Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino saw his side come from behind to win at Hull City

Published: 23 November, 2014 
By DAN CARRIER

Premier League 
HULL CITY 1, SPURS 2

SPURS performed a smash-and-grab performance away from home this afternoon (Sunday) against a 10-man Hull City team who played for 40 minutes a man down after Gaston Ramirez got his marching orders after tangling with Jan Vertonghen.  

Christian Eriksen hit a last-minute winner in the 2-1 victory that takes his side back into the top half of the table, and Eriksen said afterwards it could act as a springboard to close the gap on the top four. Spurs now sit 10th – just two points off Manchester United in fourth.

“We started slowly, but by the end of the first half we got some pressure and played well going forward," said Eriksen. "Of course, the red card helped us and gave us more space. We believe we can build on this and be in there."

The game hinged on the 50th-minute red card after Ramirez lashed out at Vertonghen after being shoved over by Ryan Mason. Up till then, Spurs had done little. 

On eight minutes, former Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore seized on indecisive defending and hammered home from range. 

With three changes to the back four, the Spurs defence looked like they might concede more whenever Hull threatened. On 20, a double save from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris kept his team in it, while a lack of width meant the forward line were forced into dead ends when they did have possession. 

On 50, Spurs were given a boost when Ramirez was shown a red and the tide began to turn. On 61, an Eriksen free-kick from 25 yards struck a post and fell for Harry Kane. He side-footed the rebound home. 

On 66, Roberto Soldado shot narrowly wide, and then Kane missed a header from a yard out. The clock ticked down and it seemed like Spurs would not get the three points that their possession, if not performance, deserved. 

Then came the crucial second, as a measured build-up in the dying seconds saw Eriksen finish from the edge of the box. It was a last-gasp winner from a Spurs side who struggled to impose themselves when playing 11 on 11. But Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will not mind – the three points dragged his team kicking and screaming into the top half of the table.  

SPURS: Lloris, Dier (Chiriches, h/t), Vertonghen, Fazio, Davies, Eriksen, Dembele (Lennon 58), Lamela, Soldado (Paulinho, 78), Kane, Mason.
Subs: Vorm, Lennon, Paulinho, Chiriches, Stambouli, Ceballos, Ball.