Spurs email

GARETH BALE wound back the clock with a moment of magic to spark Tottengham to the win – in a display which suggests his best days are now a thing of the past.
The wide-man’s dipping 30-yard free-kick could only be parried into the path of Vinicius to score and set the London club on the way to top spot in Group J.

Gareth Bale came within a whisker of scoring the opener with this free-kick

But that flash of skill aside, the former Real Madrid man struggled to do anything to excite the fans on his first outing in front of them since his comeback at the start of the season.
When Spurs forked agreed to fork out £20million in loan fees and wages to bring the prodigal son back to North London they knew it would take a while for him to get up to speed.
It is now two months since he made his second debut, and there is little to suggest he is much sharper and more like his former self than on that day.
Whether it is a lack of trust in his own body to withstand the exertion, the Welshman still looks unable to turn on the burners in any way to scare opposition defences.

Bale has yet to complete a game he has started since re-joining, and maybe Jose Mourinho is wising up to the fact he may not have a 90-minute man available to him at all this season.
Sure enough here, only 58 minutes were on the clock before the 31-year-old was summoned back to the bench – his last kick being that terrific strike which led to the opening goal.
And maybe that might just be Bale’s lot going forward, a role a player who offers more in flashes than anyone who can be a lasting threat throughout a game.
There had actually been a glimpse of Bale in a threatening position to excite the fans when he stole in to glance a fifth minute header across the face of goal.

Vinicius was in the right place at the right time to tap home Bale’s rebound

But any thoughts that was only the start of a display aiming to put the visitors to the sword were sadly misguided as Tottenham stuttered along aimlessly.
The first team may be riding high at the top of the Premier League, but this second string was hardly doing much to stake claim for a chance.
Bale wasn’t the only one who looked a yard off the pace, for long periods in the opening half Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks and Lucas Moura all struggled to find any rhythm.
And had Cristian Benavente not dithered when he was played in behind a flat defence on 33 minutes, the Belgians could have punished them for their slack play.

Giovani Lo Celso sealed the points and top spot in the groupCredit: AFP
Luckily Davinson Sanchez was able to regain his ground and get a foot to the shot to divert it into the side netting.
Spurs finally woke up in the last ten minutes before the break when Lo Celso tested Alireza Beiranvand with a strike from the edge of the box.
And the Antwerp keeper then copped a painful one between the legs plunging to deny Vinicius when the Brazilian was played through by compatriot Moura.
The second half drifted on much like the first, so Mourinho sent for the cavalry knowing the win was needed for top spot, ordering Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Tanguy Ndombele to strip off ready for action.
Just as they were waiting for the break in play, Bale sent his long-range free-kick dipping towards the top corner, Beiranvand could only tip onto the bar and Vinicius turned home the loose ball.
It was the pair’s last kick as they were hauled off before play restarted and Kane soon made his mark, releasing Lo Celso into the area to fire low into the bottom corner for the vital second. More

IT was a night when Spurs said farewell to one South American – and finally saw the emergence of another.
Carlos Vinicius netted twice to put this contest to bed before the break.

Winks bagged his first goal for almost two years – and in some styleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Harry Winks scored from this far out on a memorable night

Harry Winks – with an effort from 56 YARDS – and Lucas Moura then scored in the second half to fire the Prem leaders to the verge of the Europa League last 32.
They were Brazilian striker Vinicius’ first goals for the club since he joined on loan from Benfica with a view to a £38.2million permanent switch at the end of the season.
If he carries on like this, that fee would prove a bargain.
Before kick-off both teams paid tribute to Diego Maradona who died on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Tottenham has always been London’s Argentinian club since the arrivals of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa in 1978.
Mauricio Taricco then followed in 1998, paving the way for Erik Lamela, Juan Foyth, Paulo Gazzaniga and Giovani Lo Celso – obviously not forgetting ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino and his backroom team who also hailed from the land of corned beef.
Not even the Falklands or Federico Fazio have managed to ruin this special bond between club and country.
With Lamela injured and Lo Celso there were no Argentines in Tottenham’s matchday squad as boss Jose Mourinho made TEN changes to his starting line-up, with only Tanguy Ndombele keeping his place from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.

