Alderweireld and Vertonghen

Sensing danger, awareness, getting their foot in, blocking shots, fullbacks blocking crosses is something you don't associate with Tottenham over the last few years according to ex Manchester United right-back Gary Neville.

He felt the attention to detail of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, their covering positions particularly in the last 25 minutes when we were under the strongest pressure of the match was brilliant. Manchester City put two central strikers against them and they handled it with aplomb.

He makes a point about defenders liking to be lazy at the back and yesterday neither were lazy in their play. They were aggressive and quick in everything they were doing, regardless of which way the ball was going, forward or back.

With the two centre-backs pushing forward the midfield were able to push forward. Together with Walker and Rose Spurs probably have the most consistent back four in the Premier League right now he feels.

As a defender himself he said he saw great defending yesterday as a team from Tottenham.

---