TOTTENHAM Hotspur 1 Alli (86)
WATFORD 1 Doucoure (6)
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is banking on his side’s late equaliser against rockbottom Watford as being the turning point of the season.
Spurs’ crisis looked like plummeting to new depths against a side who were beaten 8-0 in their last away game as they trailed to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s sixth-minute goal.
Another lacklustre display, shorn of any creativity, was rescued by Dele Alli’s equaliser in the final five minutes, but it massively papered over the cracks.
Spurs have competed at the top of the English game in the past few years, but this is now a team that looks more and more like it has run its course under Pochettino.
However, the Argentinian hopes this can be a catalyst to recreate former highs.
“It was so important in the way that we achieved the point, the team was fighting, we showed character,” said Pochettino.
“We have quality but, when you are in this type of situation, the most important thing is the character you need to show.
“The team after the 7-2 against Bayern was massive and after five years it was the first time that we receive a knock.
“Of course it is new for us, it’s new for the players, it’s a new moment and of course we need time to recover.
“The most important thing was to show the togetherness and the faith in us and be focused to improve.”
Watford’s quest for a first win of the season – and first of Quique Sanchez Flores’ second spell in charge – fell heartbreakingly short as they were left aggrieved at VAR.
The decision-making system allowed Alli’s goal to stand, even though Sanchez Flores saw a foul by Harry Kane in the build-up, but then the officials at Stockley
Park pressed the wrong button, which led to “No goal” being shown.
Perhaps more importantly, they were denied what looked a clear penalty after Jan Vertonghen appeared to trip Gerard Deulofeu.
Flores was unhappy Spurs’ equaliser was not ruled out.
“I think it is a foul by Kane, he pushed with two hands” he said. “That is just my opinion. It is very weird, there are many interpretations. It would be good to know what happened.”
On the penalty, he said: “It is a penalty, it is very clear to see.”