Premier League Player Ratings: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United – Part 1
This weekend’s biggest game ended in a stalemate to everyone’s surprise. Spurs have been scoring goals for fun and likewise, have been leaking goals at the back for fun too. However, it was strange to see neither side breaking the deadlock over a 90 minute
period.
Manchester United did lose Rafael, but that was not until the last quarter of the game. Nevertheless, the match was highly entertaining with some high quality fluid football being played by both sides.
We first look at the Tottenham players and how did they perform against the league leaders.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Heurelho-Gomes-c16173: 7.0
He had a really good night and made a couple of really good saves. His catching and distribution was strangely spot on as well. His save down to the right from Rooney was quite spectacular.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-Hutton-c4253: 6.5
The right back had a good game and was sound defensively. He made some really decent forward runs, especially in the first half and probably created the best opening of the match with a super cross for Crouch which the big centre forward smashed wide.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Dawson-c25288: 7.5
He had http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 in his back pocket and he completely dominated in the air. Another cracking performance has only enhanced his growing reputation, as he led Spurs with a captain’s performance.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/William-Gallas-c36874: 7.0
A typical Gallas performance; he was tough in the tackle and worked extremely hard. His understanding with Dawson was spot on which helped nullify the threat posed by Berbatov and Rooney partnership.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto: 7.0
The little left back did terrifically well to keep United’s ‘player of the season’ so far, Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 quiet. He never let his concentration levels drop and used the ball to good effect.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062: 6.0
Was largely anonymous in the first half but grew as the game went on. When he had the ball at his feet he looked lively, although his crossing was below par last night.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wilson-Palacios-c36948: 6.0
A hard working performance from the former Wigan man. He was at the receiving end of a two footed tackle from Rafael. He passed the ball well but his long range shots only annoyed his team mates and the fans alike. He was later replaced by Jermaine Defoe.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luka-Modric-c22857: 8.0
The Croatian was the star for Spurs and he made them tick. By far the best attacking player from either side as he passed and at times danced his way past United’s midfield. He hardly ever lost the ball and his touch and passing was simply a class above
the rest.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422: 6.5
So much is expected of this man every time he takes on the field. He was doubled up by United at every opportunity and apart from a few mazy runs the Welshman was kept quiet. He delivered some delightful crosses early in the game but he looked far from his
best and this was one reason why Spurs failed to break the deadlock.
Rafael van der Vaart: 6.0
He too wasn’t at his usual best as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 seemed to be everywhere to stop everyone. He drifted in and out of the game but created some good openings. His lovely curled effort went just past the goal post. Apart from that he wasn’t able to unlock United’s
strong rearguard.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741: 5.5
Crouch was a real disappointment, considering that he lost most of his headers to Vidic. He did at times come into the game but overall his performance wasn’t up to the mark. He almost scored early in the first half when he shot just wide from an Alan Hutton
cross.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Jermaine Defoe: 6.0
He looked lively after coming on but failed to score that elusive goal against 10-man United.
Continued in part 2
Tags: