Victor Wanyama delivered unforgettable moments at Spurs, from a historic Lane finale goal to a stunning Anfield strike, leaving lasting memories.
Being a star in the Premier League requires moments of brilliance and Victor Wanyama certainly provided those during his time at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Kenyan midfielder not only delivered iconic goals but also formed one of the club’s most dominant midfield duos alongside Mousa Dembélé.
His return to North London as a guest for Spurs’ Premier League clash against Manchester United was a moment of nostalgia for fans who still cherish his contributions.
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Signed in the summer of 2016 from Southampton, Wanyama quickly became an essential part of a Spurs side that achieved their highest-ever Premier League points tally in the 2016/17 season.
His ability to break up play and drive the team forward was best showcased when paired with Mousa Dembélé, creating a midfield partnership that gave opponents nightmares.
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Reflecting on that partnership, Wanyama spoke with fondness about his understanding with Mousa.
“Me and Mousa, we enjoyed what we were doing, we complemented each other very well. You miss those moments. We had a good group, and we always wanted to improve each game. Every weekend when we went out, we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could stay at the top,’ Wanyama said in an interview with Tottenham website.
The iconic goals that defined Wanyama’s Spurs career
Among the many standout moments in his Spurs career, two goals stand out as the most unforgettable. The first came on May 14, 2017, when he rose above Wayne Rooney to head in the opening goal of the final match at White Hart Lane. In a game that held great sentimental value, Spurs secured a 2-1 win over Manchester United, giving their historic stadium a fitting farewell.
“That’s a special goal, a special moment in the last game of the Lane,” Wanyama recalled.
“To score in the last game, against a team like United, that was a very big deal for me, closing the stadium with a goal that will always be remembered. It was a proud moment.”
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While his goal in the Lane Finale was symbolic, his second iconic strike was pure brilliance. On February 4, 2018, in a crucial encounter against Liverpool at Anfield, Wanyama produced a thunderous first-time strike from 25 yards that rocketed into the top corner. It was a goal of sheer power and precision, one that is still replayed across social media to this day.
“When I was running towards the ball, I just thought, ‘this is rolling really well, it’s just begging me to hit it’ so I hit first time, and it went into the top corner,” Wanyama said, reminiscing about the moment.
“It’s always coming up when I go on social media, so I click like, put love on it, because it was a special goal.”
A midfield built on strength and skill
While goals provided memorable moments, it was Wanyama’s partnership with Dembélé that truly established his importance to the team. Their complementary styles created a midfield duo that gave Spurs dominance in the center of the park. Wanyama’s defensive solidity and ability to win back possession allowed Dembélé to glide past opponents with his incredible dribbling ability.
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From December 2016 to May 2017, the duo started 13 matches together in the Premier League, resulting in 10 wins and just one defeat. Their presence ensured that Spurs remained unbeaten at White Hart Lane in its final season. Wanyama’s ability to shield the backline and Dembélé’s creativity made them one of the best midfield pairings in club history.
A career of memories and achievements
Wanyama’s four-year spell at Spurs saw the club finish second, third, fourth, and sixth in successive seasons. He played 97 games in all competitions, including six appearances in the team’s remarkable run to the Champions League final in 2019. He even scored one of the first-ever goals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, netting just two minutes into a 4-0 win over Huddersfield in April 2019.
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Victor Wanyama: Stories of iconic goals and a mighty midfield partnership with Mousa
While trophies eluded his era, Wanyama remains proud of his time at Spurs and believes the current squad has the potential to achieve silverware.
“Unfortunately, there was one thing that we would love to do for the club, to win a trophy, but we didn’t do it with our group. You know what? I believe this group will do something special one day.”
Now 32, Wanyama has continued his football journey in Major League Soccer with CF Montréal, where he has remained a key figure. His legacy at Spurs, however, is firmly cemented, thanks to his iconic goals and his commanding midfield presence.
