Europa League: Rating the Tottenham Hotspur Players Against Inter Milan

Tottenham Hotspur beat Inter Milan 3-0 in the Europa League Round of 16 to give the Premier League club a healthy advantage ahead of the return leg next week.

Inter rarely looked like competing with a Tottenham side still buzzing from the weekend's North London derby victory. Even so, Andre Villas-Boas will be keen his team avoids complacency with a tricky trip to the San Siro still to be navigated.

Goals from Gareth Bale, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen gave Spurs the win, but how did they and their teammates rate for their Thursday night's work?

Goalkeeper and Defense

Goalkeeper

Brad Friedel (6.75)

Friedel was largely untested by a tepid Inter attack. The American was a diligent presence at set-pieces and saved well when Rodrigo Palacio burst through on goal in the second half.

Defense

Kyle Walker (7)

Although sloppy on a couple of occasions, Walker kept a good run of form going with a generally sound performance. The right back made some timely tackles in the second half, and was a threat to Inter going forward all match long.

William Gallas (6.5)

Gallas had relatively little to do but was caught flatfooted during a few Inter attacks. The Frenchman's concentration improved as the game went on and he was more alert after the interval. A surging run forward from Gallas nearly led to a good chance.

Jan Vertonghen (8)

The classy center back's stature is growing by the week. Following his Arsenal display, Vertonghen was once again assertive and intelligent in his defensive work. He did well to find space for Spurs' third goal, a pinpoint header from a corner.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto (7.5)

One of Assou-Ekotto's strongest showings since returning from injury. Defensively robust, the left back cleared his lines when he needed but virtually controlled the left flank. Going forward, Assou-Ekotto provided good support to Gylfi Sigurdsson, though some of his crossing left a little to be desired.

Midfield

Midfield

Aaron Lennon (7.5)

Another bright showing from the right-winger. He was a menace to Inter throughout. Lennon squared well to Jermain Defoe in the move that led to Sigurdsson's goal, and was involved in several of Tottenham's more dangerous attacks. A good shift overall was marred somewhat as he hobbled off injured with just under ten minutes left.

Mousa Dembele (8)

Dembele smoothly orchestrated much of Spurs' play from deep in midfield in another assertive performance from the Belgian. Unlike against Arsenal, he had the time and space to get forward, giving his Inter counterparts a headache each time he did.

Scott Parker (8)

Probably Parker's best match this season. Spurs' stand-in skipper was assertive in all the best ways. Winning tackles in midfield and linking nicely with Dembele, Parker also drove his team forward with some powerful runs dashed with a touch of elegance at times.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (8)

Sigurdsson is making the most his chance in the team right now. Though he dropped off a little after the break, in the first half the Icelandic midfield was often terrific. A nutmeg gave him the space to hit a perfectly floated cross for Gareth Bale's opener. For his goal, Sigurdsson was quickest to respond after Samir Handanovic parried Defoe's shot.

In between times he floated between the channels, linking up well with those around him while maintaining possession as Spurs dominated Inter.

Jake Livermore (7)

Livermore came on for Dembele with just over 25 minutes remaining. Though a couple of passes went astray, he was generally sensible in possession while he harried the Inter midfield so as not to allow them time to settle. All in all a strong supervising job to see Spurs home.

Lewis Holtby (6)

A quiet appearance from the German, Holtby was unable to get involved much after coming on. Though he did nothing wrong either.

Kyle Naughton (6)

The full-back came on for an injured Lennon in midfield and helped maintain Tottenham's threat down the right wing.

Attack

Attack

Gareth Bale (7)

Bale took his headed goal superbly and gave Inter panic attacks all night long when he got on the ball. The Welshman was booked for diving and will miss the second leg. Though not the most blatant example of such indiscretions, he went looking for it and will hope it does not cost his team out in Milan.

Jermain Defoe (7)

A welcome sight upfront, Defoe was lively and worked hard all night in and amongst the Inter defense. He turned well to find space for the shot that led to Sigurdsson's goal, though on other occasions he dallied on the ball a little too long. The England forward could do with a goal as he looks to find his range again.