Tottenham player ratings: Spurs massacred at Manchester City

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Eric Dier-5

Pochettino has frequently said Dier has the potential to be one of the best centre backs in Europe. You certainly wouldn’t know it by his poor performance against City.

The Englishman put in an adequate performance in the first half, but he was a tire fire during the second 45 minutes. Dier’s struggles were epitomized by his comical attempt to clear the ball late in the second stanza which gifted Raheem Sterling an absurdly easy goal.

Jan Vertonghen-6

It’s hard to give Vertonghen a terrific rating when Spurs give up four goals. With that being said, Vertonghen wasn’t really at fault for any of City’s successful attacks.

I suppose I was a bit disappointed that he didn’t do more to really galvanize the defense. It may be time to admit that “Super Jan” is never going to be a real leader. Toby Alderweireld is the only Belgian who seems capable of really being a leader for the Spurs back line.

With that being said, Vertonghen is an excellent cog in what is usually a stingy defense. He couldn’t do enough to stifle City on his own, but he played a decent enough match.

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