Premier League 2019/20: Sheffield United vs Tottenham – tactical analysis

Before this match started, Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur were only separated by one point in the Premier League. Both teams had the same goal: secure three points and get closer to the European zone. Sheffield were looking for a resurrection, as they lost all three games since the restart; not to mention conceding eight goals in just eight days. Oppositely, Tottenham’s mood was on the rise. After drawn by Manchester United at home, they managed to win convincingly against city rival West Ham United just four days after.

This match turned out to be more dramatic than expected. Harry Kane’s controversially disallowed equaliser was the main reason for that. Furthermore, Kane even netted four times in this game, but only one was considered legal. From a tactical perspective, both managers put an interesting duel despite poor performance from some of Spurs players. Without further ado, this tactical analysis will inform you how the match unfolded.

Lineups

Chris Wilder chose the usual 5–3–2 for his team. Dean Henderson returned in between the sticks with the trio of Chris Basham, John Egan, and Jack Robinson in front of him. Winter recruit Sander Berge started in midfield alongside Oliver Norwood and Ben Osborn. The duo of Oliver McBurnie and David McGoldrick started upfront. Sheffield’s bench was filled with players like Lys Mousset and Kieron Freeman.

In the opposite side, José Mourinho opted for 4–2–3–1. The centre-back pairing of Dávinson Sánchez and Eric Dier was flanked by Serge Aurier and Ben Davies in the defensive line. Moving forward, the trio of Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn, and Son Heung-min provide attacking support for talisman Kane. Names like Jan Vertonghen, Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, and Tanguy Ndombélé had to start the game from the dugout.