We got a game here, finally, of sorts. For that we probably had Antonio Conte to thank, and a half-time team talk that one suspects was probably thick on invective and thin on instruction. Tottenham remain undefeated and remain underwhelming, but here Harry Kane’s second-half goal gave them all three points and a win that in tone and toughness felt like a comeback.
The pieces are not quite fitting yet. Son Heung-min looks undercooked and a little short of form; the midfield is still vulnerable to being outnumbered by better sides; the team as a whole still looks a little more comfortable counter-attacking than controlling games. But there is spirit and resilience in this side, as well as the quality to make it count. Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic were both excellent. Richarlison looked sharp and spangly as a second-half substitute.
