Adebayor Scores on his Tottenham Debut

Adebayor - No: 11

Adebayor celebrates his debut goal

In the 67th minute of his debut for Tottenham against Wolves at Molineux, Emmanuel Adebayor collected a through ball from Scott Parker and coolly scored his first goal for his new club.  This set Spurs up for their first Premier League win of the season and made him the eleventh Tottenham player to score on their Premier League debut.

Who else is on that list?

Sol Campbell: (Dec. 1992) In the first season of the Premiership Campbell made his debut as a late substitute against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. His goal was a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat. Campbell went on to captain Spurs to a Worthington Cup success at Wembley against Leicester City in 1999 but he will forever be despised by Spurs fans for the way he left the club in 2001 on a Bosman free to sign for the club's near neighbours and greatest rivals, Arsenal.

Ronnie Rosenthal: (Feb. 1994) Battling against relegation Ossie Ardiles signed Rosenthal to bring some experience to the team which was struggling to score goals. In his debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday Rosenthal scored but it didn't prevent Spurs losing 1-3. the highlight of Rosenthal's career with Spurs was the hat-trick he scored against Southampton in the FA Cup in 1995. Spurs were two down at half-time but Rosenthal came on as a substitute and scored twice to take the game to extra time. He completed his hat-trick (three tremendous goals) to give Spurs an improbable 6-2 victory.

Jurgen Klinsmann: (Aug. 1994) (pictured) Spurs were in deep trouble having been severely punished by the Football Association for financial irregularities. Chairman, Alan Sugar had managed to persuade Klinsmann to join Spurs and his presence gave Spurs an immediate boost and an opening day success against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Klinsmann scored in a 4-3 victory, introduced his 'dive' celebration and was carried off injured on his debut. Klinsmann formed an exciting goal scoring partnership with teddy Sheringham but unfortunately it didn't produce any silverware for the club and he departed at the end of the season. His later return was not as effective although he scored four vital goals against Wimbledon to save spurs from relegation under Christian Gross.

Dean Richards: (Sept. 2004) Signed from Southampton by Glenn Hoddle, defender Richards scored against Manchester United as Spurs took a three goal lead in the first half. However, that was as good as it got as after half-time United stormed back at White Hart Lane to win 5-3. Richards career at spurs was blighted by injury.

Fredi Kanoute: (Aug. 2003) Signed from West Ham United during the summer he made his debut at home to Leeds United. His substitute appearance in the first home game of the season ensured Spurs' 2-1 victory. A player of great technique, Kanoute's languid style divided supporters but he scored many important goals before his departure to Seville in 2005. After his departure some supporters came to realise what he brought to the team.

Mbulelo Mabizela: (Oct. 2003) Signed by Spurs following their summer tour to South Africa Mabizela made his debut as a late substitute at Leicester City. He scored the winning goal in the 2-1 success but failed to build on that promising start to his Spurs career.

Jermain Defoe: (Feb. 2004) Signed from West Ham United, Defoe was an instant hit scoring early on his debut against Portsmouth at White Hart Lane as Spurs won 4-3. A regular goal scorer he left for Portsmouth in January, 2008 but returned a year later.

Mido: (Feb. 2005) A loan signing Mido made an impressive debut against portsmouth, scoring twice. He became an important member of Martin Jol's team which just missed out on a Champions League place. When his application and effort were right he was good and scored vital goals but he struggled to maintain this endeavour.

Gilberto: (Mar. 2008) A disappointing signing, the Brazilian rarely showed his true ability but scored in a 4-0 victory, having come on as a substitute against West Ham United at White Hart Lane. He had played his first game for Spurs in a UEFA Cup tie against PSV Eindhoven in mid-week but it was his error which had given the visitors the only goal of the game.

Sebastien Bassong: (Aug. 2009)  The opening day of the new season and scored with a header from a corner against Liverpool at White Hart Lane.  This set Tottenham up for a 2 - 1 win and a run that was to be their best start to the season since the famous 'Double' season of 1960 - 61.

Pre-Premier League Goal Scoring Debuts

Many players have scored on their debut prior to the creation of the Premier League. That list of players include many legends:

• Jimmy Greaves (a hat-trick against Blackpool (h))
• Martin Chivers (2 at Sheffield Wednesday)
• Colin Lee (4 in a 9-0 demolition of Bristol Rovers at White Hart Lane in Spurs last season in the old Second Division)
• Richy Villa at Nottingham Forest
• Garth Crooks against Nottingham Forest

Wolves 0 Tottenham 2

Spurs get their season up and running with two second half goals against undefeated Wolves at Molineux, their first win there since the home side's return to the Premier League.  

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Scorers: Adebayor, Defoe

Team: Friedel; Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar, Parker (Livermore), Modric, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe (Dos Santos) Subs (unused): Cudicini, Bassong, Townsend, Falque, Pavlyuchenko

Adebayor - debut goal

Emmanuel Adebayor started his Tottenham career with a debut goal with his striking partner Jermain Defoe getting the second to ensure Tottenham gained their first win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ledley king made a surprise return to the Spurs' team in place of the injured Michael Dawson, while new signings, Adebayor and Scott Parker made their debuts.  Nico Kranjcar started in place of Aaron Lennon who was injured.  Spurs faced two former players in the Wolves team - Jamie O'Hara and Michael Kightly who replaced the injured Matt Jarvis.

Defoe scored second goal

For an hour the match was competitive and evenly balanced match both teams made mistakes and found themselves caught in possession.  However, once Adebayor put Spurs ahead after a pass from Kranjcar found Parker who poked the ball into the area, the debutant finishing coolly, Spurs' confidence grew and they were in completed control.  Adebayor is the eleventh Tottenham player to score on their debut in the Premier League for the club.  Defoe secured the points when he finished a lovely move following a free-kick, scoring from Kranjcar's pass.

Tottenham now have three points which after the disappointing start to the season, is in one point more than they collected from the games against the same opposition last season.

The positives from this game are that Adebayor and Defoe both scored, Parker made an impression in midfield, Luka Modric played and King was fit enough for the whole game.  The win will lift the confidence of the whole team while a clean sheet is a major bonus for the defence after the previous traumatic games.  On the downside is the question of why Gareth Bale is playing on the right - it nullifies the strength of the team's most dangerous player.

Tottenham's season started here and now they head off to Greece for their Europa League game on Thursday, with Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday week.