Tottenham

3.08

• 
  8

  1

  3.50

  Hugo Lloris

  Gave his defence a few nervy moments when rushing from his line to try and claim corners and put his side under pressure with some risky short passes. But was otherwise largely untroubled, and swept up with confidence.

• 
  20

  3

  3.50

  Jan Vertonghen Top of the Match

  Marauded forward from deep in typical swashbuckling fashion and combined well with Bale. Dealt with Shotton with relative ease, and helped Caulker contain Walters when needed. Effortlessly classy on the ball, linking play and playing progressive passes.

• 
  5

  3

  3.00

  Michael Dawson

  Was very worried on the turn by the mobility and pace of Jones, though relished the physical duels. Pinged several dreamy passes across the field, though did not always look comfortable with Villas-Boas' short passing style. Not hugely troubled.

• 
  3

  6

  2.50

  Kyle Walker

  Gifted the ball to Jones on the edge of the area with a loose pass, but the Potters' forward could not profit. Was careless on the ball, rarely getting forward with any threat. Struggled to contain Etherington, who looked lively.

• 
  7

  2

  3.00

  Steven Caulker

  Defended naively against Walters at times, occasionally bulied off the ball and moved around at the Irish forward's will. Grew into the game and dealt with Walters better. Untroubled in the second half, dealt with danger as it appeared.

• 
  5

  1

  3.00

  Aaron Lennon

  Rarely sought to beat Wilkinson down the outside, instead cutting infield and driving at the heart of Stoke's defence with speed and verve. Gifted possession to Cameron, who nearly provided an opening goal for the Potters. Replaced by Sigurdsson with 15 minutes remaining.

• 
  8

  2

  3.50

  Gareth Bale

  Burst into life as the game wore on, driving at Cameron and whipping in crosses. One was deflected over the bar by Huth, another was headed over by Adebayor. Looked the player most likely to find a breakthrough for the home side.

• 
  9

  1

  3.00

  Moussa Dembele

  Struggled initially against the power and aggression of Stoke, going down in a heap several times. But improved, showing the dribbling ability that has made him such a crowd favourite. Breezed past players with ease, though could not find a final ball to unlock the defence. Replaced by Parker with five minutes remaining.

• 
  9

  0

  3.50

  Sandro

  Made a goal-saving interception, flicking the the ball away from Etherington, who looked to about to tap the ball into an empty net. Picked up a yellow card for a high, reckless challenge on Whelan. Looked a threat when driving forward, and forced Huth into making a good block. Matched the ferocity of Stoke's midfield.

• 
  6

  3

  3.00

  Emmanuel Adebayor

  Got very little change out of Shawcross and Huth in the air, but dropped deep to better effect, holding up the ball well and linking play. Could, perhaps should, have headed Spurs into the lead but looped his header over the bar from close range.

• 
  5

  4

  2.50

  Jermain Defoe

  Largely outmuscled by Huth and Shawcross, and given few opportunities to show his deadly finishing. Looked a danger when dropping a shoulder and shooting from the edge of the box. Latched onto a poor Stoke pass but could not find a finish. A quiet day at the office.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  3

  Scott Parker

  Came on for Dembele with five minutes remaining, but had little time to influence the match.

• 
  10

  2

  3.00

  Gylfi Sigurdsson

  Came on with 15 minutes remaining for Lennon, lining up on the left of midfield. Linked with Vertonghen well, and almost scored in stoppage time with a flicked header.

Stoke

2.82

• 
  27

  1

  3.00

  Asmir Begovic

  Solid and reliable when facing shots, though, like Lloris, was occasionally nervy when leaving his line. Drew loud boos from the home crowd for appearing to time waste. Made a crucial late save.

• 
  3

  4

  2.00

  Geoff Cameron

  Struggled to contain the pace and explosiveness of Bale, allowing the Welshman to drive into space and fire in numerous dangerous crosses. One rare bright spark saw him burst forward and square the ball for Shotton, who wasted the chance.

• 
  3

  1

  3.50

  Robert Huth

  Commanding and dominant in the air, as ever. Too reliant on long balls towards the front pair, but such is Stoke's style. Less sure when his mobility (or lack of) was tested, and he deflected a Bale cross narrowly over his own bar. Made a number of key blocks.

• 
  2

  3

  3.00

  Ryan Shawcross

  Brave, physical and robust, just like centre-back partner Huth. Decisive and powerful in the air, but shepherded Adebayor and Defoe away from goal well when the ball was on the deck too. Organised the back four well.

• 
  2

  1

  3.50

  Andy Wilkinson

  Stepped up to good effect, powering into shuddering challenges. Kept the back post on lock-down, heading away most danger. Never beaten for pace by Lennon, and contained Bale when he switched flanks.

• 
  1

  3

  2.00

  Ryan Shotton Flop of the Match

  Struggled to impact the match on the right of midfield, but stepped infield to outnumber Dembele and Sandro in the middle. Lambasted by his manager for his lack of attacking intent. Hit a tame shot towards goal when found in space in the box. Dragged off after an hour.

• 
  1

  1

  3.50

  Glenn Whelan

  Covered gaps and tracked runners extremely well, regularly winning possession. Was nearly cut in half by Sandro after a crunching, high challenge from the Brazilian. Pressed, harried, worked hard, though was not progressive or creative enough on the ball.

• 
  0

  3

  3.50

  Steven N'Zonzi

  Used his energy and tenacity to get in the face of Spurs' midfielders, leading the aggressive pressing that disrupted the home side so often. Harassed and harried, allowing little time on the ball.

• 
  1

  2

  3.00

  Matthew Etherington

  A pacy, dangerous outlet down the right. Was inches away from tapping into an empty goal, but Sandro managed to intercept the ball. Worked tirelessly off the ball, and defended against the pace of Walker and Lennon well. Was replaced by Crouch with just over 20 minutes remaining.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Kenwyne Jones

  Battled hard with Dawson. Could have opened the scoring when Walker gifted him the ball on the edge of the area, but blasted over. Held the ball up quite well, but drifted out of the match and provided little threat as the game wore on. Replaced by Jerome after an hour.

• 
  0

  2

  2.50

  Jonathan Walters

  A physical, bullish nuisance. Used his body well to hold off Caulker and provide an out-ball. Drifted out of the game, especially when moved to the right of midfield. Given little service to feed off.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Dean Whitehead

  Came on for Shotton with half an hour remaining, lining up in central midfield. Was booked two minutes after coming on for rugby-tackling Vertonghen to the ground. Busy and hard working, as you would expect.

• 
  3

  0

  2.50

  Peter Crouch

  Came on for Etherington with 20 minutes left and signalled an even more direct approach from Stoke, with long balls being pinged towards him.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Cameron Jerome

  Came on for Jones with a little under half an hour left to play, though was no more effective than the Trinidad and Tobago striker had been.