Tanguy Ndombele helped Tottenham Hotspur record a much-needed win over Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon, but his goal has sparked some debate.
Ndombele latched onto Steven Bergwijn’s chipped pass and beat Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to complete the scoring at Bramall Lane and give Spurs a 3-1 win.
His goal made the game safe for Jose Mourinho’s side after David McGoldrick’s header had given the hosts hope at 2-1.
It was undoubtedly an important contribution from the French midfielder after Serge Aurier and Harry Kane had given them the lead, but his strike also provoked the age-old debate: did he mean it?
Ndombele exchanged passes with Bergwijn before darting into the left channel of Sheffield United’s penalty area and using the outside of his right foot to lob the ball past Ramsdale and into the far corner.
Depending on your point of view, it was either an inventive and skilful finish, or an attempted cross which fortuitously found its way into the net.
“Tanguy Ndombele definitely meant it," Tottenham's Twitter account declared post-match, but the Sky Sports pundits were less sure, with Graeme Souness disagreeing with Micah Richards and Roy Keane’s assessment.
“They saved the best to last, look at this,” Richards said. “Look at the cute little ball over the top and that is a sublime finish. Some would say he hasn’t meant that, but where else could he possibly go? Unbelievable finish.”
“I think he’s just tried to get that back in the mix,” Souness said.
Keane added: “I think he meant it, great goal - world-class. He definitely meant it.”
Whether he meant it or not, Ndombele’s goal helped earn Spurs a vital three points as they look to stay in touch with the top four.
The win moved Mourinho’s side up to fourth place on 33 points from 18 games, although Manchester City can displace them if they beat Crystal Palace in their 7.15pm kick-off.
The goal capped a fine display from Ndombele, who is enjoying a good period of form recently.
The 24-year-old now has two goals and an assist in his last five appearances in all competitions and appears to be fulfilling the promise which saw Spurs pay Lyon around £55million for his services in July 2019.
Spurs now have a break before facing Championship strugglers Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup on January 25 and Liverpool in the Premier League three days later.
