Tottenham Hotspur battled Nottingham Forest to a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the City Ground today, but even without a win, we saw some serious standout performances. Our midfield engines, Rodrigo Bentancur and Sandro Tonali, led the charge, both earning stellar 7.5 ratings, showing everyone exactly what they bring to this squad on the road.
Bentancur and Tonali: The Midfield Maestros We Needed
Seriously, when the final whistle blew and we saw those ratings, it was crystal clear who kept us in this one. Bentancur, rocking that 7.5, anchored the midfield with pure conviction. You could see him out there, owning the middle of the pitch, making sure Forest couldn’t get comfortable. He even managed one promising run with the ball, trying to spark something from deep, which is exactly what you want from your central guy when the attack’s struggling to connect.
Right alongside him, Sandro Tonali was just as crucial, also pulling a 7.5. He wasn’t just good, he was *solid* on the ball, protecting his teammates at the back like a guardian angel. In a game that ended 0-0, having two midfielders rated highest speaks volumes. These guys are the heartbeat of our team right now, ensuring we don’t buckle under pressure and always pushing for that offensive spark. They absolutely bossed the center of the park and without them, who knows how this game would have gone.
Holding the Line, But Still Searching for the Finishing Touch
While the midfield was bossing it, our defense definitely earned their clean sheet, though it felt like a collective effort. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky pulled off one good save, securing that shutout with a 6.5 rating. Pedro Porro, at right back, was a consistent 7, influencing play at both ends, which is always a bonus. Our center-backs, Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven, both got 7s, handling their defensive duties with composure and giving a good account of themselves. Even Destiny Udogie, rated 6.5 at left-back, kept things solid at the back, even if he struggled to get forward.
But man, the attack. That’s where the frustration sets in. Savio, with a 6.5, made a few promising runs, but nothing came from it. Conor Gallagher, also 6.5, tried to come back and defend but lacked that crucial quality in the final third when we needed it. Mathys Tel, rated 6, shone at times on the left flank, but the net never bulged. And poor Omar Marmoush, our striker, caused problems for the Forest defenders, but just couldn’t find the back of the net, ending with a 6.5. Even the subs, Andy Robertson and Mykhailo Mudryk, didn’t really change the offensive output much, while Mohammed Kudus, with a 6.5, did shine at times after coming off the bench. We need to turn those “promising runs” and “caused problems” into goals.
A draw on the road is never a bad thing, especially when the defense holds strong and your midfield runs the show. But you gotta wonder what happens if the attack can just finish one of those promising runs. We’ll be looking for our forwards to find that clinical edge next time out, building on the rock-solid foundation Bentancur and Tonali are laying down in the middle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply