| The Spur, a Tottenham Hotspur webzine, since '99. June 2009. |
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
A highly questionable late penalty kept Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League hopes alive, and now it will go to the last fixture of the season with Fulham also triumphant on the day.
Robbie Keane, who has been largely obscure since his return to Spurs from Liverpool, cooly slotted home the spot kick, but City can rightly feel aggrieved by the decision.
Two superb goals preceded the Keano clincher. Around the half hour mark Jermain Defoe intelligently converted a beautifully crafted Spurs build-up engineered by Luka Modric and Jermaine Jenas, the latter feeding Tom Huddlestone on the right, Hud in turn finding the England striker who had ghosted forward behind ball watching Richard Dunne.
City's goal was about the most clinical volley ever, produced by Bojinov in the 66th minute after a defensive Spurs head had failed to nod the ball sufficiently clear.
So it's all down to the final match of the season. More here soon.
Pre-match: It happened a couple of years ago (chronologically) that Tottenham Hotspur hosted Manchester City in the final league game of the season, won it, and clinched a UEFA Cup place. Well the UEFA Cup has changed into the new Europa thingy, but it's another near end of season home showdown with the blue half of Manchester with Europe on our minds. This time, it's on City's minds too, and given they are the richest club in the world, their expectations are as high as ours, and the pressure is probably greater on the City manager Mark Hughes than Harry.
Because Harry did what he was hired to do, save Spurs from relegation. To be even contemplating a serious shot at a European place is far in excess of his remit for this season. So he will still be considered a big success no matter what happens in our final two games.
By contrast Mark Hughes' tenure at Eastlands may come to an end if he fails to get his club into Europe. Rich as they may be, players as wealthy as those who strut the world class stage will turn their noses up at playing for a club that's not in the Europa League, never mind the European Champions League.
So once again we have a high stakes match. With the amount of money both sides have spent, and will spend, to achieve success, failure to make even Europe's second tier showcase contest is painful. Though Tottenham will enjoy its secured Premiership status, the time is long overdue that we should still be struggling to get into Europe.
Though City have been on a strong run recently, at least until the Mancunian derby, the form book suggests a Spurs victory. We have been formidable at home this season, particularly defensively, especially under Harry, and City have always had trouble gaining points on the road, which is odd, since their away support is traditionally very good, whilst their shiny new home "bowl" is like most new stadia, far less intimidating than traditional old-style "grounds" like our own White Hart Lane or even more so, their old Maine Road, one of the scariest places for any away fan to visit, save Millwall's old Den.
Please check back as the match unfolds.
"Spurs are on their way to Europe
As Martin Jol said as Spurs manager a couple of years ago when we secured a UEFA spot against City at the Lane: "I am very pleased. That is what we wanted. After being defeated by Sevilla we never looked back. For us it's important that we compete for Europe every time. We showed we could cope with the situation, but it was not easy. I'm proud of our players. We finished on a very good note."
Hopefully Hary will singing a similar tune by tomorrow evening.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
Tottenham Hotspur largely controlled the first half but failed to trouble Everton goalie Tim Howard, while the home side gained the ascendancy after the interval, but despite hitting the woodwork, also created few clear cut chances.
Meanwhile Heurelho Gomes, Tottenham's quirky Brazilian keeper, did his best to entertain the crowd by playing Russian roulette with the ball and taunting the Everton strikers with his footplay. Luckily for Spurs, he didn't **** up with these ill-advised antics. In fairness, he pulled off a couple of top draw saves.
Pre-match: Spurs have a mathematical glimmer of hope to nab a Europa Cup place, but as manager Harry Redknapp has observed, it probably means winning at least two of our last three games, and with Man City and Liverpool to come, this one is crucial.
Thoughtful, motivational, David Moyes has done a sensational job at Everton, a big club with not enough money, on a limited budget. We have far outspent the Toffees on talent over the years, but the Merseyside club has made good management choices, in particular, the club's decision to stick with their man through thick and thin, an alien concept to our ownership management.
