The best and worst of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at White Hart Lane as Premier League points were shared.
Hugo Lloris: 8/10
Hugo Lloris is rapidly becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. His speed off his line and lightning reflexes make him the ideal man to sweep up behind Spurs’ high line.
Kept an increasingly dominant Chelsea at bay in the second half.
Kyle Walker: 7/10
Kyle Walker was solid at right back, getting forward as ever, but also keeping Eden Hazard relatively quiet on Chelsea’s left when asked to defend.
Kyle Naughton: 5/10
After an underwhelming performance against Cardiff City featuring a dreadful back pass, Kyle Naughton remains a clear understudy to Danny Rose at left back. Based on today’s performance against Chelsea, Naughton still has much to learn.
Jan Vertonghen: 6/10
Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Torres had a running battle throughout the game. Torres probably should have received a red when he held the Belgian’s face, while Vertonghen too was lucky to stay on the pitch. Lucky to avoid a yellow card when he pushed over Torres, and again perhaps fortunate to only receive a booking when scything down Ramires, who had a clear run on goal.
Vertonghen is one of the best technical centre backs in the Premier League on his day, but must avoid being embroiled in clashes like today – or he could soon be a liability. Has yet to rediscover the impressive link play and bursts forward from last season.
Michael Dawson: 7/10
Michael Dawson was as solid as you’d expect from a Yorkshireman. Vocal and positionally sound, he could perhaps have done better with John Terry’s goal, with the former England captain untracked to head home.
Paulinho: 6/10
Paulinho offered glimpses of his clear talent, with his forward burst late in the first half resulting in a drive against the post from a sharp angle. He and Moussa Dembele were a great base in central midfield for Tottenham to build from, but the Brazilian faded after the break.
Moussa Dembele: 7/10
As stated above, Moussa Dembele was solid in the first half, but was seemingly offered more license to push forward in the second period, with some fine dribbling on the display. BT Sport pundit Michael Owen’s man of the match, if that means anything at all.
Christian Eriksen: 7/10
Christian Eriksen was at the heart of everything good about Tottenham Hotspur’s first half, with his intelligent movement regularly finding him space away from the lazy marking of John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard.
Created the opening goal with a great run away from Lampard, firing the ball into Soldado, who laid off poorly for Sigurdsson to salvage and finish well. Tired after the break and was replaced by Holtby.
Spurs haven’t scored many goals from open play this season, but Eriksen appears to link midfield and attack well. Manager Andre Villas-Boas will just have to hope that teams don’t stop his new Denmark international – and stop Tottenham from playing.
Gylfi Sigurdsson: 7/10
Gylfi Sigurdsson has started the campaign in prolific form, and after a brace against Norwich City, the Icelandic midfielder again showed made a good run to score against Chelsea.
Sigurdsson’s movement was intelligent throughout, with runs in between full back and centre back, and he will likely get plenty more goals from that position.
Andros Townsend: 7/10
Spurs’ biggest attacking threat other than Eriksen in the first half, the only blot on Townsend’s copybook was a booking for simulation. It was a rubbish dive.
Created the Paulinho chance just before half time with an impressive dribble and well timed intelligent ball.
Roberto Soldado: 4/10
Utterly anonymous. Even though Roberto Soldado was credited with an assist for Sigurdsson’s goal, it was hard to tell if it was a terrible piece of control or a woefully underhit two yard pass. Fortunately for Tottenham Hotspur, the Iceland midfielder was able to bundle the ball home.
Two decent finishes against the not particularly mighty Dinamo Tblisi in the UEFA Europa League aside, Roberto Soldado has not scored in open play for Spurs. The Spain international has only scored two penalties in the Premier League this season, and offers little in terms of build up play.
Jermain Defoe will feel he must be pushing Soldado close for a place up front after making a bigger impression for Tottenham than the 28 year-old in his 13 minutes on the pitch.
Soldado needs to find his feet in the Premier League fast, or that £26 million will soon look a colossal waste of money.
Substitutions:
Nacer Chadli: 5/10
Offered little. Quite what Erik Lamela needs to do to get on the pitch is anyone’s guess.
Lewis Holtby: 6/10
Some tidy touches, but often outmuscled.
Jermain Defoe: 6/10
Always ready to shoot on sight.
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