Tottenham Hotspur survived a first-half onslaught as they made a second-half recovery to notch a 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League.
Tottenham could have conceded a few in the first half. But thanks to some lacklustre finishing from the home side, they kept on hanging. Chancel Mbemba broke the deadlock as he rose high to meet a Jordan Veretout corner.
Spurs came with all guns blazing in the second half as an Antonio Conte pep talk might have inspired them to take on their French opponent with more vigour. Ivan Perisic’s set-piece found Clement Lenglet, who defeated his marker to level the scoring.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg then ensured that Tottenham departed from France with all the three points as he finished a super move in style to dash Marseille’s hopes. The results means Tottenham finish the group stage as winners of their group. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Antonio Conte’s men.
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
The French goalkeeper had a good game throughout. Lloris kept Spurs in the game with two good saves to deny Marseille attackers Alexis Sanchez and Jordan Veretout. The Tottenham captain could not do anything about the Chancel Mbemba header as the defender was left unmarked.
Hugo Lloris leading by example ©️#UCL pic.twitter.com/HhLCUuxnYt
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2022
Eric Dier: 6/10
Dier did not look comfortable at all in the right centre-back role and almost got to the wrong side with a peculiar aerial ball in his own penalty box. He conceded possession a number of times but improved in the second half as he thwarted a number of Marseille advances.
Clement Lenglet: 8/10
Lenglelt was beaten by Sanchez a number of times as the Barcelona loanee struggled to adjust in the central defensive role. The Frenchman atoned for his errors with a brilliant header which led Tottenham to hurl for a winner. Massive attitude from the defender.
Ben Davies: 6/10
Davies was the weakest link in the Tottenham backline as Marseille tried to target him on a few occasions. He loosely gave the ball a few times but had a much-improved display after the break.
Ryan Sessegnon: 4/10
Sessegnon ad a forgettable game as he barely influenced the proceedings as the right wing-back. Hauled off to the left side, and he was guilty of conceding the corner which led to the opener. He was not involved after the break.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 8.5/10
Like most of the players, Hojbjerg was clueless in the first half as the visitors ran the show with utmost authority. But he came back with more determination and started to get a foothold in the middle of the pitch. The Dane controlled the game with his tireless running on the pitch. And Hojbjerg emerged as the winner as his brilliant finish helped Tottenham clinch a much-needed win.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 8/10
Bentancur, the player to watch in our preview, held back possession in the first half and was particularly responsible for not marking Mbemba when Marseille took the lead. But the Uruguayan midfielder ticked all the boxes in the second half as he broke up play, sprayed passes all over the ground and even made a very few emerging runs behind the Marseille defence.
Ivan Perisic: 8/10
Perisic was a constant menace in the second half as he tried to breach the Marseille defence from his flank. The Croat proved to be productive once again as it was his free-kick, which Lenglet powered back in for the equaliser.
Ivan Perisic's game by numbers vs Marseille:
100% aerial duels won
100% passing accuracy in final third
8 duels won (most)
4 clearances
3 interceptions
3 possession won
2 chances created
1 assistHe now has more assists than any other Spurs player this season. 👏 pic.twitter.com/wyH5RuNDyw
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 1, 2022
Lucas Moura: 6/10
Lucas Moura was more effective after the break as his movement caused Marseille plenty of worries. He teed off Hojbjerg with a brilliant ball which hit the bar.
Harry Kane: 8/10
The scoreline will not describe his performance, but the Tottenham frontman fought a lonely battle at times. Kane dragged off defenders to make space for his fellow players. He laid off the ball beautifully to Hojbjerg for the winner.
Son Heung-min: 5/10
Son was forced off the pitch with an early injury. He did not have the intent and struggled to get on the ball.
SUBSTITUTES
Yves Bissouma: 7/10
Bissouma had an eventful second half as he pressed down the Marseille midfield with some necessary tackles.
Matt Doherty: 7/10
Doherty was not adventurous but did his work pretty well as he kept the possession pretty rigidly.
Oliver Skipp: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Bryan Gil: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
