The Tottenham Hotspur faithful have taken to social media in numbers on Saturday evening, to lavish praise on one member of the club’s squad.
Antonio Conte’s troops of course marked their return to action a short time ago.
On the back of an alarming recent stretch of form, culminating in a trio of successive Premier League defeats, the Lilywhites made the trip to the Etihad, hopeful of a surprise return to winning ways at the home of champions Manchester City.
And, when all was said and done, upset the odds is precisely what Spurs managed to do.
A remarkable close to proceedings saw Conte and co. go from elation to despair and back to the former in the space of minutes, en route to an eventual 3-2 triumph.
After Dejan Kulusevski’s maiden Tottenham goal was cancelled out by Ilkay Gundogan late in the first-half of action, the away side retook the lead just shy of the hour mark, courtesy of main man Harry Kane:
“The man Manchester City desired has come back to haunt them!” ?
Harry Kane’s brilliant first time finish puts Tottenham BACK into the lead at the Etihad! ? pic.twitter.com/lR59Hfhgy4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 19, 2022
As proceedings rolled into injury time, however, City appeared to have done enough to secure a share of the spoils, after Riyad Mahrez lashed home in emphatic fashion from the penalty spot.
But the drama, incredibly, was not yet over, as a surge down the right on the part of the aforementioned Kulusevski saw the Swede direct a pinpoint deliveru onto the head of Kane, who made no mistake in nodding beyond Ederson, and securing all three points for Tottenham in the process:
WOW!!!! What a game this has been!! ??
Just moments after Manchester City equalised from the penalty spot, Harry Kane blows the title race WIDE OPEN again with his second of the evening!
? pic.twitter.com/8rmLdPBI43— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 19, 2022
Kulu hailed
On the back of the action coming to a close at the Etihad, it should therefore come as little surprise to hear of a whole host of Spurs’ stars being singled out for special praise on the part of the club’s fanbase.
The likes of Cristian Romero, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane have all been lauded for their respective showings, as the Lilywhites reignite their push for a Premier League top-4 berth.
It is another member of Antonio Conte’s ranks, however, who has come in for more widespread adulation than perhaps any other.
The player in question? Dejan Kulusevski.
Handed his maiden league start in English football on Saturday, Swedish international Kulusevski – who had already seen his talents called into question by some on the back of just a trio of appearances off the bench – stepped up when Tottenham needed him most.
After opening the scoring, the 21-year-old laid on Kane’s eventual winner, too, showcasing his class with a wonderful delivery into the City area.
Dejan Kulusevski has been directly involved in 2+ goals in a league game for the first time since July 2020 (Parma vs Brescia).
⚽️+?️ on a huge night for Spurs. pic.twitter.com/HhRYc5sl6H
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 19, 2022
In turn, the post-match reaction to Kulu’s showing has been a sight to behold, with just some of the social media highlights unveiled below:
kulu has arrived in the premier league! fvcking dejan!
— The Party Animal (@TheToluDaniels_) February 19, 2022
Kulusevski what a signing
— king berry (@kngberry) February 19, 2022
Kulu by the way, thought we were just money laundering juventus money ???
— Billie ?? (@Billie_T) February 19, 2022
People were calling Kulu shit because he slowed down the ball a bit in a FA Cup game against Brighton. God is watching. He’s so good man
— LifeOfTy__ (@LifeOfTy__) February 19, 2022
KULUSEVSKI IS THE BEST WINGER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL. #COYS
— Paddy ? (@pxddy_9) February 19, 2022
Kulu brilliant today work rate and quality. 3-5-2 is deffo the way to go
— Syed Naqui (@Superspur73) February 19, 2022
Kulu is so good man
— Cameron ?? (@thfc_cameron) February 19, 2022
Also, what a performance by Kulu. Goal/Assist against the champions on the road. Keep it up sir pic.twitter.com/we7FP7HD47
— CH (@RepTheBoro12) February 19, 2022
Kane absolute right to get the plaudits with a world class performance, but special mention to Kulusevski who was fantastic ?
— Russell Thelwell (@Russ_88) February 19, 2022
unreal performance for the first start from kulusevski ??
— kieran (@Kieran__R) February 19, 2022
Don’t let the Harry Kane masterclass distract you from the fact Dejan Kulusevski….the player everyone slated and hated after 20 minutes of football! Not only scored the opened but assisted Kane’s 95th minute winner!!
— Jon (@J92Hodge) February 19, 2022
Dejan Kulusevski, btw.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 19, 2022
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