Mousa Dembele on Tottenham’s List of Debut GoalScorers in Premier League

Dembele Scored on Tottenham debut

Mousa Dembele’s goal for Tottenham against Norwich City makes him the twelfth player to score a debut goal for Tottenham in the Premier League. It took Dembele, signed from Fuham earlier in the week, only 23 minutes to score having come on as a half-time substitute. The £15 million signing received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and drilled a shot low past the goalkeeper’s left hand and into the net. The goal gave Tottenham the lead but it wasn’t enough to secure the three points as Norwich scored a late equaliser and Spurs continued their search for their first win of the season under new coach, Andre Villas-Boas.

The list of Premier League debut goal scorers for Tottenham includes three other players who were on the White Hart Lane pitch for Dembele’s debut. His team mates, Emmanuel Adebayor, scored on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season and Jermain Defoe scored on his debut against Portsmouth in 2004. Sebastien Bassong who was in the Norwich team scored on his Spurs’ debut against Liverpool in August, 2009.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Having joined Spurs on loan from Manchester City, in the 67th minute of his debut for Tottenham against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in September, 2011, Adebayor collected a through ball from Scott Parker and coolly scored his first goal for his new club.  This set Spurs up for their first Premier League win of the season and made him the eleventh Tottenham player to score on their Premier League debut.

Sebastien Bassong

Bassong was signed from Newcastle United, during the summer and in August, 2009 on the opening day of the new season he scored with a header from a corner against Liverpool at White Hart Lane.  This set Tottenham up for a 2 – 1 win and a run that was to be their best start to the season since the famous ‘Double’ season of 1960 – 61.

Gilberto

In March, 2008, the Brazilian Gilberto who was a disappointing signing and rarely showed his true ability scored in a 4 – 0 victory, having come on as a substitute against West Ham United at White Hart Lane. He had played his first game for Spurs in a UEFA Cup tie against PSV Eindhoven in mid-week but it was his error which had given the visitors the only goal of the game.

Mido

In February, 2005 Mido was signed on loan and made an impressive debut against Portsmouth, scoring twice. He became an important member of Martin Jol’s team which just missed out on a Champions League place. When his application and effort were right, Mido was good and scored vital goals but he struggled to maintain his fitness and this endeavour.

Jermain Defoe

Defoe signed from West Ham United in the January transfer window.  He was an instant hit scoring early on his debut against Portsmouth in February, 2004, at White Hart Lane as Spurs won 4-3. A regular goal scorer he left for Portsmouth in January, 2008 only to return a year later.

Mbulelo Mabizela

In October, 2003, Mabizela who had been signed by Spurs following their summer tour to South Africa made his debut as a late substitute at Leicester City. He scored the winning goal in the 2-1 success but failed to build on that promising start to his Tottenham career.

Fredi Kanoute

In August 2003 Kanoute who had joined Spurs from West Ham United during the summer made his debut at home to Leeds United. His substitute appearance in the first home game of the season ensured Spurs’ 2-1 victory. A player of great technique, Kanoute’s languid style divided supporters but he scored many important goals before his departure to Seville in 2005. After his departure some supporters came to realise what he brought to the team.

Dean Richards

Richards was signed from Southampton by Glenn Hoddle and the central defender scored against Manchester United in September, 2001 as Spurs took a three goal lead in the first half. However, that was as good as it got as after half-time United stormed back at White Hart Lane to win 5 – 3. Richard’s career at Spurs was blighted by injury.

Jurgen Klinsmann

In August, 1994 Spurs were in deep trouble having been severely punished by the Football Association for financial irregularities. Chairman, Alan Sugar had managed to persuade Jurgen Klinsmann to join Spurs and his presence gave Spurs an immediate boost and an opening day success against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Klinsmann scored in a 4-3 victory, introduced his ‘dive’ celebration and was carried off injured on his debut. Klinsmann formed an exciting goal scoring partnership with Teddy Sheringham but unfortunately it didn’t produce any silverware for the club and he departed at the end of the season. His later return was not as effective although he scored four vital goals against Wimbledon to save Spurs from relegation under Christian Gross.

Ronnie Rosenthal

In February, 1994 as Spurs were battling against relegation Ossie Ardiles signed Rosenthal to bring some experience to the team which was struggling to score goals. In his debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday, Rosenthal scored but it didn’t prevent Spurs losing 1-3. The highlight of Rosenthal’s career with Spurs was the hat-trick he scored against Southampton in the FA Cup in 1995. Spurs were two down at half-time but Rosenthal came on as a substitute and scored twice to take the game to extra time. He completed his hat-trick (three tremendous goals) to give Spurs an improbable 6-2 victory.

Sol Campbell

In the first season of the Premiership Sol Campbell made his debut in December, 1992 as a late substitute against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. His goal was a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat. Campbell went on to captain Spurs to a Worthington Cup success at Wembley against Leicester City in 1999 but he will forever be despised by Spurs fans for the way he left the club in 2001 on a Bosman free to sign for the club’s near neighbours and greatest rivals, Arsenal.

Of the twelve players, seven started their debut games – Adebayor, Bassong, Mido, Defoe, Richards, Klinsmann and Rosenthal, while the rest scored having come on as a substitute.

Many other players made goalscoring debuts for Tottenham in the Football League – the most notable of these being:

• Jimmy Greaves, a hat-trick against Blackpool in November, 1961
• Colin Lee scored four against Bristol City in a 9 – 0 success in the 2nd Division in 1977-78
• Ricky Villa against Nottingham Forest
• Martin Chivers scored twice against Sheffield Wednesday in January, 1968 as Spurs won at Hillsborough for the first time in thirty years