Valiant Viking

Højbjerg had two goal contributions in a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton, improving Spurs' chances of Europa League qualification

While it wasn't a flawless performance from Spurs, I was pretty pleased with the team effort overall and a few standout players in particular. We've focused enough on the negatives this season, most of which can only be addressed in the upcoming transfer window, so I'm just going to highlight the positives from today's match instead (there will be a full season post-mortem to come after the final matchday, of course).

Harry Kane's goal "drought," which lasted all of three games, ended today with a superb run into the box and taking-on of Coady and Patrício, after Højbjerg delivered an impeccable through pass to him from just before the halfway line. Kane didn't even look up as he took the shot--never in doubt. And unlike last game, the VAR offsides review didn't rain on his/our parade.

The goal came just before halftime, and Spurs didn't let up when they came back out for the second half. As skillful and timely as Kane's goal was (we would have seen a real test of Spurs' mentality again if the score had still been equal going into the break), I think the second goal was even more satisfying because it combined the efforts of three players who have had up-and-down seasons (plus Son, who had a fairly quiet game but was always in the mix).

For Reguilón and Højbjerg, their uneven performances this season are mostly due to heavy gametime early on that led to a drop-off later on, while Gareth Bale wasn't receiving enough minutes to hit his stride until the tail end of the season. Reguilón got the goal play started with a scrappy effort to keep the ball in play near the left corner, taking advantage of his pace and lean frame to contain the ball inbounds and slide past Wolves' Hoever to cross the ball back to Son outside the box, who connected with Bale. Bale's shot was then deflected by the keeper right into the path of Højbjerg, who slotted away the rebound with ease. After all the (literal) blood and sweat that Højbjerg has put into his performances this season, it was great to see him rewarded with another goal, bringing his tally to two in the PL.

Ryan Mason said after the match, "I'm not too sure what he was doing up there in the six-yard box!" I think I had remarked last week that it was good to see PEH more active offensively but that he needed better decision making, and today he seemed to be popping up in all the right places at the right times, culminating in the goal. If we can bring in some defensive reinforcements this summer to give him more coverage, I have no problem with him roaming further up the pitch!

Just to touch back on Reguilón, I'm relieved that he seems to have recovered his crossing ability that had been MIA for a while. It's hard to predict what's going to happen with his loan; will Real Madrid want him back, or be happy to extend his stay in Tottenham? Personally, I think Spurs should hold onto him if possible. He's still young enough that there's room for development in his game (defensively for sure), and he provides another outlet on the wing when Sonny plays more centrally. If we can find a more stable and reliable center back pairing I'm sure that will boost his confidence in turn, knowing he has a little more freedom to get forward.

I know I'm not alone in being pleased with Dele's performance, and frankly, you'd have to have a lump of coal for a heart to not be cheered by the broad smile he wore in his post-match interviews. There's a reason so many of us didn't want to give up on him even when Mourinho did--he loves the game, and when he's able to play with some freedom and confidence that passion translates into wonderful football. There are a lot of things I resent Mourinho for doing to our club, but the way he handled Dele is #1. Dele's not the first player to go through a rough patch (especially after losing the backing of his manager), and it would be a mistake to let him go just as he's coming back into form. And I could be reading too much into things, but from what I gleaned in his post-match interviews he doesn't sound like a wantaway player.

Lo Celso was also looking lively, though I feel a little less encouraged by his improvement compared to Dele. He still seems to lack some of the natural connection Dele has with his teammates on the pitch, and I don't think he has quite the same level of raw talent. This is just my opinion; I know he has a lot of keen fans amongst the fan base, and to be fair, I'm perfectly happy for him to ball out in the last couple of games and prove why he belongs in the starting XI. But something (or someone) has to give in the midfield, I think Ndombele has a higher ceiling, and I just wonder if Spurs could find a better replacement in the summer...

To end on a more upbeat note, Tanganga is looking more comfortable in the right back role, and since Aurier's future with the club is very much up in the air, that's a big relief. I would love to see him start again in the last two matches. No offense to Serge.

Spurs Women's season is extended!

The FA Cup match against Sheffield United Women sadly wasn't available for streaming in the US (maybe not even in the UK? I don't know. I just know that Man U were showing their match on MUTV, so it sounds like it was on the clubs to make it happen), but we won! After an opening goal from Lucy Quinn and an equalizer from Sheffield United to send the game into extra time, Kit Graham scored the game-winner to advance Spurs to the quarter-finals, which won't be taking place until September 29. The competition had been delayed earlier this season due to COVID-19 restrictions, hence the final few rounds being pushed back into the start of next season.

There are still some heavy hitters left to potentially face in our quarter-final match, but if Spurs were to make it to the final, it would be a significant occasion for more than just the club:  the final is taking place on December 5, the 100th anniversary of the FA's decision to ban women's football in 1921. It feels fitting to show just how far the women's game has come since that lowest of lows.

Now, let's hope that by September they get broadcasting sorted out so we can all watch the game and #SpurHerOn!

Aston Villa up next at home

Back to the Men's team, since their league season is not yet over, and a strong finish is needed to secure European qualification. To be honest, looking at the league table right now gives me a bit of a headache with all the different permutations for how things could finish after the last two matchdays, but I think top 4 and Champions League is technically still mathematically possible. But "mathematically possible" and "realistic" are two very different things, so let's just focus on what's more reasonably achievable:  Europa League. To give ourselves the best chance (and avoid letting West Ham or Everton spoil the party--or, god forbid Arsenal), it would be best to win both of our last two matches. No pressure.

I'll save the Leicester preview for Wednesday after the dust on matchday 37 has settled and we know where everyone stands, but a win against Aston Villa is certainly doable. Their league form has been all over the place in recent weeks, with the important caveat that they have managed to score at least one goal in all of their matches since we last played (and beat them 2-0), with the exception of a scoreless draw against Everton. We'll want to tighten up the defense... I say as if that's not our biggest weakness this season. Sigh. But really, Ollie Watkins is not hopeless, and I seem to recall Anwar El Ghazi getting quite a few goals from distance this season. Good thing we can count on Lloris starting in goal for us and not Joe Hart (am I still salty about all those long-range goals he conceded in the EL? Yes, yes I am.).

They do have a few key injuries heading into Wednesday's match. Defender Matty Cash has been out for a while now with a hamstring injury, and Trézéguet underwent knee surgery in mid-April and is out for the season. Morgan Sanson is also out with a knee injury, but I couldn't pick him out of a lineup, so I think I'm safe in saying he hasn't been a significant player for Aston Villa. Tyrone Mings also appears to be out with an undisclosed injury, but not sure if that could change in time for the game. Jack Grealish is back from his weeks-long injury, but as far as I can tell (having not been able to actually watch any of their recent matches with any real level of attention), he's been slow to reintegrate and hasn't had much of an impact. Yet.

For Spurs, Mason kind of hedged on Aurier's status for Wednesday when speaking after today's game, so who knows. There are lots of transfer rumors abounding--most notably linking him to his former club, PSG--so it might not be much of an injury at all that kept him out against Wolves. Davies is still out with his calf injury.

So, objectives for this match:

-score first and stay on the attack

-neutralize Grealish as much as possible

-clean sheet, since the final table standings could very well come down to a goal difference situation with Liverpool and we only have a one-goal lead at the moment

-Kane goal. Kane hat trick, preferably. I have nothing against Mo Salah personally but I would rather that Harry didn't have to share the Golden Boot with him.

COYS