• SPURS RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6: Comfortable stop from Sarr after 15 minutes but generally enjoyed a very quiet day at the office without being called upon to make any major saves. EPA
    SPURS RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6: Comfortable stop from Sarr after 15 minutes but generally enjoyed a very quiet day at the office without being called upon to make any major saves. EPA
  • Japhet Tanganga - 7: Badly miss-hit a cross out for goal-kick when well placed on right in opening minutes but made up for it with superb effort on byline to turn ball going out for goal-kick into dangerous pass into middle. Had stabbed shot in first half saved by Bachmann. Getty
    Japhet Tanganga - 7: Badly miss-hit a cross out for goal-kick when well placed on right in opening minutes but made up for it with superb effort on byline to turn ball going out for goal-kick into dangerous pass into middle. Had stabbed shot in first half saved by Bachmann. Getty
  • Davinson Sanchez - 8: Very good block to prevent Sarr getting clean shot on goal just after half-time. Ambitious backheel over bar from corner at other end of pitch minutes later. Some excellent switches of play straight to feet of teammates. Getty
    Davinson Sanchez - 8: Very good block to prevent Sarr getting clean shot on goal just after half-time. Ambitious backheel over bar from corner at other end of pitch minutes later. Some excellent switches of play straight to feet of teammates. Getty
  • Eric Dier - 7: Headed Kucka’s goal-bound shot over bar in first minute. Weak long-range free-kick straight into arms of Bachmann. Helped make sure King barely got kick up front for Watford. Getty
    Eric Dier - 7: Headed Kucka’s goal-bound shot over bar in first minute. Weak long-range free-kick straight into arms of Bachmann. Helped make sure King barely got kick up front for Watford. Getty
  • Sergio Reguilon - 6: Should have been booked early on for poor sliding challenge through Sarr, who looked to have the beating of the Spurs full-back when given chance. Quiet game on attacking front down left flank as he had hands full with Sarr. Getty
    Sergio Reguilon - 6: Should have been booked early on for poor sliding challenge through Sarr, who looked to have the beating of the Spurs full-back when given chance. Quiet game on attacking front down left flank as he had hands full with Sarr. Getty
  • Oliver Skipp - 7: Another Spurs player who should have seen a yellow card in first half after bundling over Kucka. Kept things ticking over in midfield without any sparkling moments. One of three Spurs players booked for fouling Sarr. PA
    Oliver Skipp - 7: Another Spurs player who should have seen a yellow card in first half after bundling over Kucka. Kept things ticking over in midfield without any sparkling moments. One of three Spurs players booked for fouling Sarr. PA
  • Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8: One raking cross-field pass out to Bergwijn and excellent with his distribution in centre of park for entire game. Good block on Dennis shot and had free-kick saved by Bachmann, albeit via a huge deflection off defensive wall. Man of the match. PA
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8: One raking cross-field pass out to Bergwijn and excellent with his distribution in centre of park for entire game. Good block on Dennis shot and had free-kick saved by Bachmann, albeit via a huge deflection off defensive wall. Man of the match. PA
  • Dele Alli - 5: Relieved when a sloppy early ball put Watford away on counter-attack came to nothing and his distribution was poor in first half. Booked for foul on Sarr who was threatening to counter-attack. Should have made it 2-0 with 20-odd minutes left but side-footed wide. AFP
    Dele Alli - 5: Relieved when a sloppy early ball put Watford away on counter-attack came to nothing and his distribution was poor in first half. Booked for foul on Sarr who was threatening to counter-attack. Should have made it 2-0 with 20-odd minutes left but side-footed wide. AFP
  • Steven Bergwijn - 5: Had shot deflected over for corner after 13 minutes but generally flattered to deceive in key attacking moments. EPA
    Steven Bergwijn - 5: Had shot deflected over for corner after 13 minutes but generally flattered to deceive in key attacking moments. EPA
  • Harry Kane - 7: Chipped poor effort over bar after 10 minutes and can have no complaints about booking for foul on, inevitably, Sarr just before break. Teed-up chance for Alli in second half that teammate should have finished. Denied certain goal by toe of Troost-Ekong and had shot on turn well saved by Bachmann. Getty
    Harry Kane - 7: Chipped poor effort over bar after 10 minutes and can have no complaints about booking for foul on, inevitably, Sarr just before break. Teed-up chance for Alli in second half that teammate should have finished. Denied certain goal by toe of Troost-Ekong and had shot on turn well saved by Bachmann. Getty
  • Son Heung-min - 7: Pulled weak shot wide 34 minutes but opened scoring in first half when his free-kick from left bounced straight into net without getting a touch. Not his most influential of games but still on scoresheet. AFP
    Son Heung-min - 7: Pulled weak shot wide 34 minutes but opened scoring in first half when his free-kick from left bounced straight into net without getting a touch. Not his most influential of games but still on scoresheet. AFP
  • SUBS: Lucas Moura – (On for Bergwijn 68’) 7: Fizzing low shot tipped wide by Bachmann, although looked like was going wide anyway. Lovely run to leave Masina for dead and cross almost picked out Kane. PA
    SUBS: Lucas Moura – (On for Bergwijn 68’) 7: Fizzing low shot tipped wide by Bachmann, although looked like was going wide anyway. Lovely run to leave Masina for dead and cross almost picked out Kane. PA
  • Bryan Gil – (On for Son 88’) N/A.
