Harry Winks scored an injury-time winner for Tottenham Hotspur as they beat Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Jan Vertonghen believes Eric Dier deserves credit for Harry Winks scoring a last-gasp winner for Tottenham because he gave his teammate ‘the freedom to play higher up the pitch’.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were on course to secure a point against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon before midfielder Winks bundled home an injury-time winner.
After the match, centre-back Veronghen offered his thoughts on the match and admitted his surprise at Winks being in the position he was to score his goal.
“I don’t even know what he was doing there [referring to Winks’ goal],” Vertonghen told Sky Sports after the match on 20/01/2019 at 6:00 pm.
“Eric Dier came on and that gave Harry the freedom to play a bit higher up the pitch. Great cross from GK [Nkoudou] and a great finish from Winksy.”
Throughout the game, Winks showed great composure, strength and ability on the ball as he dedicated play from deep inside his own half.
The introduction of the more defensive-minded Dier allowed Winks to push higher up the pitch and, as result, cause more problems in the opposition penalty area.
Prior to the match, Spurs were fully aware that they were going to be without star man Harry Kane, who injured ligaments in his left knee against Manchester United last Sunday.
As a result, Pochettino opted to start Fernando Llorente up top, with the Spaniard yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this season.
Unfortunately for him, he scored an own goal in the first half but Dele Alli’s header after the interval and Winks’ last-minute goal saved his blushes.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
