Tottenham Hotspur laboured to a 2-0 win over Burnley with goals from Eric Dier and Heung-Min Son to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points who lost 1-2 in their game against Crystal Palace. Tottenham were struggling to break the deadlock with Burnley doing an excellent job in keeping Spurs quiet but it all changed in the 66th minute when Dier slotted calmly past Tom Heaton after Burnley didn’t clear the ball well enough.
Heung-Min Son killed the game in the 77th minute as Dele Alli found Son who tapped home to give Tottenham a two-goal advantage. Tottenham kept up the offensive pressure and kept Burnley on the back-foot for the remaining time period. Below are Tottenham’s player ratings:
Hugo Lloris
Rating:7.5
The Frenchman didn’t really have much to do between the sticks other than stop a few tame efforts at the goal from the Burnley midfielders.
Kieran Trippier:
Rating:7
Trippier struggled to defend aerial balls and was also dispossessed quite easily a couple of times but did well to put crosses in, although Tottenham failed to make the most of it.
Eric Dier:
Rating:8
Dier got the first goal to break the deadlock which breathed life into the Spurs side. He slotted past calmly to give Tottenham the lead when it seemed really tough for them to find a goal. He also enjoyed a good spell in the midfield after both Winks and Wanyama were taken off after they suffered injuries.
Toby Alderweired:
Rating:8
Alderweireld’s cross field balls were again a constant theme in the game. His defensive work was excellent too.
Jan Vertonghen:
Rating:7.5
Jan Vertonghen formed a really good partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld and helped in keeping Burnley attackers at bay.
Ben Davies:
Rating:7.5
Davies could have done more in terms of preventing crosses from coming in by closing players down. His defensive work was quite commendable.
Victor Wanyama:
Rating:7.5
Wanyama had to be taken off because of an injury in the 44th minute. He played well until he was subbed off.
Harry Winks:
Rating:7
Winks too was forced off with an injury. He seemed a bit lacklustre and misplaced a few easy passes in trying to do too much.
Christian Eriksen:
Rating:8
Eriksen again went unnoticed despite his exquisite work with several clever passes and through-balls. His pre-assist for Son’s goal was excellent.
Dele Alli:
Rating:8
Alli played quite well particularly after Tottenham led with a one goal lead. He also provided the assist for Son’s goal.
Vincent Janssen:
Rating:7.5
Janssen played quite well with his back to the goal and also drew a few fouls from Burnley defenders.
Substitutes:
Moussa Dembele:
Rating:7.5
Dembele’s presence in the heart of the midfield enabled Tottenham to dictate the tempo of the game.
Moussa Sissoko:
Rating:6
Sissoko was again ineffectual after coming on in place of Winks.
Heung-Min Son:
Rating:8
Son got the important goal which killed the game off with a decent finish. The chemistry between the front players after his introduction was outstanding.
