Analysing Victor Wanyama’s dominant display in Tottenham’s victory over Chelsea

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Dele Alli inevitably grabbed the headlines after his brace helped Tottenham Hotspur end Chelsea’s 13-match winning streak with a 2-0 triumph at White Hart Lane. But in what was a superb all-round team performance from the home side, Victor Wanyama was arguably the most influential player on the pitch. The Kenyan, who arrived in north London from Southampton last summer to be reunited with Mauricio Pochettino for a bargain £11 million, turned in a Herculean display that earned rave reviews.

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Ahead of this hotly-anticipated Premier League clash, the battle for supremacy in midfield was always going to be a key factor in deciding the outcome. Given Chelsea’s magnificent recent run, the expectation was that N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic would be too hot to handle and control possession. But that didn’t prove to be the case, with Wanyama making a nuisance of himself and not allowing the visitors to get a foothold on the game. The Kenya international shielded Tottenham’s back three superbly, which enabled the more creative individuals such as Christian Eriksen and Alli to flourish.

Wanyama had been a rather low-key summer signing for Spurs and many expected him not even to be a first-choice starter, given the form last season of Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele. But Wanyama has forced his way into the starting XI through the high standard of his performances and is now an indispensable figure. He is also the perfect foil for Dembele, who himself turned in an assured display against Chelsea. It’s testament to the 25-year-old Kenyan, as much as the Spurs defence, that the Premier League’s leading scorer, Diego Costa, barely got a sniff at goal all evening.

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Much like their victory over Manchester City earlier this season, Tottenham’s defeat of Chelsea was another seismic result that reaffirms their credentials as a force to be reckoned with in the title race. Had they lost to their London neighbours, they would have been 13 points behind the leaders and surely out of contention. But they are now only seven points adrift, having climbed above Arsenal and City into third place. Going forward, Spurs will need to rely heavily the goals of Alli and Harry Kane to maintain their challenge. But, just as important will be the form of Wanyama, their midfield dynamo who continues to grow in stature.