Tottenham Hotspur exacted revenge for their November defeat at home in emphatic fashion, dismantling Ipswich Town 4-1 at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon. This commanding victory marked Spurs’ third consecutive Premier League win, a feat they had yet to achieve this season, reinforcing their position in 12th place and boosting team morale.
Despite not starting the match with their best football, Ange Postecoglou’s men showed their attacking prowess by racing to a two-goal lead early in the first half, courtesy of Brennan Johnson’s quickfire double. The Welsh forward was clinical in front of goal, punishing Ipswich for their defensive lapses and setting the tone for Spurs’ dominance. However, the home side found a way back into the contest before halftime when Omari Hutchinson pulled one back, ensuring Tottenham had work to do in the second half to maintain their lead and secure the points.
Postecoglou’s halftime team talk seemingly had the desired effect, as Spurs emerged with renewed determination and energy. The breakthrough in the second half came in the 77th minute when Djed Spence restored the visitors’ two-goal cushion. The right-back capitalized on a well-crafted move initiated by substitute James Maddison, who injected creativity and precision into Tottenham’s attacking play. Just seven minutes later, Dejan Kulusevski put the game beyond doubt, hammering home an emphatic strike to seal a comprehensive 4-1 win for the North London outfit.
One of the standout aspects of the performance was the defensive solidity displayed by Spurs, particularly from Kevin Danso and Archie Gray. Despite failing to keep a clean sheet, the duo formed an impressive partnership at the back, effectively nullifying Ipswich’s attacking threats. Danso, who joined the club on loan from RC Lens in the January transfer window, has quickly established himself as a key figure in Tottenham’s defensive line. The 26-year-old Austrian was a rock at the back, following up his commanding display in the previous week’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United with another stellar performance, keeping Liam Delap quiet for most of the game.
Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for Danso’s resilience and leadership after the match. Speaking to Football London, the Spurs manager lauded the defender’s combative style and seamless integration into the squad, highlighting his importance amid the club’s ongoing defensive challenges.
“I think he [Danso] enjoys the whacks. He’s been great for us since he came in,” Postecoglou remarked. “He’s really taken to the club, taken to the group of players, taken on the challenge. It’s not easy when you’re coming into a new club, and we’re asking him to come in and almost be a senior member. We still had three teenagers out there starting today, and a fourth coming on. It’s still a really young team. I think Kevin’s been a super addition for us.”
Tottenham’s defensive struggles have been a recurring theme this season, largely due to the prolonged absences of first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, as well as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Their injuries left a gaping hole at the back, with Spurs conceding at an alarming rate. While Radu Dragusin was expected to step up in their absence, he has not fully convinced either the manager or the fans. Interestingly, Danso has emerged as the defensive reinforcement Tottenham desperately needed, offering a much-needed sense of stability and authority in the backline.
With momentum on their side and key players beginning to step up, Tottenham will look to build on this victory as they push for a strong finish to the season. Postecoglou’s side may still have improvements to make, particularly in tightening up defensively, but performances like this suggest they are heading in the right direction. If Kevin Danso continues his impressive form, he could prove to be one of the shrewdest acquisitions in the January transfer window, providing Spurs with the defensive resilience they have been sorely lacking.
Big Ange singles out one special player for praises ‘super addition’ who has fit right into Tottenham team and make the 3 wins in a row possible
