Tottenham Hotspur's record signing Tanguy Ndombele conjured a moment of magic to seal his side's 3-1 victory at the Premier League's bottom club Sheffield United on Sunday.
Spurs had just seen the commanding lead given to them by Serge Aurier and Harry Kane halved by David McGoldrick's header on the hour when Ndombele struck with an audacious flicked lob.
It was a timely goal for Jose Mourinho's side as McGoldrick's effort revived memories of numerous points they have dropped from winning positions this season.
This time, however, they made no mistake to record only their second win in seven league games.
Tottenham had looked commanding in the first half with Aurier heading in from a corner after five minutes and Kane's clinical finish doubling their lead in the 40th minute.
For Sheffield United it was a disappointing result after they had posted their first win of the season this week by beating Newcastle United. With only five points from 19 games they are 11 points away from the safety zone and their hopes of avoiding relegation look slender.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Rhian Brewster – NA. Anonymous after being introduced when the home side were chasing the game late on. AFP -
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 7. No chance with McGoldrick’s header, but the Spurs captain was otherwise a calming presence for his side. AFP -
Joe Rodon – 7. Bounced back after landing awkwardly following a brave block just before the break. Always looks up for the physical battle. AFP -
Eric Dier – 6. He often struggled with the power and pace of Burke, but did make important blocks from both him and McGoldrick. Reuters -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
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In the end it was a routine win for Tottenham but there was nothing ordinary about Ndombele's fifth league goal for Spurs.
When Steven Bergwijn popped a ball over the top of the United defence, Ndombele was moving away from goal on the left side of the penalty area.
There appeared no way he could produce an effort on goal but with the outside of his right foot, and with his back to goal, he lifted the ball back over himself and over home keeper Aaron Ramsdale into the far corner.
"Tanguy's goal was incredible, the technique he had to flick that ball back over the keeper was truly special," Kane, who bagged his 12th league goal of the season, said.
"Anyone who can put a good spell together [is in the title race], that's why it has been disappointing and frustrating for us dropping points from winning positions."
Considering the lift they received by beating Newcastle, Sheffield United were terribly flat in the first half.
Their defence was nowhere when Aurier connected from close range with Son Heung-min's corner and they were almost punished again soon after when Son was denied by the post.
Tottenham's second goal stemmed from the hosts trying and failing to play out from the back. Tottenham won the ball and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fed the ball to Kane who did not have much space but dispatched a fizzing low shot past Ramsdale.
Tottenham have been criticised for an overly-cautious approach when leading - most recently this week in a 1-1 draw with struggling Fulham. And when McGoldrick glanced in John Fleck's cross it appeared to be happening again.
But Ndomebele insured this time there was no repeat.
