Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa. Premier League.
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Tanguy Ndombele scores brilliant goal to equalise after John McGinn's early opener
Sunday 11 August 2019 19:36, UK
Harry Kane scored two late goals to ensure Tottenham avoided an opening-day upset as they won 3-1 against Aston Villa.
Newly-promoted Villa took a shock lead in the ninth minute when John McGinn finished past Hugo Lloris.
Spurs raised their level in the second half and eventually equalised with a brilliant strike from club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele in the 73rd minute.
Kane then put Spurs ahead in the 86th minute before adding another shortly afterwards.
The third goal put the game beyond Villa, who had battled hard and threatened to deal an early setback to Spurs' season before tiring under increasing pressure late in the game.
Spurs started positively as Lucas Moura twice went close inside the opening five minutes, but were then caught out as Villa took the lead.
A long ball forward from Tyrone Mings bounced through for McGinn, who took it in his stride and then finished past Hugo Lloris after beating Danny Rose.
Spurs struggled to create chances in response and Villa could have extended their lead as Trezeguet saw a shot blocked and then got into the box again and was denied by Lloris.
It took until late in the first half for Spurs to go close, but Kane headed over the bar from six yards out.
Spurs upped their level after the break - especially after Christian Eriksen was introduced - as they pinned Villa back inside their own half.
Moussa Sissoko shot wide from a brilliant position at the back post before the impressive Mings blocked from Kane and then prevented Erik Lamela from scoring after Tom Heaton was caught out of his box.
However, a brilliant 25-yard strike from Ndombele proved the catalyst for Spurs to snatch victory.
Heaton kept the scores level for a few minutes longer with a fine save from Christian Eriksen's free-kick, but Kane struck in the 86th minute after Lamela won the ball from Jack Grealish, before wrapping up the win with a low finish across goal.
Harry Kane speaking to Sky Sports: "The tempo of the game changed in the second half. We pressed higher and moved the ball quicker. After we made it 1-1, it was full throttle until the end.
"We know what Christian's like, and when he came on he dictated the pace, and I made my movement off him."
Villa managed to largely keep Kane quiet until the final stages, but the striker made the most of the late chances that fell his way. He reacted quickly to put Spurs ahead and then produced a clinical finish from the edge of the box to make sure of victory.
Mauricio Pochettino: "We conceded really early. I think we started well and we created a few chances but with their first long ball, we conceded and I think that started to change everything. We were a little bit confused, which is my fault because I am the manager, and I think we made a lot of mistakes and it didn't work in the first half."
Dean Smith: "You look at Tottenham's physicality and I thought that was the difference in the last 20 minutes of the game. We know about their quality but physically they're very strong and we kept giving it away. Ultimately it became a hard game for us in the second half."
Spurs face a trip to Manchester City next Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports (5.30pm), while Villa host Bournemouth on Saturday (3pm).
