As the transfer window slammed shut on 31st August, all Premier League clubs knew their complete squads for the upcoming season. The table began to take shape in September with the regular suspects occupying the top and bottom halves of the table respectively. After the season’s first international break, Tottenham Hotspur returned to league action on 9th September with a trip to Goodison Park.
Tottenham Hotspur: September 2017
Wembley Hoodoo Fades
Everton 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Having scored twice over the international break, Harry Kane was looking for his first league goal of the season. He found that previously elusive goal before the half-hour mark when his mis-hit cross flew in over the helpless Pickford in goal. Christian Eriksen added a second before half-time and Kane rounded off the scoring at the beginning of the second half.
Davinson Sanchez made his debut for the club in this convincing victory. Kane’s first goal of the game was his 100th for Spurs after just 169 games for the club. Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with the result: “I think we fully deserved the victory and maybe we had different chances to score more goals but I am so happy as 3-0 is a very good result for us.”
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Swansea City
It was another frustrating day at Wembley for Spurs as they were held to a stalemate by Swansea. The chances were plentiful for Spurs. The best shot of their 26 in total was that of Harry Kane whose effort grazed the bar on its way over. Spurs also had a number of penalty shouts turned down. Toby Alderweireld and Jordan Ayew both felt they were fouled in the area after Olsson appeared to handle the ball in the box earlier in the game.
This game was the first time in 30 home games that Spurs failed to score. Serge Aurier and Fernando Llorente came off the bench to make their debuts.
West Ham United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham picked up their first London Derby victory of the season in the stadium where their title challenge ended the season before. First-half goals from Harry Kane (two) saw Spurs lead 2-0 at the break. Christian Eriksen added a third on the hour mark. Chicharito pulled a goal back for the Hammers just before Serge Aurier was sent off for a second bookable offence. Cheikhou Kouyate‘s late headed goal made it a nervy ending but Spurs held on.
Huddersfield Town 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham kept up their outstanding away form as they swept newly-promoted Huddersfield side. Harry Kane continued his sizzling form as he struck twice early on. Ben Davies also found the back of the net as Spurs raced into a 3 goal lead after just 23 minutes. It was a quiet afternoon after that, with Moussa Sissoko scoring his first goal for Spurs in injury time.
Having been disappointing away from home in 20160-17, this was Spurs’ third consecutive away win at the start of the season. Harry Kane was racing towards Alan Shearer‘s record for most PL goals in a calendar year. Kane said, “It’s nice. I feel good, I feel confident when these boys are up the pitch putting in good crosses and through balls and I’m just there to put them away. I’m delighted with the win, it’s been a great week for the team, and we’ve just got to continue that after the international break.”
Spurs ended the month in 3rd place, five points behind both of the Manchester clubs. They also had a very successful few weeks in their cup competitions as wins against Borussia Dortmund and APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League saw them top their group. They also progressed in the Carabao Cup after defeating Barnsley at Wembley.