Three things we learnt from Tottenham’s 4-0 thrashing of Stoke City

Add as preferred source on Google

Stoke unable to stop the rot

The Potters were rock bottom of the Premier League going into the game for only the third occasion since their debut season in the revamped top flight in 2008/09, with a mere point to their name. Their loss was their second consecutive four goal defeat at home, meaning the Potters had shipped ten goals in their opening four matches, scoring twice- neither goal coming from open play.

A ground formerly one of the top-flight’s fortresses, with the Potters having taken the scalps of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool over the years now seems to be going down like the alamo, with only one win in seven at the Bet365 Stadium.

Though on the home side’s showing in the first half hour, it could be said that 4-0 flattered the visitors as Hughes’ side went about imposing themselves against Spurs. Wilfried Bony looked threatening on his debut following his loam move from Manchester City, but like the rest of his teammates proceeded to fade following his manager’s dismissal to the stands.

Hughes had reacted furiously to a Marko Arnautovic booking for diving and what looked a foul on Jonathan Walters to which referee Anthony Taylor gave nothing. Son’s goal knocked the stuffing out of Stoke just before the interval following Hughes’ exit, before notching his second on the break to effectively kill the home side’s challenge.

The Potters also can’t get first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland back into action quickly enough after hapless stand-in Shay Given saw another four goals hit the back of his net, to take his tally of goals conceded in the Premier League to 603, the fourth highest ever.

If they are to stop the rot they not only must tighten up at the back, but they need more verve, power and penetration going forward after managing only two shots on target against Tottenham, and they will be hoping main wide-man Xherdan Shaqiri will be back from injury soon to add to their creative options which have vastly lacked over the opening weeks of the season. Their next match is at Crystal Palace, where they will be desperate to get off the mark and kick-start their 2016/17 campaign.

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Jeux Vidéo. https://www.flickr.com/photos/134794952@N02/