Tottenham 5 Lion City Sailors 1: Richarlison the hat-trick hero as Spurs survive early scare to breeze past minnows
HARRY KANE sparked the turnaround as Spurs survived an early scare to comfortably beat a local understudy team here in Singapore.
Spurs were supposed to be playing Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the former British colony to finish off their Asia-Pacific tour.
But after the Italians pulled out due to issues with the promoters, Lion City Sailors replaced them.
And the Singapore side took a shock lead when Shawal Anuar got in front of Pedro Porro and deflected the ball past Guglielmo Vicario on 14 minutes.
Going a goal behind to the equivalent of a non-league side summed up this chaotic trip, which saw Sunday’s friendly against Leicester in Bangkok rained off.
But Ange Postecoglou’s side did eventually make their dominance pay as Kane struck home Spurs’ 24th shot of the first half via the penalty spot after Pape Matar Sarr had been tripped.
It came in stoppage time just before the break – and just after the interval Spurs went ahead.
Richarlison, on for Kane as Postecoglou changed the whole team at half-time, fired home a rebound after Ivan Perisic’s shot was blocked.
The Brazilian then made it 3-1 with his second minutes later after capitalising on a weak defensive clearance by heading past the Sailors’ helpless goalkeeper.
Richarlison famously netted one Premier League goal last term following his £60million switch from Everton but did have a number ruled offside.
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The flag went up on him twice more here after finding the net as Spurs looked to punish their hosts for having the temerity to take an early lead.
Three became four on 73 minutes as Manor Solomon’s cutback was deflected into the path of Giovani Lo Celso who could not miss.
Richarlison then added Spurs’ fifth to complete his hat-trick in the 91st minute after being played through by compatriot Emerson Royal.
The Brazilian’s three goals will give both him and Spurs some much needed confidence in the event that he is the man to replace Kane should the Spurs’ talisman leave this summer.
One downer was that Yves Bissouma looked in some discomfort after taking part in warm-down runs at half-time, having played the first 45, and received treatment before gingerly walking off.
Postecoglou sees the Malian as a key player this term so will hope it is nothing serious.