Tottenham Hotspur returned to league action for the first time under Postecoglou on Saturday afternoon with a home showdown with Sheffield United. Spurs completed a 5-2 win over newly promoted Burnley before the international break, while Sheffield United earned their first point at home with a 2-2 handshake with Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur's Postecoglou said after the game on September 2, 2023, when Tottenham Hotspur's second-round penalty shootout against Fulham ended in defeat, a loss that prevented Spurs from progressing towards the long-awaited trophy and saw Postecoglou's side fall behind to Lyle Foster's goal after just four minutes of the opening match against Burnley. However, Son's exquisite pick of the net and Cristian Romero's fierce long-range effort turned the game on its head just before half-time. And after the crowd-pleasing James Maddison found the bottom corner, Sun completed his hat-trick in the second half.
Josh Brownhill's last-minute goal for Burnley did nothing to dampen Tottenham's jubilation, and the game gave Spurs 10 of a possible 12 points in the 2023-24 Premier League season, further cementing their second place in the table.
Under Postecoglou, Spurs have scored at least two goals in all of their Premier League matches so far, totaling 11 goals. Only Manchester City have more points than Spurs, but are the only team to have scored more goals than Spurs, with a total of 12.
Tottenham's midfielders have been given a new lease of life, with veteran players playing excellent roles on the attacking end, and they couldn't be in a better position to prepare ahead of the North London Derby on September 24 and the big home game with Liverpool at the end of the month.
And Sheffield United's Cameron Archer and Gustavo Hamer's goal after Everton's Jordan Pickford scored an own goal and their celebrations when they play Everton on September 2, 2023 illustrate the situation.
Two weeks ago at Bramall Lane, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was Sheffield United's best friend and their worst enemy. Abdoulaye Doucoure scored his first Premier League goal of the season for the Toffees before Cameron Archer's pinpoint shot restored the Blades' equilibrium before they took the lead in a moment of great luck.
Archer's second hit the post before bouncing back off Pickford's back into the net - it was reminiscent of Emiliano's oopsie against Arsenal in February - but Arnaud Danyuma smashed one in at the back post to draw the scores level for Everton. Pickford then made a miraculous last-minute double save to keep out Ollie McBurnie's shot.
Although Paul Heckingbottom's men regret the likely result, a point is better than their first three Premier League games. Currently in 17th place, the Blades are currently relying on goal difference to keep their heads above water.
Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur can resonate over their early elimination from the EFL Cup as Sheffield United lost a 12-yard duel against Lincoln City before earning a point against Everton. Furthermore, four of the visitors' last five games have ended in defeat.
In the 2020-21 Premier League season, Tottenham Hotspur won both of their games against Sheffield United comfortably by 3-1 and 4-0 scores, while Sheffield United were relegated in the competition. But just six months ago, Spurs were unable to make it to the fifth round of the FA Cup when they were beaten by Heckingbottom's side thanks to a goal from Eliman Ndiaye.
Tottenham Hotspur probable starting XI: Vicario; Polo, Romero, van der Ven, Udoogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kruczewski, Maddison, Solomon; Sun
Sheffield United probable starting XI: Fordringham; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Hamer, Sousa, Norwood, Thomas; Archer, McBurnie
What We Expect: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Sheffield United While the international day would have been a much better break for Sheffield United, we think Postecoglou's Spurs will pick up where they left off. Numerous injury concerns in defense have certainly dealt the Blades a final blow ahead of their trip to North London, and another big win is certainly on the cards for the Spurs in white.
