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Christian Eriksen breaks Burnley's rugged resolve with 91st-minute winner for Tottenham at Wembley

Christian Eriksen pounced in injury time after Burnley had kept Spurs at bay - Tottenham Hotspur FC
Christian Eriksen pounced in injury time after Burnley had kept Spurs at bay - Tottenham Hotspur FC

For Tottenham this week it has been a case of the beauty and then the beast. After producing one of the finest European performances in their history against Barcelona on Tuesday, here they had to scrap past an obdurate Burnley side to secure a precious 1-0 victory that effectively keeps them in the title race, five points behind leaders Manchester City. 

If winning titles is about securing victories while playing badly, then Spurs must be considered serious contenders for this season's Premier League. In front of just 41,645 spectators - Spurs’ second lowest home League crowd of the season - Tottenham were flat and uninspired at a wet and windy Wembley. 

And yet, they still found a way of hauling themselves over the line, with Christian Eriksen popping up in stoppage time to cooly finish past Joe Hart. "We are very happy, relieved," said Mauricio Pochettino afterwards, who was celebrating his 100th league win as Tottenham manager. "It is a massive three points to keep our place after the massive effort in Barcelona, and to finish the week in that way is so good."

It was a similarly late goal by Eriksen against Inter last month that kept Tottenham alive in the Champions League, and Pochettino was asked whether this latest winner could spark a title challenge.

"There are a lot of things you need to put into consideration," he said. "But the most important thing is belief and faith in the way you work and if you give 100 per cent all can happen."

If Tottenham are to challenge City and Liverpool they will need to play far better than this, but perhaps such a lacklustre display was inevitable given Tottenham's emotional and physical efforts in Barcelona. Spurs certainly began as if still feeling the effects of the Nou Camp, while five changes - including a full debut for 18-year-old Oliver Skipp, and a defensive injury crisis that forced Ben Davies to deputise at centre-back - seemed to have disturbed their usual rhythm. 

Pochettino felt Harry Kane should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when knocked to the ground by James Tarkowski, but Burnley also had chances. Charlie Daniels might have done better from a corner, while Ashley Barnes headed over Phil Bardsley's cross after Huge Lloris had given the ball away. Spurs were leggy, and soon after half-time Barnes’ goal-bound volley from former Tottenham midfielder Aaron Lennon’s cross was blocked by a combination of Kane and Toby Alderweireld.

Joe Hart had been in inspired form for Burnley as Spurs looked for a winner - Credit: AFP
Joe Hart had been in inspired form for Burnley as Spurs looked for a winner Credit: AFP

It wasn't until the 65th-minute introduction of Eriksen that Spurs began to find space between Burnley's massed five-man defence. With Eriksen on, Erik Lamela was denied by a magnificent Joe Hart save, while Heung-min Son and Dele Alli both contrived to miss gilt-edged chances in the final few minutes. 

Burnley's organisation and time-wasting - Robbie Brady and Phil Bardsley were both booked - had infuriated Tottenham, and as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, it very much seemed like being one of those days for the hosts.

With a damaging draw looking increasingly likely, Tottenham opted for the direct route. Former Burnley right-back Kieran Trippier thumped a long ball forward in the direction of substitute Fernando Llorente, who managed to distract two of Burnley’s centre backs. Alli then worked the ball to Kane, whose lay-off was swept home by Eriksen.   

Eriksen was summoned from the bench as Pochettino's side ramped up the pressure - Credit: REUTERS
Eriksen was summoned from the bench as Pochettino's side ramped up the pressure Credit: REUTERS

For Burnley manager Sean Dyche there was frustration at his side being undone by what was essentially route-one football. "We deserved something from the game," he said. "The players are disappointed more in the fact that in the end we get done by a lump down the pitch. They ended up playing long a lot and that's really credit to our players. We limited them by their standards here."

The defeat means Burnley remain two points above the relegation zone in 17th, while Tottenham have now won 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches. They may also have unearthed another gem in the young midfielder Skipp, who is the 13th academy graduate Pochettino has given a debut to. He looked undaunted playing at such an elevated level, and Pochettino was fulsome in his praise afterwards: "He was fantastic - he played like a 30-year-old man. So relaxed, trying to play forward and give the team what the team needs, plenty of energy, full energy - I am so proud of him."

Skipp could get more minutes against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, in yet another huge match for Tottenham. For the moment though they can reflect on a near-perfect week.  

4:55PM

Full-time scores!

