Tottenham hosted Maribor on Thursday night in the Europa League, and finally marked their first win of the competition as they moved up to second spot in Group J.
Spurs needed a win to better their chances of progressing through to the next round of the tournament. Manager Andre Villas-Boas had previously stressed the importance of the competition, and has urged his players to win it.
Tottenham had been the better team of the two, and will go into this weekend’s game against Manchester City full of confidence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Lloris-c16408 – 7
Had a good game overall, but made a mess of things when he failed to clear Kyle Naughton’s back pass. This led to Maribor’s only goal of the night. Was untroubled for the majority of the 90 minutes, and made a strong case to be started on the weekend against
Manchester City.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814 – 8
The towering Belgian was good going forward, and was calm in possession. Vertonghen had a very solid game, and continues to impress with his versatility.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kyle-Naughton-c21563 – 8
The youngster was at fault for Maribor’s equalizer as he made a poor back-pass to Lloris. Otherwise, he had a decent game, and kept the Maribor attack quiet throughout. He made an excellent last ditch tackle to deny Tavares from grabbing another goal for
the visitors.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Dawson-c25288 – 8
Showed his long range passing across the pitch and found Bale almost all the time with his long balls. Was good in the centre and kept the Maribor attack at bay. Won almost all his aerial duels and had a very comfortable night alongside Vertonghen.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kyle-Walker-c21566 – 8
After a poor display on the weekend against Wigan Athletic, the right-back had a good game and ventured forward with purpose and energy. Walker was a constant threat for the Maribor left-back.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tom-Huddlestone-c35227 – 8.5
The midfielder kept the ball well, and made a lot of passes across the pitch. He demonstrated his vision with his long balls and was influential in the middle of the park.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062 – 8
The winger used his speed and dribbling effectively as he constantly kept the Maribor defence busy. Lennon linked well with Walker on the right side and also defended well.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 – 9
The Welshman continues to impress with his pace, energy, attacking flair and directness. Bale provided dangerous crosses throughout the game, and created two goals on the night. He was substituted at half time after a very good performance.
Thomas Carroll – 9
The youngster had a very impressive game, and worked hard in midfield as Tottenham’s primary creative outlet. He was always finding space and showed some excellent off the ball movement. Carroll grabbed an assist with a delightful volleyed pass for Defoe’s
second goal of the night.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526 – 8
The Togolese forward made his first start for the team, and linked well with Carroll and Huddlestone. Adebayor could’ve featured on the score sheet, but his finishing let him down. Otherwise, he was impressive as he looks to make his way back in the starting
11.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jermain-Defoe-c18359 – 9.5
The English striker put in a man of the match performance as he grabbed a hat trick through some superb finishing. Found himself at the end of most of Bale’s crosses, and demonstrated his prolific form in front of goal. Defoe was replaced by Dempsey in the
final 10 minutes.
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