Evening Standard
·24 October 2024
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·24 October 2024
Fraser Forster rolls back the years in goal for Spurs, but Timo Werner’s struggles continue
Tottenham made it three wins out of three in the Europa League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar, settled by Richarlison’s second-half penalty.
The Brazilian coolly finished down the middle after Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison were hacked down by Maxim Dekker.
Teenager Mikey Moore produced another eye-catching display on the wing, while Fraser Forster justified his inclusion in goal with a pair of fine saves.
Here’s how we rated the Spurs players…
Fraser Forster 8
Rolled back the years with smart saves in each half to deny Alexandre Penetra and Mayckel Lahdo, and raced to the edge of his box to snuff out another dangerous attack.
Archie Gray 7
Composed in possession, even in tight areas. Occasionally stretched by the lively Ernest Poku, AZ's danger man, but held his own defensively.
Radu Dragusin 7
Had an uncomfortable moment when he was pickpocketed by Poku but Rodrigo Bentancur got back to spare his blushes. Otherwise defended well, making some important interventions.
Ben Davies 7
Steady with and without the ball as Spurs earned a welcome clean sheet.
Destiny Udogie 7
Carried the ball out of defence and linked up particularly well with the lively Moore in the second half.
Rodrigo Bentancur 8
Important at both ends of the pitch. Fashioned the breakthrough in the build-up to the penalty with a defence-splitting pass before racing back minutes later to block Poku’s shot.
Lucas Bergvall 8
Created a great chance for Werner with an outside-of-the-boot pass and won the penalty when he was scythed down by Dekker. Full of purposeful running, with and without the ball.
James Maddison 8
Looked like he had a point to prove after being subbed at half-time on Saturday. Full of verve and hard for AZ to handle in the first half. Appeared to stand down from the penalty, allowing Richarlison a chance to get his goal.
Mikey Moore 8
Produced another electric display to justify the hype, particularly after moving to the left for the second half. Created a number of good openings and fired a shot at the goalkeeper.
Missed a glorious opportunity to score his first Spurs goal when he headed wide at the back post from five yards.
Timo Werner 5
His woeful run in front of goal continued as two chances went begging in the first half. Should have had an assist early on, though, but Moore glanced his brilliant cross wide. Hooked at half-time, which will do his confidence no good.
Richarlison 7
Opened his account for the season with a cool penalty and put himself about in an energetic display. Pickpocketed the defender to set up a good chance for Werner in the first half.
Brennan Johnson (Werner 45’) 7
Nearly made an immediate impact with a back-post run and deflected shot. Squared for Richarlison in a great position when he should have gone for goal.
Dominic Solanke (Richarlison 64’) 6
Held up the ball well and pressed from the front.
Dejan Kulusevski (Bergvall 72’) 7
Created a fine chance for Wilson Odobert in stoppage-time in another impressive cameo.
Pape Matar Sarr (Maddison 72’) 6
Pushing Maddison hard for a starting spot against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Wilson Odobert (Moore 87’) 7
Returned from injury for the final few minutes and twice went close. First hit shot was blocked and then he poked wide from a few yards after a neat move involving Udogie and Kulusevski.
Not used: Vicario, Austin, Bissouma, Romero, Porro, Van de Ven, Lankshear.