Player Ratings: Anzhi 0-2 Tottenham

Spurs produced a lethargic European away performance after AVB made 8 changes from the weekend, but they secured the 3 points that they needed to maintain a 100% record in Europe this year. The game was slow and dull and the pitch was terrible, but we head back to London with the all-important win – coupled with a clean sheet – to continue our impressive start to the season.

Hugo Lloris – 6 – Did what was required when he was (occasionally) called upon.

Kyle Walker – 6 – Solid, bagging an assist: I just hope he has enough left in the tank to produce a good performance against West Ham in 70 hours.

Vlad Chiriches – 6 – Started in a similar way to the Villa game – shakily – but he grew into it and he is clearly a very calm, composed and confident individual with the ball at his feet.

Younes Kaboul – 7 – Great to see Kaboul back, captaining the side again tonight, and I hope he can make a return to full fitness as he showed his power and presence today.

Zeki Fryers – 6 – A tidy performance from Fryers to show that he has potential to become a rather good full-back. Decent, if not inspiring.

Sandro – 6 – Commanding and emphatic as ever when required but ultimately he didn’t have too much to do as the pitch took the sting out of any attack and turned it into a scrappy midfield battle.

Mousa Dembele – 7 – Probably the best player on the pitch, intelligently getting the ball still on the floor and making sensible passes. Controlled the tempo of the game superbly.

Erik Lamela – 5 – Extremely quiet but I do want AVB to try him in the Premier League; he will probably find it easier to settle in there than in a European tie in Russia.

Lewis Holtby – 6 – Not as influential as in his other cup performances but still assisted Defoe and made a key contribution to Chadli’s goal, as well as testing the keeper with long shots twice.

Nacer Chadli – 7 – Looked hungry and dangerous throughout and took his goal well.

Jermain Defoe – 6 – Also finished his strike well but he is the not the type of striker you want up top on his own in a scrappy midfield battle; Soldado and Adebayor provide a much more ready outlet to aim for.

Substitutes

Michael Dawson – 6 – Made an important defensive header but had little else to do.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6 – Looked keen and eager but when he was on we were just retaining possession, not pushing forward.

Christian Eriksen – 6 – Quiet in his short cameo.