Eric Dier scored the lone goal as Tottenham returned to winning ways at home after beating 10-men Cardiff City 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday.
Spurs were without a home win in four games going into the match against Cardiff and despite the victory, coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side “need to improve a lot” as they go into a 10-day international break.
Cardiff, who had to play most of the second half with 10 men after Joe Ralls was sent off in the 58th minute, remain without a victory this season and currently lie at the bottom of the table. Tottenham, on the other, has 18 points after eight games – their joint best start to the season – and are just one point adrift the top two (Liverpool and Manchester City).
“We are one point off the top of the Premier League but we need to improve a lot,” Argentine coach Pochettino was quoted as saying by BBC. “Now we have two weeks before the next game – but it is a very tough schedule when we return.”
Centre-back Davinson Sanchez’ looping header from a set-piece was blocked by Joe Bennett but the ball fell into the path of England midfielder Dier, who slotted the ball home just eight minutes into the match for his first club goal since April 2017.
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Cardiff could have equalised midway into the first half but Toby Alderweireld cleared Josh Murphy’s effort on the goal-line.
Lucas Moura then had his shot cleared on the goal-line by Sean Morrison after Harry Kane’s header had looped up for the former PSG man immediately into the second half.
The visitors then dealt with a blow when Ralls was sent off after a heavy challenge on Moura. The Brazilian was central to most of Tottenham’s chances and should have scored late into the game, but failed to place his shot on target.
Morrison then came close to equalising for Cardiff but once again his header was cleared by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.