PREMIER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 14th DECEMBER, 2016
(8pm)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(1) HULL CITY 0(0)

Spurs scorers:-
Eriksen, 14, 63
Wanyama, 73

Attendance:- 31,347

Referee:- Andre Marriner
Assistants:- S. Beck & E. Smart
Fourth official:- R. East

Teams:-
Spurs (3-4-3):- Lloris (Capt.); Dier, Aldereireld, Vertonghen; Walker, Eriksen, Wanyama, Rose; Sissoko (sub Onomah, 85), Kane (sub Son, 74), Alli (sub Winks, 62)

Subs not used:- Vorm; Trippier, Davies; Nkoudou

No bookings

Hull (4-2-3-1):- Marshall; Maguire, Dawson (Capt.),Davies, Robertson; Livermore (sub Meyler, 74), Huddlestone; Elmohamady, Snodgrass (sub Bowen, 84), Clucas (sub Mason, 66); Diomande

Subs not used:- Jakupovic; Maloney, Weir, Henriksen

Booked:- Maguire (foul on Sissoko), Davies (foul)

It is a Christian festival, after all!

Danish international Christian Eriksen was a star from the East for Spurs tonight, getting the Christmas festivities going with two more goals from free play (his fifth in five games now), and nearly capping his night with a hat-trick goal from a free kick. However, goalkeeper David Marshall made an excellent save pushing the ball against the woodwork to his right, only to see Victor Wanyama pick up the rebound and put the ball away for a 3-0 win.

It's a comfortable scoreline, but after a bright start during which they looked likely to score on almost every attack, Spurs became their own worst enemies at times, with their insistence on back passing, and some inaccurate midfield passing too which gave the lowly visitors more than one chance to get on the score sheet. Sweeper keeper Hugo Lloris was as much of a villain as anyone as he often instigated short clearances and dangerous play for the back. On the other hand, he took the initiative to come out of his area and clear the ball several times from Hull's runners.

Hull started with three ex-Spurs (Dawson, Huddlestone and Livermore), each of whom were fondly received. Naturally the biggest welcome was reserved for former skipper Michael Dawson.

Pochettino played a 3-4-3 formation, with Dier, Alderweireld and Vertonghen at the back, and Walker, Eriksen, Wanyama and Rose in front of them. Harry Kane was supported by Moussa Sissoko on his right and Dele Alli on his left. All three front players were substituted, suggesting they may be required to start against Burnley on Sunday. Once again, I thought Sissoko was strongest of the three, and he got a big round of applause when he went off late in the game.

Dele had an early shot blocked which went out on the Spurs right flank for a throw. After 5 minutes, there was a half chance for Sissoko, after Alli's pass. Sissoko's effort was also blocked.

After 10 minutes, an excellent ball by Kyle Walker sent Sissoko away, and he continued an excellent attack, which sadly dissipated, with Hull defending the situation well.

Spurs took a deserved lead in the 14th minute thanks to a lovely move started by Jan Vertonghen on the left, sending Danny Rose on a run into the area, before he teed up Eriksen who scored with a left foot shot from the near post.

Soon after that Dele had a shot saved, after receiving from Eriksen. Sissoko had switched sides, and Hull right back Maguire saw yellow after unfairly preventing Sissoko from passing as he had bamboozled him with his skill. Eriksen took the free kick, which rebounded off the wall, before he hit his second attempt well wide of the target.

Wanyama was strong in defence, but his passing skills were lacking at times. After a good attack by Sissoko and Kane, it was Wanyama's failed pass that gave Hull a break, and Hugo Lloris had to save from Jake Livermore after Diomande's ball.

Spurs should have been going for the kill, but instead Hull had chances to get back on terms. Livermore had another attempt saved after Robertson's cross from the left. Spurs were not clearing their lines properly, and Lloris had to make another save from Elmohamady following another Hull corner.

At last Spurs showed some intent again, with Sissoko feeding Eriksen, whose attempted cross seemed to find the hand of Curtis Davies, but Mr. Marriner said "No penalty".

Dele Alli had a shot saved by Marshall diving to his right before Jan Vertonghen made a storming run into the Hull area provoked by Kane's pass, and had one or two attempts blocked, before he was penalised for a foul. Jan got rousing applause for this move.

More good work by Sissoko got him into the box on the right, but Harry Kane's attempt on goal was an involuntary shot and easy for Marshall.

Three minutes into the second half, Kane made a good run and passed to Dele, who teed up Wanyama. Wanyama tried to pass the ball into the net from outside the area, and this was easy meat for Marshall. Kane met a dangerous cross by Danny Rose, but the ball went out of play nearer the corner flag than the goalmouth.

Sissoko and Walker combined in the right to get the ball to Kane, but his shot was blocked. Spurs had another penalty (or at least a free kick) appeal turned down when Eriksen ran across the area from right to left, and seemed to be fouled, but got no response from the man in black. Spurs nearly paid dearly as they lost the ball and Hull broke forward, with Livermore having another shot on goal ultimately saved by Lloris, after an initial block.

Harry Winks replaced Dele Alli, and Eriksen moved forward. In no time, he was at the back post to snap up Kyle Walker's low cross, and to fire home for his second goal. Soon after that goalkeeper Marshall was not entirely comfortable with Kyle Walker's shot but the ball fell in favour of the Hull defence.

A fourth ex-Spurs player came on when Ryan Mason replaced Sam Clucas.

Spurs made it 3-0 after Danny Rose was fouled on his approach to the Hull area. Eriksen's shot was saved; hit the woodwork, and swept home by Wanyama. Eriksen even had a hat-trick chance saved after receiving a ball from Sissoko. In the closing stages, Eriksen took another free kick after he had been fouled. This was blocked, and Harry Winks hit the follow-up shot wide.

As the game drew to a close, each of the former Spurs men in the Hull side had songs sung in their name. Christmas had truly begun! Will Hull survive in the Premier League? Why not think about this Netbet Bonus code if you want to bet on this and other sporting issues?

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