They could easily have panicked and dumped Moyes when the club went through their rough period, but they didn't. And Moyes has rewarded them with results far beyond expectations, with a Europe Cup berth already claimed and a season crowning FA Cup Final - not too shabby!
The plus side for us is that we finally have a deep enough squad so that, even with a case load of injuries, Harry can still send out a strong line-up.
If he picks marauding wing back Gareth Bale we need to cross our fingers, because of course, he's yet to play for a winning Spurs side in the league. Will Harry think he's jinxed? Then again, with Bale bombing down the left side, and Hutton on the right, Everton could get well stretched.
What we have to watch is if we put out a very attack minded side, which is entertaining, but away from home we could get hit badly on the break, which will inevitably call for heroics from central defenders Jonathan Woodgate and The King.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
Jermain Jenas powered Tottenham Hotspur into the lead just before the interval with a twenty yard side-stepped curler from the edge of the box, and the Londoners created most of the chances.
West Bromwich Albion failed in what was effectively their last ditch attempt to avoid relegation. They have simply run out of ideas and talent to stay up. They are one club that everybody seems to like (apart from Brum and Villa), and they have tried to play good football this season. So it sad to see them go down again, and it will hard to get back up. One hopes Tony Mowbray keeps his gig.
Spurs, completely safe from relegation and with an outside chance of a Europa Cup place, did enough to win the game, and the score could have been higher.
But with other Europa Cup contenders also victorious, a spot in that potentially lucrative international competition remains an increasingly longer shot.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wilson Palacios, becoming the anchor of Tottenham's on-field resurgence under new manager Harry Redknapp.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
Tottenham Hotspur consolidated the club's bid for a decent finish to the season and a Europa Cup place with a Darren Bent winner over Newcastle United at White Hart Lane, shaking off the awful hold that the Geordies had over the Londoners.
They did the double over us last season, including an embarrassing 1:4 home defeat after
Darren Bent had again given us the lead. In fact, in recent years, for whatever inexplicable reason, they've kicked our azzes in the league. Not so this time.
Bent scored when his shot was parried by the United keeper after an impressive build-up from Spurs that included a dazzling long range pass from Assou-Ekotto to Luka Modric.
Tottenham had most of the chances in the first half and it was another stellar goalkeeping performance by Harper that kept the lead down to the single goal by the break.
You would expect the visitors to push for the equalizer in the second half but in the event the Lilywhites continued to create the best opportunities. Newcastle seemed bereft of creativity and lacking the spark that their new hero manager was brought in to instill.
Alan Shearer has simply not made the impact that the Toon Army wanted and the clock is ticking ever louder for the north-east giants. For a club of that stature, with over 50,000 home fans, to go down would be the biggest relegation story in generations. Thankfully we got out of the mess they still find themselves in.
Spurs are now unbeaten in, is it, nine (?) home league games, winning the last four home fixtures, and not conceded in five Prem games at home. White Hart Lane is now officially one of the veritable fortresses of the top flight!
The victory was important given that our next encounter is at Old Trafford, one of three daunting away days still left, the other two being against the high flying Merseyside clubs.
City Robboed!
THFC's Euro quest still alive
May 16, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Tottenham H. 2
Manchester C. 1
London. Live on USA TV: Fox Soccer
Tottn'm's gonna do it again
They can't stop 'em
The boys from Tottenham
The boys from White Hart Lane!"
Goodison stalemate
Spurs create few chances
May 9, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Everton 0
Tottenham H. 0
Goodison Park, Liverpool
US TV Live: Fox Soccer
MAN OF THE MATCH: It won't be injured Aaron Lennon, the current leader of man o' matches, so someone else step up to the plate, please.
