Tottenham recreate a rare achievement
In the first two rounds, coach Ange Postecoglou's army drew 2-2 at Brentford, respectively, and then won Man Utd. This is only the third time in Premier League history that Tottenham have always scored at least two goals per game in the first three rounds.
The previous two times took place in the 2009-2010 season (winning Liverpool 2-1, Hull City 5-1, West Ham 2-1) and the 2018-2019 season (winning Newcastle 2-1, Fulham 3-1, Man Utd 3-) 0). Thanks to a bright start, Tottenham have finished fourth in these two seasons.
After the chaotic 2022-2023 season with three coach changes, 8th place overall and the departure of the iconic Harry Kane this past summer, the current start, although not too impressive, still creates confidence for the players. Tottenham fans about a brighter future.
Tottenham's way of playing at Vitality also offers glimmers of hope. Postecoglou's army did not need to hold the ball too much, only 56%, but the kick was firm, smooth and much more powerful with 17 shots, including 6 goal directions. This parameter of Bournemouth is only 11 - 3.
Without Kane, Tottenham are still attacking with rookie James Maddison well integrated into Postecoglou's system. The wingers Son - Kulusevski advanced, moving wide, while the striker Richarlison actively stepped back to create space in the middle for the players behind to move up.
This play was done smoothly, giving Tottenham the opening goal in the 17th minute. Bissouma received the ball in the home field, coordinated with Pape Matar Sarr to let the Senegal midfielder poke a slot into the penalty area. Because the Bournemouth defense was stretched by Son, Kulusevki, Richarlison and even Bissouma, Maddison comfortably put on a one-touch connection with just enough force to defeat goalkeeper Neto in the face.
This is Maddison's first goal for Tottenham after being bought from Leicester City for $ 51 million in the summer. With the opening goal, this English midfielder continued his charm away from home, when he participated in 18 goals (scored 9, assisted 9) in the last 20 matches away from home in the Premier League. In the opening match - the draw of Brentford 2-2, Maddison also proved his worth when creating both goals.
Bournemouth bounced up late in the first half and early in the second, creating some good chances, but Christie, Billing, and Semenyo were squandered in turn. These broken phases cost them dearly, because soon after, Tottenham specifically had the first good opportunity in the second half to set the score 2-0 in the 63rd minute.
Left-back Udogie rose high, moved into the middle, turned on the wall with Son and then went down to the bottom of the border, passing back into the penalty area. Kulusevski escaped from a home defender to cross into the connecting stone to the far corner, knocking out Neto.
Maddison, Ben Davies and Perisic squandered a few more opportunities for the rest of the time. But 2-0 is the result enough to make Postecoglou's teachers and students happy to leave the Vitality field. In the fourth round, Tottenham continued to be a guest, at Burnley on September 2. But three days before that, they had another away trip, meeting Fulham in the second round of the English League Cup.
