Tottenham Hotspur were finally able to make Aston Villa pay for their dropped points over the weekend.
Ange Postecoglou‘s men clinched all three points in their game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham came into their game with the knowledge that a win would take them above Unai Emery’s side and into fourth spot.
Second half goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro proved enough for Spurs to take the points after going into the break level at 1-1.
Here are five things we learned from the game…
Micky van de Ven needs to be tied down to a new deal
Having only signed in the summer, Spurs need to secure the long-term future of their Dutch defender who is currently earning £25k-per-week less than Fraser Forster on £50k-per-week.
Van de Ven has been seriously impressive for Spurs and earned huge praise after the game from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.
What he has brought to this Spurs backline has been truly transformatory and he looks like a player who is loving life in N17.
However, this level of performance will surely be catching the eye of some of Europe’s finest as Spurs have already provided Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie with improved deals…
Tottenham need an elite number six
For the second home game in a row, Postecoglou was forced to switch it up at half time.
On Sunday, Sarr and Yves Bissouma were hooked off for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur who both transformed the game for the better.
After starting the game brightly, Bissouma really let himself down after failing to track the runner who provided the cross for Chris Wood’s equaliser.
It has been a really turbulent season for the Mali midfielder who has struggled to nail down any consistent form.
Postecoglou hailed him following the game on Tuesday against West Ham, but Spurs really look like a side crying out for a solid defensive midfielder to sit in front of their back four.
Spurs racking up the points ahead of difficult run
On the whole, Spurs can look back relatively pleased on their recent run of games with the defeat against Fulham looking like a real fluke result.
Although Tottenham would have wanted to take maximum points from their game against West Ham last week, their recent form has been largely positive.
From their last six games, Spurs have been able to take 13 points from a possible 18 ahead of what is going to be a defining run of games.
Spurs still have Newcastle United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to play so racking up a good points total before those games was going to be crucial.
Pedro Porro deserves more credit than he gets
Having been signed last January for Antonio Conte’s system which relies on wing-backs, Porro has adapted incredibly well to Postecoglou’s arrival.
Having had to take on a role which still requires a defensive responsibility under the Australian, Porro has not seen a drop in his output.
Two goals and seven assists to his name this season is a sensational return for the 24-year-old who is establishing himself as one of the best in the league.
The Spaniard has already earned himself a spot alongside the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Porro has proven himself to be a great piece of business by Tottenham who can provide long-term cover at right-back.
READ MORE: Meet Pedro Porro, the former Man City loanee turned Tottenham star
Timo Werner decision becoming easier by the week
Just days after providing the assist for Brennan Johnson at the London Stadium, Timo Werner put in another enticing cross which provided a goal.
The 28-year-old produced an almost carbon copy of what he did in the opening minutes of the game against West Ham and Murillo poked it into his own net.
Spurs have the option to make Werner’s stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium permanent in the summer for £15m.
Although the German will not be awarded with the assist for the opening goal on Sunday, it is becoming an easier decision for Daniel Levy to make over his future.
Considering some of the fees being suggested for reported targets like Pedro Neto, Werner looks like a real steal at just £15m.
- READ MORE: What Ollie Watkins said about Tottenham following Aston Villa’s top four slip up on Saturday
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