Tim Sherwood’s first game since being appointed permanent manager of Spurs ended in 1-1, with Christian Eriksen’s free kick earning a point against West Brom.
Eriksen’s goal was his first in the Premier League, but the Danish midfielder has an impressive 90% on target rating from ten shots on target. He’s an industry best price of 9/1 with 888sport.com to score first against Stoke.
Emmanuel Adebayor is enjoying a renaissance under Tim Sherwood, and has rewarded the new coach with two goals from four shots, and a 100% shots on target record.
Moussa Dembele has been at the heart of Spurs’ best defensive work this season, winning 91.78% of his 37 tackles attempted this season, the best tackles won percentage of all Premier League players who have attempted over 30 tackles this season.
Kyle Walker has been an attacking threat for Spurs all season, completing 543 passes in the opposition half, the most of any defender in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index and remarkably, the sixth highest overall. The second ranked defender, Angel Rangel, has completed just 371.
It was left back Danny Rose, however, who posed the greatest threat against West Brom. Rose delivered six crosses, more than any other player in the Boxing Day games.
Stoke suffered a tough Boxing Day game losing 5-1 to Newcastle, with red cards to Marc Wilson and Glenn Whelan meaning both are suspended for the visit to White Hart Lane, while manager Mark Hughes was also sent to the stands.
The result could have been worse if Thomas Sorensen hadn’t saved a penalty. The Danish keeper had a busy afternoon, standing in for the injured Asmir Begovic. The penalty was one of three saves he made in an attempt to limit the goal deficit.
Ryan Shawcross has been putting his body on the line to protect the Stoke goal, making the joint highest number of blocks this season with 27.
Despite having a reputation as a tough team to play against, Stoke City only have one player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index’s top 25 for most fouls committed. Steven Nzonzi has committed 25 fouls, ten fewer than the league’s most frequent fouler with 35.