Carlos Vinicius scored his first goals for Spurs in the rout – and celebrated like Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Harry Kane started on the bench which was a shame because the visitors had Anicent ABEL in their line-up for this clash of hardly biblical proportions.
But there was a recall for Dele Alli, who was much more like his old self in his first appearance since being subbed at half-time of the 1-0 defeat at Royal Antwerp four weeks ago.
Looking leaner, fitter and sharper the midfielder capped a fine display by setting up both of Vinicius’ first-half strikes.
The Samba star broke the deadlock with a neat 17th-minute finish after Ludogorets defender Dragos Grigore had deflected Alli’s intended pass to Gareth Bale into his path.
Alli then showed great class and unselfishness by passing up the chance to score himself and cleverly reversed the ball for Vinicius to add a second in the 36th minute after Plamen Iliev had only been able to parry Ndombele’s low drive from the edge of the box.

Winks later admitted he didn’t mean to shoot at goal and was looking for Gareth BaleCredit: AP:Associated Press
The lead was no more than Spurs deserved as Bale, making his fifth start since returning on loan from Real Madrid, had popped a couple of shots over the bar from distance.
And Winks went close with a 30-yard snap shot that went just wide of the post with keeper Iliev rooted to the spot.
Ben Davies also fired a volley against the outside of the near post moments before Vinicius scored the second.
Fellow Brazilian Moura nearly made it 3-0 moments after with another powerful long-range shot as Tottenham’s South Americans showed the skills and flair Maradona was famous for.
Heaven knows what they have made of the cricket matches which have now become a regular feature after first-team training sessions at Hotspur Way.
With Ludogorets yet to register a win in Group J, they were always going to be stumped here.
But the expected cricket score never materialised, despite a very satisfactory night’s work by the hosts.
Winks made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute when he collected a throw-in way out on the far touchline and lofted the ball over Iliev and in off the underside of the bar from more than 50 yards.
He later admitted it was a fluke – but neither Winks, Spurs nor Mourinho will care about that in the morning.
Moura then completed the rout when he sidefooted home the fourth ten minutes later after more good work from Alli and Vinicius.
It means a draw at LASK in Austria on Thursday will be enough to see Tottenham book their place in the group stage.
This game may not live long in memory of many but it was momentous for 16-year-old Dane Scarlett who became Tottenham’s youngest player when he came off the bench to replace Moura with eight minutes left.

Wrexham troll Gareth Bale claims he wouldn’t get in team after Tottenham star snubbed transfer following takeover More

SERGE AURIER has been left humiliated after video emerged of the Tottenham ace apparently getting BEATEN UP by an international team-mate.
The defender, 27, captains the Ivory Coast who played a friendly against Japan in Holland last international break, losing 1-0.

Former Ivory Coast captain Serey Die appears to fight with Tottenham star Serge Aurier on a team busCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

Aurier certainly looks uncomfortable during the confrontationCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

A clip has now gone viral on social media of Aurier seemingly being attacked by former Elephants skipper Serey Die.
Sion midfielder Die retired from national duty last year, but was invited to accompany the Ivorian squad.
The film shows Aurier strapped in his seat on the team bus as Die confronts him.
The 35-year-old strikes the £23million Spurs ace about the head and body at least three times during the brief clip.

For good measure Die also grabs Aurier by the throat and tweaks his nose.
The former Stuttgart and Basel star also appears to call Aurier a “dirty b*****d” in French.
A source within the Ivory Coast national camp attempted to play down the incident.
They said: “Serey Die is a big wind-up merchant, and he often has a laugh with his team-mates.

The Tottenham star has his nose squeezed by his team-mateCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

There is a point in the clip where Aurier appears to smile, showing that perhaps all is not what it seemsCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

“He makes for a good atmosphere within the squad.
“That is the reason why the coach, Patrice Beaumelle, decided to call him back into the national set-up.
“The video was shot before the game against Japan, and it doesn’t involve a brawl in any way.”

Serge Aurier is in good form for club side TottenhamCredit: PA:Press Association
And Africa Top Sports points out that Aurier is seen ‘with a smile’ at one point in the clip, and that Die ‘is known for his fun and humorous character’.
Tottenham chiefs were understood to be considering selling Aurier this summer, but he has played his way back into Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.
His contract expires in 2022.

