Goal.com - Home

thumbnail Hello,
play pause open close
 
Played
December 6, 2012 3:05 PM EST
White Hart Lane — London
Referee:‬ P. Gil‎
Attendance:‬ 32554‎
 
Zeca 54′
76′ (OG) Orestis Karnezis
 
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Tottenham 3-1 Panathinaikos

Spurs survive a brief second-half scare to advance to the knockout stages following goals from Adebayor, Defoe and an own goal, after an impressive performance from Clint Dempsey

By Jay Jaffa

  • Brad Friedel
    15
    1
    3.00

    Brad Friedel

    Spent the first half collecting and sweeping up balls in behind the defence as well as gathering Toche's weak effort on goal. Was left grasping at thin air for Zeca's header but otherwise he was dependable in goal and vocal throughout.

  • Jan Vertonghen
    15
    0
    3.00

    Jan Vertonghen

    Untroubled at the back and perhaps should have scored from a free header in the first half. Otherwise, he was composed on the ball and relaxed with his possession.

  • Kyle Naughton
    5
    8
    1.50

    Kyle Naughton

    Didn't have a good game at left-back. He was troubled by Zeca in the first period before he lost the right-winger in the second period from a routine cross. Moments later he was fortunate not to see a loose ball, when his slashed clearance (a header was more appropriate) fell to Toche, resulting in a second for the Greeks. Looked uncomfortable defending the left and was booked for a foul on Sissoko.

  • Kyle Walker
    9
    1
    3.00

    Kyle Walker

    Attacked Spyropoulos well and defended astutely against Mavrias in the early stages before finding himself pushed forward into something of a free role on the right. Took set-pieces for much of the game as well and showed his quality, whipping in a precise ball for Spurs' second goal.

  • Steven  Caulker
    6
    1
    3.00

    Steven Caulker

    Continued his rise to prominence at the heart of the defence, alongside Vertonghen, snuffing out much of the danger from central areas. Looked a little more troubled under the high ball, but that was more a mark of the whole back four than he himself.

  • Clint Dempsey
    67
    2
    4.00

    Clint Dempsey

    Showed great feet at times as he glided around the midfield off his favoured left-flank position. Blazed a couple of shots over but fed Adebayor a delicious pass for the opener and almost collected a second assist as Defoe fired off the post. Forced the second goal as his header rebounded off the underside of the bar, off the keeper and in. Another performance that will please his manager.

  • Aaron Lennon
    13
    1
    3.50

    Aaron Lennon

    Had to do plenty of work going back and forward in a tough encounter against Seitaridis and Mavrios. Couldn't find his form of recent weeks although he by no means did himself a disservice and even on a quiet night, popped up with a neat reverse pass for Spurs' third.

  • Sandro
    11
    1
    3.50

    Sandro

    Commanded the middle of the park as he had to but seemed to have a bit more creative freedom as he spread the ball forward and lashed a shot over the bar. Surged forward when he could and was a real driving force from the middle.

  • Thomas  Carroll
    12
    1
    3.50

    Thomas Carroll

    Continued his impressive form in the Europa League as he kept Tottenham moving along nicely in midfield. Threaded a couple of positive forward passes as well as a neat one-two to send Adebayor through on goal. Won his fair share of tackles too, somewhat against perceptions of him as a lightweight entity. His job was done on the 75th minute after largely chasing shadows for the second half and he was replaced by Dembele. Another promising display.

  • Emmanuel Adebayor
    15
    0
    3.00

    Emmanuel Adebayor

    The hard work was done for him by Dempsey but he showed great composure to slide the ball under Karnezis for the opener. Displayed good upper body strength in tight positions and continued to show promise in a more ball playing role behind Defoe.

  • Jermain Defoe
    10
    1
    3.00

    Jermain Defoe

    Was a periphery figure for much of the first half and skied his one chance on his left foot before seeing a toe-poke deflected over the bar. Started the second half well but watched his shot come back off the bottom of the near post. Eventually got his customary goal, but did so with uncharacteristic finesse as he dinked the ball over the onrushing Karnezis.

Substitutions

  • Moussa Dembele
    16
    0
    3.00

    Moussa Dembele

    Came on for Carroll with 15 minutes to play and added a touch more strength to midfield.

  • Gylfi Sigurdsson
    13
    2
    3.00

    Gylfi Sigurdsson

    On for Dempsey with 10 minutes left and played up alongside Defoe and Adebayor. Had a free header that he put wide from a corner.

