Adebayor shows AVB what might have been

Southampton 2 Tottenham 3

The Togo international, pointedly overlooked for so long, reminded Tottenham of his qualities in emphatic fashion as he scored twice in a 3-2 victory at Southampton just a week after his nemesis had been sacked.

The goals, which complemented a powerful all-round performance, have moved Spurs to within six points of leaders Liverpool with home games against West Brom and Stoke to come — and strengthened caretaker manager Tim Sherwood’s chances of being Villas-Boas’s permanent replacement.

But did it really have to come to this?

Tottenham’s performance at St Mary’s underlined they do have the attacking talent to challenge for the top four despite scoring only 15 goals in 16 league games under their previous manager — who insisted on playing only one man up front and who was even more stubborn in his determination not to use Adebayor’s talents.

Who knows what went on off the field to create such a situation, although the striker’s late return from African Nations duty last season is rumoured to have started the frosty relationship; but whatever the history, sending a player of such quality to train with the development squad while his replacement struggled to score surely played a part in AVB’s departure.

Don’t forget, the Portuguese also treated striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Alex in exactly the same fashion at Chelsea — where players were so shocked by his refusal to allow the pair to attend the club’s Christmas party they organised their own night out instead.

At Tottenham, too, there seems to be no lack of support for Adebayor after he helped Spurs come from behind to secure a crucial victory

“Listen, we all know Adebayor, we all know he’s a top player. He doesn’t need any motivating to go and play now because he’s not played for a long time,” said Sherwood. “He’s a top player. He was never a moment’s problem with me, to be honest. I’m always honest with players. If they give me respect, I’ll give it to them back. That’s the relationship with me and Adebayor. I can’t criticise anything he’s done.”

Sherwood has certainly been bold in his tactics since stepping into Villas-Boas’ shoes, playing Adebayor alongside Roberto Soldado up front and giving unknown teenager Nabil Bentaleb his debut in the second half at St Mary’s when it might have been easier to turn to the more established Etienne Capoue to replace injured Mousa Dembele.

But his positivity reaped dividends as Tottenham’s old-school attacking performance saw them earn a deserved victory against a Southampton side suffering badly from injuries and who have now gone eight games without a victory.

The home side started well and scored through the impressive Adam Lallana, who sliced a shot home from 20 yards following a swift and flowing move; but once Spurs equalised with a goal inspired and finished by Adebayor the entire atmosphere of the game changed.

The Togo international swept a ball out to the left flank and hared into the six-yard box to spectacularly volley home a perfect Soldado cross despite the attention of three Southampton defenders.

It was 2-1 after 54 minutes, defender Jos Hooiveld turning home a Danny Rose cross for an own goal; and even when the home side equalised, Rickie Lambert finishing easily following an excellent cut-back by Lallana, Spurs always looked the more likely winners.

Adebayor’s second of the game, after 64 minutes, sealed victory but Soldado missed three more opportunities to extend the lead and make the result more convincing.

“It was very frustrating,” said Southampton manager Mauricio Pocchetino. “I feel angry about the result because we dressed up as Santa Claus today and gifted them so many chances.

“We are going through a very tough time right now, we are missing a lot of our squad and conceding a lot of goals.”

For Tottenham, however, there were so many positives — not least the return of Adebayor, who said: “I have been working very hard. I want to thank all my team-mates because they have been there for me.

“I am very happy for the new manager. First day he told me to, ‘get out there and play football, you know how to do it because of the clubs you have played for’.

“All 2013 has been very tough. My brother passed away, it was emotionally difficult. Everything I did today is for him and his son. My father told me to always work hard, and that paid off today.”

It certainly did; so perhaps this could be a new start for Adebayor — and for Tottenham.

SOUTHAMPTON: Gazzaniga 5, Chambers 6, Lovren 6, Hooiveld 5, Fox 6 (Gallagher 6), Cork 7 (Ward-Prowse 63; 6, Schneiderlin 7, Rodriguez 6, Steven Davis 6 (Ramirez 69; 5), Lallana 8, Lambert 6.

TOTTENHAM: Lloris 5, Walker 7, Dawson 7, Chiriches 6, Rose 7, Lamela 5 (Chadli 61; 6), Eriksen 7, Dembele 6 (Bentaleb 50; 6), Sigurdsson 6, Adebayor 9, Soldado 6 (Defoe 85).

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).