Tottenham vs Burnley: Evens. Post Match Thoughts

On the day after a number of results shifted the outlook of the premier league, Spurs were in a peculiar position for the last few games of the premier league. On exactly the same points at this stage of the season as last year Tottenham were in 7^th place in the league, with the opportunity to finish in one of the Champions league places, Europa league, or even further down the table with no European participation. They faced a Burnley side that have bought a refreshing style of football to the premier league, and instead of frantically buying and changing their style to stay up, Burnley have instead opted to keep the majority of their original squad. They’ve had a respectful season, and no matter where they finish, they will end the season with pride.

The game started with Spurs on the back foot, and Burnley’s strength frustrated Tottenham throughout the first fifteen minutes of the game. It took mistakes from Burnley to give Spurs any opportunities, and this carried on throughout the first half. Back and forth, both teams had no real opportunities bar a few efforts from Danny Ings, and the half ended worryingly with Kyle Walker limping off.

And the second half started surprisingly, with Walker limping back on and continuing with the game. In a perplexing turn of events, Walker was subbed off almost instantly for Ben Davies, who would presumably fill in at the vacant right-back position. However, Vlad Chiriches moved to right-back, with Davies surprisingly playing alongside Eric Dier at centre back. Pochettino’s decision was the most interesting part of the game, and the following forty-five minutes was abysmal from both teams. Boring was an understatement, but Spurs didn’t seem bothered against Burnley, who dominated the rest of the game. Two late substitutions from Pochettino saw Lamela and Townsend come on, with Lamela standing out, but it was far too late to revive a completely uninterested Tottenham team.

Tottenham scraped a point, and have moved up to 6^th by the skin of their teeth. It’s a very disappointing day in Pochettino’s debut season, and it once again looks like the end of Tottenham’s Champions league dreams. Perhaps with a season of experience of the club, Mauricio Pochettino can look to iron out games like this in the future, and make Tottenham Hotspur the force they desire to be.