Sunday 16 August 2015 10:22, UK
Stoke denied Tottenham their first win of the season as a late second-half fightback saw them snatch a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.
First-half strikes from Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli appeared to have earned the hosts all three points but Marko Arnautovic’s 78th-minute penalty, followed by Mame Biram Diouf's header five minutes later, rounded off a dramatic turnaround for the Potters after Spurs had lost Harry Kane to injury.
Spurs, who looked intent at bouncing back from last week’s defeat at Manchester United, started the game the brighter of the two sides.
Only Stoke ‘keeper Jack Butland prevented them from opening the scoring inside the opening ten minutes, twice denying the influential Christian Eriksen low to his left and then palming the midfielder's free-kick away from goal.
At the other end, Hugo Lloris almost handed the visitors the opening goal as Diouf failed to capitalise on his casual clearance, and Ryan Mason raced back to block Marco van Ginkel’s effort.
But Spurs were soon rewarded for their bright start when Dier rose highest at the near-post to head home Eriksen’s corner on 19 minutes.
Stoke, who also kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 defeat, at home to Liverpool, looked disjointed and rarely threatened the hosts.
Yet they rallied as the interval approached and they should have been level when Diouf headed straight at Lloris on the brink of half time.
Kane played a delightful lofted ball over the Stoke defence for Mason, who was denied by Butland. But the Potters were made to pay for Diouf’s miss moments earlier as Spurs doubled their lead.
Ben Davies raced to the byline in first-half stoppage time and pitched a ball to far post where Chadli sent a volley into the far corner, courtesy of a deflection off Erik Pieters.
Butland’s point-blank save to deny Kane early in the second half gave Stoke the platform to haul themselves back into contention.
Mark Hughes used his substitutes to great effect after the interval, with the inclusion of Stephen Ireland and debutant Joselu, coupled with Kane leaving the field with a suspected calf injury, turning the game in favour of the visitors.
Joselu's smart turn in the area saw him hurled to the ground by Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld on his home debut, handing Stoke a route back into the game as Arnautovic rifled home from 12 yards.
Revitalised by their first goal of the season, the Potters were soon level as Ireland whipped in a beautiful cross for Diouf to glance home from close-range.
Stoke battered the Spurs goal in the final stages but could not find a way through as they had to settle for an unexpected, yet welcomed, point at Spurs.
Soccer Saturday verdict - Phil Thompson
At 2-0, you're probably thinking 'well, we're cruising here' - but the Premier League is not like that. You take your foot off the gas and it happens. But Spurs do need help up front, the nearest they had on the bench was Dele Alli as being anywhere near someone who might get a goal. Chadli went up front and Lamela came on, but the impetus had been lost and Stoke were getting stronger.
This was a Spurs side that should have been cruising. They should have had this well buried. They had that change with Harry Kane and perhaps they lost a little bit of confidence.
Player ratings
Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (6), Alderweireld (6), Vertonghen (7), Davies (7), Dier (8), Mason (8), Dembele (7), Eriksen (7), Chadli (7), Kane (7).
Subs: Lamela (5), Bentaleb (5).
Stoke City: Butland (8), Johnson (6), Cameron (6), Muniesa (6), Pieters (7), van Ginkel (7), Whelan (6), Arnautovic (7), Walters (6), Afellay (6), Diouf (7).
Subs: Ireland (8) Joselu (7), Adam (5).
Man of the match: Stephen Ireland (Stoke City)
