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.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Spurs Enter the Wolves' Den

After the mauling they've taken in their opening two League games against the strength of Manchester, Tottenham have to prepare for a trip to Molineux and the combative side that Mick McCarthy will have lying in wait for them.

Of the four matches that these two teams have played since Wolves returned to the Premier League, Spurs have won only one, when three late goals at White Hart Lane last September retrieved a difficult situation for them - a penalty, 13 minutes from time and two goals in the last three minutes gave Spurs the three points.

Mick McCarthy's side have started well this season with two wins and a draw and sit fifth in the early Premier League table.  They defeated Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1 at Ewood and followed that with a 2 - 0 home victory over Fulham who had returned from their Europa League game in Ukraine the previous Thursday.  They played a scoreless draw against Midlands rivals, Aston Villa in their last League match and progressed in the Carling Cup with a comprehensive four goal win at Northampton Town.

Confidence will be high in the Wolves camp where the manager strengthened his side during the summer with the acquisition of Roger Johnson from Birmingham and Spurs will face former player, Jamie O'Hara, for the first time as his loan deal was made permanent for £5 million.  Spurs know what to expect from Wolves - they will be hard-working, denying Spurs time and space to play the ball and they will be looking to hit them quickly to prevent them from settling into the game and with a striker who will work tirelessly constantly looking to keep the Tottenham defence on high alert.   This is exactly how Wolves have played it in the past two seasons and it has been very effective.  Another player with Tottenham connections who was among the Wolves substitutes for their last game is Michael Kightly who was a schoolboy at Spurs but was released.  He worked his was back with Southend United and Gray's Athletic before joining Wolves in 2008 and helping them to promotion two years ago.

Last Season's Results:
Last season's visit to Molineux in March was full of emotion and controversy as both set of fans paid tribute to the late Dean Richards who had passed away and then the match turned up a number of interesting issues.  Wolves showed their never give up spirit, twice coming back to level the score and earn a 3 - 3 draw with a late goal.  This was quite a fortuitous point for Spurs, who could easily have lost.  Wolves went ahead from a penalty but Alan Hutton could easily have been dismissed, having committed the foul.  Later, as Wolves chased an equaliser, they had a goal disallowed for a foul on Gomes which was a decision that went in Spurs' favour.

Defoe - scored twice last year

The match saw two strikers who had a very poor goal scoring record last year, suddenly find their touch.  Spurs were content with Jermain Defoe's two goal strike but disappointed that Kevin Doyle's two goals helped secure Wolves' point.  Doyle and Matt Jarvis who both scored against Fulham always cause Spurs problems.  Pavlyuchenko restored Tottenham's lead just after half-time while substitute Stephen Fletcher headed a late equaliser.

Spurs' home win saw Rafael Van der Vaart score his first goal for Spurs from the penalty spot following a foul on Hutton as he ran into the penalty area.  The other goals came from Pavlyuchenko and Hutton who again, went on a run into the area and his blocked shot, rebounded against him and into the net.

Team News
Tottenham need a good result from this game and after their poor start have ground to make up.  They will be looking to give debuts to their latest signings, Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor.  Parker will give the team a greater solidity and combative presence in midfield alongside Luka Modric who scored for Croatia in midweek.  However, the Modric may have an 'injury'.  Adebayor will look to lead the line either as a lone striker or in partnership with Defoe and as Van der Vaart is injured Harry Redknapp may resort to the 4 - 4 - 2 formation which was the basis of the success in the season before last when they qualified for the Champions League.

In defence, could Ledley King be about to make a surprise appearance.  After playing in the final two matches of last season, he underwent more surgery during the summer and missed pre-season.  He is reported to have played in a behind closed doors match and Tuesday and didn't play for the Spurs XI on Wednesday, so the question arises is he fit to play or injured again?

Last win at Molineux
Tottenham have found Wolves a difficult side since their return to the Premier League two season ago.  However, prior to that they were quite successful on their travels there.

Mar. 2011 PL Draw 3 - 3 Defoe (2), Pavlyuchenko
Feb. 2010 PL Lost 0 - 1
May, 2004 PL Won 2 - 0 Keane, Defoe
Feb. 1996 FA Cup Replay Won 2 - 0 Rosenthal, Sheringham
Oct. 1983 1st Div Won 3 - 2 Archibald (2), Falco
Sept. 1981 1st Div Won 1 - 0  Galvin

Players Who Have Played for Both Clubs
Jamie O'Hara, Robbie Keane, Dean Richards, Steffan Iversen, Alan Nielsen, Andy Sinton, Hans Segers, Steve Sedgley, Vinny Samways, Paul Stewart, Gordon Smith and Mark Kendall.

Glenn Hoddle is a past manager of both clubs.

Memorable Matches
2003 - 04 PL (h) Won 5 - 1 Keane (3), Kanoute, Dalmat
1981 - 82 (1st Div) Won 6 - 1 Villa (3), Falco, Hoddle (p), Crooks Official opening of the West Stand
1971 - 72 UEFA Cup Final (1st Leg) Won 2 - 1  Martin Chivers scored two great goals to put Spurs on road to glory.
1920 - 21 FA Cup Final @ Stamford Bridge Won 1 - 0 Dimmock
1908 - 09 (2nd Div) (h) Won 3 - 0 Morris, Woodward (2)  Tottenham's first game in the Football League, Vivian Woodward scored Spurs' first goal in League football - it all started with Wolves