Seems a bit late to start a "post-match" thread, so you know what? THE RAAAAAAAAATTTIIIIIIINGS are going in here!
Ah, yes. We're getting to that stage of the season where the old adage "it's the points that count" actually seems to ring true, because if we're talking performances and scorelines, it's actually City who are looking ominous, moving back into second. But that big, fat cushion is still in place - a massive 14 points! And we seem to have forgotten - or eb unwilling to remember - what it is like to lose.
Mourinho obviously selected lots of defensive players, with Aurier pushed forward at RM, although the midfield (perhaps because of so many injuries) was pretty flimsy, and this was reflected in a first half that we dominated, as Spurs seemed content to try and contain and batten down the hatches. We dominated that period, hustling and hassling Spurs into coughing up the ball, with Winks and Eriksen looking all at sea; 1-0 was the least we deserved really. After an hour or so, Spurs finally roused themselves, and managed to create and waste two wonderful chances, with Celso's in particular almost miraculous. But we kept yet another clean sheet, and the remorseless, relentless march towards the holy grail continues.
Alisson (7) Some impressive handling and general calmness, the clean sheet was perhaps more to do with Spurs' lack of composure, but he deserves a bit of luck and another shut-out.
TAA (6) When he has to do more defending than usual, his attacking game seems to suffer, and his use of the ball was below par by his own amazing standards. But he's a RB, and he has to be able to defend, and he did that in a tough battle with Son and Moura.
Gomez (6) One of those typically Gomez-esque frazzled moments under the high ball - someone needs to take him to an opthalmologist - and had a busier than usual afternoon with the pace and running of the Spurs attack. This wasn't one of his best games, but he coped well enough.
Virgil (8) Should have scored with one great chance, but he was - yawn - again impressive as he glided about the pitch, shutting down chances and easing the belated pressure. He actually did a proper sliding tackle at one stage, which isn't like him, but was bloody wonderful to watch as he went through Delle Ali like a fucking turbo-charged combine harvester.
Robertson (6) Like TAA, he was pressed back on occasion, with two Spurs full-backs running back and forth; he worked as hard as ever, but didn't use the ball well enough and wasted a few good overlaps.
Henderson (5) Awful first half, as he displayed that infuriating inability to actually use the time and space he was being afforded and lost composure, as he seemed to second-guess himself and chose wrong. Improved after half-time and started to stamp a bit of authority onto proceedings, but overall this wasn't good enough and he knew it.
Wijnaldum (8) Luckily, the Dutchman had a very good game, and - one mistake aside - was totally in control. Seemed to be everywhere, and has an uncanny (and doubtless infuriating) ability to shield the ball and use his strength and technique to get out of trouble.
Chamberlain (5) Started well, hit the post and looked really lively. And then just totally disappeared. He seemed to lose confidence and didn't look at all sure about what his role was and where he was supposed to be. Subbed after an hour, as he wasn't getting any better.
Salah (7) Buzzed around like an angry African honey bee, constantly twisting and turning to attack a confused and desperate Spurs defence who only just stopped short of jumping into the Thames to get away from him.
Firmino (8) Has scored more in his last half a dozen games than he managed in 30 before that, and this was a quite lovely goal, taking a smart pass from Salah, tricking the defender and thumping the ball past Gazza. Should have scored two, but let's not moan, at least he's finally scoring. Still not quite as accurate in his passing, as we gave the ball away too much, but he wasn't alone there and he looked far more lively.
Mane (6) Had some quite close attention, as Spurs knew how dangerous he is, so he couldn't cause as much damage as usual, with two players shadowing him at times. Worked as hard as ever all over the pitch, but will be disappointed that he only had one or two chances to score.
