Tottenham Hotspur moved to third on the Premier League table after Son Heung-min scored a late winner against a 10-man Watford on Monday at Vicarage Road.
The Spurs were piling on the pressure before Heung-min flicked the ball into the back of the net while facing the other way in an impressive fashion.
Erik Lamela put the visitors in front first with a well struck-shot into the bottom-right corner in the 17th minute, after a solo effort running towards goal. Dele Alli originally setup the move to get the ball that supplied Lamela with the opportunity.
Odion Ighalo drew the home side level though, after a strong performance in the box to fight-off the Tottenham defenders, finishing with a cool poke past Hugo Lloris.
The visitors went into the dressing room at halftime frustrated, particularly after their last two performances against Southampton and Norwich.
In the second-half Kieran Trippier had a solid volley effort float just wide, after a corner from Lamela was headed away. Tottenham dominated the whole of the match, giving the home side little opportunity. Watford’s job got even harder once Nathan Ake had been sent-off for a challenge on Lamela midway through the second-half.
Spurs were frustrated until the dying minutes of the game, after one cross was punched away by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, before Tripper struck the ball back into the box to allow Heung-min a superb finish.
Should the Tottenham defence have been stronger?
Ighalo managed to score Watford’s equaliser with four defenders on his back who were just not strong enough to keep the Nigerian. Ighalo’s turn toward the net was lightning fast admittedly, but the defenders seemed to give up far too easily.
Eric Dier was the last man and he was shrugged-off, before a helpless Jan Vertonghen tried to chase Ighalo but eventually gave up as the Hornets front man slotted the ball beyond a defenceless Lloris. There is the question of whether the French custodian could have come off his line earlier to punch the ball away, but the power and speed of Ighalo made it difficult to judge.
Spurs have thrown away points in this style before, but this time they were lucky to escape with all three.
Forget top four…title?
Everyone speaks of Leicester and winning the title at the moment as the team are such a surprise package, but not many people having giving Mauricio Pochettino and his side much credit.
Arsenal currently sit at the top, a sight Spurs fans will not enjoy, but the Lilywhites are only four points behind their fierce rivals.
Tottenham tend to be the team that gets written off and consigned to fifth or sixth on the table come the end of the season.
In third position, and with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United playing far below-par from what we are used to, this may be their best chance yet to grab that elusive Premier League title. To snatch it from Arsenal’s hands would be even sweeter.
Spurs now currently have the best goal difference (+18) in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino working wonders. pic.twitter.com/5e31dA4yWv
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2015
Should Nathan Ake have been sent-off?
Ake’s challenge on Erik Lamela was high and late, and Lamela needed some treatment from medical staff after the foul. Players from both teams surrounded the referee and a floored Lamela, before the ref eventually produced the red card from his pocket.
It was a straight sending-off, which is always harsh, yet although the challenge did not come at the point of a goal scoring opportunity, it was unsafe and reckless. Ake’s studs were showing and the tackle was high into Lamela’s thigh which is considered dangerous, but the possible persuasion provoked by the surrounding from the Spurs players may have helped.
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores and the home dugout were clearly frustrated with the decision that left them with a lot of work to do.
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