Dele Alli and Carlos Vinicius made the difference as Tottenham claimed an emphatic 5-0 win over Marine in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Tottenham were a little slow off the blocks, as Marine held them off well in the early exchanges. In fact, it was the hosts who created the first real opening in the game, as Neil Kengni came within whiskers of scoring a stunning long range goal, only to be denied by the crossbar. It is after this moment that the floodgates opened on the other end.
Carlos Vinicius scored a couple of scratchy close range goals before Lucas Moura scored the third goal for Tottenham from Dele Alli’s cross. Vinicius then completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute with a peach of a volley to put the game beyond the reach of Marine.
Post the interval, Tottenham went into cruise control mode, but added a fifth when 16-year-old Alfie Devine scored on debut, while Vinicius had a chance to add a fourth goal to his tally late on. The result saw Spurs coast to the FA Cup fourth round and The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Jose Mourinho’s men.
Joe Hart: 6/10
Hart barely had anything to do, with Tottenham thoroughly dominating the proceedings. The veteran goalkeeper, though, was fortunate not to be punished when he inexplicably chose not to palm away Neil Kengni’s long-range effort which struck the crossbar. Otherwise, it was a game in which he was a mere spectator.
Matt Doherty: 7/10
Back into the starting lineup, Doherty was solid in his defensive duties on the rare occasion when Marine did bomb forward. Going forward, he showed some promising signs and did not waste the opportunities of linking up with the front men. A step in the right direction.
Joe Rodon: 7/10
Stationed at the heart of the Tottenham defence, Rodon was a solid customer, keeping a check on Marine captain Niall Cummins. The youngster made as many as 3 key interceptions while winning 3 duels. The most notable moment of the game for him was the big block that kept out a fine goal-bound effort.
Toby Alderweireld: 7/10
Alderweireld played just the first half on Sunday, but he was instrumental with his leadership to ensure that Tottenham avoided any slip-ups that could have complicated matters. A couple of tackles and as many clearances were crucial and he won 4 of the 5 duels he contested.
Ben Davies: 7/10
The skipper on the day for Tottenham, Davies was solid in his defensive duties but did not really make an impact going forward, with Lucas Moura and Dele Alli dominating the left flank.
Moussa Sissoko: 7/10
A big reason why Tottenham were so utterly dominant in the first half. Sissoko grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck, misplacing just 2 passes while winning 6 of the 7 duels he contested. Taken off at half-time to preserve him for bigger games ahead.
Harvey White: 7/10
Making his full debut for Tottenham, White was quite impressive with his performance in the middle of the park. Had the second-most touches on the night and was neat in possession, which helped assert Tottenham’s dominance in the game. The youngster also played a couple of key passes, with the only disappointing aspect of his performance being the poor free-kicks.
Gedson Fernandes: 7/10
Making a rare appearance for Spurs, Gedson Fernandes was a little slow off the blocks, with the rustiness in his game clearly evident. However, the Portuguese midfielder was key in carving out openings with some superb link-up with Alli, Carlos Vinicius and Lucas Moura. Had the most touches in the game and although he did not create a chance, he was a driving force for the win.
Dele Alli: 10/10
Dele Alli’s game by numbers vs. Marine:
83 touches
5 chances created
5 duels won
4 take-ons
2 big chances created
1 shot on target
1 assistHe is still yet to complete 90 minutes for Tottenham this season. pic.twitter.com/5FKmlrqgvD
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2021
Another player who handed a rare start, Alli was in his elements when Tottenham blew Marine away in the first half. Delivered the most key passes (5) in the game and was involved in each of the four goals that Tottenham scored in the first 45 minutes, with his cross for Lucas’ strike being the standout effort. Did all he can to impress Mourinho.
Lucas Moura: 8/10
Deployed on the left-wing, Lucas slowly got into his stride and did not look back after that. The Brazilian international produced a superb finish for his goal, but it was his awareness and pass for Alfie Devine’s goal that takes the cake as far as his performance is concerned. Makes you wonder why he cannot do this more regularly, the class of the opposition notwithstanding.
Carlos Vinicius: 10/10
This was a performance in which Vinicius showed what all the fuss about him really is. The Brazilian striker was in the right place at the right time to score his first two goals, even though the finishes were a little scratchy. However, it was the finish for the goal that completed his hat-trick that was quite sumptuous, volleying in the goal. Should have added a fourth late on, though.
Carlos Vinicius has doubled his goal tally for the season already today.
Padding. ? pic.twitter.com/meK9DJE5j7
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 10, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Japhet Tanganga: 7/10
On for Alderweireld at the break, Tanganga continued from where his senior teammate had left off, hardly giving the Marine forwards an inch and winning 3 duels.
Alfie Devine: 8/10
Making his Tottenham debut, it was already a game to remember for young Devine. The 16-year-old made it even more memorable with the goal to make it a night he will never forget for the rest of his life, and what a superb finish it was after collecting the ball from Lucas.
16 – Aged 16 years and 162 days old, Alfie Devine is the youngest player to score for a Football League or Premier League club in the FA Cup since George Williams for MK Dons v Nantwich in November 2011 (16y 66d). Simply. pic.twitter.com/TXR1VNYEzr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2021
Gareth Bale: 6/10
On for Alli, Bale helped see the game out and tested Bayleigh Passant with a swerving free-kick.
Jack Clarke: 6/10
Clarke replaced Lucas Moura but did not really get the opportunity to showcase his abilities, with Tottenham in cruise control mode.
Sergio Reguilon: 6/10
On for Davies for the final 20 minutes, he helped see the game out.
Come on, 10/10 for Alli and Vinicius?! I know you can only beat what’s put in front of you but it was a tier 8 side and two of Carlos’s goals were a foot or two out! Alli was still driving me mad at times with sloppiness and flicks going wrong.