Sublime To Ridiculous Ratings: From a rare 8 to a ‘...please just sell him and make it stop’

This was another game that ultimately fell into the ‘not really worth watching’ category, as Spurs looked horribly incomplete again. On social media, I keep reading the thoughts of geniuses who profess to know this and that, but few can say the obvious: we don’t have enough killer instinct.

Carry on like this, and we will NEVER leave the magnetic pull of the foot of the table.

Tottenham controlled much of the contest and created the better chances, recording roughly 1.54–1.62 xG to United’s 0.73–0.85, with equal possession (~50%). There were also identical shot totals, namely 12 apiece, though United edged shots on target 4-3.

Spurs generated more big chances (around four to United’s one) and dominated the first half, but wastefulness cost them a lead before Bryan Mbeumo’s 73rd-minute opener.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s red card, five minutes later for a headbutt, left them with 10 men, yet Sandro Tonali’s cross and Dominic Solanke’s stoppage-time header still earned a point.

Bentancur has made this scrapping instead of playing football his motif, and I’m bored senseless by his existence at Tottenham. Another footballer who has been with us longer than the mother-in-law and has yet to do any good...please just sell him and make it stop.

Antonin Kinsky 7

Solid without being overworked early. Made a comfortable first-half save and a useful late stop from Mbeumo; little he could do about the goal itself.

Archie Gray 6

Busy and committed on the right. Important early headers and a strong tackle on Fernandes; worked hard going forward but was part of the flank play that led to United’s goal.

Jan Paul van Hecke 5

Mixed and ultimately poor. Strong early interceptions and progressive passes, but nutmegged by Mbeumo and gave him too much room to turn and score. One of the lower ratings across outlets.

Marcos Senesi 5

Reasonably assured in the first half with excellent progressive passes. Faded slightly later and lacked the pace to track Mbeumo on one break. The Standard rated him an 8; I’m giving him a 6 because I’m not twelve years old and I demand more.

Destiny Udogie 8

Standout stuff for once. Full of energy, bombing up and down the left, supported Savio well and made a key recovery run to stop Fernandes. One of the highest marks. For once.

Lucas Bergvall 6

Positive return with high energy and good early pressing that created a chance for Solanke. Fired over himself from a good position. The Standard AGAIN gave him an 8.

Sandro Tonali 7

Excellent throughout. High work rate, composed on the ball and provided the perfect cross for Solanke’s equaliser. Consistently among the top ratings elsewhere and rightly so.

Mohammed Kudus 6

Sharp and involved early, with good work at both ends and a chance wide. Tired in the second half and was substituted. Boy, do we need him to get back to speed.

Conor Gallagher 7

Energetic and excellent in the first half despite an early yellow. Denied by Lammens before the break and ran himself into the ground. Key to Spurs’ early control.

Savio 7

Constant threat with good link-up play (set up Solanke for a big chance). End product was inconsistent, with chances deflected or missed. Often highlighted as one of Spurs’ better attackers.

Dominic Solanke 6

Missed clear chances early (saved by Lammens as well as fired over) but stayed involved and produced the vital stoppage-time header to equalise. The goal boosted his rating after a frustrating display. He’s really not good enough.

Looking at the player ratings, there are strong marks for midfield and wide creators (Tonali, Udogie, Gallagher/Savio) that reflect Spurs’ attacking control and energy, while van Hecke’s lower scores track the defensive lapses around United’s goal.

Bentancur’s near-universal 1/10 elsewhere online reflects the costly dismissal that nearly turned a promising display into defeat.