Tottenham got their pre-season campaign off to a flyer with a 6-3 win against the K-League XI on Wednesday including a brace from Harry Kane – and here are our player ratings of the starting XI, and any other notable displays.
Brandon Austin – 6 (45 – replaced by Lloris)
The American stopper had little to do, really. Other than a shot that was straight at him, which he comfortably parried away, he was rarely in danger – other than Gue Sung Cho’s header, which he could do little about.
Emerson Royal – 5 (46 – replaced by Son)
Looked nervous. Most of Tottenham’s attacks came from the left flank, while K-League’s goal came from his side. Emerson was also guilty of missing a wonderful chance after good work from new signing Richarlison.
Eric Dier – 8 (75, replaced by Fagan-Walcott)
Solid as always, with the captain’s armband on. Comfortable in possession, won his duels and scored a gorgeous goal of his own. Breaking out of defence, he unleashed a left-footed effort into the corner. Very good.
Cristian Romero – 7 (45, replaced by Tanganga)
A typical Romero performance. Full of vigour and aggression. Often coming through the man to get to the ball first instead of holding him up. Again, solid in possession as Spurs dictated the ball.
Davinson Sanchez – 3 (75, replaced by Sayers)
Struggled with playing on the left of the three. Early on, the 26-year-old played a woeful pass into a K-League attacker. Should have conceded a penalty for a awfully clumsy tackle, and allowed Cho to get a run on him for K-League’s first goal. Missed his block for the second.
Ryan Sessegnon – 6 (45, replaced by Doherty)
Often the outlet for Tottenham, with Bryan Gil often cutting inside and finding the advanced Sessegnon on the left. A couple of decent deliveries into the box, one which Richarlison should have done more about. Decent effort.
Oliver Skipp – 5 (45, replaced by Hojbjerg)
The game passed Skipp by, as he made his return from a long-term hip injury. While the work rate was there, Skipp was rarely involved. When he did get the ball, his passing was crisp and sharp. But hardly any kind of impact.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 7 (45, replaced by Sarr)
Much more involved than his midfield partner. He seems to be becoming a leader in that Tottenham midfield, pulling the strings and telling players what to do. Beautifully calm and composed when in possession, and with his passing.
Bryan Gil – 7 (45, replaced by Kane)
If Gil is looking to make an impression in Korea, he will have done himself no harm. Confident on the ball, willing to take players on and dribble. Took players out of the game – but might have liked more impact in the final third.
Lucas Moura – 5 (75, replaced by White)
Often cut a frustrated figure in the first half. Put in a shift but did little to impact the game. Of the two wingers either side of Richarlison, Moura was much the quieter. His performance summed up with a poor chip to Richarlison.
Richarlison – 7 (75, replaced by Parrott)
Despite the heat, worked incredibly hard and endeavored to make things happen. Dropped deep at times to get involved, which Antonio Conte might actually like given Harry Kane does so often.
Other notable performances:
Harry Kane – 10
Instantly in the thick of it, his first touch being a run down the right and his low cross turned into the net to put Spurs 2-1 ahead. His second involvement, a gorgeous low drive with his left foot from 25 yards to 3-2 up. Superstar.
Son Heung-min – 9
Allowed to take the penalty and scored to the delight of his native’s fans. Should have got a second when put through on goal by Kane, but ruthlessly taken down. Kane scored his second from the resulting free-kick. Got a second through a defensive lapse late on.
Hugo Lloris – 4
The Spurs skipper conceded twice during his 45 minutes, the second of which saw a long-range free kick nestle in the corner. Lloris will surely be disappointed with conceding from such an innocuous looking set-piece.
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