Evening Standard
·4 October 2024
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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·4 October 2024
The teenager, on his first start, outshone his experienced fellow forward
Tottenham made it two wins from two in the Europa League with a hard-fought victory at Ferencvaros.
Pape Sarr capitalised on confusion in the Hungarians’ defence to open the scoring mid-way through the first half, after Ferencvaros had a Barnabas Varga goal ruled out for a fractional offside.
Substitute Brennan Johnson scored for a fifth consecutive game with four minutes remaining, curling into the bottom corner. But Varga got his goal in the end, volleying home in the 90th minute to set up a nervy finale.
Here’s how Dan Kilpatrick rated the Spurs players…
Saved outstandingly from Varga and Matheus Saldanha either side of half-time.
Struck the outside of the post with a curling shot after a lovely piece of skill in the first half. Got forward impressively but the late Ferencvaros goal came from a cross he failed to cut out.
Started erratically but grew into the game. Went close to a goal with a second-half header.
Showed flashes of real class, including a lovely flick in the corner. Did not look entirely comfortable at centre-half and left-back but underlined his versatility by playing 45 minutes in each role.
Fortunate that Varga’s first goal was ruled out after being caught out of position in the build-up. Varga got between him and Romero to score the late consolation goal.
Produced some outstanding pieces of play with and without the ball. Broke up play and used the ball well, even if he was occasionally careless in possession.
Scored for the second game running in this competition with an opportunistic finish and went close with two other efforts. Put himself about in another strong showing.
Some nice touches but struggled to assert his influence on the game.
Involved in the build-up to both Spurs’ goals and laid on a golden chance for Werner in an excellent showing which will only increase the hype. Always looked to take on his man and pick a pass.
Missed yet another big one-on-one in his last action of the game. Played on the fringes of the match, despite being one of Spurs’ most experienced players at this level.
Should have pulled the trigger earlier after being played in by Bissouma. Shanked a volley wide from a smart corner. All in, a lively debut but might feel he could have done more.
Subs
A strong cameo from the in-form Swede, whose run created the space for Johnson’s goal.
Scored again with an another unerring finish into the corner to continue his outstanding form. Earlier demonstrated his confidence with an outstanding first-time effort which clattered off the crossbar.
Lively in a late run out.
Celebrated his return to the England squad by setting up Johnson’s goal.