2 assists, 39 touches, 22 passes: Janssen vital as Spurs beat Middlesbrough

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The Netherlands international was a key attacking figure as Tottenham made short work of Harry Kane’s absence against Middlesbrough.

Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen in action with Middlesbrough’s Calum Chambers

Saturday’s Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur saw Spurs field a side without Harry Kane for the first league match in many moons, but fellow striker Vincent Janssen, a big money arrival from AZ this summer, underlined his support quality as the North Londoners won 2-1.

In the first half especially, where the visitors were massively dominant, Janssen played an important part in much of Tottenham’s excellent attacking work, impressing as a target man for the attacking midfielders to play off.

Tottenham’s Son Heung-min celebrates scoring their first goal with Vincent Janssen

Both of Heung-Min Son’s goals were assisted by the Netherlands international, the first a deft pass into the winger’s path, and the second a half assist with the final pass to Son before he ran a circle around the left side of the penalty box and curled in a superb effort.

Janssen had few chances of his own during the match, with one wild strike under pressure after sprinting on to the ball.

But it is no stretch to say that he did an admirable job of filling in for Kane, with it difficult to imagine the England international managing to do much more in a centre forward role.

He was very much most occupying the central defence, with loanee from Arsenal Calum Chambers struggling at times to deal with the Dutchman.

The striker will have been disappointed not to have had more of a goal threat, but he is sure to get goalscoring chances in the coming matches, and if he helps Spurs produce impressive attacking performances like this, and importantly, three points, then Kane will be back before the side have had a chance to miss him.

Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen shoots at goal