Tottenham 2–2 Basel: Player Ratings

Spurs found themselves on the receiving end of some speedy wingers for a change as they were held to a score draw at home to Swiss side Basel. The Swiss had gone 2-0 up before half time before goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Gylfi Sigurdsson rescued some hope for Spurs as they go into the second leg next Thursday.

Brad Friedel – 7 – Made some good saves, and didn’t really do anything wrong. Obviously, he’s no Lloris, as his control of the box is nonexistent, but no glaring errors from Grandad on this occasion.

Kyle Naughton – 6 – Played well attacking-wise and was unlucky not to get a goal with a couple of his long-range bullets. Defended quite well – most of the Basel attacking was down the Tottenham left.

William Gallas – 4 – A bit of a horror show from the experienced Frenchman. Giving the ball away, making half-hearted clearances, being beaten for pace numerously. Not really showing the experience that Spurs want at this time of the season.

Jan Vertonghen – 6 – Unfortunately, not much better than Gallas. Held his own more commendably, but still found himself being beaten for pace by Salah on the right wing. The attacking threat wasn’t there on this occasion.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto – 5 – Seriously struggling up against the speedy right-winger Salah, allowing him just to run past him so many time that I lost count. Deservedly subbed off – he shouldn’t be too happy with this display.

Scott Parker – 7 – One of the standout performers in the Tottenham team yesterday. Committed, determined and passionate, he effectively broke up attacks through the middle and even provided a bit of threat of his own.

Mousa Dembele – 6 – Not his best performance, but equally, definitely not his worst. Just plain old average. A couple of decent attacking bursts.

Aaron Lennon – 6 – Quiet, then subbed off early. Hopefully he is back for Everton.

Gareth Bale – 6 – Didn’t do that much last night – didn’t really get the service – and then to cap it all off he got injured. Hopefully he isn’t out for too long.

Lewis Holtby – 7 – The epitome of work rate. He never stops running, and he made some nice interchanges, unlucky not to get a goal before the goalkeeper pushed the ball out of his feet when he was through.

Emmanuel Adebayor – 6 – Not his worst display ever, linked up well on occasion with the attacking midfielders behind him and even managed to get a goal.

Substitutes:

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7 – A breath of fresh air when he came onto the pitch, and the one player who actually looked like a genuine goal threat – as shown, when he got his goal.

Michael Dawson – 5 – Struggled to contend with the pace of the Basel wingers – not really his type of defending.

Clint Dempsey – 5 – Anonymous when he came on. No seriously, what’s his name again?