Mason, Chadli and Kane on form as Spurs steal scrappy win.
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Tottenham Hotspur recorded their first away win in the Premier League since the opening day as they edged out 10-man Aston Villa on Sunday.
Spurs fell behind on 16-minutes when Andreas Weimann broke Villa’s five-game scoreless run, poking home from close range, after Charles N’Zogbia had raced away down the right flank.
Spurs bossed possession, but Villa were holding their own until Christian Benteke was shown a straight red card for slapping Ryan Mason midway through the second half.
Tottenham’s numerical advantage eventually told. Nacer Chadli arrived at the far post to slot in a volley from a corner kick to level the game with six minutes remaining.
Super sub Harry Kane then completed the turnaround in the dying second, courtesy of a deflected free-kick.
Here’s how Mauricio Pochettino’s men rated at Villa Park.
GK: Hugo Lloris – 6/10
Was hardly involved in the game at all. Beaten by Villa’s only shot on target, but he could have done little to stop Weimann’s well-placed poke.
RB: Kyle Naughton – 5/10
As Spurs were playing without wingers, more attacking responsibility was placed on the full-backs. Naughton was poor in possession, misplacing too many passes and crosses.
LB: Danny Rose – 7/10
Did not cover himself in glory during the build-up to Villa’s goal, but – that aside – played pretty well, both in defence and attack.
CB: Younes Kaboul – 5/10
Had an extremely wobbly first 20 minutes, but grew into the game and was faily solid for the majority of the match.
CB: Jan Vertonghen – 6/10
Took a risk by lunging in two-footed on Ashley Westwood. Was given a yellow card, which was the correct decision, but he could easily have been sent off.
CM: Ryan Mason – 7/10
Of all of Tottenham’s starting players, Mason was by far the most positive. He played a key role in Benteke’s red card too. Although he was a bit naughty, his act of provocation ultimately helped Spurs get the win.
CM: Etienne Capoue – 5/10
Slow, laboured and devoid of attacking ideas. Spurs improved immediately when Andros Townsend replaced Capoue in the 72nd minute.
CM: Nacer Chadli – 8/10
Frequently burst from midfield into Villa’s penalty area. Thoroughly deserved his goal, which sparked Tottenham’s late revival.
CAM: Christian Eriksen – 6/10
Playing in the hole, Eriksen got lots of space in the first half. Unfortunately, he did nothing with that space and he was hauled off at half time, when Erik Lamela replaced him.
ST: Roberto Soldado – 5/10
His link-up play was tidy and fluid, but his confidence in the penalty area is clearly at rock bottom. Spurned a couple of decent half chances.
ST: Emmanuel Adebayor – 5/10
When he’s hot, he is hot, but today he was certainly not. Adebayor ambled through 58 minutes, before being hauled off to make way for Harry Kane .
Subs:
Erik Lamela – 7/10
Significantly better than Eriksen, on today’s evidence.
Harry Kane – 9/10
Injected some much-needed urgency into his side, firing in two shots within his first 60 seconds on the pitch. Kane pushed Lamela away to ensure that he took the free-kick from which he scored his eight goal of the season. Yes, it was heavily deflected, but his confidence and willingness to take responsibility is excellent to see.
Andros Townsend – 7/10
Townsend did well to exploit Villa’s tiring backline in the last 20 minutes. His quick feet won the match-winning free-kick.