Wolves 0 Tottenham 2: Adebayor sparks Spurs with debut goal

It will take more than one goal for Tottenham fans to embrace Emmanuel Adebayor, especially after the distasteful chanting that used to be directed towards the former Arsenal striker.
But old feuds are forgotten when you need a striker and the on-loan Manchester City forward could not have got off to a better start as injury-ravaged Tottenham put their first points on the board against a Wolves side who had got off to a flyer.

Crunch time: Gareth Bale (left) is challenged by Wolves' Stephen Ward

MATCH FACTS

Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Kightly (Hammill 75), Henry, O'Hara, Hunt (Jarvis 75), Doyle, Fletcher (Vokes 81).
Subs not used: De Vries, Elokobi, Milijas, Foley.
Yellow cards: Johnson, Hammill.
Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Parker (Livermore 84), Modric, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe (Giovani 89).
Subs not used: Cudicini, Bassong, Pavlyuchenko, Townsend, Falque.
Yellow cards: Walker, Parker.
Scorers: Adebayor 67, Defoe 80.
Referee: Peter Walton.
Attendance: 25,274.

Adebayor's debut goal in the 67th minute was simplicity itself as he rounded goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but it is all about being in the right place at the right time and Spurs have been lacking a player with that knack.
Manager Harry Redknapp believes Spurs fans will learn to love Adebayor now that Gunners fans hate him. He may well be right. And the goal was set up by another player who was brought in during the transfer window and who hardly endeared himself to the White Hart Lane faithful in the past.
Scott Parker was brought in to break up play and add bite and authority in midfield. Many more performances like this and he could end up being the bargain of the season at £6million. What a debut performance from the 30-year-old England man as he easily won the midfield battle with Jamie O'Hara, who was keen to impress in his first league game for Wolves against his old club.
The Londoners were forced into five changes with Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon the latest absentees.

Debut goal: Adebayor was on target

Wolves, by contrast, have had a settled team but initially missed the guile and pace of Matt Jarvis, who failed to make the starting XI because of an ankle injury.
Both sides went hell for leather from the outset. Hennessey kept out Adebayor's effort and Niko Kranjcar's follow-up was cleared. At the other end, Brad Friedel, cementing his position as first-choice keeper, did even better with a one-handed save to keep out Karl Henry's fierce low drive. Chances continued to come and go during a thoroughly entertaining opening 25-minute spell.

Livewire: Jamie O'Hara (left) struggles to cope with Jermain Defoe

Then it all went quiet until Adebayor opened his account and Jermain Defoe soon doubled the lead to send the travelling north London fans home in raptures, delighted also to see Ledley King back in commanding mode after not having trained.

Take that: Jermain Defoe kills off any hopes of a Wolves revival with the second

'He's the biggest freak you've ever seen. He hasn't kicked a ball, hasn't run. It defies everything we do,' said Redknapp.

Spurs shuffle: Adebayor (left) rounds goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to score

Redknapp also heaped praise on his two new signings, especially Parker's commitment. 'He's old school, like football clubs used to have. They don't breed them like that any more. They are very rare now. Priceless. As for Emmanuel, he could become a big hero for us.'

Arms race: Luka Modric (left) vies for possession with Wolves' Kevin Doyle

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said his team matched Spurs in every department except goals. He said: 'They are a top-six side and last season were in the Champions League. They are far more advanced than we are and have just turned down £40m for a player.'

Battle of the big men: Richard Stearman (left) and Adebayor battle for the ball