Summer signing Carlos Vinicius was on song once again as Tottenham Hotspur sealed a comfortable 4-0 win over Ludogorets on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur moved one step closer towards securing qualification to the knockout round of the UEFA Europa League following a 4-0 victory over Ludogorets on Thursday.
Heading into this game as the Premier League leaders, the Lilywhites were simply relentless right from the off. They imposed their dominance on the proceedings, though they were helped by some shoddy defending from Ludogorets, who looked all over the place. The Bulgarian giants even gifted Spurs their opener, when a defender allowed Carlos Vinicius to space in behind the backline in the 16th minute.
The Brazilian then doubled his and his team’s tally in the 34th minute, with a simple tap-in as Tottenham continued to dominate the game. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Tottenham, although the hosts could have found the back of the net at least four times.
That they did, although it needed second half strikes from Lucas Moura and Harry Winks, who scored a wonder goal from the midway point of the pitch in the 63rd minute. It helped Spurs secure all three points meaning a win in the next game against LASK could secure the qualification in the next round.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Tottenham Hotspur side following their formidable win over Ludogorets on Thursday.
Joe Hart: 6/10
Joe Hart was a mere spectator for the entirety of the game as Ludogorets produced no quality attacking moment that could trouble the ex-Manchester City custodian. Ludogorets even failed to manage a single shot on goal, helping Hart preserve an easy clean sheet, though the Spurs goalkeeper did look amused when he was taken off late in the game.
Joe Hart is such a good addition to the squad. Look how supportive he is, brings great value to the dressing room? pic.twitter.com/rqLvWvFVm4
— JG Spurs (@JgSpurs) November 26, 2020
Matt Doherty: 7.5/10
Returning from a brief spell on the sidelines due to a positive COVID-19 test, Matt Doherty produced a commendable effort on the pitch. He was a constant source of support on the right flank, often aiding Gareth Bale and notably creating an excellent opportunity which the Welshman failed to convert.
Davinson Sanchez: 8/10
Davinson Sanchez replaced the injured Toby Alderweireld at centre-back for Spurs. He was a reassuring presence at the heart of the Tottenham backline, barely allowing the likes of Claudiu Keseru and Dimitar Mitkov any room to make an impact. This kind of performance should help the Colombian gain some confidence ahead of a key fixture against Chelsea on the weekend.
Japhet Tanganga: 8/10
Following a long spell on the sidelines, it was refreshing to see Japhet Tanganga making his return to the pitch. The youngster performed really well too, providing constant defensive support to Sanchez. He also looked confident with his forward passes, notably threading the pass to Tanguy Ndombele during the first phase of the game, with the move leading to the opener.
Ben Davies: 7/10
Ben Davies may not have had a similar impact as Doherty on the opposite flank, but his maturity and defensive positioning were key in offering defensive balance to the team. The Welshman led his side well, keeping the Ludogorets attackers at bay and preserving the clean sheet.
Tanguy Ndombele: 8/10
Starting ahead of Giovani Lo Celso and Moussa Sissoko, Ndombele was a spark in midfield once again. His phenomenal footwork and ability to squeeze through tight spaces made the transition much easier for Tottenham. The Frenchman also played a key role in the opener and it was his effort that forced a good save from the Ludogorets ‘keeper, though the rebound led to Vinicius’s second goal.
Harry Winks: 8.5/10
Winks was an influential figure in midfield in this game. While Ndombele provided the dynamism in possession, the Englishman offered assurance and stability with his reliable passing and ball distribution. He also threaded a couple of excellent lofted through balls that led to goalscoring opportunities while the midfielder capped off his brilliant performance with a goal from 56 yards.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks scored from 56 yards ?
(via @UCLonCBSSports) pic.twitter.com/NWTTQ0ho2J
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 26, 2020
Gareth Bale: 6.5/10
Gareth Bale had an eventful evening against Ludogorets. However, he certainly wasn’t the best performer for the home side, despite being a constant threat for the opposing backline. The Welshman lacked the sharpness, notably missing a great opportunity and will be kicking himself for failing to score at least one goal.
Dele Alli: 8.5/10
Alli made quite an impression upon his return to the team. The Englishman was a menace for the Ludogorets backline, providing real creative influence alongside Ndombele in the central positions. He initially showed selflessness by providing an assist to Vinicius for his second goal and threaded numerous key passes across the final third before making way for Harvey White late in the game.
Lucas Moura: 7.5/10
Lucas Moura worked hard for his team, as usual, playing a key role in Tottenham’s first line of press. His combination play with Vinicius was particularly impressive, as it ultimately yielded a goal late in the game.
Carlos Vinicius: 10/10
As we had predicted in our preview, Carlos Vinicius became the game-changer by producing a remarkable attacking display against Ludogorets. The Brazilian showcased immense work ethic, versatility and combination play with his teammates, as he scored two first half goals before setting up Lucas Moura for the fourth goal.
GOAL! Ndombele does absolute bits, a great little pass from Dele and Carlos Vinicius gets his second. #THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/l6r90SrJnG
— The Spurs Web ⚪️ (@thespursweb) November 26, 2020
Vinicius’s brilliant performance on Thursday should help him earn a more prominent role in the Tottenham first-team as we move forward. For the time being, he remains the first-choice striker for the Lilywhites in the Europa League matches and a backup for Harry Kane otherwise.
Substitutes
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 7/10
Replaced the tiring Ndombele around the hour mark, in what has become a customary substitution for Jose Mourinho this season. The Dane offered more solidity in the second line of press, recovering the ball on a few occasions.
Jack Clarke: 6.5/10
Jack Clarke offered a lot of dynamism and intent in the final third after replacing Bale in the 68th minute. It was a welcome opportunity for the youngster, who is yet to make an impact under Mourinho.
Alfie Whiteman: N/A
Replaced Hart in goal in the 82nd minute. Looked confident with his claims, helping Spurs see out their clean sheet. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Harvey White: N/A
Looked lively after coming on for Alli with just eight minutes remaining on the clock. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Dane Scarlett: N/A
Became the youngest player to make a competitive appearance for Spurs when he replaced Lucas. The 16-year-old even had an opportunity to score, though his second touch let him down. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
