James Maddison has ‘single-handedly’ changed the way Tottenham play, Jamie Redknapp claims, as pundit hails performance in North London Derby

• Click here to watch the IAKO Battle of Old Trafford YouTube Special from the Mail Sport Studios
• Jamie Redknapp believes James Maddison ‘single-handedly’ changes Spurs’ play
• The North London Derby at the Emirates finished all-square on Sunday afternoon

Jamie Redknapp has hailed James Maddison’s performance in the North London Derby, believing that he ‘single-handedly’ changes the way that Tottenham play.

Spurs left Arsenal with a point after a 2-2 draw, with captain Son Heung-min scoring both goals for the visitors. 

Maddison joined Tottenham in the summer from Leicester City, and Sky Sports pundit Redknapp believes that he has been a crucial part in changing up the way Spurs play after a disjointed season last term largely under Antonio Conte.

Redknapp told Sky Sports that he was impressed with ‘how far they’ve come’ despite the changes, and the departure of Harry Kane. Spurs have been revolutionised under new boss Ange Postecoglou, and Kane’s absence has been partially filled by Son. 

Redknapp said: ‘Son has just gone in there seamlessly. You forget how good he is as a striker sometimes. He’s been amazing, five goals in his last two away games. 

James Maddison has ‘single-handedly’ changed the way Tottenham play, according to a pundit

Jamie Redknapp was speaking after Spurs secured a 2-2 draw away to local rivals Arsenal

There was also praise for captain Son Heung-min after his two goals at the Emirates on Sunday

‘James Maddison I think has single handedly changed the way they play. Maddison, receiving the ball on the half-turn. They always had that player who could do something differently, get the ball, play with no fear. 

‘He nearly lost the ball, and cost his team a goal, with the [Gabriel] Jesus moment. You think ‘how’s he going to react after this?’ Then he makes the goal, then he makes another goal. The way he plays gives everyone a calmness and assurance about him.

‘I just feel that he’s made such a difference to that team and the way that they play now.’ 

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher echoed Maddison’s post-match comments claiming it was a ‘good test’ for Spurs. 

Carragher said: ‘Besides [Manchester] City, [The Emirates is] probably the toughest place to go, along with Anfield as well. But Arsenal are a seriously top side, I feel this season they’d be the biggest challengers to Manchester City. 

‘So to go there in the early stages under a new manager, a completely different style of football. You can’t get a bigger change than what it’s gone from, from Conte, to where we are now and how Tottenham are trying to play. 

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher said it was a ‘good test’ for Spurs after a period of uncertainty

Carragher said ‘everyone seems to love’ Ange Postecoglou after taking over the Spurs hotseat

‘I think they got a brilliant start, everyone seems to love the manager, not just Spurs fans. He’s been a breath of fresh air. Every time he does an interview, he seems to come across well. 

‘I think the last manager, Conte, was not someone who everybody loved. Tottenham have got that feeling now, you look at their manager, and you hope they do alright, I hope they do well in certain games. 

‘I think that was a big result for them today, to show it’s not just a flash in the pan in these early few weeks.’ 

Following Sunday’s point, Tottenham sit fourth in the Premier League table on 14 points. Next weekend, they host second-placed Liverpool, before a trip to Luton Town seven days later.  

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