Erik Lamela scored twice to help Tottenham Hotspur earn a dramatic 5-4 victory against Leicester City on the final day of the Premier League season, with fans on Twitter delighted with the Argentine’s display.
The winger, who has come in for criticism for his inconsistent form in some quarters, tapped in two second-half efforts and was instrumental in forcing an own goal from Foxes defender Christian Fuchs.
It means that Lamela finishes the campaign with four goals and six assists to his name in all competitions, a respectable record for a player who only recovered from a serious hip problem in November.
That injury had kept the former Roma star out for over a year and he has found it difficult to regain a regular place in manager Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI.
However, he sent out a reminder of his quality with two instinctive finishes which suggested that his future at Tottenham may see him gravitate to a more central role.
Both times he met crosses from the promising Kyle Walker-Peters, who may have a more significant part to play next term after a disappointing debut season for fellow right-back Serge Aurier.
He also had the shot which deflected in off the unfortunate Fuchs, whilst Harry Kane made it to 30 Premier League goals for the first time with Spurs’ first and fifth of the afternoon.
Two efforts from Jamie Vardy, a strike from Riyad Mahrez and a Kelechi Iheanacho wonder-goal were not enough for the away side to take any points home from Wembley.
The result meant Tottenham finished third in the table ahead of Liverpool and they can now look forward to next season when they will be moving into their new stadium, adjacent to former ground White Hart Lane.
The best of the reaction to Lamela’s performance from Twitter can be found below:
https://twitter.com/coys100/status/995769383837421568
https://twitter.com/TonyK_THFC/status/995948097351102464
https://twitter.com/superspurs34/status/995706734202310658
Wow lamela where have you been all season? #COYS
— Lizzie COYS 🌹♿️ #GTTO (@simpson_liz) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/PeterBryans/status/995688377511952384
Everywhere you go, always take Lamela with you. #COYS pic.twitter.com/Gab8W41VYF
— George (@6ftNewt) May 13, 2018
It's really odd that a week ago and yesterday, I said that we should sell Lamela, and low and behold he came through when we need him the most with two goals. Now this is awkward now transfer window is coming up…#COYS #THFC
— JB (@JBAudax) May 13, 2018
Someday I hope to be able to tell my grandkids that I was there when Erik Lamela scored a sort of hat-trick. #THFC #COYS #TOTLEI
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/SpursAaron/status/995791520455430144
#THFC Next season Erik Lamela will be a incredible player. Pochettino will transform him into a Superrrr player. You heard it here first! 💪 pic.twitter.com/GN8ikDyGnz
— THFC Fang 🟣 🟡 (@flash_maan) May 13, 2018