Tottenham travelled to Villa Park last night to face a struggling Aston Villa side, who were fresh from an astounding 8-0 defeat against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Having started the game brightly, Villa were unable to impose themselves and allowed Tottenham to play their football. The first half ended in a stalemate, but Tottenham drew first blood in the second half as Villa were punished for their defensive frailties.
Jermain Defoe scored the opening goal of the game and Gareth Bale followed it up with a hat-trick – his first ever in the Premier League.
Tottenham secured the win and the 3 points, which puts them back at 4th spot, level on points with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c13019 and West Brom.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408 – 7
The Frenchman was not tested in the first half and had a relatively quiet evening. He was much busier towards the star of the second half, but overall had a very comfortable game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814 – 8
The Belgian returned to his favoured centre-half position, and dealt with the Aston Villa attack with ease all evening alongside William Gallas. He enjoyed a good battle with compatriot http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Benteke-c9056 and came up on top on almost every occasion.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/William-Gallas-c36874 – 7
The Frenchman had a very easy and comfortable game, and worked well alongside Vertonghen. He kept Benteke at bay and shielded Lloris and the Tottenham goal very well.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kyle-Naughton-c21563 – 8
The young left-back put in a good performance and was solid defensively. He kept the ball well and often ventured forward with the ball. Naughton provided the incisive pass which led to Tottenham’s first goal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kyle-Walker-c21566 – 8
The right back had a good game, and found himself in the opposition half for the greater part of the 90 minutes. He supported Lennon on the left flank and put in dangerous crosses for the strikers.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062 – 8
The English trickster had a very good game but was unable to get on the score sheet. He saw a volleyed effort blocked by a diving challenge from the Villa defenders but was a constant threat down the right hand side.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 – 9
The Welsh winger put in a spectacular performance and notched up his first ever Premier League hat-trick. Bale ran riot in the second half and clinically took all his chances. He was without a doubt the man of the match.
Moussa Dembele – 7
The Belgian midfielder had a busy and energetic game. He did well to keep the ball and helped Tottenham keep possession. He paired alongside Sandro and both players worked hard to keep the Tottenham engine running. He was however unable to create any clear-cut
goal scoring opportunities.
Sandro – 8
The Brazilian worked hard alongside Dembele and together they dominated the midfield. Sandro shielded the back-4 solidly and went forward whenever he got the chance. He is truly a physical and dominant presence for the team and has become an influential
player over the course of the season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526 – 7
The Togolese linked up well with Defoe but was unable to get on the score sheet. He did however play a couple of decent passes and had a few attempts on goal that were saved by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brad-Guzan-c7954.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jermain-Defoe-c18359 – 8
The English striker scored the opening goal of the night and played with energy and zest. He controlled the ball well and pressed at every chance. He never had a clear chance at goal, and did good to convert from Naughton’s superb pass in the second half.
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