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The Spur's Premiership 2007/8
Spurs v Liverpool
Season finale
  May 11, 2008 (Ssn 2007/8)
Tottenham H. vs.
Liverpool
USA: delay TV - FSC
Tottenham Hotspur's final game of the season is here and reactions will be up soon after its delayed Stateside TV screening.
Meanwhile, last season's corresponding fixture resulted in an away win with the goal scored by Luis Garcia.
Last season: Tottenham's long unbeaten run at White Hart Lane was washed away in a torrential north London storm by a strong, well organized Liverpool side in no mood to play for less than three points.
Spurs had their home pride to protect, and fully understood that this was a true "six pointer" given our respective positions in the table, so as expected it was a hard fought, uncompromising encounter that kept supporters braving the horrendous weather conditions until the final disappointing whistle.
It seems the word is out about Tottenham. Close them down relentlessly right from the word go and they won't get into their stride. And hit them every time with super quick counters involving vision and accuracy.
Liverpool scored with a first half Luis Garcia goal and the Lilywhites could not find a way back. Both sides coped remarkably well with the almost impossible conditions, which is good because anyone who saw the Arsenal match could see that the preening Gooners would rather have been anywhere than in dark, frigid Sheffield on a day like this.
It was a surprise that Spurs created a series of later chances in a desperate bid to equalize, because for most of the match it seemed we were playing against a brick wall. Liverpool are becoming a very well organized outfit at the back and it's hard to conceive how Blackburn actually beat them a few days earlier.
No side has improved as dramatically as they since last season, and that includes both Pompey and Spurs.  It was a close thing and Liverpool are extremely difficult to score against currently. I think we have conceded 1 goal in the last 9 prem games!
Rev X, Liverpool supporter |
They also break with breath-taking speed and their counter offensives, in fact their build-ups in general, were more dangerous and incisive than ours.
Tottenham did not play poorly, but anyone who did not know would have said Liverpool must be the home side as they outplayed us in most departments for most of the time.
Spurs had the visitors flustered towards the end, especially when the ball cannoned back off their crossbar, and when Ghaly, with keen positional sense, had an opportunity to steer home but somehow managed a ghastly miss.
On this form Liverpool will dispose of an under performing Arsenal to set up a League Cup semi-final with the Lilywhites. While most Spurs fans would probably rather meet them than the Arse at this stage of our current growth as a team, it's really hard to see us in the Final based on the way we have, sadly, been outclassed by both those sides this season.
Portsmouth, on the other hand, are a different story. We can and should be able to match them even at Fratton Park in our next league fixture.
However, like Liverpool, they are coming off a loss and are raring to get back on track, plus Pompey have a number of ex-Spurs with a point to prove. And then there's Sol....
The Spur's Premiership 2007/8
Spurs denied
Lilywhites dominate in Lancs
  April 05, 2008 (Ssn 2007/8)
Blackburn Rov. 1
Tottenham H. 1
Ewood Park
It was on of the best away performances by Spurs this season and the Lilywhites deserved more than a point for their often impressive performance, bouncing back from the home humiliation at the hands of resurgent Newcastle.
It was Jermain Jenas whose cross found Berbatov who simply had to guide the ball over the line. Pederson equalized for Rovers, but although Spurs never showed their earlier brillinance, they still outplayed the home side for much of the game.
It could be a worry to see Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov becoming increasingly frustrated with each other. Let's hope it's a sign of their hunger and passion and not a signal that our strike force is incompatible, which would further fuel speculation of the Bulgarian's imminent departure.
Although Spurs did deserve a win, some will argue that a denied penalty for Rovers rendered it a fair result.
More important than the result, given the scenario we are in this season, is the fact that once again this Spurs side showed their enormous potentia, and overall there are few who doubt that Juande Ramos is on the right track.
Spurs 1, Newcastle 4
Spurs started brightly with a quality headed opener from Darren Bent, but then chronic defending and an AWOL midfield led to a battering. Newcastle also played what must be by far their best game of the season: certainly their best result. Owing to various issues, it will be a while before The Spur is updated with full match reactions. Please check back again soon. |
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The Spur's Premiership 2007/8
Pompey harried
Darren Bent earns his Spurs
 March 22, 2008 (Ssn 2007/8)
Tottenham H. 2
Portsmouth 0
by Rob Francis
I don't recall a 0:0 draw at White Hart Lane this season, and Darren Bent's powerful header past David James ensured that a blank slate, which was looking probable for a while, was avoided. Seconds later, with Pompey reeling, Bent made a decisive run down the flank to feed Jamie O'Hara who drilled into an empty net.
Bent's decisive involvement in both goals went some way towards jusitfying the whopping 16.5 million quid price tag paid to Chalrton.
Both of Juande Ramos' substitutions had scored and with nine minutes to go the three points were in the bag, with Robbie Keane receiving a hero's ovation, his wonder goal against Chelsea in the 4:4 draw fresh in the minds of the supporters, as he became the third to be subbed out.
Earlier in the second half only a desperate clearance from Didier Zokora after Kanu had gone round Paul Robinson saved Spurs blushes.
The changeable meteorology served up icy Winter weather in the form of snow and rain, interspersed with Spring-like sunshine all in the space of ninety minutes.
Spurs had bossed the first half but only after Juande Ramos' inspired subsitituions with fifteen minutes to go did the home efforts pay off. Once again the Spanish manager proved that his tactical acumen is a key factor both for his past, and Tottenham Hotspur's future, success.