Serge Aurier denies claims he spat at Tottenham fans while celebrating goal in win over Olympiakos More

SERGE AURIER has been left humiliated after video emerged of the Tottenham star apparently getting BEATEN UP by an international team-mate.
The defender, 27, captains the Ivory Coast who played a friendly against Japan in Holland last week, losing 1-0.

Former Ivory Coast captain Serey Die appears to fight with Tottenham star Serge Aurier on a team busCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

Aurier certainly looks uncomfortable during the confrontationCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

A clip has now gone viral on social media of Aurier seemingly being attacked by former Elephants skipper Serey Die.
Sion midfielder Die retired from national duty last year, but was invited to accompany the Ivorian squad.
The film shows Aurier strapped in his seat on the team bus as Die confronts him.
The 35-year-old strikes the £23million Spurs ace about the head and body at least three times during the brief clip.

For good measure Die also grabs Aurier by the throat and tweaks his nose.
The former Stuttgart and Basel star also appears to call Aurier a “dirty b*****d” in French.
A source within the Ivory Coast national camp attempted to play down the incident.
They said: “Serey Die is a big wind-up merchant, and he often has a laugh with his team-mates.

The Tottenham star has his nose squeezed by his team-mateCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

There is a point in the clip where Aurier appears to smile, showing that perhaps all is not what it seemsCredit: YouTube / MondialSport Actualite Sportlive

“He makes for a good atmosphere within the squad.
“That is the reason why the coach, Patrice Beaumelle, decided to call him back into the national set-up.
“The video was shot before the game against Japan, and it doesn’t involve a brawl in any way.”

Serge Aurier is in good form for club side TottenhamCredit: PA:Press Association
And Africa Top Sports points out that Aurier is seen ‘with a smile’ at one point in the clip, and that Die ‘is known for his fun and humorous character’.
Tottenham chiefs were understood to be considering selling Aurier this summer, but he has played his way back into Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.
His contract expires in 2022.

Serge Aurier denies claims he spat at Tottenham fans while celebrating goal in win over Olympiakos More

TOTTENHAM boss Jose Mourinho has rejected claims his team were ‘Spursy’ in their 3-3 home draw with West Ham.
His team were coasting 3-0 and seemingly on course for another three points thanks to a double for Harry Kane and a Son Heung-Min strike.

2

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has rejected the ‘Spursy’ lineCredit: Rex Features

But the Hammers fought back brilliantly with the comeback completed when Manuel Lanzini lashed home a spectacular 25-yard strike to seal a point.
It led to many rival fans to scoff at Tottenham being ‘Spursy’ – a term used to describe when the Londoners get close to silverware or victory but ultimately fall flat.
Speaking ahead of his team’s Europa League game against LASK Linz, Mourinho said: “I believe that winning 3-0 in minute 80, we can play 50 more matches and it’s not going to happen again, so I don’t want to be sticking on this.
“No stories about ‘Spursy’ and this kind of thing. We just need to defend better from set pieces.”

West Ham got back in the game eight minutes from time when defender Fabio Balbuena headed past Hugo Lloris.
Then three minutes later Davinson Sanchez headed past his own keeper to make it 3-2, and of course Lanzini went on to be his side’s hero.
But Mourinho didn’t seem too donwcast about Davinson.
He joked: “The only player I can confirm is starting is Davinson Sanchez, who will be at the press conference.

2

Davinson Sanchez headed past his own keeper during the 3-3 draw with West HamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“The only thing I ask is that you don’t ask him about his amazing goal on Sunday.”
Speaking previously about that game, Mourinho blasted his Spurs stars for not being strong enough ‘psychologically’ to cope with West Ham.
Asked what the heck went wrong, Mourinho said: “Football. Of course I have to analyse the second half and have to do it internally, but for you I prefer to say football happened, and praise West Ham’s belief.
“It is not easy to be losing 3-0 and be dominated, to keep the belief.
“I knew they are a different team to last season, but to lose an advantage of three goals is a big punishment and eventually deserved.
“The game was under control, we had Harry Kane to score the fourth when he hit the post, Gareth Bale to kill the game.
“The game was more to the fourth goal, but that’s football.”

Jose Mourinho admits himself and players are frustrated after West Ham draw More