Tudor must bench 68-touch Spurs star who was embarrassed by Archie Gray

It might have come all too late after the chaos of last week, yet Tottenham Hotspur tasted that winning feeling again following Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Following on from the weekend draw at Anfield, there was a renewed vigour about Igor Tudor‘s men on the night, having edged into the lead courtesy of Randal Kolo Muani’s bullet header.

The comeback might well have been on had Mathys Tel converted a gilt-edged chance soon after, albeit with the Frenchman seeing his effort denied by Atleti’s stand-in stopper, Juan Musso.

That proligacy was punished after the break courtesy of Julian Alvarez, with even some Xavi Simons heroics unable to spark a true fightback as David Hancko glanced home to make it 2-2.

Simons’ last-gasp spot-kick did prove enough to seal the win on the night, at least, and a first of Tudor’s interim tenure, with Tottenham’s young core having come to the fore on the big stage.

Spurs’ young stars sparkle against Atleti

So often a team will look to their experienced heads to steer them out of a rocky patch, yet at N17, it might well be the youth which lifts Spurs to safety if Wednesday is anything to go by.

Indeed, starting with Simons, the Dutchman – who curled home to make it 2-1 – was electric all night, having come close to registering an assist for both Tel and Pedro Porro either side of the break.

Speaking of assists, Spurs’ early opener had come following a delightful dinked cross by the aforementioned Tel from the right flank, with the Frenchman expertly picking out compatriot Kolo Muani at the back post.

Archie Gray‘s own assist for Simons’ stunner also deserves a mention, with the 20-year-old pouncing in midfield before flicking the ball into the playmaker’s path, thus becoming the fourth youngest Englishman to assist a Champions League goal in the knockout stage.

On what was also the youngster’s 7th start in the competition this season, having moved ahead of Dele Alli as the Spurs player with the most Champions League starts before the age of 21, the midfielder was simply superb, dominating proceedings in his box-to-box role.

In all, Gray added to his assist by successfully completing two of his three attempted dribbles, while registering two key passes, having played with a real purpose and confidence that seemingly belied his years.

That youthful trio led the charge on what was a wholly positive night for the Lilywhites, although not everyone sparkled quite the same.

Tudor must now bench Spurs star who was outshone by Gray

With Tudor collecting his first win, there really wasn’t much in the way of negatives as far as the Croatian is concerned, with the 47-year-old quietly quashing the doubters amid a positive few days after the prior debacle in Madrid.

If there is to be any concern for the former Juventus boss, it might well be the display of the man alongside Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, with the performances of the pair having been chalk and cheese.

While the younger man was a delight to watch, Sarr endured a far more muted outing in the centre of the park, having struggled to put his stamp on proceedings.

Spurs Player Ratings vs Atleti
Player	Rating
GK – Vicario	7/10
RWB – Porro	7/10
RCB – Dragusin	6/10
CB – Romero	6/10
LCB – Van de Ven	7/10
LWB – Spence	6/10
CM – Gray	9/10
CM – Sarr	5/10
RAM – Simons	9/10
LAM – Tel	8/10
ST – Kolo Muani	7/10

The 23-year-old was certainly outshone and outclassed by Gray, potentially even embarrassed by the 20-year-old having been streets ahead with regard to his performance levels.

That may appear a harsh assessment, although it was Sarr who failed to engage with Hancko for what proved something of a killer blow for Spurs’ slim comeback hopes, with the Mali midfielder beaten at the near post by the Atleti defender.

Out of possession, Sarr did largely match Gray’s impact, with the pair recovering possession eight and nine times, respectively, although it was on the ball where the difference in quality was evident.

That was seen in the fact that Sarr failed to register a single key pass, while failing to successfully complete a single dribble, with the game having somewhat passed him by, even as Tottenham took control of proceedings.

The 68-touch talent does typically provide that real relentless, non-stop quality to Spurs’ midfield, yet it was Gray who set the tone on this occasion, with Sarr left trailing in his wake, it must be said.

With former Atleti man Conor Gallagher an option to consider as a possible replacement heading into the weekend, Sarr could find himself out of the side for the vital clash with Nottingham Forest, having been one of the few not to stake his claim last night.