Tottenham Hotspur Attack Still Needs Work Despite 4-1 Win over Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur's 4-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday was the fourth time this season they have won at White Hart Lane by that scoreline. Three of those wins came in a Premier League campaign in which the north Londoners have also put five past Bournemouth (a tally only Manchester City have equalled against last season's Championship winners) and three past Norwich City.

As of Saturday evening, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino's side had scored the fourth most goals of any team in the Premier League. Top scorer Harry Kane is one of only six players in the division to be in double figures, while a solid eight Lilywhite players have scored more than once.

Sitting fourth in the table, these are all healthy numbers and facts relating to Tottenham's attack. Yet in the context of recent weeks, the defeat of the Black Cats did not automatically dismiss the notion their forward play still needs some work.

Papering over the cracks is too strong a description for what this victory did for Spurs' situation.

They are not suffering from structural issues but more so uncertainty as to where to deploy key pieces so the overall view does not become stale and ineffective.

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An oft-cited man of philosophy himself, Pochettino may appreciate the need for a little footballing feng shui.

For 40 minutes against Sunderland, his team's performance was akin to the year-beginning draw with Everton and the two preceding games against Leicester City (the Football Association Challenge Cup tie especially). The good and the encouraging finding itself again stifled by the minimal space granted by Sam Allardyce's initially disciplined defence.

The situation was partly exacerbated by his attackers adhering to instinct and instruction and primarily looking inwards. Only when the ball was moved out wide to full-backs Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier—or a move was instigated by the fit-again Mousa Dembele further back—were these crowded central positions bypassed and navigated.

Save for then, attacking midfielders Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela and striker Harry Kane quickly found their attempts to create quickly shut down. Their struggles were frustratingly similar to those experienced earlier in January.

Pochettino was right to be pleased with how Tottenham eventually dismantled Sunderland. Even more so, gaining three points that, coupled with West Ham United's loss at Newcastle United, has strengthened their position in the top four.

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But as good as Spurs' quicker exchanges, improved individual movement and decisions were in the second half, they were undoubtedly helped by their struggling Northeast opponents.

Moments after Patrick van Aanholt had given the visitors the lead, Lee Cattermole's attempt to clear Eriksen's 42nd minute shot only helped it into the net. As the Dane pointed out—per SpursOfficial—"it was the perfect response to equalise so quickly and gave us the confidence for the second half."

Helping boost that confidence was the extra space inadvertently granted to them by Allardyce's post-interval tactical alterations. The attacking edge Sunderland hoped to gain from switching to three at the back also did not account for the costly difficulties their new signing, defender Jan Kirchhoff, would have adjusting to the pace.

Eriksen's second and Kane's result-sealing penalty originated from and then capitalised on the disorganised away side's increased inattentiveness.

You can only beat who is front of you, though, and there was certainly plenty to admire about Spurs on the front foot.

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With typical aspirations to flair, Eriksen and Lamela did not shy away in searching for potential openings. Understanding the need to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, Alli and especially Kane upped their work rates after the break. A terrifically mazy run and shot from the latter led to Dembele giving Spurs the lead from the subsequent corner.

Bar a 16th minute giveaway to Jeremain Lens and a wrong-choice pass to Lamela on the counter, Dembele notably impressed in his first start since December. Strong and purposeful in possession, Spurs' best opportunities came via him (Kane and Rose benefiting from passes following his runs between the lines).

Eric Dier was less prominent in this regard but also used the better vantage point from his deeper position to good effect.

There is no denying the talent this Tottenham attack is blessed with. The upside of their best work was enticingly hinted at in wins against teams from Man City to Monaco.

Natural points of rejuvenation and hard-earned improvement in a player's form and fitness can replenish creative juices throughout a seasonal cycle. Providing in-game boosts (see Kane on Saturday) or responses to previous issues (the greater direction and ball-rentention provided by the restored Dembele).

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But the feeling remains Pochettino and his coaching staff need to do more so they are less reliant on these and the inadequacies of opponents.

Many view the lack of an out-and-out striking alternative to Kane as particularly prohibitive here. There is, however, depth elsewhere capable of facilitating a plan B—or at least implementing a few different wrinkles—that may help Spurs avoid tripping up against defensive-minded obstacles.

The switch to a wing-back system in the narrow win over Watford last month was not entirely successful. But it showed Pochettino thinking beyond just switching personnel around in his more regular 4-2-3-1 formation. Ultimately, it was the specially introduced Trippier advancing down his flank that led to Heung-Min Son's late-decider.

The personnel the Argentinian manager has left himself restricts things somewhat (most notably width in midfield has decreased in prominence at the club under his watch). But without forsaking the principles of aggression and adventure that are informing their promising campaign, both he and Tottenham could do with figuring out ways to give their opponents even more to worry about.

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