Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin helped Tottenham keep a clean sheet in the 5-0 victory over Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur fans enjoyed a memorable trip down the South Coast on Sunday after witnessing their side demolish Southampton.
The North Londoners headed into the game at the St Mary’s Stadium off the back of a five-game winless run across all competitions. The recent run of results had put Ange Postecoglou under some pressure, but his boys turned up against the hapless Southampton side. They scored five goals in the first half for the first time in a Premier League match as they ran riot at the St Mary’s Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou was forced to field a rather makeshift Tottenham team against Southampton with teenager Archie Gray partnering Radu Dragusin in central defence. Injuries to Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies meant the Greek-Aussie tactician had no option but to be creative again when picking his backline. And he chose Archie Gray to fill in at centre-back.
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Radu Dragusin was solid against Southampton
This was just the third time Gray operated as a centre-back for Tottenham, having played at both full-back positions earlier this season. And the prodigious Englishman didn’t put a foot wrong in the game alongside Radu Dragusin, helping Tottenham keep a clean sheet away from home which has been so difficult this term.
Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold was dissecting Spurs’ dismantling of Southampton on his YouTube channel on Monday. He was delighted with how both Gray and Dragusin performed on the night and kept the Saints at bay.
“As the game wore on and Southampton had a couple of second-half opportunities, mostly Spurs kept them at bay or played them offside. Archie Gray again doing everything possible as an 18-year-old alongside Radu Dragusin. I thought yeah I thought they both did well,” Alasdair Gold said on his YouTube channel.
Tottenham fans would have been utterly impressed by Gray’s display on Sunday. Operating as a left-sided centre-back in a back four this time around, it was another calm and mature display from the England youth international. He progressed the ball well, hand and 102 touches with a whooping 92% pass accuracy. The Durham-born talent won two out of two ground duels, blocked two shots and made one tackle and an interception apiece. (Stats courtesy: SofaScore)
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Gray’s partner at the back, Dragusin produced a commanding display too. The Romanian used his physicality and strength to bully the Southampton forwards, winning one ground duel as well as making four interceptions, one tackle and a clearance. He was good on the ball as well, completing four of six long balls with 92% pass accuracy. (Stats courtesy: SofaScore)
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A partnership is blooming between Gray and Dragusin which is a good sign moving forward. Let’s hope the duo continue in the same vein and keep Manchester United at bay in the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at home in midweek.