Tottenham’s recent £65 million signing scored twice as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1 at home on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou’s team trailed 1-0 at halftime following Morgan Rogers’ early goal, but Brennan Johnson equalized just minutes after the break, revitalizing Spurs’ attack.
In the 75th minute, Solanke put Spurs in front, skillfully chipping over Emiliano Martinez after being set up by Dejan Kulusevski.
Four minutes later, he struck again, tapping in from close range to extend Tottenham’s lead.
The win was sealed when James Maddison added a late free-kick, rounding off a strong comeback.
Solanke’s quick brace ended his six-game goal drought, marking his first goals since Tottenham’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United in late September.
He now has five goals in 13 appearances in all competitions since transferring from Bournemouth this summer.
Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, praised Solanke’s potential, expressing confidence that the forward will continue adding to his tally.
On the The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer complimented Solanke’s performance, particularly his first goal.
He noted how Kulusevski set up the play, allowing Solanke to execute a delicate finish past the goalkeeper.
Shearer expects the 27-year-old to thrive at Tottenham, predicting at least 20 goals this season given the team’s attacking style and the scoring opportunities it creates.
Shearer elaborated, saying, “For a forward, that’s a great team to be in.
With the way Spurs play, whipping balls into the box, he’ll get chances.”
He referenced Heung-min Son’s cross for Johnson’s goal as an example of Tottenham’s creative play, suggesting that Solanke should capitalize on these opportunities.
Gary Lineker, Shearer’s co-host and a former Tottenham striker, also commended Solanke.
He noted the striker’s resilience and development, calling him well-suited to lead Spurs’ front line.
Lineker traced Solanke’s journey from struggling for game time at Chelsea and Liverpool to revitalizing his career at Bournemouth, first in the Championship and then in the Premier League.
“I like him a lot,” Lineker said, observing how Solanke’s steady improvement led to his current success.
Reflecting on Solanke’s prior challenges, Lineker appreciated his ability to overcome a slow start at Tottenham, where he initially struggled to score but has since found his form.
Lineker continued, “It was a big signing for Tottenham, and you wondered if he could step up. He missed a few chances at the start but has shown mental resilience by bouncing back.”
He highlighted Solanke’s skill set, praising his touch, movement, and ability to hold up play, which were evident in both goals against Villa, especially his positioning for the second goal.
In summary, both Shearer and Lineker are optimistic about Solanke’s role in Spurs’ attack.
They see him as a crucial addition, expected to flourish with the opportunities created by Tottenham’s attacking play.
His comeback from early challenges in his career, coupled with his recent performances, underscore his growth as a striker capable of leading the line for a top club.
