Tottenham take on Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in a must-win game for Jose Mourinho’s side. The North London outfit have lost five of their last six league games and go into the game tenth in the Premier League. The next three games against Burnley, Fulham and Crystal Palace are crucial to Mourinho keeping his job and Spurs building up some momentum. Spurs did beat Wolfsberger AC 4-0 in the week and they will be hoping for a similar scoreline today. Burnley are unbeaten in the league in four games and will be hoping to take some points off Spurs.
Team News
Gareth Bale makes his first Spurs start since the defeat to Brighton in January, after impressing in the second half against West Ham. Serge Aurier comes back into the side after missing five games through injury and Toby Alderweireld replaces Eric Dier in the heart of defence. Dele only makes the bench after an impressive display midweek. Will the front three of Bale, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane finally click?
Burnley start again without their two main striker in Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, with Jay Rodriguez and Matej Vydra leading the line. The Clarets remain unchanged from their goalless draw at home to West Brom last week.
1′ Kick off
Tottenham get us underway in this must-win game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
2′ Goal!
Tottenham are ahead after just 68 seconds. Son hits a hopeful cross into the Burnley box and Bale drifts behind the Burnley defence, somehow staying onside and taps the ball past Nick Pope to put Spurs ahead. What a start for Spurs and Bale.
Embed from Getty Images6′ Spurs Chance
Tanguy Ndombele plays a delightful pass to set Kane away on the Burnley defence and the England captain struck the ball sweetly towards the bottom corner, but it fizzed just wide.
10′ Huge Chance
The ball is drifted over the top of the Burnley defence by Alderweireld for Son and the South-Korean slotted the ball through to Lucas Moura, but the Brazilian wasted the chance by shooting straight at Pope.
15′ Goal!
Spurs strike again. Bale picks the ball up just in the Burnley half and drifts a delcious pass over the Burnley defence into the path of Kane. The England captain takes the ball down and smashes it past Pope with the help of a deflection. Is this the real Bale?
Embed from Getty Images20′ Spurs Chance
Ndombele picks up the ball on the edge of the box and attempts an audacious pass to the back post for Gareth Bale, but there is just too much on the pass and it goes out for a goal kick.
24′ Burnley chance
Dwight McNeil broke away down the wing and fired a low cross into the box, but the onrushing Vydra couldn’t quite reach the cross and the ball went out for a goal kick.
29′ Spurs dominance
Spurs are in compete control of this game and as Burnley chase a goal to get back into the contest, Spurs look deadly on the counter-attack.
31′ Goal!
This could get embarassing here for Burnley. Spurs break forward again and Sergio Reguilon crosses the ball into the box and the ball deflects off the head of James Tarkowski into Lucas, who controls it and fires home to put Spurs out of sight
Embed from Getty Images35′ Spurs Chance
Aurier makes a great burst forward from defence and plays an excellent pass through to Lucas, but the Brazilian can’t double his tally and fires well over the crossbar.
40′ Spurs Pressure
Burnley are really pushing forward trying to find a way back into this match, but everytime they throw bodies forward, Spurs are picking them off with ease on the counter-attack.
45′ Spurs Chance
Burnley fail to clear Son’s cross and the ball falls out to Aurier on the edge of the box, but the Ivorian’s shot flies into the stands.
Half Time
What an excellent half that was from Spurs. The North London side have been back to their best to put the game past Burnley within half hour of the game. Spurs’ front three have been scintillating throughout the half, with Bale showing his true quality by pulling the strings from the right-wing. Goals from Bale, Kane and Lucas put Spurs in a very commanding position at the break.
46′ Kick Off
Burnley get the second half underway and will be looking for an early goal to give themselves a slim chance at rescuing a result.
51′ Injury
Westwood seems to have picked up an injury and after some time on the floor, the midfielder hobbles off the pitch. However, he manages to return to the pitch after some treatment.
55′ Goal!
Gareth Bale is at the double. Son breaks forward with pace and finds Bale, who is in acres of space down the right hand side. The Welshman fires the ball intro the far corner for his second of the match.
60′ Spurs control
The home side are really starting to enjoy themselves now and are searching for even more goals.
66′ Substitution
Mourinho makes his first substitution, with Dele replacing Lucas in midfield.
Embed from Getty Images70′ Substitution
The best player on the pitch is replaced by Erik Lamela. The Welshman was outstanding throughout the game, registering two goals and an assist. Is this the start of a brilliant end of the season for Bale?
71′ Spurs Chance
Kane picks the ball up 25 yards out and fires a swirling shot towards goal and he had Pope scrambling to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner.
73′ Chance
Dele sets Son away in behind the Burnley defence and the South-korean comes inside and whips a venomous shot towards the corner, but Pope makes a brilliant save to keep it out. Wood replaces Vydra for Burnley upfront and the New Zealand international will be hoping he can grab a consolation goal for his side.
78′ Spurs control
The home side are knocking the ball round with ease and just maintaining possession to ensure they don’t let go of their clean sheet. Are Alderweireld and Sanchez Spurs’ best centre-back partnership?
Embed from Getty Images80′ Substitutions
Matt Doherty replaces Aurier at right back, the Ivorian has not put a foot wrong today. Burnley also make a change with Dale Stephens replacing Jack Cork in midfield.
83′ Spurs Chance
Kane plays a beautiful pass in-behind the Burnley defence for Son to run onto, but the number seven fired his shot well over the crossbar.
86′ Crossbar
The ball is crossed into the box by Brownhill, straight onto the head of Rodriguez whose header strikes the crossbar. However, the ref blows the whistle for a foul against Rodriguez.
88′ Substitution
Rodriguez is replaced by young striker Lewis Richardson for his Premier League debut.
92′ Spurs chance
Spurs break brilliantly from a Burnley corner and Kane sets son away; the South Korean looks to return the ball back to the onrushing Kane, but surprisingly the England captain fluffs his lines.
Full Time
Spurs secure a much needed comfortable win at home, blowing Burnley away within 30 minutes. Man of the match Bale showed his true quality with two goals and an assist, tearing Burnley apart. Goals from Kane and Lucas gave Spurs the victory which takes them up to eighth. Mourinho will be hoping that his side can pick up more clean sheets like today and the front three fire them into the top four. However, Burnley simply weren’t good enough today and gave Spurs’ front three ridiculous amounts of space.
For more football content click here.
For more sport content click here.
