Tottenham First Half Player Ratings: 'Enticing' 9/10 but 'sloppy' 5 v Reading

Tottenham Hotspur were untroubled by Reading in the first half at the Select Car Leasing stadium but lacked a certain oomph in Thomas Frank’s first match in charge.

The new Spurs manager didn’t hold back when naming his starting XI for the fixture in Berkshire with a strong side taking on the League One club. As the former Brentford manager hinted, Cristian Romero captained the side initially with Son Heung-min set to take over after the break.

The World Cup winner was partnered by Kevin Danso with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro in the full-back roles. Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur partnered up in the centre of the park in front of defence.

Both Alfie Devine and Mikey Moore have been linked with exits from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer but started the fixture with Brennan Johnson also in the XI to provide attacking support for Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham Hotspur first half player ratings

GK: Antonin Kinsky, 8

Untroubled by the Reading attack. Looked very comfortable with the ball at his feet, almost like an extra outfield player at points. Perhaps he can challenge Guglielmo Vicario for the number one spot this season.

LB: Destiny Udogie, 8

Chose his moments to get forwards but was always a danger when he did. Quite clearly a level above the Reading defence, who did not quite know how to handle him. Worked really well with Solanke.

CB: Cristian Romero, 7

Looked keen to impress Frank as captain, barking out orders from the back and taking his time to wave players around when stopping play with the ball at his feet. Little to do when it came to defensive work.

CB: Kevin Danso, 9

Looked really good. An athletic outing saw the centre-back twisting and turning with the ball to find the right passes to play out from the back. Also willing to carry the ball forwards himself when spaces opened up. An enticing little showing.

RB: Pedro Porro, 6

Didn’t offer the same threat as Udogie and outmuscled by some of the taller Reading players once or twice. All over the set plays with mixed deliveries. On the receiving end of a nasty challenge from Mark O’Mahony.

CDM: Pape Matar Sarr, 5

Eager to make things happen but not a huge impact doing so with some sloppy overhit passes. Looked his best when receiving the ball, laying it off then turning and running, but the fixture lacked the pace to make the most of that. Nearly rifled home from close range after a late corner.

CDM: Rodrigo Bentancur, 5

A little pedestrian at times but looked to marshal proceedings alongside Romero. This is an area of the pitch that lacks wow factor for Spurs.

Thomas Frank starts with Dominic Solanke up top

LW: Mikey Moore, 8

Had a really nice moment early on when he cut in from the left and sprayed a pass into Brennan Johnson on the other flank, bringing about the first Spurs corner. Drifted out of the game after that but found some impetus again shortly before the break, almost curling one into the top corner from the edge of the box. It would be a shame to see him leave Spurs this summer, but a loan away could make sense given his potential.

CAM: Alfie Devine, 5

Plenty of desire and visibly frustrated when his runs were not seen by Spurs teammates. Didn’t quite seem to click in that position for him today but the 20-year-old did spend last season away from the club on loan at Westerlo.

RW: Brennan Johnson, 5

Should probably have outshone Moore and Devine in those roles behind Solanke but didn’t do that. The pace of this game was never going to show the Welshman at his best.

ST: Dominic Solanke, 8

No goal but by far the most dangerous player on the pitch. Got a toe on a Devine cross but scooped it over the bar and had half a shout for a penalty. Impressive in the work he did to drop back a little and affect play, sending Udogie through at times and putting a peach of a ball across the box which Devine couldn’t latch onto.

In other news, Tottenham confirm double transfer exit hours ahead of Reading kick-off.