PLAYER RATINGS - Spurs 1 - 0 Sheffield United

Andros Townsend’s 2nd half penalty handed Spurs the advantage in the first leg of our Capital One Cup Semi Final against Sheffield United.

The Blades were under the cosh for the majority of the game, with Pochettino’s side even reaching up to 85% possession at times as the midfield trio of Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane and Andros Townsend probed for an opener.

But Nigel Clough’s side still held a threat on the break, with Jamal Campbell-Ryce getting the better of Ben Davies to give United the best chance of the first half.

The turning point came through the unlikely figure of Roberto Soldado, on in place of Emmanuel Adebayor, who exquisitely brought Jan Vertonghen’s clipped pass out of the air before Jay McEveley handled inside the 6 yard box.

Townsend converted coolly and Spurs saw the somewhat anti-climatic Semi-Final out to take a small lead to Brammall Lane next week.

Player Ratings

Michel Vorm - 6 – Out quickly at the feet of anybody who entered his area but went massively untroubled. The odd catch here and there but nothing hugely promising going forward for Sheffield.

Ben Davies - 4 – Given a torrid time by Jamal Campbell-Ryce – United’s only real threat on the counter. Given very little support by Eriksen and later Kane on the left but will be glad that the winger couldn’t pick anyone in red out.

Jan Vertonghen - 7 – My Man of the Match for his rigid and composed display. The partnership with him and Dier is all he more attractive than that with Fazio in my opinion, and Jan ending the night with the armband was very apt. Solid both on the ground and in the air.

Eric Dier - 6 – Much the same as Vertonghen, and provided some much needed brawn as Sheffield pushed for corners. Could easily have been playing defensive midfield for the large part.

Kyle Walker - 6 – Couldn’t stretch the opposition back 4 as much as he would have liked, especially against his old side. The trip to Brammall Lane is in danger of getting the better of the local lad, but there were promising signs with him and Andros.

Benjamin Stambouli - 6 – A pretty defensive approach but solid from the Frenchman. Maybe wasn’t needed due to Sheffield’s lack of fight in the first half and was lost when they countered but fitted nicely at the base of our attack.

Ryan Mason - 4 – Disappointing return from injury for Mason who looked off the pace in the first period. Certainly tried too much with his passing, forcing errors. As ever, ran himself into the ground before tiring early due to match fitness.

Christian Eriksen - 5 – Couldn’t work the space out on the left and was crowded out even more when he eventually moved inside. His shots at goal were rushed and set-pieces made me cry a little. Poor from Christian.

Harry Kane - 6 - Played behind Ade at the start, then swapped positions with Eriksen and moved to the left. That effected his performance, overall was a little below his recent standards.

Andros Townsend - 6 – Provided a boost of energy but had little chance to counter with the League 1 side sitting so deep. Tucked his penalty away nicely, something he is becoming known for.

Emmanuel Adebayor - 5 – Hardly justified his inclusion in the side let alone his captaincy. Not necessarily “lazy”, just never found the space he needed to work an opening. Although, he should have hit the target with his first half volley.

SUBS

Roberto Soldado - 6 – Provided more of a danger than Ade in my opinion and his touch for the goal was class.

Mousa Dembele - 5 – No impact. Passenger.

Paulinho - 6 – Another energetic display from the bench, putting him ahead of Dembele for me.

Although this was not the "Glory Glory" night we all hoped for at White Hart Lane due to a combination of sticky football and reserved atmosphere, the result takes us one step closer to our Wembley Final.

It is vital to remain positive with the performance, and to focus on the fact that we dominated Sheffield from start to finish with the exception of one above average winger.

Get Kane and Eriksen firing, and Spurs will be on The Way to Wembley.

 

A bit worrying that we didnt score from open play, prefer kane as our out and out striker, as he clearly is our most potent forward. Wont be easy in Sheffield on a cold night and a bobbly pitch and we have to match their fight and determination. Was impressed with the Blades and the players and coach must know it will tough up there next week. Coys.

 

Watched the game with half an eye at a pub, my regular company isn't one to be very interested in football. But, by what I saw, I thought Stambouli was very solid, he's really turned it up a notch the last couple of games. Would like to see him and Mason again against Leicester (in a 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 doesn't really seem to fit with our squad), Mason needs to get up to speed again and Stambouli seems to have gotten a hang of English football much sooner than I'd imagined.

 

Bit harsh with the ratings. Only Davies deserving a rating of less than 6. The rest all worth a six bar vorm Jan Townsend dier all 7s. Thought dembele gave us more impetus tbf and still a far better player than bentaleb mason and stambouli who is a nothing player for me. Positives are we played poor but won the game no aways conceded and a blossoming partnership between Jan n Eric which is hopefully here to stay and be built upon!

 

Give us a break. Adebayuseless was given a generous undeserved 5. He gave the ball away, slapped a player, and missed a decent chance. A Captain he is not (and hopefully never again) certainly not a leader. Upset the balance of team.

 

We can all see why Sheffield Utd beat premiership teams to get to the Semi Final they are a hard team to beat and once again we were lucky we got a penalty to win the game as we had no clue going forward and was very sloppy giving the ball away! we are becoming a lucky team! our problem is we struggle to break down teams that defend in numbers because we have too many midfielders that are a much of a muchness as they are not creative, we still lack a Modric type to run a game and put through balls through to the strikers in a flash, it's what you get when all you buy is defensive type midfielders and now we are going for another in McCarthy? crazy really as we need more creative types that can put in a tackle aswell. Ben Davies had a shocker and I really think we need a new left back, Kane had a disappointing game but I was impressed with Jan and Dier together both 7 for me! hope we play better in the 2nd leg but it will be hard, no Ade as Captain anymore! he doesn't deserve to be in the team let alone Captain. Coys!

 

Of course Mason was going to be off the pace - he's just returned from a hamstring injury!
*bangs head against keyboard in disbelief*

 

I don't think Davies was THAT poor. He had no support against a tricky winger, who fortunately had no end product, but part of that must go to Davies. Definitely wasn't helped by Eriksen on the left, who isn't defensive minded and shouldn't be.
On another note, Adebayor should be nowhere near the starting XI. Give Sonupe a chance from the u21s over him.