Jenas goal wins it for Spurs
WBA not up to it
May 2, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Tottenham H. 1
West Bromwich 0
BBC Radio London digital
Oh dear, Shear
Spurs in control at the Lane
April 19, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Tottenham H. 1
Newcastle U. 0
Setanta US TV live
"All the best
at QPR
next season!"SPUR OF THE MOMENT: Alan Hutton returns to grab Man of the Match. Solid at the back, strong and decisive going forward. The Scot proved to be a super sub. Welcome back.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
Spurs failed to take advantage of Everton's victory at Fulham and fell 3:1 at Anfield, so Fulham clinch a European League place, we have to make do with remembering this season as the great escape from relegation, which is no small consolation prize. You got to 'and it to 'arry.
Robbie Keane scored for Spurs against his brief former employers, so for him there was some joy. Other than that, a costly but somewhat expected disappointment, particularly as Everton did us such a huge favour at Craven Cottage which we failed to capitalize on.
Meanwhile it was "sob on the Tyne" as giants Newcastle United fell out of the Premier League. In truth, it's hard to feel sorry for a club that's been operated in an embarrassing way over these recent years, and it was always on the cards.
Coming soon, The Spur will take an off-season look at what to expect for next season.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
Manchester United resorted to Arsenal's tried and trusted method of turning a game around: cheat. Apparently the opposition goalkeeper is not allowed to go for the ball if United are in possession and if the United player falls over to make it look like a foul. Gomez dived for the ball and he clearly got a hand on it, but former Spur Michael Carrick took the dive rather than jump over the keeper's arms. Carrick was never pulled down.
This fake penalty turned the tide completely. Tottenham Hotspur were cruising with a two goal lead, scored within a three minute burst just before the half hour mark in the first period, with goals from Darren Bent and Luka Modric, when the referee made the diabolical decision to give the Red Devils the undeserved penalty decision in the 57th minute. Ronaldo duly scored down the middle and after that, let's not mince words, United crushed the north Londoners.
A wave of United attacks led to four more goals, the equalizer coming in the 67th minute from Wayne Rooney assisted by Carlos Tevez, and there was the familiar air of inevitablity about it all, as is the case so often when we play the Stretford outfit, notably that painful home defeat in 2001 when we were three goals up at the Lane, only to throw it away.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sublime third in the 68th minute from a superb Rooney cross, and from then on, it was almost too hard to watch as the game unravelled, leaving Spurs in virtual collapse.
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9 It was a day when the bit players came into their own. Perhaps it's a sign that Tottenham Hotspur are finally approaching the required depth of squad (we're talking talented players, not a quarter of a stand full of mediocre midfielders) that players really need to fight for their places. Thanks to Harry, they also seem to want to fight for their places.
In any event Roman Pavlyuchenko came on and rocketed home the winner, and additional sub Didier Zokora helped provide another missing piece that saw Spurs, before these inspired changes, the better side but unable to make it count.
Spurs have now surpassed the supposed safety mark of 40 points, and with Newcastle next there's reason for even the most cautious web-site such as this to believe we can now focus on life beyond a relegation struggle, though perhaps Europe may be optimistic with Man City, Everton, and Liverpool still on the menu.
West Ham United have improved almost miraculously under their current manager Gianfranco Zola, a surprise after the bungling antics of West Ham's top brass over recent years. By contrast, his appointment was an inspired choice by the east London club. But when Spurs are up to the expected level of a side with the talent that we currently possess, it was aways going to be tough for the east London entity.
As Chelsea, Man U., Liverpool, and Arsenal have all recently found out, White Hart Lane has become, almost without anyone noticing, a fortress. Newly motivated players, a team spirit that is developing from what was previously a haphazard assortment of underperfoming stars brought in by departed managers, all adds up to a north London side that is becoming increasingly hard to beat at home.
It is a fierce rivalry between the two closely placed clubs, who have traditionally drawn from overlapping areas of north-east London long before Arsenal began sapping the local glory hunting fold to their camp.
It is a source of irritation for Spurs fans that so many other London clubs consider us their bitter rivals, when in fact the towering derby of the capital always has been Spurs v Arsenal, and Chelsea, thanks mainly to their antics on the terraces of the Lane in previous decades, ranking a solid second.