The Spur's Premiership 2007/8
Spurs battle back from 1:3 down
Sensational match ends in draw
 March 19, 2008 (Ssn 2007/8)
Tottenham Hotspur 4
Chelsea 4
White Hart Lane, London N17
Just as Manchester City refused to give up last weekend against us, so Spurs clawed back from behind several times to deal Chelsea a blow in their efforts to catch up with Arsenal and Manchester United atop the table.
It was so important for Spurs to avoid a defeat, because despite our League Cup win, and our two-one victory at the Lane last season, a loss could have reignited our previously long running jinx against the hated Blues that, given their money soaked World XI, is never easy to break.
There's so much to say it's hard to know where to start in a game like this. For now, the first thing to ask is how on earth the referee managed to not send Ashley cole off.
 SPUR OF THE MOMENT Referee Shite Riley. Without doubt the most influential man on the field for the visitors.
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The Spur's Premiership 2007/8
Spurs take the Buscuits
Keano on target
 May 3, 2008 (Ssn 2007/8)
Reading 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Live in US on Fox Soccer Channel
Tottenham Hotspur should have buried Reading by the interval, but instead only some fine saves from Radic Cerny in the second half prevented Reading from getting at least a point they desperately needed, as they stare relegation in the face. Had the Biscuitment equalized, Spurs would have drawn their last five, all 1-1.
Tottenham can still scrape a top-half finish, but they must win their final match at home to Liverpool, and hope that West Ham pick up no more than one point from their final fixture home to Aston Villa.
Spurs owned the first half and in the 16th minute Robbie Keane scored the only goal. It was Darren Bent's deep run and perfectly timed pass that allowed Keano to dummy two defenders and place the outstep shot just beyond the grasp of Marcus Hahneman.
Spurs played some sizzling football in the first half, and should have had a second when a perfectly legitimate Steed Malbranque goal, set up by the creative Robbie Keane, was inexcusably given offside.
In the second half the north Londoners allowed Reading to get into the game, and only some amatuerish finishing, and a few great saves from Cerny, prevented the home side from making their mark.
Spur of the Moment: Jermain Jenas dominated his territory and was a big reason Reading couldn't get into their stride.
The Spur's League Cup Final 2007/8
All White On The Night
Juande Ramos miracle continues
 Season 2007/8
Tottenham H. 2
Chelsea 1
A passsionately contested performance from Tottenham Hotspur leading to an exhilirating triumph further illustrates the sensational turnaround in fortunes of the club in just a few months, and guarantees Spurs a place in next season's UEFA Cup.  | | Woodgate's winner |
What makes it all the sweeter is that in winning the League Cup, Spurs utterly destroyed The Scum in the semis and then put our second most hated rivals Chelscum to the sword in the Final. It don't get any better.
Drug-bore scored for the Blue Tossers in the 40th minute but Berbatov equalized from the penalty spot (71) and Woodgate, although he didn't know too much about it, bundled the ball home for what proved the winner in extra time.
"The truth is that this was a beautiful experience," said Juande Ramos. "The format is very different to the finals that I've been involved in in Spain before, having the red carpet and so on. We've enjoyed very much this victory with our fans in the stadium, it's been a unique experience and one I hope to repeat in the future." We're the first to lift the Cup at the new Wembley and we're going to Europe again next year!
Metalgear |
Juande Ramos clearly knows his stuff. Picking Paul Robinson for example was a stroke of genius, and Robbo, along with all the other players, played out of their skins. The Tottenham manager also gave props to the two center backs who were magnificent on the day, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate. If only these two could be fit for long enough to create a legendary pairing, but sadly it looks like that may not come to pass. At least, if it is near the end for Ledders, he had this superb Final to crown his efforts.
Jenas also played well, Lennon just keeps getting faster and trickier, although he must work on those awful corners straight to the defender on the near post. Berbatov chased and darted like a man possessed, giving himself completely to the cause. And it doesn't come any cooler under pressure than his penalty equalizer. One cool dude.
Above all, the Ramos/Poyet combo seem to have motivated the players to find an extra level of commitment, spirit, energy, and confidence that they never had before. It's very remarkable. Whatever the secret is, it's working.
This will give the players a tremendous boost of self belief in the final rounds of the UEFA Cup.
"I dreamt of this moment as a kid, I'm speechless," said Robbie Keane who was also an inspiration to his team-mates throughout his appearance on the Wembley turf, and received a standing ovation when he was subbed in extra time.
We Beat Chelscum 2:1, 2:1! We Beat Chelscum 2:1, 2:1! We Beat Chelscum 2:1, 2:1!
Absolutey ****** ace.
Final word to Statto 99 on OTF: "I think today's victory for Tottenham was a great vindication of the youth program.
"The youth program at Leeds United, obviously.
"If you'd told me six years ago that a team playing in all white featuring Paul Robinson, Jonathan Woodgate, Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane would win the first League Cup final at the new Wembley I would have been well chuffed." Plus Gus Poyet as part of the management.
League Cup 2007/8
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Final
Spurs v Chelscum 2:1
Semifinals
Arsenal lost to Spurs 1:1, 1:5
Chelsea beat Everton 2:1, 1:0
Quarterfinals
West Ham - Everton 1:2
Blackburn - Arsenal 2:3
Manchester C. - Spurs 0:2
Chelsea - Liverpool 2:0
"We're the famous Tottenham 'Otspur
And we're going to Wemberlee
Wemberlee Wemberlee
We're the famous Tottenham 'Otspur
And we're going to Wemberlee!
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US TV: Liverpool Delay 
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