Well, Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t have hoped for a more straightforward start to 2017. The Lilywhites ran out 4-1 winners at Watford’s Vicarage Road in a game that was never in any form of doubt.Indeed, from the very first whistle, the visitors dominated the match, with Dele Alli rattling the crossbar before Harry Kane opened the scoring with a neat finish from a Kieran Trippier pass. The England international made it 2-0 just six minutes later with a wonderful volley before Alli put the ball in the net after some horrendous defending from Younes Kaboul.The second-half was a procession for Spurs once Alli put them 4-0 to the good, and it was clear that both teams eased off as the clock ticked down, perhaps saving themselves for their respective matches later on this week. Kaboul netted a late consolation goal with a scrappy effort in stoppage time, but that barely took the gloss off a fine showing from the travelling team.Although it was not the most competitive match we’ll see this year, there were a few interesting happenings and here are FIVE lessons we learnt…
Spurs have quietly become title contenders
Spurs have rather snuck under the radar in recent weeks. Following their loss at Manchester United, the Londoners had put three back-to-back wins on the board in league action, and they took that tally to four vs. Watford.
The result moved the Lilywhites up above Manchester City and into third place on goal difference (albeit Arsenal now hold that position after beating Crystal Palace), leaving them ten points adrift of Chelsea at the halfway point. There’s no doubt that it remains a big gap to bridge, but with 19 games to play, anything could happen.
Watford may need to be ruthless again
Watford have not been shy when it comes to sacking managers in recent years, and they may have to act once again given the team’s current slide. The Hornets axed Quique Sanchez Flores earlier this year despite some encouraging performances, showing that they’re not afraid of making the big decisions, and with the Hertfordshire outfit tumbling down the table (they have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine matches) they look to have a choice to make.
January is now here, so if they are thinking of making a change in the dugout, they’ll need to soon.
Alli on fire
Securing Dele Alli’s signature from MK Dons looks to be one of the most inspired pieces of business in Spurs’ history. There’s not doubt it was a gamble to take the youngster from the then League One side, but it’s one that’s paid off, and against Watford, his sheer potential was backed up by the stats.
His first goal took him to 17 since the start of 2015/16, which is more than any other player under the age of 23 in any of Europe’s top five leagues (Premier league, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga).
The kids are all right, Watford…
Positives are few and far between for Watford on the back of such a dubbing, but at least the Hornets can look to the future with some positivity. Indeed, academy graduates Brandon Mason, Carl Stewart and Charlie Rowan were on the bench, with the former making it onto the pitch, which is at least something for the Hertfordshire fans to cheer.
With injuries stacking up, some of these young men may be relied upon over the coming weeks.
He’s tonne of our own…
Before the match kicked off the big story was Kane’s 100th Premier League appearance, and the striker capped it with a couple of goals. The England international, who has played 97 times in the league for Tottenham now (his other three came in the yellow of Norwich), has 59 strikes to his name, which really is some going.