PLAYER RATINGS: Tottenham 2-1 FC Sheriff

Always take Lamela with you, everywhere you go. It was a breakthrough performance for the Argentinean who has endured a difficult start to life at the Lane; he needed a goal to kick-start his career here and he found it with a sweet strike past Tomic in the Sheriff goal.

Brad Friedel – 6 – Probably should have done better with the goal but was solid enough.

Kyle Walker – 6 – A quiet night both defensively and offensively for Walker although he will be disappointed that the goal came from his side of the pitch.

Younes Kaboul – 7 – Our defence feels much more solid with this man at the back and he is staking a claim for a Premier League spot with a series of calmly impressive performances in the cups.

Jan Vertonghen – 7 – Polished and cultured (again) and was eager to push forward when having the ball at his feet, although his creativity is unfortunately stifled at centre-back.

Kyle Naughton – 6 – Had hardly anything to do and that’s a good thing as he probably wouldn’t have been able to do it.

Etienne Capoue – 7 – His first start since the beginning of September and we received a reminder that he is a ball-playing defensive midfielder after a series of driving runs towards the Sheriff area.

Mousa Dembele – 6 – A quiet night for the Belgian as most of our build up play was down the flanks.

Erik Lamela – 8 – The standout performer on the night and he deserves the opportunity to demonstrate his class in the league. Incredibly quick feet to win the penalty and a smart finish capped off a memorable evening.

Christian Eriksen – 7 – Snapshots of brilliance although his ability was somewhat stifled by Sheriff’s disciplined 2 banks of 4 at the back.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6 – Most of the attacking play took place down the right wing through Lamela and so the Iceman had a quiet night on the far side.

Jermain Defoe – 6 – Hardly touched the ball but scored a magnificent penalty and is now Spurs’ leading goalscorer in Europe, all time.

Substitutes

Paulinho – 6 – Created a couple of half-chances with opportunistic ventures into the Sheriff penalty area but couldn’t finish.

Lewis Holtby – 6 – Ran around a lot but wasn’t on the pitch enough to influence events.

Harry Kane – 6 – Determined and passionate but ultimately unable to impact the game, with him being on when we were just playing keep ball.