If not for Brazilian international Lucas Moura — making his first start for Tottenham following a January transfer from PSG — Spurs would’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup by third-tier side Rochdale on Sunday. There were the late dramatics of Dele Alli winning a penalty and Harry Kane converting from the spot, only for Rochdale to deservedly earn a Wembley replay with a 92nd minute equalizer, but Lucas was the only real positive for Tottenham on the day.
Rochdale were brilliantly effective in nullifying the likes of Son Heung-min, Harry Winks and Fernando Llorente, leaving the 25-year-old Brazilian Tottenham’s only viable threat. But Lucas was sharp throughout, and his teammates inability to just pass him the ball every time allowed for the “magic of the cup” to have its moment at the end.
Regardless, if you thought Spurs played some aesthetically pleasing football before, just know that the arrival of Lucas should ratchet things up a notch or two. Here’s the winger doing pretty much what you’d expect a Brazilian international to do to a third division team in England. He enjoyed himself and scored a fine goal in the 59th minute to bring Spurs level.
Lucas Moura scored on his first start, while showing glimpses as to why Tottenham-tactician Mauricio Pochettino decided to put his faith in him with a golden opportunity to retrieve his best days at top flight football.
The best is yet to come, for the 25-year old! pic.twitter.com/z0fdTczEEf— follow @BrazilStat (@BrazilStats2) February 18, 2018
Lucas Moura Team 1, Rochdale 1. Photo: @WhoScored | Twitter
There’ll be sterner tests for Lucas down the road, but this performance certainly bodes well for a “Harry Kane team” that’s looking to diversify its attacking options.
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