Tottenham analysis: Heung-min Son shows Spurs have the squad to challenge with Mousa Dembele still to return

Standard Sport assesses Mauricio Pochettino side's second successive 4-0 victory away to Stoke City
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Tom Collomosse10 September 2016

TOTTENHAM HAVE DEPTH

The fear at the start of the season was that while Tottenham’s first XI was strong, the potential replacements were not up to scratch.

Spurs went some way to calming those fears at Stoke, where Heung-Min Son – who might have been sold to Wolfsburg in the summer – scored two excellent goals, and Ben Davies improved throughout after a tricky start. The signing of Moussa Sissoko, plus the imminent return of Mousa Dembele after suspension, gives Spurs plenty to look forward to.

Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

POCHETTINO HAS FORGED A MEAN STREAK

For the fourth consecutive match this season, Tottenham started the game slowly. In the first 10 minutes, Stoke were quicker to every loose ball, their midfield three were in control and their attacking trio causing problems. But despite their sluggishness, Spurs hung in there – and took their rewards when the tone of the match changed and Stoke tired. In Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier, Spurs have a core of steel that will prove very tough to break.

GIVE HARRY KANE A BREAK

True, the England striker broke his duck for the season with a 70th-miute tap-in to make it 4-0. But he still looks some way from his best, and much of that must be attributed to tiredness. Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, Kane has barely had a break.

That schedule will catch up with any player, no matter how diligent he is about his training and recovery. Vincent Janssen looks a capable deputy and Kane would benefit hugely from starting a couple of games on the bench.

DELE ALLI MAINTAINS HIS ENGLAND FORM

After coming on as substitute for his country, Alli inspired the improvement that brought a 1-0 win in the World Cup qualifier in Slovakia. Once Spurs found their rhythm in this game, Alli was superb, always threatening Stoke with his pace, ambition and movement.

Photo: Lindsey Parnaby/AFP/Getty Images
LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images

He deserved his goal – a tap-in to make it 3-0 – because he showed the personality to drag Tottenham back into the match when Stoke were on top in the first half. He looks just as comfortable in the No10 role or alongside Eric Dier in the centre, and another new contract is surely just around the corner.

TIME FOR SPURS TO MAKE THEIR AUTUMN STATEMENT

Spurs have eight points from their opening four matches, a reasonable return when two of those opponents were Everton and Liverpool. Four of their next five matches are against Sunderland, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bournemouth.

Yes, there is a game against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the middle of those games. But as long as Pochettino can rotate his squad cleverly between the Premier League and the Champions League, Spurs have an excellent chance to make a positive move over the next month or so.

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