Bentaleb and Lamela Criticised as Spurs Let Lead Slip Against Stoke
Tottenham Hotspur were left frustrated after surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Stoke City in their Premier League clash last Saturday — and head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly laying the blame on two of his players.
According to several English media outlets, Pochettino has singled out Nabil Bentaleb and Erik Lamela for their roles in the team’s second-half collapse. Spurs were cruising with a 2-0 lead until the 78th minute, but a shift in momentum after the break allowed Stoke to claw their way back into the match and earn a draw.
Both Bentaleb and Lamela were introduced in the second half, a period during which Tottenham’s control of the game noticeably declined. Pochettino is said to believe that the duo failed to influence the match positively, and instead contributed to the team’s disorganisation and vulnerability in midfield.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes also appeared to allude to Bentaleb’s shortcomings in his post-match remarks. “We saw how the data changed in the second half against Tottenham,” Hughes said. “We knew how to exploit our opponent’s weaknesses after the break by occupying more space compared to the first half.”
His comments were interpreted by analysts as a direct reference to the Algerian midfielder, who has been criticised for leaving large gaps in the centre of the pitch — spaces that Stoke’s attacking players capitalised on during their comeback.
The English press was quick to echo these concerns, highlighting Bentaleb’s lack of defensive discipline and positional awareness. The 20-year-old, once considered one of Spurs’ brightest prospects, now finds himself under pressure to justify his role in the squad.
For Pochettino, the draw was a bitter result in a match Spurs had appeared to control. The Argentine manager will now be tasked with addressing the inconsistencies that continue to plague his side’s performances — particularly in the latter stages of matches.