Crystal Palace 1 Leicester 0

Huddersfield 0 Newcastle 1

Tottenham 1 Burnley 0

Watford 3 Cardiff 2

Wolves 2 Bournemouth 0

4:53PM

Full time: Tottenham 1 Burnley 0

They never stop. They just never, ever stop. Spurs have the points, and their Pochettino persistence has paid off. Eriksen finally found a way past Joe Hart and Spurs move five points clear of Chelsea, who play tomorrow.

4:49PM

GOAL! Tottenham 1 (Eriksen, 90+1 min) Burnley 0

Aaaaaaaaand, there it is. Tottenham have been hammering at the Burnley door...and it's opened. Harry Kane tees up Christian Eriksen, who does the rest! Huge goal for Spurs.

4:47PM

90 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0  

CHANCE! Son drills a cross in from the right, Dele Alli's there...but so too is Phil Bardsley to block!

4:44PM

85 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0 

CHANCE! The ball falls to Heung-min Son, at an angle, but he drags his half-volley across the face of Joe Hart's goal and out. Five minutes plus stoppages left to go...

4:41PM

GOAL! Watford 3 Cardiff 2 (Reid, 82 min)

Scenes at Vicarage Road! Bobby Reid tries to backheel it in, the ball goes nowhere, Reid turns round, and tucks it home! Game on...

4:40PM

GOAL! Watford 3 Cardiff 1 (Hoilett, 80 min)

Cardiff have one back at Vicarage Road, and it's a goal entirely in keeping with what they've seen so far already - Junior Hoilett curls a stunner into the top corner to give the Bluebirds some hope.

4:34PM

75 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0

CHANCE! SAVE!A Danny Rose cross lands at the feet of Erik Lamela, seven yards out, and his poked effort looks good...until Joe Hart gets down to save superbly! On comes Heung-min Son...

4:28PM

GOAL! Watford 3 (Quina 68 min) Cardiff 0

The points are going to Watford, it seems, and it's another glorious goal - this time for youngster Domingos Quina

4:26PM

68 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0           

Goals: 0

Burnley players booked for time-wasting: 2

4:23PM

65 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0          

First change for Spurs: Moura's off, and on comes noted game-changer Christian Eriksen.

4:20PM

61 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0         

Spurs still fiddling with the keys for the Burnley lock: Dele Alli tries to clip a pass over the top for Erik Lamela, but the ball skips through for a goal kick. The visitors not in a huge hurry to get the game going, either.

4:16PM

GOAL! Huddersfield 0 Newcastle 1 (Rondon, 57 min)

The game that looked most likely to be last on Match of the Day has a goal after all! Salomon Rondon has his fifth goal of the season after sidefooting beyond Jonas Lossl in front of the travelling support!

4:11PM

GOAL! Watford 2 (Holebas, 52 min) Cardiff 0

Another beauty for Watford at Vicarage Road, and this time Deulofeu is the creator: he tees up Jose Holebas who finds the corner!

4:07PM

48 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0        

Chance! A Burnley set piece is floated to Aaron Lennon at the back post, he cushions the ball back into the middle and Ashley Barnes has an acrobatic volley blocked!

4:02PM

We go again...

Second halves about to get going. Can Spurs find a way through the Burnley wall? 

3:49PM

Half-time scores:

Crystal Palace 1 Leicester 0

Huddersfield 0 Newcastle 0

Tottenham 0 Burnley 0

Watford 1 Cardiff 0

Wolves 1 Bournemouth 0

Earlier on, Manchester City dealt with Everton and, later on, Fulham will host West Ham.

3:47PM

Half-time: Tottenham 0 Burnley 0

Frustration for Spurs at Wembley, with only Lucas Moura having earned himself a proper glimpse of Joe Hart's goal in that opening 45 minutes. They'll keep plugging away, though, Pochettino will make sure of that.

3:44PM

43 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0       

Spurs still plugging away in the rain at Wembley, as half-time and some warmth approaches. Burnley standing firm.

3:40PM

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1 (Milivojevic, 39 min) Leicester 0

Deadlock broken at Selhurst! Luka Milivojevic takes advantages of a weak punch clear from Kasper Schmeichel and returns the ball with interest.

3:33PM

31 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0      

Chance! Spurs break upfield, Sissoko sensibly declines the temptation to hit a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and instead feeds Lamela, but Joe Hart races off his line to bravely smother the danger.

3:31PM

29 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0     

A proper drop ball! Sissoko and Barnes square up...and the ball inevitably pinballs away. That's the current extent of the Wembley excitement.

3:29PM

27 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0    

Spurs working the ball quite well through the stubborn Burnley press, but the visitors' considerable defensive muscle is still keeping Harry Kane and Dele Alli at bay. 

