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After their narrow exit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Arsenal were given an away to goal to cheer on Thursday as Spurs defeated Internazionale thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor's extra-time strike.
Spurs may have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League despite their 4-1 thrashing in Milan, but there are worrying signs that they could repeat last season's collapse as the current campaign goes to the wire. The combination of 120 gruelling minutes against Inter and two extra fixtures in April before matches against Chelsea and Manchester City will certainly test Spurs' resolve in their bid to stay in the top four, with Arsenal encouraged by Thursday's scenes at the San Siro.
Although Spurs are clearly not a one-man team, their heavy defeat to Inter did little to dismiss that annoying accusation as Gareth Bale was sorely missed on a difficult night. Hugo Lloris' absence was also felt and William Gallas again proved a poor replacement for Michael Dawson. Villas-Boas has managed his squad well between two competitions up to this point, but Spurs' success this season now hinges on the manager's team selections more than ever. And with neither of his first-choice strikers in form, it won't be easy for Villas-Boas to ensure the recent slip doesn't become a slide.
Following their 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, Spurs have now lost back-to-back fixtures for the first time since November when they were thrashed 5-2 by Arsenal a week after a 2-1 defeat to City. Adebayor was largely responsible for the heavy defeat at the Emirates owing to his reckless red card and, although the striker scored the crucial goal against Inter, his performance left much to be desired.
It perhaps seems churlish to say the striker wasn't there when his teammates needed him, considering his goal won the tie, but Adebayor's general play throughout the match was hugely disappointing. Inter forward Rodrigo 'rat tail' Palacio was the only player to be dispossessed more times than Adebayor, while the Spurs forward also conceded eight free-kicks through persistent fouling and straying offside.
If it was frustrating to watch as a neutral, it's difficult to imagine how Adebayor's teammates and manager must have felt, let alone the Spurs fans who were up in the heavens at a surprisingly empty San Siro. Following his superb first season at White Hart Lane, in which he contributed 18 goals and 12 assists, it's bemusing to see such a dramatic decline in Adebayor's form. The striker has scored only four goals in 24 appearances this year, with Jermain Defoe's recent run of one strike in the last 14 matches adding further concern for Villas-Boas.
At the moment Spurs are teetering between triumph and tragedy, with Thursday's defeat to Inter demonstrating how fine the margin is between success and failure. At this stage of the campaign it can be harder to hold onto the prize than chase down the teams above you in the league, and Spurs must ensure they don't give Arsenal any more encouragement when they face Fulham on Sunday.
Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.
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