    Bryan Gil – (On for Son 88’) N/A.
  • WATFORD RATINGS: Daniel Bachmann - 5: Austrian keeper stuck leg out to deny Tanganga shot in first half. Some really poor balls out from back giving away possession and was at fault when Son’s free-kick sailed straight into net. Saved well from deflected Hojbjerg free-kick and Kane shot on turn, though. Getty
    WATFORD RATINGS: Daniel Bachmann - 5: Austrian keeper stuck leg out to deny Tanganga shot in first half. Some really poor balls out from back giving away possession and was at fault when Son’s free-kick sailed straight into net. Saved well from deflected Hojbjerg free-kick and Kane shot on turn, though. Getty
  • Craig Cathcart - 7: Hornets captain playing at right-back produced important early block on Bergwijn shot and been solid but limped off injured just after break in blow for Watford. Reuters
    Craig Cathcart - 7: Hornets captain playing at right-back produced important early block on Bergwijn shot and been solid but limped off injured just after break in blow for Watford. Reuters
  • William Troost-Ekong - 7: No repeat of the costly error in last match against Brighton. Felt Son should have been booked for diving after challenge late in first half. Got crucial toe to cross that stopped Kane tapping home from close range. AFP
    William Troost-Ekong - 7: No repeat of the costly error in last match against Brighton. Felt Son should have been booked for diving after challenge late in first half. Got crucial toe to cross that stopped Kane tapping home from close range. AFP
  • Francisco Sierralta - 7: Chilean was important part of a Hornets defence that was well-organised and disciplined throughout. PA
    Francisco Sierralta - 7: Chilean was important part of a Hornets defence that was well-organised and disciplined throughout. PA
  • Adam Masina - 6: Important header away with Kane lurking at start of second half. Shown clean pair of heels by Moura in last 10 minutes that almost resulted in Kane scoring from Brazilian's cross that followed. PA
    Adam Masina - 6: Important header away with Kane lurking at start of second half. Shown clean pair of heels by Moura in last 10 minutes that almost resulted in Kane scoring from Brazilian's cross that followed. PA
  • Peter Etebo - 6: Should feel aggrieved at picking up game’s first booking after slipping before challenging Kane. Nigerian had steady game in midfield. AFP
    Peter Etebo - 6: Should feel aggrieved at picking up game’s first booking after slipping before challenging Kane. Nigerian had steady game in midfield. AFP
  • Ismaila Sarr - 8: Cleaned out by Reguilion in opening 10 minutes as Spaniard – along with his Spurs teammates in general – decided the only way to deal with Sarr’s pace was to kick him over. Stung Lloris’ hands with shot after quarter-of-an-hour. Getty
    Ismaila Sarr - 8: Cleaned out by Reguilion in opening 10 minutes as Spaniard – along with his Spurs teammates in general – decided the only way to deal with Sarr’s pace was to kick him over. Stung Lloris’ hands with shot after quarter-of-an-hour. Getty
  • Moussa Sissoko - 7: Former Spurs midfielder, chosen ahead of Tom Cleverley, teed-up Kucka for his early chance. Put chance on plate for Sarr that went begging after brilliant run down right, then booked for foul on Skipp moments after. Given standing ovation from all sides of ground when substituted. Getty
    Moussa Sissoko - 7: Former Spurs midfielder, chosen ahead of Tom Cleverley, teed-up Kucka for his early chance. Put chance on plate for Sarr that went begging after brilliant run down right, then booked for foul on Skipp moments after. Given standing ovation from all sides of ground when substituted. Getty
  • Juraj Kucka - 7: Presented with chance in first minute but saw shot headed over bar by Dier. Showed great strength to head back to keeper while under pressure from Alli. Slashed difficult chance wildly over bar at start of second half. Getty
    Juraj Kucka - 7: Presented with chance in first minute but saw shot headed over bar by Dier. Showed great strength to head back to keeper while under pressure from Alli. Slashed difficult chance wildly over bar at start of second half. Getty
  • Emmanuel Dennis - 6: Started game out on left flank and proved a handful with his pace and clever flicks early on but influence waned as match went on. Booked for foul on Moura. Getty
    Emmanuel Dennis - 6: Started game out on left flank and proved a handful with his pace and clever flicks early on but influence waned as match went on. Booked for foul on Moura. Getty
  • Joshua King - 4: Norwegian striker struggled to make any impression on game, never had any opportunities to score and it was no surprise when he came off in second half. EPA
    Joshua King - 4: Norwegian striker struggled to make any impression on game, never had any opportunities to score and it was no surprise when he came off in second half. EPA
  • SUBS: Jeremy Ngakia – (On for Cathcart 51’) 6: Caught in possession by Alli straight after coming on but regained composure and produced excellent cross that fellow substitute Hernandez shold have done better with. Getty
    SUBS: Jeremy Ngakia – (On for Cathcart 51’) 6: Caught in possession by Alli straight after coming on but regained composure and produced excellent cross that fellow substitute Hernandez shold have done better with. Getty
  • Cucho Hernandez – (On for King 65’) 5: Went for spectacular bicycle kick from cross when header would have been sensible option. Reuters
    Cucho Hernandez – (On for King 65’) 5: Went for spectacular bicycle kick from cross when header would have been sensible option. Reuters
  • Tom Cleverley – (On for Sissoko 71’) 6: Former Manchester United and Everton midfielder would have been disappointed not be starting game. AFP
    Tom Cleverley – (On for Sissoko 71’) 6: Former Manchester United and Everton midfielder would have been disappointed not be starting game. AFP

