How did Tim handle the pressure?

Crowd reaction

All was going well until his exuberant celebrations at the final whistle, which prompted an angry reaction from the home fans in the West Stand but he merely shook his fist at them and disappeared down the tunnel. Got an easy ride during the game, though, and gave the Villa fans a wave after they asked for one in the 16th minute.

Touchline behaviour

The spring weather allowed to him leave his gilet indoors so there were no flying jackets this time. He did not leave his seat until the eighth minute then remained standing for the most part. Little more than a subtle fist pump when Christian Benteke scored the winner but his emotions poured out at the final whistle. Told someone on the Spurs bench to ‘shut the f*** up’ as tempers flared in stoppage time.

Tactics

Sherwood has shown once again that he knows how to get a striker scoring. Benteke, who fronted a threepronged attack, scored the winner before the manager set his side up perfectly to deal with the second-half Spurs fightback, although it never seemed to come.

Verdict

Low-key return for Sherwood who nailed the game plan and left with three precious points. Looks a different, more relaxed man, although he showed a glimpse of the old Tim at the final whistle.