Despite 3-0 win, APOEL performance shows why Pochettino must sign Eriksen cover in January

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Tottenham Hotspur beat APOEL Nicosia 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Tottenham Hotspur had Harry Kane to thank for their 3-0 win over APOEL Nicosia on Tuesday night, with the striker bagging a hat-trick in Cyprus.

Kane hit a perfect hat-trick, scoring with his left foot, his right foot and his head to give Spurs another Champions League victory, having beaten Borussia Dortmund in their first group stage game a fortnight ago.

Spurs will be happy with the 3-0 win, and whilst the scoreline looks as comfortable as it gets, Tottenham didn’t quite click for most of the game, as they scored three goals from four shots on target.

One of Tottenham’s major problems before Kane dropped into a deeper role was the lack of creativity in Mauricio Pochettino’s side, which is something that may need rectifying in January.

Christian Eriksen was ill and Dele Alli was suspended, meaning Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-min played behind Kane, and whilst are talented in their own ways, they don’t possess the guile and creativity of Eriksen.

The Dane has been arguably Tottenham’s best performer so far this season, and his absence was felt against APOEL, with no other Spurs player quite able to match his ability on the ball – and Pochettino may need to bring in cover in January.

Many fans are bemused as to why Tottenham didn’t sign another playmaker during the summer transfer window, and Tuesday’s performance against APOEL without Eriksen summed up just why Pochettino should be back in the market for another attacking midfielder in January.

Eriksen is somewhat undroppable, both due to his importance and because of a lack of cover behind him, but easing some of the pressure on him and making sure Spurs still have creativity in their ranks should be a priority.

The likes of Nadiem Amiri (Hoffenheim) and Max Meyer (Schalke), who have both been linked with Spurs, would fit the bill, though it remains to be seen whether Pochettino sees Erik Lamela in that role, when he finally makes his return from injury.