Tottenham Hotspur escaped from the weekend fixture against Sunderland with three crucial points. While Spurs seemed to dominate the game, and in many facets did, they found it difficult to break down the Black Cats in the final third. There were a few performances to applaud: Benjamin Stambouli, Andros Townsend (in a lively substitute role), and Hugo Lloris all played their part. There was only one match winner, however; and because of another brilliant late strike, Christian Eriksen is our Man of the Match.
In a match that saw him start on the right, Eriksen was the most constant goal threat, finding room to drift in and show off an impressive left foot. The Spurs' attacking midfielder forced Costel Pantimilion into a pair of fine saves, forcing the giant Romanian to show off all he has in his locker. While the pile driver Eriksen unfurled towards the top corner from twenty five yards, requiring Pantimilion to save at full stretch, will make all the highlight reels, the more impressive save may be on our diminutive playmaker's first effort that had the 6'8'' keeper down smartly to his left, pushing the goal bound effort wide.
Starting on the right, Eriksen was not as influential as we have seen him be with his passing, but a series of near through ball connections left no doubt to his intent. With the introduction of Andros Townsend for Mousa Dembele on seventy five minutes the Dane was pushed to his more preferred central role. Townsend deserves a nod here as well. From the moment he came on the pitch he was in attack mode and caused the left side of Sunderland's defense problem after problem. The breakthrough finally came in the 89th minute as Townsend finished off a marauding run with a smart cut-back into the center of the pitch. Eriksen, who ghosted into his position, stepped up to meet the ball and smartly passed the ball into the goal, shaking the post in the process.
Listen, this match will not be remembered for being stylish. If anything, people will remember when, once and for all, we all knew that English linesman do not know the rules; but none of that mattered in the end because we have a player of genuine class that can play here, there, well anywhere, and make his impact be felt. Long may it continue for our Man of the Match, our Danish Dynamite, Christian Eriksen-sen-sen...