Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk

Tottenham Hotspur were back in the North London sun this afternoon and treated the home fans to a special performance as they put five goals past Shakhtar Donetsk.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:

Tottenham’s newest potential signing was spotted at the stadium today, watching on as his future teammates scored five goals, but perhaps more interestingly failed to earn a clean sheet. Ben Davies and Cristian Romero let the Shakhtar goalscorer drift between them, and Van de Ven will be hoping to plug some of the gaps we saw all too often last season.

Many loyal Spurs supporters turned up today knowing it could be the last time they see Harry Kane in the Lilywhite shirt, but few would have expected four goals from their main man. Kane showed exactly why Spurs fans want him to stay, and exactly why Bayern Munich are prepared to pay so much for him. Chants of ‘he’s one of our own’ and ‘we want you to stay’ were heard among the 50,000-plus fans all game long. But what now?

This is the first consistent look we have got of James Maddison filling that old Christian Eriksen role with that old Christian Eriksen quality.

The man was everywhere today! Not only is Postecoglou giving him a license to get forward and make runs into the box, but also drop back between the centre-backs and orchestrate attacks from deep. He did both superbly today. Some of the gaps he managed to squeeze through with the ball at his feet were mesmerising. Spurs have made a great signing there.

Tottenham Hotspur’s English midfielder James Maddison applauds as he is substituted during the pre-season friendly football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, on August 6, 2023.

Spurs fans have had to sit back and watch while the likes of Liverpool play high-press football over the past few years, with Mourinho and Conte instead opting for a more reserved approach. Well, today, Spurs were suffocating. Shakhtar weren’t given a moment’s rest on the ball in their own third, and a number of Spurs attacks came from winning the ball high up the pitch. Remember, this is a Shakhtar side who have already started their season too, against a Tottenham team with barely 90 minutes in the tank. I can’t wait to see how this evolves!

A big moment for Dane –

Coming through the academy and then scoring a goal like that in front of over 50,000 people in your home stadium – that must be one incredible feeling. Postecoglou clearly likes the look of the lad, even if Scarlett is likely to go out on loan. I’m sure he will be hungrier than ever to repeat that kind of goal in more competitive matches in the coming years. He looks to be an exciting talent, that’s for sure.