  • Jake Livermore
    4
    0

    Jake Livermore

    On late for Lennon.

  • Orestis Karnezis
    3
    2
    3.00

    Orestis Karnezis

    Wasn't afraid to surge through bodies and claim crosses when Spurs elected to fire them in. Could do little for the opener, though, as he was left exposed by Dempsey's pass through his defence, and was terribly unfortunate to see the American's header come off the bar and rebound in off his back. Saw Defoe lift the ball over him as he rushed out from his goal, but couldn't be blamed for any of the three goals.

  • Giourkas Seitaridis
    2
    1
    3.00

    Giourkas Seitaridis

    Delivered a telling low free-kick that could have been turned in by Toche and was otherwise diligent on his flank. Dempsey was a tricky customer but mainly when he drifted inside.

  • Loukas Vyntra
    1
    1
    2.50

    Loukas Vyntra

    Blocked a Defoe effort superbly in the box and was otherwise pretty solid. Did struggle to cut out Dempsey's pass for the opener and questions must be asked as to why the American was left unmarked for the second.

  • Nikos Spiropoulos
    2
    1
    2.50

    Nikos Spiropoulos

    Linked well with Mavrias and did well to keep Lennon and Walker quiet in the first period. His deep cross was expertly finished by Zeca 10 minutes after half-time. Had a bit more trouble up against Walker and conceded the free-kick that led to the second goal.

  • Konstantinos Triandafillopulos
    2
    1
    2.50

    Konstantinos Triandafillopulos

    The man with the unpronounceable name stayed solid and reliable for much of the game, though he was relieved to watch Defoe strike the post and not the back of the net in the second half.

  • Vitolo
    2
    1
    3.00

    Vitolo

    The Spaniard looked a tidy player operating as the anchorman in the Greeks' midfield but could do little about the opener. Stuck to his principles but couldn't inspire a comeback.

  • Charalampos Mavrias
    0
    2
    2.50

    Charalampos Mavrias

    Looked the liveliest threat to Spurs in the first period. He was quick on the turn and really pushed Walker to his limits at times. However, was a bit of a head-down-and-run style winger and rarely provided any great quality in his final ball. Faded as the game went on and was replaced by Fornaroli.

  • Zeca
    2
    1
    3.50

    Zeca

    Gave Naughton a tough time on the right-flank, constantly pressing the full-back into errors and indeed he found the yard he needed to beat his man and tuck a firm header past Friedel for the equaliser. Looked a threat throughout.

  • Pape Habib Sow
    1
    1
    3.00

    Pape Habib Sow

    Took a nasty knock in the early stages but continued on, even alternating with Vyntra at the heart of the defence. Kept it simple but had to be replaced on the hour by Lazaros.

  • Ibrahim Sissoko
    1
    1
    3.00

    Ibrahim Sissoko

    Regularly saw himself crowded out on the ball, despite his obvious energy and willingness to get around the pitch. This paid dividends in the latter stages as he regularly broke up play and was positive moving forward with the ball. Perhaps should have done better with a chance in the box late on.

  • Toché
    0
    2
    2.50

    Toché

    Toche bagged the equaliser in Greece and really should have had another as he missed two great chances. First, his touch at the near post from Seitaridis' free kick was too tame to trouble Freidel, before his snapshot inside the box was mis-hit and trickled wide of the goal.

Substitutions

  • Lazaros Christodoulopoulos
    2
    1
    3.00

    Lazaros Christodoulopoulos

    Came on for Sow with 30 minutes to go and slotted in behind Toche impressively. He gave his side an extra attacking body and it troubled Spurs until Dembele's introduction.

  • B. Fornaroli
    1
    1

    B. Fornaroli

    Late sub for Mavrias but couldn't impact the game.

  • Antonis Petropoulos
    1
    1
    2.50

    Antonis Petropoulos

    Replaced Toche but found no joy up front on his own as Spurs closed the game out.

Results
Group A Matchday 6
Times In EST
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Libor Kozák Libor Kozák
Striker
Lazio
10 0
Ó. Cardozo Ó. Cardozo
Striker
Benfica
8 3
Rodrigo Palacio Rodrigo Palacio
Striker
Inter
8 0
Eto'o Eto'o
Striker
Anji Makhachkal
7 2
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
7 2