Ange Postecoglou has reinforced time after time over the last few weeks how difficult it has been to deal with Tottenham Hotspurs’ inordinate injury list. Off the evidence of today, it is clear to see why, and also that people should have listened to him.
Spurs had some semblance of their best XI on the pitch on Saturday, barring their main centre-backs, and the performance was impressive against an Ipswich team who are no pushovers. Djed Spence was allowed to play in his favoured right-back position as Destiny Udogie came into the first team in almost two months, and he scored the third Spurs goal that killed the game.
It was his first ever Premier League goal, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Spence was almost the sole topic of Postecoglou’s press conference on Friday, with the Australian questioned on the full-back for nearly 10 minutes.
He was full of praise for the 24-year-old, who has arguably been Spurs’ best player over the last two months. His name was even mentioned in the conversation for England, both at the press conference and by Gary Lineker earlier this week. Postecoglou remarked that Spence has been as good any full-back in the country in recent months.
Spence continued his excellent form today, and Brennan Johnson, injured since the embarrassing team display against Tamworth a month ago, marked his return with a brace.
Despite the scoreline, there were signs of life from Ipswich. None more so than Omari Hutchinson’s excellent individual effort in the first half. That made it 2-1, and at that point it seemed there was still a chance for McKenna’s side.
But Dejan Kulusevski killed the game off beyond doubt in the 84th minute with Spurs’ fourth. It is the third time in six games that Ipswich have conceded four or more, which will be a real concern for McKenna.
Wolves beat 10-man Bournemouth thanks to Cunha’s 14th of season
Matheus Cunha’s 14th goal of the season earned Wolverhampton Wanderers a 1-0 Premier League win over 10-man Bournemouth on Saturday, pulling Vitor Pereira’s side five points clear of the relegation zone.
Wolves, who have 22 points from 26 games, remained in 17th place but extended their lead over 18th-placed Ipswich Town who were beaten 4-1 by Tottenham Hotspur.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth remain in fifth place on 43 points – level with Chelsea, who play at Aston Villa later on Saturday.
“It is so hard to play without one player and we knew we needed to be intelligent and better with the ball. We worked and had some luck to win. We did not have a very good game but we did what was important to win.
“For a striker it is always important to keep scoring or providing an assist and these kind of things. The most important thing is the three points. I am happy because the goal was important to win.”
Palace keep up good run of form with win at Fulham
Former Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen scored an own goal as the Eagles secured a 2-0 Premier League victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Denmark international, who completed a reported £30 million pound switch from south to west London in the summer, gave his former side a first-half lead before Daniel Muñoz fired home Palace’s second after 66 minutes.
Victory for Oliver Glasner’s men made it four league wins in their last six matches and they remain 13th as a result.
In a cagey opening 20 minutes in west London neither side exited first gear, but a cynical yellow-card tackle by Sander Berge against Ismaila Sarr on the break acted as the torch paper for the derby to heat up.
Brighton crush Southampton to keep up Europe hopes
Brighton made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Southampton to climb to eighth place in the Premier League and keep their European ambitions on track.
Goals from the excellent Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood were more than enough to condemn the Saints to a 21st defeat of the season and leave them on just nine points, two fewer than Derby’s record low total from the 2007/8 season.
As if they did not already have enough problems, Southampton lost their captain Jan Bednarek through injury after 10 minutes. Forgotten man Armel Bella-Kotchap was his replacement, coming off the bench to huge acclaim from the home support to make his first appearance in 567 days for the club.
