MOURINHO MARVELS AT TANGUY’S TALENT
TANGUY Ndombele’s options appeared severely limited as he burst on to a pass chipped forward by Steven Bergwijn. He was deep inside the penalty area, behind Sheffield United’s back line, and yet wide of goal and facing the corner flag. The safest route seemed to be to gather the ball, run it wide into space and recycle. Ndombele, however, saw something else. With a twist of his body and a flick from the outside of his right foot, he clipped the ball high over his own shoulder and high over Aaron Ramsdale. Those few fortunate enough to be inside Bramall Lane held their breath and watched as it sailed over the goalkeeper, dropped steeply, bounced inside the back post and rolled into the net. As it did so, Ndombele completed his personal voyage of redemption. Bergwijn jumped on to his back in delight and other team-mates forgot about promises to celebrate goals at more appropriate distances. Others in the Spurs camp, from the substitutes on the touchline to the analysts high in the stand, simply stood to applaud. It was Tottenham’s third, restoring a two-goal cushion and killing Sheffield United’s hopes of rescuing a point. The Blades trailed from the fifth minute when Serge Aurier struck and slipped further behind to another wonderful Harry Kane goal, five minutes before the interval.
Former Ireland international David McGoldrick pulled one back, early in the second half, but Ndombele stole the show and Tottenham left Bramall Lane with a league win for the first time since 1975. ‘Genius action,’ declared Jose Mourinho. ‘But I don’t care about the goal, I care about the performance and the performance was magnificent. ‘I’m really pleased he has come to this level. He has amazing quality and now, with his mentality and physical condition, he is managing to be a fantastic player. SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Ramsdale 5; Basham 6 (Sharp 74min, 5.5), Egan 6, Ampadu 5;
Bogle 5, Lundstram 5.5, Norwood 5 (Bryan 67, 5), Fleck 6, Stevens 6; McGoldrick 6.5, Burke 6 (Brewster 71, 5). Subs not used: Foderingham, Baldock, Lowe, Jagielka. Booked: Norwood, Lundstram, Egan. Manager: Chris Wilder 6. TOTTENHAM (3-4-3): Lloris 6; Rodon 6.5, Dier 7, Davies 6.5; Aurier 7, Ndombele 8, Hojbjerg 7, Reguilon 7 (Sanchez 90+4); Bergwijn 6 (Moura 87), Kane 7.5, Son 7 (Vinicius 90+2). Subs not used: Hart, Alderweireld, Bale, Lamela, Sissoko, Fernandes. Manager: Jose Mourinho 7. Referee: Andre Marriner 6.