“Very Accurate”- Alan Shearer makes surprise bold goalscoring prediction for Dominic Solanke
Tottenham Hotspur made an impressive comeback to secure a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, displaying resilience and skill under Ange Postecoglou’s leadership. Initially trailing at halftime due to a well-taken goal by Morgan Rogers, Spurs equalized shortly after the break when Brennan Johnson found the net in the 49th minute. However, it was Dominic Solanke who stole the spotlight, delivering a remarkable performance that demonstrated his knack for being in the right place at the right time.
In the 75th minute, Solanke received a precise pass from Dejan Kulusevski and, with a calm finish, chipped the ball delicately over Aston Villa’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, putting Spurs in the lead. But Solanke wasn’t finished. Just four minutes later, he capitalized on another chance, slotting the ball home from close range to extend Tottenham’s advantage. The show was then completed by James Maddison, who curled in a beautiful free-kick late in the game to seal a convincing win.
This stellar performance has drawn praise from Premier League icon Alan Shearer, who believes Solanke is set for a standout season with Tottenham. The £65 million summer signing has now netted five goals across 13 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, ending a six-game goal drought dating back to Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Manchester United in September. Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, lauded Solanke’s striking form, expressing confidence in the forward’s potential to become a prolific goalscorer in Postecoglou’s attack-focused setup.
“With the way Spurs play and the chances they create, I would expect him to get at least 20 goals this season,” Shearer said. He highlighted Solanke’s clinical first goal, describing it as a “brilliant finish.” Shearer noted how Son Heung-min’s delivery and Johnson’s positioning helped set the tone for Tottenham’s attack, predicting Solanke will thrive with such creative players around him.
The praise didn’t stop there. Gary Lineker, former England and Tottenham forward, echoed Shearer’s sentiments, commending Solanke’s journey and growth as a player. Lineker pointed out the challenges Solanke faced earlier in his career with Chelsea and Liverpool, where he struggled for regular playing time. However, Solanke’s resilience and hard work paid off at Bournemouth, where he found his scoring touch, netting 19 Premier League goals for the Cherries last season. Lineker appreciates Solanke’s mental strength and development over the years, calling him a “slow developer” who has now come into his own.
“I like him a lot,” Lineker stated. “He’s shown that he’s capable of leading the line and scoring important goals. He’s gone through setbacks but has come out stronger. I think he’s well-suited to this Spurs side and will be crucial for them this season.”
Both pundits emphasized that, with the attacking support from players like Kulusevski, Son, and Maddison, Solanke could indeed reach—and possibly surpass—20 goals this season, solidifying his role as Tottenham’s primary striker. His journey from struggling young talent to key player for Spurs is a testament to his perseverance and adaptability, which now looks set to pay dividends as Tottenham chase success under Postecoglou’s exciting style of play.