Following an international break at the beginning of October, Tottenham had a month of mixed emotions. Following a strong September, they had big games in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup coming up. As the new stadium began to take shape, Harry Kane and company looked to settle into their temporary home.
Tottenham Hotspur: October 2017, Spurs Climb Premier League Table
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Bournemouth
At the fourth time of asking, Spurs finally managed to pick up their first league win at Wembley. Christian Eriksen‘s goal early on in the second half was enough to defeat Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. A first league goal at Wembley continued to elude Harry Kane, but he was definitely happy to get the first win under their belt.
Mauricio Pochettino was overjoyed with the win at the national stadium: “The team played well. It was difficult to find the space. We had a lot of time on the ball but could not break down the opponent. In the second half we found better positions and moved the ball quickly, it was much better. We are always suffering if you don’t score the second goal. It was good, not great, but enough to win the three points. I am delighted we have won but it is impossible to stop you asking me about Wembley.”
Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Liverpool
Tottenham’s recent poor form against the Merseysiders came to an end in emphatic fashion. After Harry Kane and Heung-min Son shot Spurs into an early lead, they were pegged back by a Mohamed Salah goal. A second mistake of the half by Dejan Lovren allowed Dele Alli to restore Tottenham’s two-goal advantage before the break. Kane’s second of the match rounded off the scoring before the hour mark.
It was clear that Tottenham’s confidence was building at their temporary home, and Pochettino was quick to acknowledge this. After the game, he said, “The team is starting to build confidence at Wembley. It is important to make this feel like home, it is key for us. It seems like we are starting to show that here.”
Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
For the third season in a row, Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford. This time, it was a late Anthony Martial goal that was the difference between the two teams. Without the injured Harry Kane, Spurs offered very little going forward. Their only chances were squandered by Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
Pochettino thought the game was a very even one, and that his team didn’t deserve to lose: “It was an even game. It was a shame to lose. The chances were for one and then the other. It was a tough game and I think we deserved more. We contained United very well. Always we were in control of the game.”
After the month of October, Spurs were third in the table behind the two Manchester clubs. As well as this, they also recorded a historical draw at the Bernabeu to continue their unbeaten start to the Champions League campaign. On a bad note, they threw away a 2-0 lead to West Ham at Wembley with the eventual 3-2 defeat signalling the end of their Carabao Cup hopes.