The Antonio Conte era is in full effect at North London.
When the Italian manager was appointed, Spurs weren't able to not concede goals. Now, the squad have secured five clean sheets out of Conte's first eight league games, showing the great job done by him in the training ground.
Conte became first manager in Tottenham Hotspur history to go unbeaten in his opening eight league matches following their 0-1 win away from home against Watford.
Davinson Sanchez' late header secured all three points for Spurs, who are now sixth in the Premier League table with 33 points and two games in hand.
Three 𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗘 points! pic.twitter.com/9pk4FoEKqU
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2022
Conte speaks on the game
''I think we controlled the game and we had a lot of possession and in the first half I have seen the stats and we made 29 crosses,'' he said. ''I think that we have to improve in the last pass, to have more quality because the last pass means whether you score or not.
I think we were very good to have the right passion and not lose the balance.
When you find a well organized team you can become a bit nervous if you don't score but I think at the end we deserved to win.''
Poor crossing from the wing-backs
The Italian manager made sure to show his disappointment about the quality of the crossing throughout the entire match.
Tottenham recorded 29 crosses but only one was able to finish with the ball in the back of the net.
''For sure, we need to improve in this aspect, because when you play with this system, with this formation, the wing backs are very important,'' he added. ''When the ball arrives there, we must be more effective. I know very well that this is a role where you expend a lot of energy.
You become a striker, a winger when we are in possession, and then a right-back or a left-back when we are without the ball. But at the same time, we have young players with space for improvement.
Also today I've seen great commitment from all the players but for sure we have to improve in many aspects, in the quality but we need the time also to work on this aspect. To play every three or two days is not easy.
I repeat, I'm delighted with the commitment of the players. Another clean sheet and we're showing solidity in this aspect.''
Ben Davies is all of us. pic.twitter.com/KVdYTu6OI6
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2022
On Hugo Lloris' impact
Despite not having much to do throughout the entire game, the French goalkeeper made a crucial save in the second half. Antonio Conte made sure to point out the importance of Lloris and his great level.
''You can see the level of the keeper in these circumstances,'' he concluded. ''When for the whole game he didn't make a save but he continued to be focused. To be focused for the team, for me that's very important.
When I speak with him and when I speak to the team, the link between the keeper and the team must be very important. It's very important especially when you defend very high, with a defensive line.
The keeper has to follow the game and not only stay on the goal line to make saves. Hugo today showed that he's top and he's always focused.''