Tottenham ended their 2016 with a resounding victory over Southampton. Here’s how we rated each Spurs player in the 4-1 win at St Mary’s.
Hugo Lloris: 6
Calmly collected high balls into the box as Southampton pushed for an equaliser but hit the self-destruct button during a five-minute spell in which his woeful clearances could easily have resulted in a goal.
Kyle Walker: 7
Got forward well and was solid defensively. But a mistimed challenge earned him a second yellow card and means he will be suspended for the New Year’s Day game against Watford – the first league match he will miss this season.
Eric Dier: 6
Unconvincing at centre-back. Beaten in the air far too easily by Virgil van Dijk for the Southampton goal. Improved in the second half.
Jan Vertonghen: 7
Fared better than Dier, winning a number of challenges. Was fortunate though when Jay Rodriguez could only shoot wide after sneaking behind him.
Danny Rose: 8
Capped a fine display by setting up Alli for the fourth goal. Before that he shot wide of the near post after being set up by Christian Eriksen, who earlier fired against the bar after Rose had combined nicely with Moussa Sissoko. At the other end, when the score was 2-1, the left-back saved the day with a vital challenge after Eriksen had given the ball away.
Moussa Sissoko: 8
Much maligned, but much improved. Sissoko worked hard and was involved in the opening goal, crossing for Dele Alli to head home. He also combined with Rose on the left to set up Eriksen when the Dane struck the woodwork. But the highlight of Sissoko’s performance was a perfect pass through to Alli, which led to a penalty and the sending-off of Nathan Redmond.
Mousa Dembele: 7
Did a solid job in midfield, not least when denying Dušan Tadić with a well-timed challenge after Lloris had given the ball away.
Victor Wanyama: 8
Played really well against his former club. Was denied a goal by a block after he showed great footwork and balance to evade two challenges in the box after collecting a pass from Walker. Always looked to create and also worked hard off the ball. Had control of the midfield, particularly in the second half.
Christian Eriksen: 8
Quiet before coming to life in emphatic fashion in the second half. Delivered the corner from which Harry Kane headed Spurs into the lead, set up Son Heung-min for the third goal and was unlucky not to score himself when he hit the bar.
Dele Alli: 8
Great stuff from Alli on his 50th Premier League appearance. Showed Dier how it’s done by getting in front of Van Dijk to head Tottenham level and was a constant threat to the Saints defence before tucking away his second and Spurs’ fourth.
Harry Kane: 7
A mixed night for Kane, who missed a penalty and had a let-off at the other end when he allowed Jose Fonte a free header. But Kane was relentless with his movement and link-up play and delivered for his team by scoring their all-important second goal.
Son Heung-min: 7
Lively after coming on and took his goal nicely.