Tottenham Must Build on Win at Hull After Fortune Favours Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino can reflect on the victory at Hull City with some satisfaction. Spurs earned their second straight away win with a second consecutive comeback that leaves them as the second best team away from home in the Premier League this season. Only the runaway leaders Chelsea can boast a better record on their travels. 

The headlines may make for happy reading, but in truth, Spurs owed much of this victory to fortune. Like the 2-1 win at Villa Park earlier in the month, Tottenham fell deservedly behind and only found their feet when their opposition was reduced to 10 men by a sympathetic refereeing decision. 

Against Hull, Spurs began the match poorly. The hosts took an early lead through former Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore and probably should have doubled their advantage before half-time. That they failed to do so will be one of Steve Bruce's many regrets from this match, but Hull still looked comfortable. 

Pochettino had bravely shuffled his team following the home defeat to Stoke in Spurs' last league match, but despite the change in personnel, the performances were unfortunately comparable.

Moussa Dembele struggled on a rare start and was repeatedly outmuscled by Livermore. Eric Dier, who stepped down from England Under-21 duty to work with the Tottenham coaching staff, was terribly exposed and earned a yellow card for a poor challenge before half-time. 

The inclusion of Jan Vertonghen might have been expected to shore up Spurs' defence, but there were a number of nervous moments in the early exchanges. 

Spurs improved immediately in the second half. Pochettino introduced Vlad Chiriches in place of the booked Dier at right-back and was rewarded with a fine performance.

Chiriches may have found a position in which he can excel in England. He lacks the discipline and awareness to play as a centre-back in the Premier League, but anyone can see that he is skillful. With Kyle Walker supposedly returning, it may be a moot point, but Chiriches looks a solid option at full-back. 

"

#thfc Have to say Chiriches has done well at right-back in this half. Helps that he can just focus on getting forward and not defending.

— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) November 23, 2014"

The most promising aspect of the victory at the KC Stadium was the performances of Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane. Each scored a goal, but it was Eriksen who really stole the show. His pinpoint free-kick crashed back off the inside of Allan McGregor's post for Kane to pounce and equalise for Spurs, and he revelled in the space that opened up after Gaston Ramirez's red card. 

"

FT #HCAFC 1-2 #THFC http://t.co/cwDq21E3sT Eriksen 5 shots, 5 chances created, most attacking passes, ball recoveries pic.twitter.com/q26tC5PEq3

— FourFourTwo (@FourFourTwo) November 23, 2014"

Eriksen had a mixed start to the season and flirted with losing his place, but he is now clearly Spurs' finest outfield player and returning to his irrepressible best.

"

The only midfielders to score more Premier League goals in 2014 than Christian Eriksen (10) are Steven Gerrard (12) and Yaya Toure (13).

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2014"

Spurs are in the process of developing an understanding as a team, and several misplaced passes and defensive slips marked out just how much work remains to be done. 

Dembele largely flopped in his opportunity to seize a regular starting role, but Aaron Lennon, who replaced the Belgian with half an hour remaining, gave an encouraging display. His pace and drive kept Hull's defence stretched and opened space for Erik Lamela and Eriksen to attack their ponderous backline.   

By the end of the match, Spurs had thoroughly dominated. They held 74 percent of possession and completed nearly 400 more passes than Hull. Those numbers are to be expected against a 10-man opposition, but they are a substantial improvement on the win over Aston Villa. Villa were similarly reduced but carried a far greater threat and held their own in midfield.

Etienne Capoue was particularly poor against Villa, and his omission from the team to face Hull perhaps reflects Pochettino's thinking. Instead, he gave Ryan Mason a more influential role and Mason responded with an excellent performance. He completed 93 of 103 passes, created four chances and won back possession three times (h/t FourFourTwo).  

Mason has been one of the positives of this season so far, and he is now an important part of his team. Between Mason and Eriksen, Spurs have two of the three midfielders that they need. It remains to be seen whether the third can be unearthed within the current squad or Pochettino will need to dip into the transfer market.

Capoue and Dembele have both failed to make the grade. Benjamin Stambouli has been impressive in Europa League games, but ubiquitous rumours (via The Express) link Spurs to a move for Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin.

Spurs' midfield is not yet complete, but it suddenly looks far closer.

Roberto Soldado was typically frustrating, but he showed some positive signs and certainly brings out the best in players around him. His willingness to drop into midfield allows others to push into the space. Tottenham's attack is producing goals. While Soldado himself isn't scoring, the team haven't failed to score since September. 

Spurs were terrible against Stoke City, Aston Villa and Newcastle. The performance against Hull certainly lacked polish, but it was a substantial improvement, and victory took Spurs within a win of fourth place. The Champions League places remain an unlikely aspiration this season, but there is huge capacity for improvement and Spurs are showing an encouraging spirit.

"

"@hkane28: It was a bit like Villa the way it panned out. We've got a great spirit here and dug deep when we needed to and got the result."

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 23, 2014"

As their rivals continue to stumble, Pochettino's men have every reason to be optimistic. Tottenham can't rely on their opposition having a player sent off every week, but on the evidence of the performance against Hull, soon they won't have to.