Tottenham Hotspur nullified a big-money Arsenal attack on Saturday afternoon to win the North London Derby 1-0 at Wembley, with Davinson Sanchez playing a considerable role in the victory.
The Colombia international was given the nod to start for Spurs alongside Jan Vertonghen, with Toby Alderweireld not risked for the Premier League clash after his recent return from injury.
Sanchez is Tottenham’s club-record signing after joining from Ajax in the summer and the South American enforcer has impressed with his physical presence and ability to adapt quickly to English football.
However, the 21-year-old has also had a couple of questionable performances, with his showings away to Southampton and Liverpool of late raising a number of alarm bells.
The Tottenham fans have been quick to appraise Sanchez’s performance against Arsenal on Twitter, with it appearing that the verdict is somewhat split.
The first lot of Spurs supporters were impressed with the centre-half, praising the defender for his showing in the Derby win.
Incredible to think Davinson Sanchez is still only 21 years of age, what a mature performance from him today in just his first full Premier League season. So calm and composed on the ball, Ledley-esque. #COYS#THFCpic.twitter.com/bjDK1EI1HU
— Ricky Sacks 🎙 (@RickySacks) February 10, 2018
Sanchez was superb today after a dodgy performance at Liverpool last week! Well done Davinson!!!!!#COYS #TOTARS
— David 🏴 (@david_don73thfc) February 10, 2018
When Sanchez empties his pockets he will find Aubameyang! 😂😂😂 #TOTARS
— David 🏴 (@david_don73thfc) February 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/SamGrayTHFC/status/962331779561672704
https://twitter.com/SamGrayTHFC/status/962314328107077632
Great win today! Dembele and Sanchez were outstanding. Lamela very dynamic as a sub. Unlucky to not get more in the back of the net. Great dominance of that small club from Woolwich. 3 points well deserved #COYS
— Donny Nowak (@dnowak28) February 10, 2018
Excellent decision by Poch to save Toby for Juve and play Sanchez. The boy was immense today, totally different player from last weekend. #COYS
— Richard Chandler (@rich_chandler) February 10, 2018
Btw I wouldn’t normally talk about Wenger but his subs were awful which is to say the subs themselves were awful but that’s their problem Vertonghen and Sanchez were a class act especially Vert and Dembele was a beast #COYS
— Paul Cawthra (@1972pic) February 10, 2018
Dembele, Vertonghen and Alli were outstanding today. Sanchez too, he was class #COYS
— cal 🐊 (@calhutchings26) February 10, 2018
Davinson Sanchez the best player on the park for me 👏🏼👏🏼. As if this lad is 21! What a football player #COYS
— Mitch (@MRoseCOYS) February 10, 2018
However, there is no doubting that Sanchez is still somewhat raw and will be refined further by Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The centre-half at times looked shaky in possession, while he turned his back on the ball in the dying minutes to present a chance to Alexandre Lacazette – this group of Spurs fans are not convinced.
https://twitter.com/fortizzle60/status/962333378409312256
Sanchez, with the ball at his feet, scares the shit out of me #THFC
— Glen Hussey (@Glebbers_) February 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/jnvnnbnn/status/962309821885239296
https://twitter.com/noahbergman/status/962336045034541056
https://twitter.com/TKnapp521/status/962332679034277888
https://twitter.com/fluffiwaffles/status/962330094533357568
Given Sanchez is still only 21, his first season at Tottenham has been an overwhelming success so far.
The Colombian looks more solid when Spurs field a back three, but regardless of formation his speed is a saving grace at times for the side.
The fact that Pochettino did not risk Alderweireld for the clash shows the Tottenham manager’s trust in Sanchez, who will hope to retain his place for the trip to Juventus on Tuesday night.