TANGUY NDOMBELE SCORED a sensational debut goal as Tottenham came from behind to beat Premier League new boys Aston Villa 3-1 thanks to Harry Kane’s late double.
John McGinn’s ninth-minute goal seemed set to mark Villa’s return to the top flight in style, with Champions League finalists Spurs – playing without the benched Christian Eriksen for over an hour – struggling to break down Dean Smith’s side.
Eriksen’s introduction sparked urgency into Tottenham’s attack and, after Tom Heaton had made a fantastic stop to deny Davinson Sanchez, Ndombele slammed home a brilliant equaliser at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Another terrific Heaton stop kept Eriksen at bay, but Villa’s resistance was ended when Kane capitalised on a mistake from Jack Grealish before excellently tucking in his second to add gloss to a hard-fought win.
Villa’s defence struggled to cope with Lucas Moura’s movement in the early stages and the former Paris Saint-Germain forward should have done better with a free header he directed straight at Heaton.
Lucas’ miss swiftly proved costly – McGinn keeping his composure to slot beyond Hugo Lloris after Danny Rose failed to track the midfielder’s run.
After Kane headed over before half-time, Moussa Sissoko was the next to let Villa off the hook, lashing wildly at a close-range strike.
But Spurs’ equaliser finally came with 17 minutes remaining – Ndombele curling in a wicked first-time strike, which looked as though it brushed off Tyrone Mings en route to the back of the net, after Heaton had pulled off a fine save from Sanchez’s header.
Heaton prevented Eriksen capping a superb cameo with a goal soon after, but Villa’s defence could not hold on, and Spurs hit the front with four minutes remaining as Kane slotted in following sloppy play from Grealish.
Spurs were not finished there, however, and Kane helped himself to a well-taken second to make for a scoreline more comfortable than Tottenham’s wasteful display warranted.
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Kane’ s second goal oozed class, a great three points for Spurs I thought they were struggling to break Villa down until the last 15 mins.
Grealish caught wanting too much time on the ball a few times, he’ll need to adjust to Premier League, on the bright side for Villa Mings put some shift in at the back, looks top quality.
@Sean: glrealish has lost 18 games in a row.. The longest of any player in premiership history
@Chonky Racoon: how did you work that one out considering they came up through the playoffs? Unless you mean he has lost his last 18 premier league games in which case that’s just a completely meaningless start as he only appeared in 16 league games the year they went down so it’s a stat spread over 3 Prem seasons over 5 years apart.
Clinical finishes from Kane. So important fir spurs that he stays fit. Eriksen showed his class. Would love him to sign a new contract. Decent first showing from Ndombele. With Son, Ali & La Celso still to come in fir spurs it could be another good season.
90 minute game, Spurs showed patience and class in the last 20 minutes. Kane has the X factor. Ndoble could be a player.
Spurs looked like a real side tonight, in the past they would have lost that match, but a serious team now the last 20 mins they showed it. Grealish well he’ll have better days.
Delighted your man lost the ball for Spurs’ second.
Typical kane.. Does nothing for 70 odd mins then sores a jammy goal.