Tottenham Hotspur didn't beat Manchester United, and while that will sting a little bit after watching Matthijs de Ligt bury another back post header to sink Spurs comeback hopes, the reality is that Spurs should be happy they even got a point out of this game on the back of how they actually performed.
Spurs started the game with a lineup that put them in a position to lose, and fans couldn't help but feel their eyes burn when they watched the left sided axis of Djed Spence and Richarlison bumble about the pitch. Thomas Frank's decision to hook Randal Kolo Muani off instead of Richy came with some derision after continued incompetence from the Brazilian international, though he did end up redeeming himself with a fluky, decisive goal.
But it was really the shot that Richarlison deflected, which may have gone in anyway, that was worth writing home about. It was from a young player who stepped in to the position on the left and significantly upgraded the team, producing another quietly fine performance to establish himself as a key figure in the rotation.
Tottenham were putrid, as anyone would expect, with Spence starting at left back and Richarlison trying to salvage his Spurs career on the left wing (instead of striker). They were reborn when the actual best options at those positions, Destiny Udogie and Odobert, were introduced into the game.
Destiny Udogie is a nailed-on starter
It's a mistake Frank will hopefully make for the last time, and if he has any sense at all, it will be the last time Spence is trotted out there over Udogie. Maybe Frank didn't think Udogie was 100 percent ready for a full 90 minutes, because that's the only valid excuse for starting Spence, who is legitimately one of the worst starters in the entire Premier League because of how overrated he is defensively and how objectionally poor he is at the most important job of the left back, which is progressing the ball forward.
Odobert, meanwhlie, is a less obvious inclusion than Udogie, but there's no real alternative on the left wing. Mathys Tel came off the bench and scored, too, but the jury is still out on his fit as a left winger vs. a striker. And regardless, Odobert has been the best wide creator on that left flank and the only real option to navigate the right spaces and produce chances.