Tottenham are beginning to take shape under Nuno Espirito Santo. Spurs beat Colchester United in their second pre-season game by a scoreline of three goals to nil. Elsewhere, Barcelona thrashed Gimnastic 4-0 thanks to a Rey Manaj hattrick.
New Tottenham Hotspur boss decided to name a strong first eleven for the game against Colchester. For the first time this summer, Son Heung-min, Steven Bregwijn, Dele Alli, and Lucas Moura all started the match, looking to build fitness ahead of the new season.
Harry Kane was the notable absence in the squad, the England captain enjoying some time off after a prolonged season. There were also no signs of Erik Lamela, who is due to complete a transfer to Sevilla in the coming days.
Nevertheless, the Spurs front three registered themselves on the scoresheet within the first forty-five minutes. Son opened the scoring in the eleventh minute before Moura added a second three minutes later. Alli got in on the act later, and Spurs went three-nil up with just 38 minutes on the clock.
Nuno changed much of the starting eleven for the second half, with youngsters Dane Scarlett, Harvey White, Jack Clarke, and others getting the chance. Spurs held on to win 3-0 and will face MK Dons next.
Elsewhere, Barcelona beat Gimnastic 4-0. Lionel Messi, who is yet to sign a new contract with the club, continued his vacation away from Barcelona. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana brushed aside their opponents without much difficulty.
It did take Barcelona 60 minutes to find the first goal, which came through Rey Manaj – a striker who plays for the ‘B’ team. The 24-year-old would go on to score two more on the night, the latter of which came from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. Alex Collado, who is expected to join Ronald Koeman’s senior squad this season, scored the other goal in the 85th minute.
Barca play Segunda side Girona next, before facing VfB Stuttgart, and later, RB Salzburg.
