Spurs back on track as Sherwood finds winning formula

Tottenham 3 Stoke City 0

Sherwood has been in charge for almost two weeks but this was the first time his team have played with real control and intelligence.

Their previous games have resembled dodgems, as ludicrously attacking line-ups were sent out to engage in a slugfest with the likes of Southampton (which they won) and West Ham (which they lost).

Yesterday, with Paulinho and Mousa Dembele pulling the strings in central midfield this was a mature performance as they blew Stoke away in the second-half.

True, they had their moments of good fortune, particularly when referee Kevin Friend inexplicably decided not to award a penalty for Michael Dawson’s foul on Oussama Assaidi with the score at 0-0.

But from the moment that Friend correctly awarded the hosts a penalty for a handball by Ryan Shawcross, the result was beyond doubt.

There will be much harder tests to come than a threadbare Stoke side suffering a hangover from their 5-1 defeat to Newcastle last time out, and we will find out a lot more about Sherwood and his side when they travel to Old Trafford on New Year’s Day.

Ultimately, though, this was an encouraging day as they won a home game by the biggest margin since February 2012, and one which Sherwood revelled in.

“They’re happy when they win, they don’t care what style it is,” said the manager when asked about his different approach “If you can find the right ingredients to get that win. I like to play with risk.

“Though with all due respect to Stoke, there are going to be tougher tests ahead and we have to try to find the right formula for playing against the bigger teams. We have to assess what Man United are coming with. We know they’re going to be very good. We can’t be lambs to the slaughter.”

Stoke manager Mark Hughes was understandably furious about the penalty decision, but after their hammering at St James’ Park this has been a tough festive period for the Welshman.

“In terms of the quality on show and the way Spurs played we found it difficult to get anywhere near them,” admitted Hughes, although Assaidi was more assertive regarding his penalty.

“He contacted me,” said the winger. “If he contacts me I think it was a penalty. I don’t know why he give this [(Tottenham’s] penalty – what can Ryan do, must he cut his hands [off]?”

Sherwood’s team selections have raised eyebrows but here he was a little more pragmatic with his decision-making – and it certainly worked.

That said, they were certainly fortunate not to concede a penalty when Dawson hacked down Assaidi inside the penalty area as the winger cut inside and prepared to shoot. They took full advantage of that good fortune, winning a penalty of their own shortly before half-time.

On this occasion referee Friend had little choice but to point to the spot as Shawcross saved Adebayor’s volley with both hands.

Roberto Soldado has had no trouble from 12 yards this season and put away his fourth penalty of the season.

Yet he has had rather more trouble from open play. That was emphasised on the hour mark when firing the ball into the ground from just six yards when Aaron Lennon’s pull-back gave him almost the entire goal to aim at. It was a poor miss.

The hosts needed a second goal, but they did not need to wait long to get it. When it came it was a fine individual effort, Dembele twisting past Steven N’Zonzi and finding the far corner from 22 yards out.

The third came just four minutes later as the ball was worked out to Lennon, whose shot found the far corner of the net via a slight deflection off Erik Pieters.

Erik Lamela could have made it four but was denied by Sorensen as the game drifted to a close. It was rather comfortable for Sherwood and his Spurs in the end.

TOTTENHAM: Lloris 7, Naughton 7, Chiriches 7, Dawson 7, Fryers 8, Lennon 8 (Lamela, 75), Paulinho 9 (Capoue, 62; 7), Dembele 9, Eriksen 7, Adebayor 7 (Chadli, 80; 6), Soldado 6.

STOKE CITY: Sorensen 7, Pieters 6, Wilkinson 6 (Muniesa, 81; 6), Shawcross 5, Cameron 7, Palacios 6 (Pennant, 69; 6), N’Zonzi 6, Assaidi 6, Ireland 5 (Adam, 50; 5), Walters 6, Crouch 5.

Referee: Kevin Friend.