Tottenham make it six wins out of six with dominant display at White Hart Lane.
GK: Brad Friedel: 7
The 78-year-old stopper made several fine stops, including a solid double save late on, when his defence went walkabout. The US stopper remains a decent back-up ‘keeper but one feels for Heurelho Gomes, who is incredibly still on Tottenham’s books…
RB: Kyle Naughton: 6
The full-back made some decent forward runs from his favoured right-back position but was outshone by half-time substitute Ryan Fredericks, who was magnificent, and was also at fault for Anzhi’s goal. ‘Naughts’ could be back at left-back against Liverpool on Sunday.
CB: Etienne Capoue: 6
Made a fine saving tackle in the first-half but looked shaky alongside the inexperienced Fryers. If Vlad Chiriches does not recover from a knee complaint, the Frenchman may start at centre-half against Liverpool on Sunday, which will be a big task given the form of Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho.
CB: Zeki Fryers: 6
The former Man United trainee looked uncomfortable at centre-half and was occasionally stray with his passing.
LB: Danny Rose: 5
The 23-year-old understandably looked off the pace in his first appearance since September but did play one brilliant one-two with Andros Townsend and may have shown enough to be considered ahead of Naughton for the visit of Liverpool.
CM: Mousa Dembele: 7
The Belgian is hitting top form and was influential in the second and fourth goals. The Belgian glided past Anzhi’s players at will and is a joy to watch at his best.
CM: Lewis Holtby: 7
The German was industrious and creative and added his second goal of the season with a lovely run and finish. With Christian Eriksen fit again, Holtby faces a challenge to retain his place but on present form, he deserves to be ahead of the Dane.
AMC: Gylfi Sigurdsson: 6
Intelligent running again from the Icelander and a brilliant free-kick to assist Roberto Soldado for the opener. But ‘Siggy’ went missing for long periods and needed a more imposing performance against the Russians to force his way into the reckoning for this weekend’s match.
AML: Andros Townsend: 7
Terrorised the Anzhi defence with his pace in both halves and set-up Holtby’s goal with an excellent through ball. But his decision making remained wayward at times and the England starlet needs to learn to do the simple things better.
AMR: Erik Lamela: 7
Another relatively quiet performance for the Argentine but there were glimpses of his class, including the assist for Soldado’s second and a bullet header in the second half. Spurs fans are being patient with the £30m man and they must continue to be so.
ST: Roberto Soldado: 8
The Spaniard did his chances of replacing Jermain Defoe at the weekend a world of good with a hat-trick, which will have given him a much-needed confidence boost. His first and second goals were well taken and he never looked likely to fluff the penalty.
Subs:
Ryan Fredericks (Rose, 45′): 8
The right back was fearless on his Tottenham debut, using his pace to great effect down the right flank and winning Spurs a penalty with a superb darting run into the box. The youngster looks like a mini-Kyle Walker.
Christian Eriksen (Dembele, 63′): 6
Looked off the pace after six weeks out injured.
Shaq Coulthirst (Soldado, 76′): 6
Lively on his full debut.
COMMENTS