The arms were outstretched and the adulation flowing from an away end packed with Tottenham supporters celebrating James Maddison’s role in dismantling Burnley, although he was about to be upstaged by Son Heung-min’s hat-trick.
For a number of years, Tottenham have been reliant on the man with No 10 on his back to pull them through but Maddison is a different beast to his predecessor. He has the sort of swagger and skill to entertain his own fans, while infuriating opponents with a theatrical demeanour. All of this was on show as Spurs continued their unbeaten league start under Ange Postecoglou.
It was the third goal that proved his influence on proceedings and summed up Burnley’s failings. The hosts gave the ball away in their own defensive area, before Maddison collected it in space 20 yards from goal and fired into the back of the net.
This marked the end of the contest. Son, playing centrally, completed a triple to remove any optimism the home fans may have maintained, and to prove he can be the clinical finisher Tottenham require. Maddison provides the swagger, while Son the ruthlessness – it is a fine combination for Spurs fans.
“Today was a real testament to Sonny, Madders and [Cristian] Romero, the way they embraced that responsibility not just with words but with actions, and not just on game day but on a daily basis,” Postecoglou said. “That’s as encouraging for me as anything because as good as they are individually they have team spirit and that’s important for me.
“Madders is so creative and he showed how clinical he is in front of goal and his preparedness to work hard for the team is a great example.”
Things looked as if they could have been different in the early stages when Burnley were showing the sort of football Vincent Kompany has been searching for since he arrived. It helped create an open, free-flowing game but ultimately to the host’s detriment.
Luca Koleosho was making the ninth first-team appearance of his career and the 18-year-old showed why his manager is such an admirer by creating the opening goal. A sweeping break from back to front resulted in the winger getting behind Pedro Porro and showing neat footwork before crossing for Lyle Foster to divert home in the fourth minute. But things rapidly declined for the hosts.
Their flailing defence was caught out by a quarterback-style pinpoint long pass from Porro to Son, who – after an exchange with Manor Solomon – was afforded the space to dink a shot over James Trafford. The problem arose because Burnley had too many players forward and were caught out two-on-two at the back but they are happy to live and die by the sword.
The visitors took control of the match around the half-hour mark, relying on Maddison’s creativity to make the difference. He was impressive and at the heart of everything Spurs did going forward, a timely reminder for Gareth Southgate.
Lapses in concentration repeatedly cost Burnley. In first-half injury time they failed to clear a corner, allowing Maddison time on the ball to get to the byline. His cross, via a few deflections, landed at an unmarked Romero’s feet on the edge of the box. From there Romero picked out the top corner.
Burnley switched to a back five but it did little to change proceedings. There were three chances in the first four minutes after half-time as the redesigned defence was pulled apart, first by Maddison’s precise goal and later by Son’s composure inside the box, adding a fourth and fifth. Some home fans stayed to boo Maddison off late on but fewer saw Josh Brownhill’s consolation.
“I’ve only got to know him recently but he’s a very strong, resilient guy,” Postecoglou said of Maddison. “He’s mentally strong and he likes, not to be targeted, but he wants the ball and he wants to be in those situations and has that quality.”
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Postecoglou and Kompany are in the infancy of their Premier League managerial careers but the Australian seems to have the perfect blueprint, while his Belgian counterpart will be looking at turning things around after securing no points and conceding 11 goals in three matches.
“I don’t think anyone is naive going into this division, we know it is a challenge,” Kompany said. “If you look at the total amount of points the three promoted teams have got this season, you realise that every game is going to be tough. At times, especially in the second half, we weren’t able to compete.”
