Adebayor fires Spurs into third

Emmanuel Adebayor (centre)
12 April 2012

Harry Redknapp enjoyed a successful return to the Tottenham dugout as his side moved into third place in the Barclays Premier League table with an easy 2-0 win over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored his fourth and fifth goals of the campaign in a hugely one-sided affair that should have seen the former Arsenal striker take home the match ball. Adebayor put Spurs ahead with a brilliant scissor kick before he took advantage of a mix-up between Shay Given and James Collins to stab home for his second.

Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Scott Parker were all outstanding on Redknapp's comeback.

After Adebayor had somehow headed an early chance wide, the striker redeemed himself on 14 minutes by putting Tottenham ahead.

After seeing Younes Kaboul's shot cleared off the line, Van der Vaart whipped in a corner that fell to Gareth Bale. The Welshman hammered a miscued effort that flew up in the air and Adebayor was on hand to convert an acrobatic effort from 10 yards.

Spurs made it two five minutes before half-time. Collins' failure to clear Bale's low ball caught Given unawares, causing the 'keeper to fumble the Welshman's cross into the path of Adebayor, who made no mistake from less than a yard.

Brad Friedel made his first save of the game to deny Emile Heskey just after the break, but Spurs were soon back on top.

Adebayor should have grabbed his hat-trick but he could only shoot wide when clean through.

Kyle Walker then flashed a 20-yard drive just past Given's right-hand post before Adebayor curled a brilliant shot inches wide.

Substitute Jermain Defoe shot over late on and Spurs had to settle for a two-goal victory margin.

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