International Champions Cup: AS Roma 1 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Tottenham Hotspur produced an impressive performance to defeat AS Roman 4-1 in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Mauricio Pochettino was without a number of regulars for the match in San Diego, but was given food for thought with Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente both scoring twice to inspire an excellent victory.

Spurs made a poor start to the International Champions Cup match when Patrik Schick netted after three minutes following a near turn inside the area.

The Lilywhites regrouped excellently, however, and equalised with nine on the clock when a promising move ended with Luke Amos’ cross deflected into the air and tall Spanish forward Llorente jumped highest to head into the corner.

Pochettino’s men were well into their stride now and it was 2-1 in the 18th minute when a short corner between Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela created a chance for Moura.

Although his effort was saved, Llorente was on hand to tap in from close range and give Spurs the lead.

The goalfest continued just before the half an hour mark when Serge Aurier delivered an exquisite cross for Moura to nod home.

It occurred after another neat move involved Tottenham’s attacking players in front of an exciting San Diego crowd.

Spurs were not finished there though, as on the stroke of half time they added a fourth when Moura controlled impressively and went past an opponent before drilling into the bottom corner.

As was to be expected, the second period went by without as much excitement with both sides making various chances.

Tottenham introduced Heung-min Son, Paulo Gazzaniga and Oliver Skipp in the 63rd minute for Llorente, Vorm and Eriksen.

Spurs’ Argentinean goalkeeper was forced into action with quarter of an hour left when Edin Dzeko curled an effort towards the top corner, but Gazzaniga produced a superb one-handed stop.

Further substititions were made towards the end of the game with Davinson Sanchez, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Anthony Georgiou and George Marsh coming on.

No more goals could occur, but Spurs were left satisfied come full time following an impressive 4-1 win over last season’s Champions League semi-finalists.

Pochettino also saw a number of players step up and show they are potentially ready to make a big impact this time around.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vorm © (Gazzaniga 63); Aurier, Carter-Vickers, Davies, Walker-Peters (Georgiou 83); Amos (Marsh 86), Sissoko; Moura (Nkoudou 83), Lamela (Sanchez 77), Eriksen (Skipp 63); Llorente (Son 63).

Unused substitutes: Whiteman, Eyoma.