3:26PM

24 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0   

Still attritional stuff at Wembley, despite that earlier Lucas opening, as Ashley Barnes his familiar lonely furrow up front for Burnley.

3:20PM

17 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0  

Chance for Spurs! Erik Lamela spots the scampering forward run of Lucas Moura, clips over a lovely ball, but the Brazilian can only poke it wide of Joe Hart's goal on the volley.

3:17PM

GOAL! Watford 1 (Deulofeu, 14 min) Cardiff 0

Watford have the lead, and it's Gerard Deulofeu who has lit up the Hertfordshire gloom with a superb solo goal!

3:14PM

GOAL! Wolves 1 (Jimenez, 12 min) Bournemouth 0

Deadlock broken in the 3pms, and it's at Molineux! Raul Jimenez taps in after good work from Diogo Jota.

3:09PM

8 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0 

Oliver Skipp is playing much like advertised: confident on the ball, always with his head up and looking for a forward pass. Still the game waits for an opening, though.

3:06PM

4 min - Tottenham 0 Burnley 0

Burnley looking adventurous in the opening minutes, as they look to ruffle the feathers of Spurs' makeshift defence, but little in the way of chances at either end.

3:02PM

Harry's Game (is over)

The returning Harry Maguie has fallen awkwardly at Selhurst Park and is clutching his hamstring. He's coming off already, by the sounds of it...

2:59PM

Kick-offs imminent...

Whistles about to blow up and down the country - I'll do my best to bring all the goals, near misses and other incidentals...

2:53PM

Wembley: not much fun any more

Not many there to witness the first Premier League start of Oliver Skipp, which is a shame. 

2:44PM

Lovely day for it

If "Watford vs Cardiff" didn't sound unappetising enough on a freezing cold Saturday:

Watford make one change: Gerard Deulofeu comes in for Isaac Success. Manager Javi Gracia, handily enough, explains why:

2:42PM

How the Premier League got its mid-table back

The top flight has a healthy middle class again
The top flight has a healthy middle class again

How better to warm up for Wolves vs Bournemouth than to read my piece on how the Premier League rediscovered its fleshy middle? Is it cool to be a mid-table side again? 

2:27PM

Team news: Crystal Palace vs Leicester

Leicesterare at Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace this afternoon, and they welcome back Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire to their starting lineup. Palace, meanwhile, hand a debut to Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

2:23PM

Team news!

The big news for Spurs is that 1) 18-year-old Oliver Skipp makes his full Premier League debut and 2) they're rapidly running out of centre-backs. Ben Davies appears to be filling in today.

Burnley looking like the most 4-5-1 team in football history, meanwhile:

2:15PM

Pochettino: Sometimes it's better not to make a signing

Tottenham are back to the bread and butter of domestic duties after their midweek heroics in Barcelona, and manager Mauricio Pochettino insists they could go without a new signing in January if he cannot find the right player for his plans.

Spurs made history when they became the first Premier League side since the summer transfer window's inception not to sign any players - not that it has affected their form much.

Pochettino has guided his team into the last 16 of the Champions League and the top three of the Premier League ahead of Burnley's visit on Saturday, and he is reluctant to add to his squad just for the sake of it.

January is seen as a difficult window to do good business as players tend to be overpriced and, more worryingly in Pochettino's case, signings take time to bed in.

Lucas Moura, for example, arrived from Paris St Germain last January, but only bedded into Pochettino's way of playing after an extensive pre-season.

The Argentinian has said in the past he would like to add players next month, but will not compromise on his ethos.

Pochettino is wary of unsettling his squad with an expensive new signing - Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Pochettino is wary of unsettling his squad with an expensive new signing Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Asked if he would be disappointed if they did not bring in anyone, he said: "No, not disappointed. I know very well that January is always difficult.

"In the same way, if you find some player, look what happened to different players that arrive in January last season.

"It takes time to understand and to perform, to fit with the team. Sometimes it's better not to sign if you don't find the right player."

Having a settled dressing room is certainly helping Spurs' cause this season as they have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League campaign.

Managing a squad is one of Pochettino's strengths and he has hinted he could allow players to leave, with the likes of Fernando Llorente and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou likely to move on.

He said: "Sometimes, players who maybe don't play too much they need to go and play in another (club). OK, you can manage, but players that cannot manage to spend all the season not being important in the team, that is the moment to talk with players that are maybe disappointed because they don't play too much.

"Maybe the best decision is to send them on loan or to sell some players but that is about when the moment arrives to talk with different players."