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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Tottenham Hotspur managed to beat Southampton 2-1 at home on Saturday despite playing for around an hour with 10 men, following Serge Aurier’s quick-fire first-half bookings.
Having failed to make an impact having come on against Colchester United in midweek – before missing a penalty in the shoot-out defeat – contract rebel Christian Eriksen took his place back in the starting XI as the north London outfit looked to get back to winning ways.
The Denmark international has come under some heavy criticism from Spurs fans in recent weeks for some of his displays on the pitch, and it was the same story before, during and after the clash against Saints at the weekend too, as you can see below.
However, a closer look at his stats for the encounter on WhoScored say otherwise.
The 27-year-old had to dig in once his team were one man shorter, and he didn’t disappoint – especially from a defensive point of view.
But first let’s focus on his attacking play, and while his priorities may have changed following Aurier’s dismissal, the fact he picked up the assist for Harry Kane’s decisive goal showed his quality.
Not only that, but the attacking midfielder was also successful with all three of the long balls he attempted, helping to ensure the hosts weren’t put back under immediate pressure by Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men.
His work-rate and commitment tracking back was there for all to see, and one tackle, two interceptions and two clearances aren’t the statistics of an attack-minded individual who is putting no effort in.
Maybe just maybe Eriksen has forced those Spurs fans to eat a slice of humble pie, but he still needs to be showing more in the coming weeks even if he has no intention of signing a new contract.
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If he doesn’t then surely Pochettino will have no choice but to leave him out of the XI consistently.