Sport

Football

Tottenham v Watford player ratings: Hojbjerg 8, Son 7; Bachmann 5, Sarr 8

Spurs make it three 1-0 wins in a row after Son's free-kick seals three points to take Nuno's team top of league

Gareth Cox

August 30, 2021

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Tottenham Hotspur made it three 1-0 wins on the trot in the Premier League after Son Heung-min's fortuitous free-kick sealed victory at home to Watford.

On his 200th league appearance, the South Korean saw his inswinging free-kick deceive Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and bounce straight into the net.

The result means Nuno Espirito Santo's side will top the table heading into September's international break, while Watford are 12th.

Harry Kane was again in the Spurs starting line-up after scoring twice in the Europe Conference League win over Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday, but never really looked like repeating the trick here. The 28-year-old, though, was given a raucous reception by the home fans.

The England striker was denied a certain goal in the second half when Watford defender William Troost-Ekong got a toe on a Lucus Moura cross to divert the ball out of Kane's path. Bachmann also produced a decent stop to prevent Kane from scoring.

Ismaila Sarr was always a threat for Watford — and was on the receiving end of numerous meaty challenged from Spurs players — but the newly-promoted side failed to really trouble Hugo Lloris in the home goal.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.



Updated: August 30, 2021, 2:57 AM
Tottenham HotspurPremier LeagueHarry Kane