'Contributed' - Tottenham star makes impact on winning debut for new loan club

Tottenham star Manor Solomon enjoyed a solid home debut for new club Villarreal in what was a dramatic afternoon on Saturday. The Yellow Submarine had to come from behind against 10-man Osasuna to pick up all three points and continue their solid start to the La Liga season.

Villarreal dominated from start to finish but conceded a penalty just before half-time, five minutes or so after Osasuna had a man sent off. The visitors then camped back in a bid to hold on to the points in the second half, with Villarreal peppering their goal until the resolve was broken in the 69th minute.

Substitute Manor Solomon produced a superb cross for fellow new signing Georges Mikautadze to head home, and five minutes from the end, Pape Gueye secured all three points with a deflected effort to make it 10 from a possible 15 from Marcelino’s men, putting them in third at this early stage.

After the game, Villarreal’s social media account praised Solomon, posting: “The first ball he touched assisted Mikautadze to start the comeback. Congrats on your debut, Manor.”

Asked about Mikautadze, Villarreal boss also praised Solomon and the rest of the front line. He said: “I ask the forwards for participation and finishing. And then the goal comes in spurts. If you tell me the first goal is a header against three 1.90m centre-backs, I'd say it's impossible. He had other ones where he didn't get it right against a team that defends very well. But he created a lot. I think he'll score a lot of goals, but we have to give everyone time. Even Mbappé struggled last year. I'm happy with him, with Tani (Oluwaseyi), who contributed to us, and for Manor."

On the win generally, Marcelino added: “We played very well offensively. We showed patience against a very deep block. We did a great job and created many chances. With persistence, we deservedly turned the game around. We performed very well in what was our best match, both those who started and those who came on in the second half from the bench. That is what I take away, and I am especially happy that the players who, for whatever reason, had played less until now, put in such a good performance.

“I am satisfied with the team’s work and the victory, which is well deserved. The only area we weren’t quite as strong was defensively. At home it is important not to concede. That penalty at the end of the first half was a pity.”

He added: “If we're not firing on all cylinders by September, it's time to call it quits. Every time you have to choose, you have to differentiate. If I'm angry about not playing in the Champions League, that's bad. I'm happy with the result, but especially with how the players who hadn't played up until this point performed. They showed they can play any game. The mentality has to be to win and win."

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