The Hammers would do better to refocus their hostility on the likes of Millwall, and the two glory hunting clubs that have surpassed them even in their own territory: Man United and Arsenal.
West Ham were unlucky that Luis Boa Morte got injured challenging Spurs keeper Gomes, and he never really seemed to recover, finally picking up a yellow card for his frustrations, seconds before the break.
Then came the substitutions, with Zokora on a half time and Pavlyuchenko in the 56th minute. Nine minutes later the Russian striker picked up a pass from Modric, slipped his defender, and rifled into the net.
Both sides had a number of close chances to change the outcome in an exciting climax, but in the end Tottenham were good enough for the win, with Collins and Noble picking up yellows as the visitors' frustration grew, the game slipping away for a huge three points for the Lilywhites.
The absence of unfairly suspended Wilson Palacios was a big blow to the Lilywhites but we proved good enough not to be dependent on even such a key figure. Also, as predicted, Aaron Lennon gave the Spammers plenty to think about on the wing.
The Spur predicted a 1:1 draw, but if West Ham couldn't meet their side of the bargain, tough **** to them!
The Spur's Premiership 2008/9
A magnificent win for Tottenham Hotspur virtually assuring us safety from relegation with the huge added bonus of denying Chelsea the Premiership title. It doesn't get much better than this, all played out in an electric atmosphere at White Hart Lane in one of the most nail biting matches seen by Spurs fans since the League Cup win over the same opponents last year.
The 34th Prem clash between the UK's most hated club, who had been 100% under new gaffer Gus Hiddink, and the beloved Lilywhites saw the home side fight harder and play with more spirit than the assembled mercenaries of dishonour in blue.
Beyond that, Spurs played some quality football, and the goal by Luka Modric was something else. in fact, Luka himself was something else: his tireless running, his excellent vision and distribution, his role as the engine room of the Tottenham Way 2009 version, all crowned with that gloriously guided goal.
In the fifty-first minute Aaron Lennon, who had struggled to shine, finally produced a clinical cross from the right which saw Modric lash the ball into the Paxton Road net with a sublime right footer.
Although everybody is likely to give Luka Modric the man of the match award, Gomes put in a Pat Jennings like display to deny Chelsea as they battered Spurs near the end to try for the equalizer. Palacios showede once again why he is one of the shrewdest purchases in recent Tottenham history, and the regular appearance of Ledley King at the back has led to a formidable Spurs revival that sees our beloved club with a glimmer of a shout for Europe as opposed to relegation, which is now extremely unlikely.
This is a game that Spurs fans will watch over and over again until our next league encounter against relegation haunted Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at Ewood Park.
After Rovers its another fierce London rivalry with the visit of West Ham United to the mighty Lane, where once again the fans will likely be our twelfth man, as they were in this encounter with the wretchedly overstocked and underwhelming Chelscum.
Europa? Nopa
Everton obliged, Spurs stumbled
May 24, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Liverpool 3
Tottenham H. 1
Anfield, Liverpool
US TV: Premier highlights show
Cheating Carrick undoes Spurs
False penalty turns tide
April 25, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Manchester U. 5
Tottenham H. 2
Old Trafford
US TV Live: Fox Soccer
Ole!
Sub Pav rises above Hammers
April 11, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Tottenham H. 1
West Ham United 0
White Hart Lane, London N17
US TV Same day: Setanta USA
MAN OF THE MATCH: Roman Pavlyuchenko. At the end of the day, you've got to put the ball in the net to win. He did that, off the bench.
Mods versus Shockers
Luka tames jaded mercenaries
March 21, 2009 (Ssn 2008/9)
Tottenham H. 1
Chels*** 0
Fox soccer US TV live
MAN OF THE MATCH: Luka Modric."He's 'ere, he's there, he's every *******where, Luka M., Luka M.!"
