Spurs shoot to top of the log

TEN-MAN Tottenham Hotspur maintained their unbeaten record, as a narrow win at Luton saw them go top of the Premier League.

After going down to 10 men when Yves Bissouma was sent off just before half-time, Micky van de Ven poked in his first goal for the club on 52 minutes when James Maddison cut the ball back from a short corner.

Luton, who had made it through a difficult opening period, saw captain Tom Lockyer’s low header chalked off when Elijah Adebayo was deemed to have fouled Cristian Romero as he headed Mads Andersen’s free-kick across goal.

A more positive approach in the second half saw them create plenty of opportunities but Tottenham held on to leave Rob Edwards’ side without a win at home this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games and sit two points ahead of Manchester City, who face Arsenal this afternoon.

Remarkably, the home side made it through the opening 20 minutes without conceding after Spurs had peppered the Luton goal.

Richarlison twice had opportunities in the opening five minutes, but poked his first effort from Maddison’s whipped cross over the bar before seeing a low drive saved by the boot of Thomas Kaminski in the Luton goal.

Pedro Porro then struck a shot wide and a poor Tom Lockyer clearance was snatched at by Son Heung-min.

Bissouma had already ensured he would miss Spurs’ next game by picking up a fifth booking of the season for dragging down Chiedozie Ogbene.

But the midfielder, who has had an impressive start to the campaign, then picked up a second yellow for diving on the edge of the Luton area.

After taking the lead in the second half, Postecogolou’s side barely created any further chances, and took off the attacking threat of Son Heung-min and Maddison in favour of the more defensive options Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royal.

But, under the Australian manager, Spurs have shown resolve and belief, and more of that was on display yesterday as they got the job done against 17th-placed Luton.

Should the match between Manchester City and Arsenal result in a draw or a City defeat on Sunday, Spurs will go into the international break top of the league.

Edwards’ Luton have managed just four points in eight games so far this season.

After a dominant opening period from the visitors, which saw Luton produce just 11 passes, the home side began to make the onesided affair more of a contest but could not manage a shot on target until their 40th-minute disallowed goal.

With a one-man advantage after the break they missed a glorious opportunity when Ogbene’s measured pass seemed to have teed up Adebayo, who only had to slide in and connect for a tap-in.

However, he could not sort his feet out and muddled it past the post.

Alfie Doughty also scuffed a good opportunity wide and Carlton Morris was denied by the arm of Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario as Luton probed for an equaliser.

The Hatters had scored a late goal before eventually losing to Burnley last time out but could not make any of their chances count and looked sapped of energy by the final stages.