‘Run himself ragged’: Glenn Hoddle raves about Tottenham player who sparked comeback

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Glenn Hoddle has praised Rodrigo Bentancur after helping Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to beat Marseille on Tuesday.

Tottenham headed off to France knowing they needed a result against Marseille.

The 1-1 draw against Sporting last week left Tottenham with work to do in order to get out of their Champions League group.

It looked like being a nightmare evening for Tottenham as a dismal first-half showing was compounded by Chancel Mbemba’s opening goal.

Tottenham had to respond in the second half just as they did against Bournemouth days earlier – and they did it again.

Glenn Hoddle has praised Rodrigo Bentancur

Clement Lenglet pulled Tottenham level with a fine header before both sides pushed for the winner.

Sead Kolasinac – formerly of Arsenal – missed a golden chance to secure the win for Marseille and they were made to pay.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg fired a late winner for Tottenham, securing top spot in their group having been down and out at half time.

A number of Tottenham players improved after the break but there was a particularly huge influence from midfielder Bentancur.

The Uruguayan has been receiving major praise of late for his displays in Tottenham’s engine room.

Bentancur can be elegant on the ball and has shown the ability to make a real impact in the final third as well.

Bentancur was simply tireless in the second half against Marseille and took the game by the scruff of the neck, so to speak.

Pundit and former Tottenham man Glenn Hoddle was simply blown away by Bentancur’s performance.

Hoddle told BT Sport (01/11, 70min) that he felt Bentancur was the talisman who helped turn the game in Tottenham’s favour.

After seeing Bentancur sprint to close down Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez, Hoddle hailed Bentancur for chasing and pressing everything he could.

Hoddle felt that Bentancur ran himself ragged with his work rate and believes that the Uruguayan was key to Tottenham’s fightback.

“Bentancur has absolutely run himself ragged this second-half,” said Hoddle. “He’s chased everything, he’s pressed everything, he’s been good on the ball. He’s the one really, the talisman that’s turned this performance from Tottenham around,” he added.