Tottenham Hotspur's Lack of Cutting Edge Costs Them Dearly in Besiktas Defeat

Another Tottenham Hotspur match, another opportunity missed.

Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat to Besiktas in Istanbul and surrendered their position at the top of the group.

As in the goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Spurs could, and really should, have won the match.

The consequences of this defeat are more dire. Spurs will now likely draw a Champions League dropout in the next round. Former boss Andre Villas-Boas' Zenit St Petersburg beckon as just one potential foe.

This match ended in farcical circumstances, as the stadium lights went out in the 90th minute, but the match shone a spotlight on Spurs' faults.

Tottenham cannot score goals. No Spurs player has managed to score since Roberto Soldado's 45th-minute strike against Everton. Some 315 minutes of football have since passed.

In the first half in Istanbul, Spurs were bright and attractive. Benjamin Stambouli and Paulinho were particularly fluent as they dominated possession. Andros Townsend has been largely sidelined this season, injury and lack of form have kept him out of Pochettino's first-choice lineup, but in the opening period in Istanbul, he played some of his best football.

Despite a solid display and some genuine chances, they failed to make good on their threat. 

Powerful and poised, Townsend mixed his naturally aggressive game with some thought and opened the Besiktas defence on several occasions. Unfortunately, that brightness deserted him in the second half.

Townsend wasn't alone in dropping off after halftime. Spurs had been mature and professional, looking as though they'd cruise into top spot in their group, but they fell away badly as Besiktas grew in confidence.

Mousa Dembele was one of the few whose form didn't drop off. He was desperately poor in the first half and equally so in the second. He has shown no signs of recovering the impressive form of his first Spurs season. 2012 feels a long time ago for Dembele, and he is a shadow of the player he was.

In the first half, Younes Kaboul had looked solid. He was aggressive and enthusiastic, the way he was when he was at his best several years ago, but his biggest weakness has always been reading the game. When players make an intelligent run in behind, he is often unsettled.

As ever, when Gokhan Tore nipped between Kaboul and Walker, Kaboul lost his man and Cenk Tosun raced in to score.

Spurs have often struggled to score in the absence of Christian Eriksen. That was also the case against Besiktas, but Spurs' inability to find the back of the net seems to be a problem that runs deeper than that.

Roberto Soldado's chronic shortage of confidence means that he cannot be relied upon, but there are few alternative options. Golden chances fell to the Spaniard but few were surprised by his failure to take them.

Nacer Chadli got his first start since the home defeat to Stoke City a month ago and looked solid. He got into good positions but consistently made the wrong decisions, often he took an unnecessary touch when he needed to shoot.

One of the real bright spots for Spurs was the return of Kyle Walker. The England right-back was often unfairly singled-out for criticism in the past, but his importance has been emphasised by his injury absence.
These 75 minutes of first-team football were exciting from a Spurs perspective. Walker has an uncanny physical capacity. His ability to cover the entire flank makes him incredibly valuable. Against Besiktas, he showed that injury has not diminished that capacity.

Spurs have managed his injury and recovery well, but it was scarcely credible that this was his first game back with the first-team. He looked as if he'd never been away.

Throughout the first-half, he was often the furthest player forward. He provides an additional outlet and keeps the pitch wide, denying the opposition defence the ability to cheat and compress.

Walker's display was very strong, but he does share some responsibility for the goal.

It is unrealistic to expect Walker to start against Swansea City, but he showed in his impressive return that he will add another dimension to Spurs' attack. His pace and energy will bring the best out of the inverted wingers that Pochettino prefers.

Kyle Naughton, Eric Dier and even Vlad Chiriches have done their best at right-back this season, but none bring the range of qualities that Walker can offer.

Walker's return will not be a panacea. Tottenham are still struggling to adjust to Pochettino's specific ideas, but he will play an important role. Attacking full-backs are vital to his system, and Walker can be as effective as Luke Shaw was on Southampton's left flank last season. He will make Spurs a far more threatening team.

Tottenham need to start winning soon. The goals are not flowing, but Spurs have become a more solid side in recent weeks. Unfortunately, the fans are impatient and demanding results.

Pochettino's team is not yet in a position to deliver them, and the frustration is building.