Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Aston Villa: Spurs break their scoring duck, still lose

For a long time Tottenham Hotspur looked like things were finally starting to click. And then Micky van de Ven got elbowed in the face, Spurs conceded just before the break, and fell apart in the second half. Villa capitalized on a briefly short-handed Spurs side after Van de Ven got hit in the face and suffered a black eye, with new signing Johan Manzambi scoring in extra time of the first half to take a 1-0 lead at the break. Prior to that, Spurs had put together arguably their best half of the season, looking dynamic in possession and forcing four first half saves from Zion Suzuki. That was despite Pedro Porro being forced off early in the match for Archie Gray with what looked like a soft tissue injury.

The Manzabi goal took the wind out of Spurs’ sails. Roberto De Zerbi made an… interesting choice to bring on Mohammed Kudus for Mateus Fernandes at the break, and Spurs struggled to break down a determined Villa side afterwards. Spurs actually had the ball in the back of the net for the first time all season when Kudus tapped in an Andy Robertson cross, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after Robbo was deemed offside. Then new Villa signing Nico Jackson put another chance in the back of the net for Villa to put them ahead 2-0, and Emiliano Buendia added a late banger to put the visitors up 3-0. Conor Gallagher scored a late goal from point blank range, and Van Hecke added a second late goal with a driving header off a free kick. The final score was 2-3.

Serious questions need to be asked now about this Tottenham team and Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure. Spurs may have finally broken their scoring duck, but it was academic — Villa ran them off the park in the second half and Spurs and will spend the three week super-international break in the relegation zone. The team started well but still can’t get the multiple monkeys off their back. This was a significant step backwards in both results and vibes.

• A bright start for Spurs early — they seemed content to keep the ball and were really looking to find the pass in behind the back line rather than playing to feet.
  Advertisement
• I swear, it’s like there’s a force field in front of goal for Spurs. Two great chances inside 12 minutes to score plus a penalty shout that was waved off (of course it was) and Spurs still couldn’t get it past Zion Suzuki.

• Pedro Porro slammed his fist to the ground when he went down, which suggests he knew something serious was wrong. But he walked off on his own power, so hopefully it’s just soft tissue and he can heal quickly.

• With the exception of the ball not going into goal, Savio had an almost world class performance in the first half. He was absolutely torching Ruggeri in possession and should’ve had, if not a goal, at least an assist or two.

• Spurs had two penalty shouts denied, but neither were particularly compelling. The Wan-Bissaka handball in particular — you’re never going to get that call despite his arm being outstretched and in an unnatural position. However, they SHOULD have gotten a penalty for the shove on Fernandes’ back in the box at the end of the half.

• Honestly, that was the most impressive half of football we’ve had all season and against a good team that’s way better than its current record. Shame about the force field in front of the Villa goal.

• I hate to be all “blame the ref” again but holy crap, he let so much go including the flying elbow on Micky van de Ven’s face that went completely uncalled despite a lengthy injury break to treat him.

• Of course Villa scores at the death against the run of play while our captain was off for being elbowed in the face with no foul called. Football is a stupid sport, why do I even watch this shit?

• I can understand making a halftime tactical change. I do NOT understand subbing off Mateus Fernandes for Mohammed Kudus, it’s a sub that made Spurs actively worse.

• A GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SCORED AN ACTUAL GOAL IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE… but it won’t count because offside. Unbelievable.

• Nico Jackson is a good striker and we should have signed him this summer when we had the opportunity.

• I’m glad Spurs finally scored, but it was far from the cathartic joy we were hoping for. It was a tepid response after a tepid overall performance.

• Is Conor Gallagher #actually our best player? In this essay I

• The next three weeks might be a good time to take a Tottenham sabbatical if you’re a fan, because the vibes are going to be absolutely rancid. I’d suggest swallowing your takes, logging off, and taking a nice walk.

• For the record, Tottenham Hotspur Women play five times before the men’s team plays their next match. I’d strongly suggest you give the women a chance over the next three weeks.

A bright start for Spurs early — they seemed content to keep the ball and were really looking to find the pass in behind the back line rather than playing to feet.

I swear, it’s like there’s a force field in front of goal for Spurs. Two great chances inside 12 minutes to score plus a penalty shout that was waved off (of course it was) and Spurs still couldn’t get it past Zion Suzuki.

Pedro Porro slammed his fist to the ground when he went down, which suggests he knew something serious was wrong. But he walked off on his own power, so hopefully it’s just soft tissue and he can heal quickly.

With the exception of the ball not going into goal, Savio had an almost world class performance in the first half. He was absolutely torching Ruggeri in possession and should’ve had, if not a goal, at least an assist or two.

Spurs had two penalty shouts denied, but neither were particularly compelling. The Wan-Bissaka handball in particular — you’re never going to get that call despite his arm being outstretched and in an unnatural position. However, they SHOULD have gotten a penalty for the shove on Fernandes’ back in the box at the end of the half.

Honestly, that was the most impressive half of football we’ve had all season and against a good team that’s way better than its current record. Shame about the force field in front of the Villa goal.

I hate to be all “blame the ref” again but holy crap, he let so much go including the flying elbow on Micky van de Ven’s face that went completely uncalled despite a lengthy injury break to treat him.

Of course Villa scores at the death against the run of play while our captain was off for being elbowed in the face with no foul called. Football is a stupid sport, why do I even watch this shit?

I can understand making a halftime tactical change. I do NOT understand subbing off Mateus Fernandes for Mohammed Kudus, it’s a sub that made Spurs actively worse.

A GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SCORED AN ACTUAL GOAL IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE… but it won’t count because offside. Unbelievable.

Nico Jackson is a good striker and we should have signed him this summer when we had the opportunity.

I’m glad Spurs finally scored, but it was far from the cathartic joy we were hoping for. It was a tepid response after a tepid overall performance.

Is Conor Gallagher #actually our best player? In this essay I

The next three weeks might be a good time to take a Tottenham sabbatical if you’re a fan, because the vibes are going to be absolutely rancid. I’d suggest swallowing your takes, logging off, and taking a nice walk.

For the record, Tottenham Hotspur Women play five times before the men’s team plays their next match. I’d strongly suggest you give the women a chance over the next three weeks.