Conte lauds ‘amazing’ Bentancur and Hojbjerg after Spurs win

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Antonio Conte has told Tottenham Hotspur’s media team that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur were amazing in their win over Southampton which has left the side top of the Premier League.

Spurs recovered from going a goal down to beat Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side 4-1 on Saturday. It was a ruthless performance from Tottenham, in which they sent out a statement to the other heavyweights in the top-flight.

Of course, many are talking about some of the wide players’ performances. Ryan Sessegnon and Dejan Kulusevski both scored. Kulusevski, in particular, was excellent for the home side.

Emerson Royal was another who made a real impact on the game. But there were also some superb showings in the middle of the park from Hojbjerg and Bentancur.

The pair formed a brilliant partnership during the second-half of last season. It seemed however, that they may both face a fight to keep their spots. Oliver Skipp has missed much of Conte’s tenure so far due to injury. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma joined from Brighton earlier in the summer.

Unfortunately, Skipp is sidelined once again. And Conte deemed that Bissouma was not ready to start. And ultimately, Bentacur and Hojbjerg picked up where they left off – with Conte lauding the pair.

“I think Pierre and Rodrigo played an amazing game, with the ball, without the ball. To build up and the second ball, to press, they played a really good game. But I think the whole team played very well,” he told Tottenham’s media team.

Hojbjerg and Bentancur amazing in Tottenham win

Both Skipp and Bissouma now face a real fight to force their way into the side. Not only are Hojbjerg and Bentancur impressing, but they are also forming a really strong partnership.

They made eight tackles between them against the Saints, according to Whoscored. And they managed a combined 117 accurate passes, with left both in the top four for the most in the game.

Obviously, Conte is going to rotate throughout the campaign. But clearly, that competition is going to push each of the four midfielders.