Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou hails Hojbjerg for handling ‘difficult situations’ well

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made his first Tottenham Hotspur start under Ange Postecoglou as the team eased past Fulham 2-0 on Monday night.

Goals from Heung-min Son and James Maddison on either side of half-time fired the high-flying London outfit to another routine Premier League win, keeping them at the top of the standings.

Hojbjerg’s contribution was immense, as he made crucial interceptions leading to both goals on his return to the starting line-up after a torrid start to the season.

Despite being heavily linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this ummer, the Denmark international rejected several proposals to pledge his future to Spurs.

But Yves Bissouma’s impressive start to life under Postecoglou has seen him leapfrog Hojbjerg in the pecking order, demoting the 28-year-old midfielder to the bench.

After picking up a red card in a 1-0 triumph at newcomers Luton Town on the stroke of October’s international break, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace opened space for Hojbjerg to prove his worth to the new boss.

The ex-Southampton star was up to the task, seizing the opportunity to make a solid case for himself, earning a round of applause from the manager in the aftermath.

“I thought Pierre was good – he’s been good in every game he’s played for us,” Postecoglou said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

“I’ve put him on in some difficult situations and he’s handled them really well. He’s very experienced and I thought he handled it well tonight.

“I thought in the first half in particular we stayed calm on the ball and had some good tempo. Like I said I thought our pressing was outstanding all game and I thought he was a big part of that.

“He made interceptions for both goals and it was important to have him in there.”

Following a convincing performance against Fulham, Hojbjerg could register back-to-back Premier League starts when Tottenham take on London rivals Crystal Palace on Friday night.