Tanguy Ndombele 9, Harry Kane 8; Aaron Ramsdale 5 - Sheffield United v Tottenham player ratings

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  SHEFFIELD UNITED RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale – 5. Looked nervy straight from kick off, with a poor clearance that put his defence under pressure. It was symptomatic of a dire start to the game for him and his side. Rarely instilled confidence in his backline. AFP

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  Chris Basham – 6. Had a goal-bound header cleared as the hosts tried to hit back following their tepid start, and tried to lend himself to the forward effort at other times, but struggled with the pacy movement of the Spurs attackers. EPA

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  John Egan – 6. Overworked trying to keep a track of Kane, and his late yellow card for a lunge on the same player felt overdue. EPA

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  Ethan Ampadu – 7. Twice made vital clearances as Son tried to find Kane to double the away side’s early lead, and picked up some bruises for his efforts, too. AFP

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  Jayden Bogle – 6. He was stood right by Serge Aurier at the corner from which Spurs scored their opener, yet inexplicably made no attempt to challenge. Tried to bolster the attack, but that brought mistakes, too. AFP

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  Oliver Norwood – 5. Booked in the 23rd minute for a cynical foul on Kane. His loss of possession led to Kane’s goal, and he was switched out for Bryan. EPA

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  John Lundstram – 6. Yellow carded for felling a breaking Bergwijn, and his efforts were mostly defensive – save for a few long balls into the box as United chased the game. Reuters

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  John Fleck – 7. His weak shot from range against Lloris was one of the hosts’ few bright moments in the first half. His appetising cross set up the goal for McGoldrick. Reuters

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  Enda Stevens – 6. Saw a shot blocked after an over-elaborate move by the hosts, and made some promising moves from the left flank in their improved start after the break. Reuters

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  David McGoldrick – 7. Central to the home side’s brighter start after the interval, and received his reward when he headed home from a brilliant Fleck cross. AFP

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  Oliver Burke – 6. His direct running pushed back at Spurs after their dominant start, but his influence faded and he was swapped for Brewster with 20 minutes left. EPA

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  SUB: Kean Bryan – 6. Spoiled a Spurs attack when he read a Hojbjerg through ball, soon after coming on as a second half substitute for Norwood. EPA

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  SUB: Billy Sharp – NA. Made his presence felt when he came on late on with some barrelling runs, but looked over-eager when he blazed a volley wide. Reuters

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  Rhian Brewster – NA. Anonymous after being introduced when the home side were chasing the game late on. AFP

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  TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 7. No chance with McGoldrick’s header, but the Spurs captain was otherwise a calming presence for his side. AFP

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  Joe Rodon – 7. Bounced back after landing awkwardly following a brave block just before the break. Always looks up for the physical battle. AFP

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  Eric Dier – 6. He often struggled with the power and pace of Burke, but did make important blocks from both him and McGoldrick. Reuters

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  Ben Davies – 6. Alert to clear from a Basham header at a corner in the first phase, but was not sharp enough to stop McGoldrick in the air. AFP

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  Serge Aurier – 6. Scored a rare headed goal from a corner to give the visitors the early lead. Lapsed at times, notably when his lackadaisical header played Spurs into trouble. Reuters

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  Tanguy Ndombele – 9. Less dribbles than usual, but more deft passes, as he found holes in the Blades backline. Magnificent finish for Spurs’ third goal, which quelled the home side’s resurgence. Reuters

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  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 7. Won the ball back then fed Kane, which led to the second goal. It was trademark Hojbjerg. Coped just fine without another defensive midfielder next to him. AFP

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  Sergio Reguilon – 7. His pace added plenty of venom to Spurs attacks down the left flank, and he was rarely unduly troubled going back the other way. Reuters

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  Steven Bergwijn – 7. His powerful fourth-minute shot, which was tipped over, eventually led to Aurier’s opener. He was also integral to the third, with a slick exchange of passes with Ndombele. AFP

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  Son Heung-min – 8. Another assist, this time when his corner found Aurier. He should have doubled the lead shortly after when he scooped a shot onto the post when one on one with Ramsdale. Made a string of dangerous crosses. AFP

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  Harry Kane – 8. Looked eager to avenge the sour memories of Tottenham’s last trip to Bramall Lane. His 207th goal for Spurs was classic Kane. Wasted a good chance for a second in injury time. AFP

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  SUB: Lucas Moura – NA. Did have one chance to make an impression after coming on late on, but opted for a tough pass rather than to have a pop at goal. Reuters

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  SUB: Carlos Vinicius – NA. A week on from his hat-trick in the FA Cup, he pocketed an appearance fee when he came on for Son in injury time. Reuters

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  SUB: Davinson Sanchez – NA. Just managed to get onto the field before the final whistle blew, but did not get anywhere near making a touch. EPA

An audacious strike from Tanguy Ndombele set the seal on a 3-1 win for Tottenham Hotspur against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Spurs had taken an early lead when Serge Aurier made the most of lax marking by heading in from a Son Heung-min corner.

Harry Kane doubled the away side’s advantage with a clinical finish after Sheffield United had given up possession cheaply in their own half.

The Blades threatened a comeback when David McGoldrick applied a headed finish to a fine cross by John Fleck, but Ndombele’s deftly taken goal ended the home side’s chances.