LONDON, Oct 7 — Tottenham climbed to the top of the Premier League as they recovered from Yves Bissouma’s dismissal for diving to earn a 1-0 win in opposition to lowly Luton in the present day.
Bissouma was despatched off simply earlier than half-time for his unnecessary second reserving at Kenilworth Road.
But Mickey van de Ven’s first objective for the membership quickly after the interval clinched unbeaten Tottenham’s sixth win in eight league video games.
Ange Postecoglou’s facet sit two factors away from second positioned Manchester City, who journey to title rivals Arsenal tomorrow.
The north Londoners’ excellent begin to Postecoglou’s first season in cost have awoken goals of an sudden title problem.
While that will but show past Tottenham, the Australian has undoubtedly had a big impact on a membership that was in turmoil when he arrived from Celtic.
A poisonous mixture of Tottenham’s poor outcomes and dour shows, mixed with Harry Kane’s close-season transfer to Bayern Munich, left many anticipating one other season of turmoil, however Postecoglou has labored wonders to regular the ship.
He had already earned plaudits for energising Tottenham along with his attacking techniques, however this gritty efficiency may have been equally pleasing.
It is the perfect unbeaten begin any Tottenham supervisor has ever made and, with fixtures in opposition to Fulham and Crystal Palace up subsequent, they might prolong their unbeaten begin by means of the remainder of October.
In their first assembly with Tottenham since a goalless attract 1992, struggling Luton discovered it not possible to get a foothold in a blistering begin from the guests.
Richarlison ought to have put Tottenham forward within the opening moments, however he scuffed wastefully over from close-range after James Maddison’s cross dissected the Luton defence.
The Brazilian squandered one other good probability seconds later with a low shot that lacked the ability and accuracy to Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski, who saved along with his foot.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven celebrates scoring their first objective with James Maddison and Destiny Udogie throughout their match in opposition to Luton Town on the Kenilworth Road in Luton, Britain on October 7, 2023. — eNM pic
Son was subsequent to threaten as Tottenham laid siege to Kaminski’s objective, with the South Korean curling large from inside the realm, then forcing a sensible cease from the over-worked keeper.
Dejan Kulusevski’s strike was tipped away for a nook by Kaminski earlier than Richarlison miscued his shot when the ensuing set-piece dropped properly for him within the space.
After benefitting from the VAR mistake that noticed Liverpool’s Luis Diaz denied a authentic objective in final weekend’s win over the Reds, Tottenham have been aided by right use of the system this time.
VAR stepped in to rule out Luton’s objective late within the first half when Luton’s Elijah Adebayo shoved Cristian Romero earlier than heading in opposition to the far put up for Tom Lockyer to nod residence the rebound.
Tottenham have been decreased to 10 males on the stroke of half-time when Bissouma, already booked for fouling Chiedozie Ogbene, blatantly dived in an try to win a free-kick after Marvelous Nakamba’s problem.
Referee John Brooks wasn’t fooled by Bissouma’s tried deception and instantly confirmed a second yellow card to the Mali midfielder.
Adebayo ought to have made Luton’s numerical benefit repay straight after half-time, however he shot woefully large from close-range after being picked out by Ogbene’s cross.
That miss proved the turning level as Tottenham took the lead within the 52nd minute.
Maddison’s decided run took him to the byline and he pulled the ball again to Van de Ven, who utilized the completion with a deft end from six yards.
Carlton Morris squandered Luton’s greatest possibilities to equalise in fast succession, dragging his shot large from an excellent place earlier than firing straight at Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario. — eNM
