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  • 26/09/2023
Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs come away with a point at the Emirates
Transcript
00:00 James, the North London derby ended in May 2-2 draw, Spurs very much worthy of the point they got, perhaps one of their best results at the Emirates in recent memory as well.
00:10 There was lots to talk about that game, a lot of decisions that perhaps didn't go Tottenham's way, but Tottenham were very much worthy of that point, coming back twice from a goal down and then 2-1 down.
00:20 What did you make of it and the decisions that occurred in the game?
00:23 I think the overriding emotions were Spurs were brave, we were committed, we showed lots of character, heart, desire, resilience to come back from being behind twice.
00:35 And as you say, we just showed real fight and real desire and we just didn't stop playing our way.
00:41 We played the Poster Coglu way, yes, we made mistakes along the way, playing out from the back, high risk, high reward.
00:47 We were slightly fortunate, I think, probably not to go 2-0 down when Madison lost the ball on the edge of the box.
00:53 But the very next pass, he was taking it in exactly the same position because he knows that Poster Coglu will take responsibility.
00:59 He wants Tottenham to be brave, show that heart, show the quality to beat the press.
01:04 And once we got a foothold in the game, after weathering that fast start from Arsenal, we knew they'd come out of the blocks very, very quickly.
01:11 They were a great side when they set the press, they play with a real tempo, but I didn't think they'd be able to keep it up for 90 minutes after having a tough game in midweek,
01:20 albeit they ran out of comfortable winners in the Champions League.
01:22 But it still takes it out of the legs as the game wears on.
01:26 And midway through the first half, we really got a foothold in the game and obviously we got back into it.
01:32 Really, really nice goal from Son.
01:35 And then, you know, we were very unlucky to go behind with the penalty that was given, really.
01:41 Once VAR got involved, I think the writing was on the wall and I can see why it was given.
01:46 You know, it was handball. It was a shot, potentially a goal-bound shot that was blocked on the line.
01:52 You know, it could have even been a goal-scoring opportunity.
01:54 So begrudgingly, I think once VAR got involved, I think I can see why that one was given,
02:00 albeit not really sure what Romero could have done from that distance, you know, a yard away with his back turned to it.
02:06 He was lunging for the ball to make a block. You've got to use your arms, haven't you?
02:09 But flip of a coin, that one.
02:12 But we showed brilliant, brilliant character to come back into it, literally 30 seconds after they got that goal.
02:18 I think one or two people, pundits-wise, were saying that they over-celebrated and perhaps they were still celebrating when we nipped in.
02:25 Madison, excellent putting the press on Jorginho and a perfect way to pass to Son to get another really, really good goal.
02:32 And that's his 150th for Spurs.
02:35 And, you know, I've said before, Sonny is the one who steps up in the big games and he delivered again, you know, two really, really good goals.
02:42 Real smart finishes. And then, you know, it could have gone either way, to be honest with you.
02:46 I think, if anything, Spurs had the better chances.
02:49 The move where we brought down the right-hand side and we got Poro in,
02:52 he was just agonisingly close to putting that cross in for Son to tap a winner in, wasn't he?
02:57 And then, you know, you could argue that Mkheti was lucky not to be sent off.
03:03 We were speaking off camera, weren't we, about that one.
03:05 And I think the more you watch that, the more, you know, it looks dangerous.
03:08 It looks out of control, extremely reckless, potentially leg-breaking that on Vicario
03:13 had he not managed to raise his leg, I think, during the challenge.
03:16 So, yeah, key decisions, perhaps, you know, not going with us in terms of Lady Luck on the day.
03:22 But we were more than worthy of the draw, as I say.
03:24 We grew into the game. Some outstanding individual performances as well.
03:27 I mean, you know, you look at Son and Maddison, but I think I'd like to call out Micky van der Veen.
03:32 I thought he was absolutely outstanding. His first North London derby, 22 years old, you know, composure,
03:38 the way he gets back and his ability to sort of win the ball without conceiving the foul.
03:44 You know, his ability to play out. We know about his pace, but he showed maturity beyond his years
03:50 in terms of his first North London derby performance.
03:52 And Vicario, very, very solid in goal.
03:55 And I think another unsung hero on the day was probably Pedro Porro.
03:59 You know, lots of people talking about Destiny Odogi, and, you know, he had a torrid start.
04:03 You know, he was booked early on, then nearly gave a pass back away for a chance.
04:07 I think it was Enketia, actually, who brought the save out of Vicario.
04:10 But he grew into the game and rightly took a lot of plaudits.
04:14 But Pedro Porro on the other side, surprising a few people, including me, with his defending.
04:20 We know what he can do going forward.
04:22 He played one or two terrific first-time passes, and he will bring goals and assists down the right-hand side.
04:27 But his defending, I think, was, you know, really stellar on the day.
04:31 Made lots of blocks, interceptions, and, you know, his passion as well.
04:35 You know, he was the epitome of Spurs' character on the day, really.
04:39 So, you know, well worth calling out Pedro Porro.
04:42 But, as I say, overall, happy with the draw, delighted with the performance, you know.
04:47 And it just shows how far we've come, to be honest, in such a short space of time under Ansi Prostokoglu.
04:52 Hoshikogu.

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