Watford

3.13

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  0

  3

  2.50

  Scott Loach Flop of the Match

  It took Spurs half an hour to test Loach and he was easily equal to Defoe's bouncing volley. Tottenham's second shot on target zipped past him though, and he'll undoubtedly be unhappy with his effort at keeping it out as Van der Vaart's flew past him.

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  0

  1

  3.00

  Lee Hodson

  Helped Deeney on the right flank really expose Rose's poor positioning in the first half and sent a couple of teasing crosses into the Tottenham box. Picked up the game's first booking with a poor tackle on Lennon in the closing stages.

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  0

  1

  3.50

  Adrian Mariappa

  The much talked about center half was solid alongside Nosworthy but found himself brutally exposed for Van der Vaart's goal.

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  1

  1

  3.00

  Lloyd Doyley

  Watford's longest serving player will rue his missed interception in the build up to Spurs' goal. His stretched leg was just slightly short of what was required to prevent the Dutchman wandering into space.

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  0

  1

  3.50

  Nyron Nosworthy

  Combined well with Mariappa to keep Defoe and Adebayor relatively quiet throughout the game. Could do very little about the goal as Van der Vaart took it from distance and before he could get out to block. Had an excellent chance from a Yeates corner that he prodded at goal but it was kicked away from Cudicini.

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  0

  1

  3.00

  Sean Murray

  The 18-year-old had Watford's best chance but his curled shot was tipped onto the post by Cudicini. Worked hard down the left until he was replaced by Yeates on the 67th minute.

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  0

  1

  3.00

  Prince Buaben

  Struck a fierce shot from 25 yards inches wide in the first half and his deflected effort forced a save from Cudicini with 15 minutes to play. Looked lively but the former Ajax man was perhaps not involved enough

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  0

  1

  3.00

  John Eustace

  Had one half chance but blazed his left foot shot high and wide. With 20 minutes to play, he rose highest to nod Yeates' corner onto the far post.

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  0

  1

  3.50

  Marvin Sordell

  Almost touched one past Cudicini at the near post after 14 minutes but it just nicked the post. Was a constant menace to the Spurs centre-backs and did his reputation no harm.

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  0

  1

  3.00

  Troy Deeney

  Initially provided Watford's best outlet down the right and his low cross to Sordell almost led to an opener. Had a great chance with the rebound from Murray's effort but he screwed his chance wide at the near post.

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  0

  1

  3.00

  Joe Garner

  Had a great opportunity from Hodson's near-post cross but air-kicked as he tried to sweep the ball home. Worked hard down the left for Watford but he won't like to be reminded of his shot that cleared the Rookery End of Vicarage Road. He was replaced by Whichelow with 10 minutes to play.

Substitutions

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  0

  1

  3.50

  Mark Yeates

  Came on for Murray on the 67th minute to face his old club. His corners were devilish throughout his time on the pitch and caused Tottenham's defense a few nervy moments. Had his header deflected wide by Dawson that looked to be goal-bound.

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  0

  1

  0.00

  Matthew Whichelow

  Entered the fray with 10 minutes to play, replacing Joe Garner.

Tottenham

3.21

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  2

  0

  3.50

  Carlo Cudicini

  Did what was asked of him in the first period and made a wonderful fingertip save from Murray early in the second half. Continued to stay dependable by saving a Buaben effort and made an instinctive save with his feet from Nosworthy.

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  3

  1

  3.50

  Kyle Walker

  He was the outlet on the right flank in the absence of Lennon and was positive throughout. His athletic ability, in particular his pace, continues to astound and is such a key part of his attacking and defending game.

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  1

  0

  3.50

  Younes Kaboul

  Had to cover for Rose a couple of times in the early stages and did well when needed. He battled well with the Watford frontline and came out on top for the most part.

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  2

  0

  3.00

  Michael Dawson

  Wasn't his most composed performance and was troubled by the pace of Marvin Sordell all evening. Did make an excellent block from Yeates with 10 minutes to play.

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  1

  0

  3.00

  Danny Rose

  Did his best to get forward but early on this was costly to the away side's defensive shape. Grew into the game though and through a more cautious approach in the second half, gave Spurs a more solid back four.

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  1

  0

  3.50

  Scott Parker

  Struggled slightly in the first half but came into his own in the second half making a number of crucial interceptions and last ditch tackles. It was his usual huffing and puffing alongside Livermore that kept Spurs going through difficult moments.

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  4

  1

  4.00

  Rafael van der Vaart Top of the Match

  Has been guilty in the past of coasting through games but certainly put the hard yards in. His tendency to hit the long diagonal pass was a source of frustration at times but he brightened an otherwise drab first half with the opening goal from nigh-on 30 yards. Continued strongly in the second half and struck the bar from the edge of the box following a cut back from Lennon

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  1

  1

  3.00

  Luka Modric

  Looked a little out of sorts initially as pressure forced him into conceding possession more than once. Having looked tired, he was replaced at half-time by Lennon

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  2

  0

  3.50

  Jake Livermore

  Did what was asked of him for the most part but a sloppy touch at the beginning of the second half led to Murray's chance. Aside from that he again showed that he is a dependable option for cover in the middle of the park.

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  2

  2

  2.50

  Emmanuel Adebayor

  Began brightly and tried to work the space out wide. However he began to look frustrated and gradually floated out of the game. Departed for Pavlyuchenko in the 90th minute and headed straight down the tunnel. Looked uninterested and moody throughout.

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  1

  1

  2.50

  Jermain Defoe

  Had one of his quieter games, which says something. Had the away side's first attempt on target but aside from that was largely anonymous. Subbed for Pienaar in the 80th minute.

Substitutions

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  1

  0

  0.00

  Steven Pienaar

  Came on for 10 minutes for Jermain Defoe as Spurs looked to shut up shop.

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  3

  0

  3.00

  Aaron Lennon

  Came on at half-time for Modric and injected the pace Spurs needed in their attacks. Looked lively and was crudely hacked down by Hodson.

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  1

  0

  0.00

  Roman Pavlyuchenko

  Came on in the last couple of minutes