Ndombele magic stuns Blades
TANGUY NDOMBELE’S moment of magic at Bramall Lane helped thrust Tottenham back into the Premier League title race with victory at Sheffield United.
It was a much-needed win for Spurs after a run of just one win in six league games in which they had thrown away points from leading positions against Crystal Palace, Wolves and Fulham.
The Blades remain rock bottom with just five points and are now 11 behind Burnley in 17th place.
Ndombele, Tottenham’s club-record signing after his £53.8million arrival from Lyon in 2019, capped a dominant performance from Jose Mourinho’s team with his wonder goal in the 62nd minute.
The France midfielder exchanged passes with Steven Bergwijn and, with his back to goal, hooked a sublime finish over his shoulder, beyond Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and in off the far post from a tight angle.
That restored Tottenham’s two-goal advantage after the hosts raised hopes of a fightback when David McGoldrick reduced the arrears with a close-range header after the interval.
Serge Aurier had given Spurs the lead in just the fifth minute, heading in Heungmin Son’s near-post corner and the South Korean was unlucky not to increase the lead when he was sent clear by Harry Kane’s through ball, but his effort struck the upright and bounced behind.
Tottenham did increase their lead just before the break, though, Kane riding a couple of challenges before guiding in his 12th league goal of the season by curling in a right-foot effort from 20 yards.
The Blades look doomed, with 16 league defeats now this season. On this evidence their 1-0 win over Newcastle last week was a false dawn. Spurs, in contrast, are looking up, closing the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points.