Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Spurs2 - 1Luton

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 March 2024, 16:59
Tottenham Hotspur produced yet another second-half home comeback to edge past Luton Town 2-1 and momentarily rise into the top four of the Premier League table.

In an all-too familiar sight for the Lilywhites faithful, their team faced a one-goal deficit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Tahith Chong struck early doors, as Spurs failed to score in the first half of a Premier League home game for the seventh time in a row.

However, Issa Kabore offered the hosts a helping hand with an own goal early in the second half, before Son Heung-min's 86th-minute strike completed the hosts' turnaround and sent them into the Champions League places ahead of Aston Villa's clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the evening slot.

Despite the return of Micky van de Ven from a hamstring injury, the Dutchman was only considered for a spot on the bench, where Richarlison joined him amid careful management of his knee injury.

Timo Werner for Brennan Johnson was the solitary change on the Lilywhites' end, but it was the away end who would be sent into unexpected pandemonium with just three minutes on the clock, thanks in no small part to a former Lilywhites attacker.

Andros Townsend beat Yves Bissouma far too easily down the right and crossed for an unmarked Ross Barkley, who in turn shifted the ball out to the left for Chong to pick out the far corner with a brilliant low drive.

Electric Johnson sparks Tottenham turnaround

As well-worked as Luton's opener was, Spurs defensive shape was all over the place, as was Werner's finishing in the 15th minute as the RB Leipzig loanee tried to emulate Chong's left-footed strike across goal but fired wide.

The German's frustrations continued during a chaotic few seconds in the 19th minute, where Son witnessed his strike agonisingly hit both posts before Werner and Pape Sarr were thwarted by Hatters defenders in the bedlam that ensued.

Spurs' failure to equalise before the break made it six straight first halves in which the Lilywhites had not made the net ripple, and Ange Postecoglou's men departed with their heads down to a chorus of boos from the vexed home faithful.

Dejan Kulusevski - culpable for the Luton opener - was sacrificed at the break for Johnson as Postecoglou desperately sought solutions to Spurs' lack of bite, and the Australian's decision was vindicated just six minutes after the restart.

Johnson and Pedro Porro combined with a slick one-two down the right before the former delivered a ball across goal intended for Werner, but Kabore - under pressure from the German - inadvertently fired the ball past a helpless Thomas Kaminski to draw Spurs level.

With their tails up, the rejuvenated hosts instantly went in search of a second, which nearly arrived through Son in the 56th minute, only for Kaminski to deny the Tottenham captain with his legs.

Luton drop below dotted line

Guglielmo Vicario was still being kept busy at the other end, though - tipping a sensational Jordan Clark shot round the post in the 64th minute - but the hosts were a matter of millimetres away from taking the lead in the 78th minute.

After Johnson drilled a low strike into Kaminski's body, the ball would seemingly trickle over the line, but Alfie Doughty produced a spectacular last-ditch clearance, and there was no buzz from Jarred Gillett's watch in what was one of the tightest goal-line calls the Premier League has seen.

However, no special technology was needed to confirm Tottenham's merited second in the 86th minute, as Postecoglou's men turned defence into attack in a flash and finally took the lead as Son's strike deceived Kaminski via a deflection off of Daiki Hashioka.

While Postecoglou's side will spend at least two hours in the top four thanks to their superior goals scored over Villa, Rob Edwards's men have dropped back into the relegation zone in 18th place, below Nottingham Forest on goal difference thanks to the Tricky Trees' draw with Crystal Palace.

Tottenham's first fixture of April sees the Lilywhites head to West Ham United for next Tuesday's capital derby, one day before Luton make their second trip to North London in a row to face Arsenal.

Show more

Top News

23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Georgia vs. Armenia (Sunday, 2.00pm) Battling for a place in League B of the UEFA Nations League, Georgia are set to host Armenia at the Boris Paichadze Stadium for the second leg of their playoff on Sunday. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are said to be locked in a battle for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly decided to target Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Peru can leapfrog Venezuela for eighth in CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifying on Tuesday when they travel to Estadio Monumental de Maturin on matchday 14. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to extend Diogo Jota's deal at Anfield and are said to be growing increasingly frustrated by the forward. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has told Rasmus Hojlund he aims to celebrate in front of the Denmark striker in Sunday's crunch Nations League tie. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has received a boost as Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha's ban has been extended to four games, meaning he will miss his side's next two fixtures. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Everton Women star Rikke Madsen won't forget her team's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace any time soon. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo is the most lethal goalscorer in history - but Lionel Messi edges him in the never-ending 'greatest of all time' debate. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool may have one hand firmly on the Premier League trophy, but more recent matches have shown that the Reds board cannot rest on their laurels during the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After a disappointing start to World Cup qualifying, Romania will look to get their campaign up and running when they visit Serravalle to face minnows San Marino on Monday night. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two nations who made the perfect start to World Cup qualifying meet in Zenica on Monday night when Bosnia-Herzegovina host Cyprus. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among three Premier League teams to have taken an interest in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a significant boost in their efforts to sign Rayan Cherki, whom Lyon have decided to sell in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made a final decision on whether he plans to re-integrate Marcus Rashford into his squad this summer. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's reported capacity to purchase a new striker in the summer transfer window is in excess of £100m due to their good financial health. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will have a special Carabao Cup trophy parade next weekend after ending 70 years of hurt. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will finally get their trophy-winning party in front the Toon Army. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be active during this summer's transfer window, as the recently-appointed Ruben Amorim looks to bring in players capable of thriving in his 3-4-3 system. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are facing a centre-back crisis for their La Liga match against Osasuna next week, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen potentially all missing the rescheduled fixture. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Twelve years may have passed, but Franck Ribery is still not over his 2013 Ballon d'Or snub. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are not familiar with quiet summer transfer windows and as it stands, there's no sign of bucking the trend in 2025. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Walsall boss Mat Sadler claimed the decision not to request a postponement this afternoon was 'out of' the club's hands. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona would reportedly be willing to let Raphinha leave during this summer's transfer window if an offer of €120m (£101m) were to arrive, with Manchester United said to be keen to sign the attacker.