Tottenham Hotspur FC clinched a convincing 2-0 win over Hull City AFC to remain in the hunt for a Europa League place next season. Hull City, on the other hand, remain at the bottom half of the league table and still face the danger of a possible relegation from the top tier. Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose scored in the 54th and 61st minute to seal the three points for the Spurs.
Steve Brucea s men started the game in a 3-4-1-2 formation and they concentrated on midfield blocking predominantly. Spurs were finding it difficult to break the wall formed by the overcrowded Hull City midfield.
Hull City got the first major chance of the match in 16th minute. Tottenham defender Fazio poorly cleared a ball which was intercepted by Hull striker Dame Na Doye. He floated a cross towards Nikica Jelvaic who was alone inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, his attempted header went just wide.
Tottenham slowly took the grip of the match in their hands and approached the Hull City goals in numbers. They launched a series of attacks, but all got wasted. In the 28th minute, Christian Eriksen ran down the field and forwarded a ball towards Harry Kane on the left flank. The English youngster similarly passed it towards a forthcoming Erik Lamela inside the penalty box, but the midfielder could reach in time.
The home side kept on pressing on the opponenta s half and launched a series of attacks a bit of misfortune and poor finishing stopped Tottenham to get their first goal of the match in the first half itself.
Hull City started the second half on a much positive note as they were attacking more from the beginning after the lemon break. They got their chance when Brady floated a cross towards Mason and Jelavic who were inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, none of them could reach the ball properly and it went outside.
Within a couple of minutes, ex-Tottenham man Tom Huddlestone forwarded a pass towards Jelavic. The Croatian forward attempted a shot at the goal, but the ball went wide very little margin.
Finally from a counter-attack, Erik Lamela gave a superb through ball towards Nacer Chadli who calmly finished the move with an easy goal. 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.
In the 61st minute, Tottenham displayed a brilliant team move involving Bentaleb, Danny Rose, and Ryan Mason. Rose passed the ball towards Mason at the edge of the opponenta s box and went inside. Mason received the ball and quickly lobbed it over the Hull defenders eyeing Rose. The English left-back finished it with a stunning volley. The match was practically over then as Hull did not hold much chance of making a comeback from that position against a strong and quality opponent like Tottenham Hotspur. A wasteful Jelavic was replaced by Abel Hernandez just after conceding the second goal.
Hull City dominated the game thereafter. They attacked in numbers and looked desperate for goals. They had to win this tie in order to move above the relegation tie. Unfortunately, Tottenham defenders showed great mindset and displayed a resolute defending. Also luck was not on Hulla s side.
Mauricio Pochettinoa s men secured a much needed three points from this game which has now pretty much confirmed their berth in the Europa League next season. They are now comfortably placed in the sixth position with 61 points from 37 matches. They are ahead of Southampton by a point and just behind Liverpool in the league table. Hull city on other hand are struggling to remain afloat in the Premier League. They are currently placed in the 18th position in the league table with just a game t go in this season. They would have to win their last match next week and pray that Newcastle United fail to register any point in their last encounter. It has now become extremely complicated for Steve Brucea s side.