Player Ratings: Inter 4-1 Tottenham (agg 4-4, aet)

Spurs scrape through despite an absolutely disastrous night in San Siro as they fell 3-0 behind before Adebayor's goal in extra-time just nudged them over the line

By Jay Jaffa at San Siro

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Comments

Inter

3.68

29

2

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  Samir Handanoviç

  Made a good stop at full stretch from Sigurdsson but had a quiet game thereafter, dealing with crosses and overhit through balls. Made a fine late save at 3-0 from Naughton to tip behind for a corner before scooping Vertonghen's header in extra time past the post.
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  Javier Adelmar Zanetti

  Just when you think he might be losing it, the 39-year-old plows forward on another trademark run. But it was defensively that he impressed too, particularly as he kept pace with Adebayor as the Togolese nudged the ball in behind him. Put in a stunning block as he swept over from left-back to right-back and keep Inter ahead.
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  Cristian Chivu

  Far more solid than a week ago as he dealt comfortably with Adebayor and Defoe. Looked a real centre-back tonight as he stuck tight to his opposite number.
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  Juan

  Pillar of strength at the heart of Inter's back four. He stuck to Defoe as tight as glue. Athletic and fierce in the challenge, he was another who impressed as Inter silenced Spurs' front two.
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  Jonathan

  Expected to be a weak link but was rarely exposed against a team without genuine pace. Got forward well in support of his midfield and slid the ball to Palacio to cross for Cassano. Subbed in extra time for Ranocchia.
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  Fredy Guarín

  Looked to operate as playmaker in midfield and although he opened Spurs up at times, he was also guilty of dallying on the ball or picking the wrong pass. Later subbed for Ricky Alvarez
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  Esteban Matias Cambiasso

  Banished memories of last Thursday with a far improved performance in a resurgent midfield. He harried, hassled and should have scored if Palacio had found him with a cross in the first half. Came so close to winning it with a left-foot shot inches wide of the far post.
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  Walter Gargano

  The Uruguayan was a little more understated but just as effective, pinching the ball off the Spurs midfield and strikers in his familiar destroyer role. Gave Inter the energy they needed.
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  Mateo Kovačić

  The little Croatian had a difficult time as a No.10 at White Hart Lane, but this time playing deeper he pulled the strings as well as anyone on the field. Left with an injury to a standing ovation after a top-class display of passing and tenacity.
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  Rodrigo Palacio

  Played off the right in theory but really had the freedom to interchange and move the Tottenham defence about. Was desperately unlucky to see his lob hit the crossbar with Friedel beaten but made up for it coolly sliding a shot past the American early in the second half. Reminded Tottenham of what a threat he is after a patchy display at White Hart Lane.
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  Antonio Cassano

  Linked with Palacio almost telepathically throughout the game. If he wasn't finding the Argentine with delicious clipped balls over the defence, he was slithering his way across the pitch completely undetected. Scored the opener with a header from six-yards out and grabbed the third from a free-kick, even though it was deflected. On this form, he is completely unplayable. Majestic performance and signed off with a precise cross for Alvarez's goal.

Substitutions

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  Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez

  On for Guarin to provide more attacking impetus and gave Sigurdsson and Naughton a headache. Scored a diving header from Cassano's brilliant cross to make it 4-1.
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  Marco Benassi

  The academy product was introduced for the injured Kovacic and is clearly highly thought of as his name echoed around the San Siro. Looked composed in possession.

Tottenham

2.27

5

8

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  Brad Friedel

  Had little chance with the goal and was beaten by Palacio's lob, saved only by his crossbar. Made a pair of stops from Cassano and Guarin from close-range. Beaten again but this was a fine finish from Palacio. Was booked for time wasting over goal kicks in the first-half and saw Alvarez and a deflected Cassano strike add further woe to his evening.
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  Jan Vertonghen

  Began the game well, snuffing out a dangerous ball to Guarin but was quickly dragged down by his partner's incompetence and made to look very ordinary up against Cassano and Palacio. Had a fine chance with a header but saw it tipped behind by Handanovic.
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  William Gallas

  Probably his worst performance in a Spurs shirt, which says a lot about how abject he was. Had no idea where he was supposed to hold the defensive line and was beaten with the ball in behind on an incredible number of occasions, including for the second goal. Lucky not to concede a penalty as he bundled into Cassano. Dreadful showing which was compounded by him hanging a leg out and scoring an own goal and then contriving to power a free header from six yards wide of the post in extra time.
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  Kyle Naughton

  Seemed to have a case of the jitters in the early stages and was caught in possession more than once. Did improve as the game went on and was probably the least poor of the back four. Should have been rolled in by Defoe just prior to the second goal but his run was not spotted. Indeed, drove a great strike from range in the closing stages that was just saved.
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  Kyle Walker

  Had a great chance with a free header in the first half but barely connected and saw it run wide. Not overly troubled down his flank but did have a few lapses that just added to the tough night the Tottenham defence had. Booked for diving in what seemed a harsh decision.
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  Scott Parker

  Never seen him give the ball away as much as he did in the first half, which is a pity after his recent improvement in form. Had ample opportunity to show what he could do but it was all a bit too ponderous and laboured to effect the game.
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  Moussa Dembele

  Tottenham's best player. The Belgian continued his fine run of form where many wanted him rested. Playing off the right he was a constant threat breaking inside and looked Spurs' best chance of creating something. Did concede possession in the build-up to the second Inter goal but made up for it by powering the low drive for Adebayor to tap home.
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  Gylfi Sigurdsson

  Played from the left and rarely gave the ball away. His renewed confidence meant he attacked Jonathan but his lack of pace meant he was never a genuine threat in behind. Had one good effort from 25 yards that was beaten away.
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  Jake Livermore

  Actually not too bad as he kept it simple in midfield. There are limits to his game and he was exposed at times in tight positions but he hassled the midfield and kept them honest. Booked for time wasting.
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  Emmanuel Adebayor

  Another who looked as though he was auditioning for his worst performance in a Spurs shirt. His first touch was worse than ever, he didn't win a thing in the air, didn't track or work the pressing game that Spurs utilise and was too easily outmuscled. His one chance in 90 minutes he clipped over the bar and generally looked like he didn't want to be there. Was on hand to tap home a rebound for a crucial away goal.
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  Jermain Defoe

  Looked lively to begin with as a classic shift and shot from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner. From here his 'partnership' with Adebayor was exposed for what it is – a myth. They ran the wrong lanes, played the wrong passes and created nothing. Very poor game and was subbed for Holtby.

Substitutions

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  Steven Caulker

  Came on in extra time for Naughton to add another body and provide more of a physical presence. Reacted well to snuff out danger though did look on edge.
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  Aaron Lennon

  Brought on for Livermore with 20 to play to finally give Spurs a bit of width and pace down the right flank but couldn't get going and seemed inhibited.
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  Lewis Holtby

  Came on to give more strength in midfield and his introduction did briefly shore Spurs up a bit as they packed the midfield. Pressed well and looked lively. Makes you wonder why he didn't start. --- goal.com