Harry Kane moved to praise Matt Doherty following the defender’s role in both of the England captain’s goals as Tottenham thrashed Everton on Monday night.
Doherty has scored one and assisted three in the last two Premier League games. (Getty Images)
Tottenham boosted their Champions League hopes and piled the pressure on Frank Lampard with 5-0 thrashing of Everton.
In a stirring response to last week’s FA Cup humiliation at Middlesbrough, Spurs responded heavily with Doherty taking the center show. No question his best game for Spurs. Finished with two excellent assists for Kane and nearly scored when he fired a fierce effort at Pickford and Linked up well with Kulusevski in a really encouraging display.
The Republic of Ireland international had largely been derided as a poor signing until recent weeks after failing to convince following a move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2020.
The 30-year-old, however, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Antonio Conte’s appointment of late and was one of the standout players in Monday night’s 5-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs’ only Premier League loss in their last four outings came when Doherty was rested away at Burnley. (Getty)
Whether or not the Irishman is the long-term answer in a system that relies so heavily on wing-backs remains to be seen but Harry Kane was full of praise for Matt Doherty following the Irishman’s two assists during Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-0 victory over Everton on Monday night.
“Great ball from Doughie (Doherty) there (to put) me one on one with the keeper and I’ll always back myself,” Kane said of his first goal.
“Doughie played the ball perfectly and it was one of them, coming over the shoulder, sometimes you take a swing at it and it comes off.”
Also, Antonio Conte was full of praise for his electric display.
“Doherty is another player who I’d like to underline the improvement,” Conte told reporters after the match.
Doherty’s Spurs resurgence.
The 30-year-old was an attacking force for Wolves before his £16m move to Spurs in 2020. Following his move, Doherty struggled to replicate his form for the London club.
But has been in sublime form in recent weeks and appears to have nailed down the right wing-back position under Spurs boss Antonio Conte.
The burgeoning relationship with the impressive Dejan Kulusevski suddenly looks like an asset to Antonio Conte and Tottenham are now getting plenty of joy from the wing-back positions.
Heung Min-Son (5) is the only Spurs player to register more assists than Doherty (4) this season (Getty Images)
Showing over the past month or so that he still has plenty to offer Tottenham and that he can return to the form he showed at Wolves, Doherty now needs to do it on a consistent basis between now and the end of the season.