Fulham

Sanchez blew me away – Crooks

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Image for Sanchez blew me away – Crooks

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks was blown away by Davinson Sanchez and how he “brilliantly” handled Aleksandar Mitrovic in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.

The Colombian featured in a three-man Spurs defence as they overcame a defiant home side at Craven Cottage courtesy of a last-gasp Harry Winks goal.

Ex-Spurs striker Crook claims Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen escaped without a scratch after leaving Sanchez to cope with dangerman Mitrovic.

“Claudio Ranieri’s expression at the end of his Fulham side’s encounter with Spurs said it all. With a face like thunder he stormed off the pitch. The hosts deserved a point. Harry Winks might have got the winner but it was left to Davinson Sanchez to deal with the threat of Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and he did it brilliantly,” Crooks wrote, as he named the Colombian in his BBC Sport team of the week.

“It was like a heavyweight contest but with poor old Sanchez having to punch well above his weight. Meanwhile Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld left the field without a scratch. Both of them should give Sanchez half of their wages. Protection money.”

OPINION

What a performance from Sanchez against Fulham. The centre-back does not have the technical ability or ball-playing class of Belgian masters Alderweireld and Vertonghen, but he is a favourite of Mauricio Pochettino because he doesn’t half like a scrap and can be relied upon to get down and dirty with the best of them. Sanchez had to be up for the fight against Mitrovic, an old-fashioned eastern European bruiser who is a massive threat in the penalty box. The physical battle between the pair was one of the highlights of an absorbing encounter, and demonstrated the immense potential of the Spurs 22-year-old. He has been in and out of the starting XI in the last few months, partly due to a hamstring problem, but demonstrated against Fulham why Pochettino’s decision to field a three-man defence was such a shrewd one. With barely a midfielder to call upon, the manager fielded his best three centre-backs. A smart move that reaped dividends.

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