Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Watford
They may have left it late—boy did they leave it late—but this Tottenham Hotspur side has character.
After back-to-back cup defeats and with the absence of key players, an in-form Watford side may have been one of the last teams Mauricio Pochettino’s men wanted to face in the Premier League.
Yet, just when it seemed some of SBOBET fans were writing off Tottenham’s season, they produced some of the early Premier League 2019 highlights.
The critics may have been circling in recent weeks, but as Pochettino pointed out, this is a club going places and one which has qualified for the Champions League in each of the last three seasons. They seem set to do so again.
Highlights of the game
Watford had been chasing a league double over Spurs after their fine win at Vicarage Road in early September.
They had also taken the north Londoners to a penalty shoot-out in the League Cup a few weeks later, so a trip to the national stadium and the chance to complete a league double over them for the first time must have been an appealing one.
More still, they were facing a home side struggling with key injuries, a team which had lost their last two home league games and lost three of their past four in all competitions.
And after victories at West Ham and Crystal Palace, there was also the incentive of attempting to win three consecutive top-flight games in the capital for the first time.
Chances came and went in the early exchanges, with the returning Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min—surprisingly a starter despite reporting of tiredness during his Asia Cup exertions—both threatening.
Visiting skipper Troy Deeney saw a shot blocked before Gerard Deulofeu and Son again went close on the half hour. And after Fernando Llorente failed to direct a header from close range, the Hornets took full advantage.
Left-back Jose Holebas delivered an out-swinging corner which goalkeeper Hugo Lloris misjudged, allowing Craig Cathcart to nod home for his second goal against Spurs this term.
After the break, Deulofeu went close while Llorente missed a second inviting chance. The pressure then started to build as Deeney almost made it 2-0 from a difficult angle.
Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld saw their efforts blocked, and Spurs could have been forgiven for thinking their spell of pressure may not pay off—just like the way they were denied in their last home match.
However, the Spurs still would not give in.
With 10 minutes remaining, Son lashed home from close range after Llorente drove towards the goal. The ball found its way to the South Korean via a couple of deflections.
Substitute Erik Lamela, Danny Rose and Davinson Sanchez saw shots blocked, but Llorente was determined to make amends and impressively guided Rose’s delivery into the bottom left-hand corner.
If Spurs were delighted, Lloris was no doubt relieved.
Watford, who remain in ninth spot, were crestfallen and may have felt hard done by but, producing only one shot on target, there was no doubt Spurs were worthy winners.
With key players to return (although Harry Kane and Dele Alli look likely to be out until early March), they look a good bet for a second consecutive third-place finish this season.
Three home games out of four coming up in all competitions may help.
Take a look at the Premier League 2019 betting odds!
Key statistics
Tottenham have won the past eight league meetings with Watford at home by an aggregate scoreline of 24-4. Their tally of 54 points after 24 Premier League matches is a club record.
They have now equalled Bolton Wanderers’ Premier League record of 28 matches without a draw.
Son’s 80th-minute equaliser was his 13th goal of the campaign.
Watford have only lost two of their past nine league fixtures, winning three and drawing four.
Spurs are unbeaten in their last eight home games against Watford in all competitions (won seven, drawn one), since a 3-2 loss in a League Cup match in October 1994.
What’s next?
It’s been a hectic January for Spurs, but February won’t get any easier.
Newcastle travel to Wembley on Saturday, with Watford visiting Brighton later on the same day.
The Hornets then host Everton at Vicarage Road a week later.
Twenty four hours after that and Spurs have another home contest, this time with Leicester and a trip to Burnley, sandwiched between a Champions League clash with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
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