Goals from Nacer Chadli, Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend secured a much needed win for Spurs despite a late Swansea fight back.
Things got off to a perfect start for Spurs. Danny Rose whipped a cross into the box, which was rifled in from Nacer Chadli with a side footed volley. The strike gave Fabianski in the Swansea goal absolutely no chance.
However, Swansea were to stun Spurs just over ten minutes later. Gyli Sigurdsson’s free kick cannoned off the post, only for Neil Taylor to punt it back in and Ki Seung Yeung to prod it home. Swansea hadn’t had too many chances but they took it when it came around.
However soon after one of the main talking points occurred. Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis appeared to collapse on the half way line. Conclusions were being jumped to that it could be a shocking repeat of Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane back in 2012. Thankfully he soon regained conciousness and Swansea City Football Club have later confirmed that it wasn’t serious and have said he is “fine”.
Tottenham were desperate to get themselves back in front. Ryan Mason driving a low shot towards goal, however it was a fairly simple save for Fabianski diving down to his left. There were no more clear cut chances in the half, although Tottenham looked the more likely team to score. The teams went it at half time level with the score 1-1.
It was clear Swansea manager Garry Monk had got his players fired up for the second half. Jonjo Shelvey showing confidence when he smashed a 25 yard shot towards Hugo Lloris’ goal, the French goalkeeper just about tipped it over the bar. That was the closest Swansea had come without scoring. Swansea had also moved wide man Wayne Routledge more centrally to start running at Spurs’ centre halves.
However it was Mauricio Pochettino’s team who was to re-take the lead on 51 minutes, ex Swindon loanee Ryan Mason with the goal. Christian Eriksen made a jinking run into the box before laying it off to Mason who thumped it home. Just past the hour mark Tottenham increased their advantage. Andros Townsend running half the length of the pitch before scoring a magical individual goal. A nice twist and turn in the box from Townsend before blasting into the top corner.
Gylfi Sigurdsson tried hard to get the Swans back in the contest. He couldn’t repeat his earlier near miss free kick, his next effort on 63 minutes not beating a solid Tottenham wall. At this stage there looked to be only one winner and it wasn’t Swansea.
However on 88 minutes, Swansea suddenly had a glimmer of hope. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s right footed shot into the corner of the goal created anxiety around White Hart Lane. The Welsh side now had momentum, Federico Fernandez forced a world class save out of Hugo Lloris in stoppage time. It wasn’t enough though and this win gives now gives Spurs a real chance of finishing in the top four.