against Ludogorets. And it was comfortable, very.
We, the Premier League leaders (let us rub it in), tied on nine points at the top of Group J but second to Antwerp due to an inferior head-to-head record, can seal qualification with victory away to Austrian side LASK next Thursday.
We dominated this game. Harry Winks added a stunning third from 50 yards as he caught out Ludogorets keeper Plamen Iliev midway through the second half before Vinicius turned provider for Lucas Moura.
Only Tanguy Ndombele retained his starting place from our victory over City, as Mourinho opted to rest key players before Sunday’s Premier League meeting with third-placed Chelski. It was our fifth straight win. We’ve had only one shock defeat in this competition, and that was to Antwerp – which is our opponents in the final group game.
What about Ali, I hear you ask? He hasn’t been used much, however, he seemed to want to prove a point in this match. He started from the beginning and played well.
Alli and Vinicius were two of four players substituted after 45 minutes in the defeat by Antwerp, but both impressed in this game.
Before this game, Alli had twice been replaced at half-time in his three starts this season, but he showed glimpses of his old self in a good display. Alli’s through-ball, intended for Bale, was deflected into the path of Vinicius in the 16th-minute for him to score. He then pushed the ball into Vinicius’ sights for him to score his second after following up Ndombele’s saved shot.
Delli continued to work hard until his 81st-minute substitution, wrestling back possession before finding the lively Vinicius to set up Moura’s fourth.
Being four nill up and the result already decided Mourinho chose to bring on young Dane Scarlett (16 years old). He became Spurs’ youngest player to feature in a competitive game and twice went close to scoring a debut goal. Clark, White and goalkeeper Whiteman were the other youngsters give a tryout. The other substitute was Højbjergat for Ndombele, who was Booked earlier on in the match.
Our best run for two years.
The stats
We have won five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since a run of six-under Mauricio Pochettino in November 2018.
Mourinho’s side have kept three consecutive clean sheets for the first time since April 2019.
We have scored in 25 of our 26 home matches in the Europa League since the competition’s rebranding in 2009-10.
Carlos Vinicius’ first goals for us arrived in his fifth appearance for the club in all competitions. He has been involved in five goals in four European games.
Harry Winks’ goal came from a distance of 53.7 yards – only two goals have been scored from further out in the Europa League since 2009-10 (Jordi Gomez for Omonia Nicosia against PSV (61.2 yards) and Kemar Roofe for Rangers against Standard Liege (55.4 yards) – both in October of this year).
Even though we weren’t playing a great European team (mediocre); nevertheless, it was a good result, and a good result before the Chelski game on Sunday will give us added confidence. We can only get better, and better we are.
Don’t you just feel the excitement well-up inside you? I am not just talking about this match, but how Mourinho has revitalised the team and got them playing his way. And of course, getting his sort of players in. It can only get better… and maybe, just maybe, we can start dreaming of silverware.
What’s next for us?
We are away to Chelsea on Sunday at 16:30 GMT, before travelling to LASK in our second to last Europa League group game next Thursday (17:55).
So, there you have it. Until we meet again, take care and be safe.
Glenn
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, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
