Tottenham Hotspur vs Hull City Player Ratings: Walker bosses the right wing

Tottenham Hotspur starting XI

Hugo Lloris (29)

The Frenchman was goodagain on the ball today with his distribution unperturbed. He also made three saves

Jan Vertonghen (25)

Looked solid enough but struggled a bit with his passing at only ??% completed, got up enough and provided the cross which resulted in Soldado’s dubious penalty. Will surely want to move back into central defence soon.

Vlad Chiriches (31)

The Romanian has looked very adept since his inclusion in the Spurs starting XI with pace, aerial presence and ability on the ball. Fans at the lane might be a bit miffed at Vertonghen being shifted wide but as long as they keep clean sheets…

Michael Dawson (30)

What Dawson might not have in natural ability compared to Chiriches he has in intelligence. The bedrock of Spurs’ excellent defensive record compounded his status by making Sagbo’s life very difficult up top.

Kyle Walker (59) MOTM

One of the Lilywhites’ most frustrating players. Walker was given license to roam all game and did so excellently, linking up frequently with Holtby and Sandro.

Sandro (-24)

Justifiably hauled off at half-time for Dembele, the Brazilian never got going and really struggled in midfield against Hull’s pressing triangles.

Paulinho (-2)

Disappointing game for the newcomer, seemed to struggle despite obvious intent to get involved. Always busy.

Lewis Holtby (38)

Tidy on the ball and delivered excellent balls in from the wing, finding his man with 3 out of four corners as well as three out of four corners.

Aaron Lennon (12)

Remarkably good in possession as Hull stood off him, the winger completed 23 out of 25 of his passes but didn’t get involved enough.

Andros Townsend (47)

Did everything Lennon didn’t, dragged his marker out of position and constantly tried to create opportunities. Had four shots from outside the area, only one was on target.

Roberto Soldado (21)

Took his penalty well (again) but still hasn’t clicked into Spurs’ forward line as well as everyone thought he would. Still, a goal from three attempts in the area is what he was bought for essentially.

Subs:

Mousa Dembele (on for Sandro) (28)

Added much needed dynamism as Sandro had a poor first half showing.

Christian Eriksen (on for Lewis Holtby) (-22)

Shocking, constantly gave the ball away 11 times in just half an hour and justified his recent omission from the starting eleven.

Jermaine Defoe (on for Aaron Lennon) (-2)

Two passes, no shots.

Hull City starting XI

Steve Harper (16)

In for the injured Allen McGregor, did his job well. Not much chance with Soldado’s penalty.

Liam Rosenior (-29)

After a solid start tailed off as he was put under huge pressure and made mistakes on the ball

Curtis Davies (7)

Slowly building up a well-deserved reputation as a solid centre-back in Hull, the former Villa man struggled at times today. Losing three of his four aerial duels and only registering a 68% pass accuracy.

Alex Bruce (10)

In a four-man defence he looked comfortable but seemed a bit lost when Bruce switched to a back five.

Paul McShane (-15)

Deployed as a holding midfielder by Bruce in an obvious attempt to destroy Spurs’ midfield rhythm. It worked just the once as McShane made just a solitary interception.

Maynor Figueroa (-17)

Completely outclassed by Kyle Walker, Figueroa completed just 50% of his passes at the lane.

Ahmed Elmohamady (-41)

Scores low on the Performance Score chart because of a harshly accredited penalty. Elmohamady was trying to move out of the way when Vertonghen’s cross struck his wrist. Mind you, he wasn’t doing much beforehand.

David Meyler (-4)

Neat on the ball when it came to him but couldn’t create anything of note. Was comprehensively shackled by Dembele in the second half.

Tom Huddlestone (11)

Hull’s best player, as he has been for most of the season. Constantly trying to make things happen and break up attacks. The former Spurs man was keen to impress and despite the 67% pass completion rate, he made 3 tackles and 3 interceptions as well as a couple of dangerous crosses.

George Boyd (-5)

Tried very hard and had good moments but ultimately ineffective.

Yannick Sagbo (0)

The Ivory Coast international provided excellent presence up front but missed several opportunities to link up with his team-mates. With Aluko he forms a good wing partnership but a hold-up man he is not, his ??% pass accuracy disappointing.