PLAYER RATINGS: James Maddison runs the show for Tottenham while Liverpool’s Joel Matip has a day to forget despite some good defending

• Tottenham beat Liverpool 2-1 thanks to an own-goal by Joel Matip in injury-time 
• The result sees Ange Postecoglou climb to second while the Reds drop to fourth
• Mail Sport assess the best and worst performers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham continued their unbeaten start to the season with a late win over Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Jurgen Klopp’s side went down to 10-men inside 25 minutes after Curtis Jones was shown a straight red for a challenge on Yves Bissouma. 

The home side took the lead through Son Heung-Min after 36 minutes before Cody Gakpo got Liverpool level on the stroke of half-time. 

Diogo Jota saw red midway through the second half for a second bookable offence. Liverpool looked set to secure an unlikely point but a last-ditch own-goal by Joel Matip condemned them to their first defeat of the season. 

Below, Mail Sport assess the performances of both sets of players.  

Tottenham continued their unbeaten start to the season with a late win over Liverpool

Joel Matip’s own-goal deep into  stoppage time ended Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the season

Vicario –  Brilliant double save in the 13th minute to deny Gakpo and then Robertson from close range. No chance with Gakpo’s goal, and little to do thereafter. 7

Porro – Strong breaking forward from right back and had two shots saved before his late cross was turned in by Matip for the winning goal. 7

Romero – Took a knock in the 15th minute but recovered to play his usual imposing game. Booked late on 7 

Van de Van –  One Showed his pace going forward and defending, and one mighty tackle to deny Gomez, as well as several other composed interceptions. 8

Udogie –  Excellent again as he kept Salah quiet. Fouled twice in the space of a minute by Jota, who was sent off. Replaced late on. 8

Destiny Udogie was excellent as he kept Mohamed Salah and contributed to Jota’s red card 

Sarr – All action display. Some lovely touches early on, got around the pitch well and went close with two long range shots. Withdrawn near the end. 7

Bissouma – Injured in the tackle that saw Curtis Jones sent off, a studs-up lunge on his shin in the 23rd minute. Late shot held by Alisson. Booked late on. 9

Kulusevski – Two early shots blocked, just failed to convert a Richarlison cross. Never stopped running at Robertson and deserved a goal. 8

Maddison – Ran the game. Superb through ball to Richarlison set up Son’s opening goal. Denied twice from long range by Alisson’s brilliance. 9

James Maddison ran the show for Tottenham and he played a massive role in the openeing goal

Son – Took his goal brilliantly with a smart finish, and denied a second when Alisson tipped over his volley. Replaced in the 68th minute. 8

Richarlison – Started in place of the injured Johnson, had a great chance in the 33rd minute but shot over the bar. Delightful pass to set up Son’s goal, otherwise quiet. 6

Subs:

Soloman (for Son 68).

Davies (for Udogie 83)

Skipp (for Sarr 83)

Veliz for Maddison 89

Hojbjerg for Bissouma 89

Manager – Ange Postecoglou 9/10 They’re loving Big Ange, as he took the applause of home fans singing his name along to the Robbie Williams song Angels at the end.

Alisson – Liverpool’s star man made countless big saves denying Maddison twice, Son, Porro and Kulusevski in dramatic fashion. No chance with either goal. 9

Gomez –  Always looked to go forward in the first half linking up play with Salah, but under the cosh when Liverpool were reduced to ten and then nine men. 6

Matip – Scored the decisive goal into his own net at the end of stoppage time to cost his side a point. Had defended well in a rearguard action. 6

Joel Matip scored the decisive goal into his own net at the end of to cost his side a point

Van Dijk – Headed assist for Gakpo’s goal, won majority of his individual defensive battles and looked to have marshalled his defence for a hard-won point until that late goal. 8

Robertson – Big chance in opening spell of the game, striking a shot straight at Vicario. Kept busy by the tireless Kulusevski on Liverpool’s left. Booked late on. 6

Jones – Was playing well until he was sent off after a VAR review for a studs-up challenge on the shin of Bissouma, leaving left Liverpool down to ten players from the 25th minute. 5

Mac Allister – Despite an early chance, struggled to make an impact on the rest of the game. Booked before half-time and replaced 10 minutes from the end. 6

Szoboszlai – Superb distribution throughout the first half, finding Gakpo and Diaz in space on several occasions and started the move for Gakpo’s goal. 7

Salah – Always looked a threat but well marshalled by Udogie and moved from right wing to the middle after Jones was sent off. Booked and then substituted in 73rd minute. 6

Curtis Jones was playing well until he was sent off after a VAR review for a studs-up on Yves Bissouma

Gakpo – Vital goal at the end of the first off, striking it past Vicario on the turn. But picked up an injury that forced him off following his goal. 6

Diaz – Looked a threat running in behind in the first half and got the ball in the net, only to be give offside. Replaced in the 73rd minute. 6

Subs

Jota (for Gakpo 45’) JOTA Picked up two yellow cards in quick succession and made Liverpool go down to nine men. 4

Endo (for Diaz 73’)

Konate (for Gomez 73’)

Alexander Arnold (for Salah 74’)

Gravenberch (for Mac Allister 80’)

Manager –  Jurgen Klopp – Did the best he could once his game plan went out of the window following Jones’ dismissal in the 25th minute, and then had to reorganise again when Jota was sent off. 7/10

Ref: Simon Hooper – Tough game to officiate, with full-blooded tackles and some marginal calls. Liverpool unhappy he disallowed Diaz’s effort for offside, and may argue Jones’ red card was harsh. 6/10

Jurgen Klopp did the best he could once his game plan went out of the window

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