Erik Lamela Focus

Erik Lamela was the talk of the footballing world this week after scoring an astonishing rabona goal for Tottenham.

The Argentina international’s strike in Thursday’s 5-1 Europa League defeat of Asteras Tripolis went viral and is a sure-fire contender for the FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.

Lamela was back in action against Newcastle on Sunday and Press Association Sport looks at how he fared in the Barclays Premier League match.

GOAL THREAT

The 22-year-old started the match playing on the right of an attacking trio supporting front man Emmanuel Adebayor. Lamela often found himself on the left flank given the fluid nature of Spurs’ attack and, while often in the right positions, did not manage a shot all game.

WORK RATE

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has got his countryman to track back and press in line with his philosophy. It is something Lamela has bought into, epitomised by stretching under pressure to prod into the path of Danny Rose. Unfortunately, the left-back could only blaze over.

IMPACT

There were a few lovely flicks but, in all honesty, this was a lacklustre display by Lamela. Too often he left full-back Eric Dier exposed and his pass completion of 77 per cent may not be awful, but those failed attempts left his team-mates in trouble. Lamela started the move from which Adebayor scored, but could have few arguments when he was replaced as Spurs looked, unsuccessfully, to avoid a 2-1 home defeat.