Erik Lamela enjoyed an excellent game as he came off the bench during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Sunday.

On the chalkboard

Spurs did not play well throughout the FA Cup tie and fell behind to Ashley Fletcher’s coolly taken opener.

Jose Mourinho replied by introducing Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso as substitutes and the former had an telling impact.

Per WhoScored, he had 26 touches following his introduction in the 56th minute.

He had two shots on goal, with one on target, and completed both of the dribbles that he attempted.

Lamela also had a pass success rate of 85% and registered one key pass, playing in Serge Aurier, only for the right-back to send the ball high over the bar at the Riverside Stadium.

While he was dispossessed once, this was a performance that saw the 27-year-old continually attempt to move the ball forward.

Positivity

Lamela always looks to make something happen.

Coming on as a substitute may seem easy given his fresh legs but it is not simple in terms of getting up to speed with the tempo of the game.

Lamela did that, instantly attempting to get on the ball and constantly trying to move it forward.

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He should have registered an assist after his superb pass to Aurier but the right-back wasted the opportunity.

He injected some real tempo into his side’s play and should now be regarded as one of the key players in north London under Jose Mourinho, even though he has yet to start under the Portuguese.

It is time for him to start.

Meanwhile, Spurs have been urged to sign a star from a major rival.