Tottenham exit Europa League: Emmanuel Adebayor performance analysis

Togo striker missed crucial penalty in shoot-out

Emmanuel Adebayor leaves the pitch in Basel after defeat on penalties (GETTY IMAGES)

Emmanuel Adebayor put in a below-par performance as Tottenham exited the Europa League at the quarter-final stage in Switzerland.

After netting goals in his previous two games, the 29-year-old struggled in Basle as Spurs went out on penalties after the tie finished 2-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

Here, we assess Adebayor's performance at St Jakob-Park.

GOAL THREAT

With Jermain Defoe still sidelined with a pelvic complaint, talk in the build-up was about Adebayor being the key to unlocking Basle's defence. The frontman failed to live up to the hype, though, and rarely threatened the hosts' goal. Basle goalkeeper Yann Sommer easily dealt with his only two strikes on target and wasted a chance to redeem himself by blazing his penalty over in the shootout.

MOVEMENT

Adebayor was full of running early doors and made some positive moves, but soon tapered off and struggled to link-up with his midfielders. The striker's first touch often let him down in the final third as he became too much of a peripheral figure.

POSITIONING

Playing as the focal point of Spurs' 4-2-3-1 formation, he was too often out of position. The Togo international was guilty of drifting out wide all too often - something manager Andre Villas-Boas was quick to tell him from the touchline.

WORK ETHIC

Adebayor showed willing with the ball at his feet but looked lackadaisical off it. Such a display will do nothing to quell suggestions he is lazy.

PA