Find out how the Spurs players rated in yesterdays’s excellent 2-1 win against Man United at Old Trafford.
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
The Frenchman was lucky to get away with two potentially costly fouls after appearing to handle outside the box early on, before clattering Ashley Young off the ball in the second half, incensing United boss David Moyes. But Lloris showed his class with important saves from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez late on, as the hosts piled on the pressure.
Kyle Walker: 7
The right back defended solidly against the lively Adnan Januzaj and, as usual, looked to get forward in support of Lennon when he could.
Danny Rose: 6
Rose had a tricky afternoon up against Antonio Valencia and Adnan Januzaj and showed his naivety on occasion with reckless runs forward, leaving Spurs exposed on the counter. The 23-year-old still doesn’t look 100% fit but is easily Spurs best option at left back and will only get better.
Michael Dawson: 7
Dawson was exposed by Danny Welbeck’s pace early on but dealt admirably with United’s many balls into the box, as the hosts piled on the pressure in the first half and late on. The Yorkshire man may not be the paciest or classiest defender in the Premier League but his experience and willingness to put his body on the line are valuable assets for Spurs.
Vlad Chiriches: 8
After mixed showings under Tim Sherwood so far, Chiriches had his best game in a Spurs shirt, showing excellent positioning and awareness to stifle United’s threat. The Romanian has all the tools to become a brilliant player and Spurs fans must be excited to see him alongside Jan Vertonghen at centre half.
Aaron Lennon: 8
The winger loves playing against Patrice Evra and continued his good form with the all-important second assist for Christian Eriksen. But Lennon should have scored in the first half, when put one-on-one with David De Gea by Roberto Soldado’s clever pass.
Christian Eriksen: 8
Normally a creative number ten, the Dane has looked a little lost on the left wing in recent matches but was afforded the freedom to roam at Old Trafford and was excellent, proving an assist for Emmanuel Adebayor’s opener and scoring a brave second after beating Antonio Valencia to a loose ball.
Mousa Dembele: 7
A solid performance from the Belgian, who was required to sit deep against United and was therefore unable to hurt the hosts with his excellent dribbling. But Dembele protected the back four well, frustrating Wayne Rooney to the point where the England striker was booked for hauling him back in the first half.
Etienne Capoue: 7
The Frenchman still doesn’t look 100% fit, perhaps the reason he was replaced by Nabil Bentaleb on the hour, but his natural defensive tendencies were important in an otherwise attack-minded Spurs midfield.
Roberto Soldado: 6
The Spaniard was creative and full of willing running but his goalscoring touch again deserted him and he blazed Aaron Lennon’s wonderful cross over the bar from a great position. That said, Soldado was unlucky not to have an assist after Lennon shot straight at De Gea after being put clean through by Soldado’s wonderful pass.
Emmanuel Adebayor: 8
The poster boy of Tim Sherwood’s revolution at Tottenham had another brilliant game, hurting United’s defence with his clever movement and passing and aiding the Tottenham cause with plenty of willing running. On this form, Sherwood is right in describing Adebayor as one of the best strikers in the league, but the Togolese front-man needs to keep it up.
Subs:
Nabil Bentaleb (Capoue – 64′): 7
The 19-year-old Frenchman is a favourite of Sherwood and was neat and tidy in a decent 30 minute showing.
Nacer Chadli (Adebayor – 70′): 6
The Belgian was asked to play in the hole and win headers after Adebayor’s injury but he naturally drifted wide to his favoured left wing role.
Harry Kane (Soldado – 75′): 6
The youngster seemed undaunted by the scale of the stage and held the ball up well in the dying minutes.
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