| The Spur, a Tottenham Hotspur webzine, since 1999. Jan/Feb 2012. |
Fri, Jan 27, 2012
Latest world news headlines
BBC Radio London with frequent Spurs match commentaries
The Spurs show podcast
That match against Arsenal, also on u tube.
Tottenham Hotspur's famous away support (this one at Fulham's Craven Cottage).
Spurs v Man City 1969 classic footage.
Links to Official Spurs USA Supporters Clubs:
New York City: New York Spurs Supporters Club meet regularly to watch games. Ian Harris at the helm.
Los Angeles: LA Spurs
A well-updated link to English Premier League matches on US TV is via "EPL Talk homepage" and go to TV schedule. A great way to find out when the must see matches are on.
On the fly and wanna watch a game? usa goals probably has the link to a live feed to save you missing the big match. Brilliant site has allowed me to catch many a game otherwise unavailable to me.
For all futbol on USTV LiveSoccerTV is worth a look.
Football Ramble blog.
The Spur's FA Cup 2011/12: 3rd round
Spurs travel the short distance north-west to play at Vicarage Road after beating Cheltenham. The hosts Watford enjoyed a rousing 4:2 home win in the third round over visiting Bradford City.
4th round ties take place on the weekend of January 28/29.
Tottenham met Town for their first ever competitive match together.
As a reflection of the great support for both sides, including some five thousand to back Cheltenham, the Lane was full despite the unglamorous visitors, and they got value for their money in a game that was played at a level above expectation.
Cheltenham are flying high in League Two and although they couldn't match Spurs for talent, they played good football that was way above the usual fourth tier fare. Great effort.
Jermain Defoe netted midway through the first half and Roman Pavlyuchenko stroked the ball home from six yards just before the break.
Giovani dos Santos chipped in a third with three minutes to go for a comfortable 3:0 victory.
Pre match. Clear your throat and get ready for two hours of "Spurs are on their way to Wembley".
BBC: "This is the first time these clubs have gone toe-to-toe."
"Tottenham are the third most successful club in FA Cup history, with the most recent of their eight wins in 1991.
"Cheltenham are 67 places lower than Spurs on the league ladder. Cheltenham achieved a club record place in the fifth round in 2001/02."
VITAL FOOTBALL: "On paper this would appear to be a 3rd round formality, but with Tottenham expected to field what could be described as a reserve team and Cheltenham in the form of their lives, this certainly isn`t a game to be taken lightly, irrespective of the gulf in size and league status. In saying that, it would represent a huge shock to see any other outcome that to see Tottenham`s name in the hat for the 4th Rd.
"After an indifferent start to the season, Cheltenham have suddenly found some excellent form and will be full of confidence tomorrow. With fourteen wins from their last eighteen games, and sitting 2nd in League 2, they look very strong candidates to gain promotion this season, but of course the difference between the top of the Premiership and league 2, should still be massive, and you would be very disappointed with anything other than a Spurs win."
"Anybody remember seeing a movie with Harry Corbett in it about being up for the Cup. He lost his mates, got involved with a tart, and missed the match. Went home a wiser man though.That's the Cup for you." -- "mauriceric" guardian mb
Glory days: Jurgen Klinsmann enjoyed two spells at Spurs in the 1990s
'Tottenham is a way of life and I didn't know that until I got there,' he said. 'I signed my first contract and thought, "It's cool to be in London". And then after two weeks I said to myself "Oh my gosh, what is this here?"
'The supporters are very special. They live and breathe for that club. You go to White Hart Lane and there are 36,000 people singing. It's not just one section. It's the whole stadium singing. You go there and think "Wow".'
This site was knocked offline the night before the match and has only just come back online. I have been hacked by gooners before but this time it was an understaffed registration company that was to blame. So reactions came late. Thanks for visiting.
Since everybody's read all the reviews by now, let's take a different tack.
For Spurs, we've rebalanced the power in north London. We weren't great, and it could have gone either way, but unlike previous years, prior to Harry that is, we usually looked like we were clinging on for dear life against our bitter rivals. That inequality is over. It seems to hard to believe it, but our squad is now perhaps better than Arsenal's, at least, well on par.
And, as has been noted, it was us that were shrewd enough to land the likes of Parker and Friedel, and hold on to Modric, whilst Arsenal have lost some top players recently.
For Arsenal, their focus has now turned onto whether they can hold on to, and attract, future world class level talent without life in the Champions League.
Further, many of their fickle fans won't stick around long if they are not doing well. Even back in the 70's and 80's during those periods when they were struggling Highbury was a desolate place, and that was when fans were a lot more loyal and open-minded than they are now.
The Emirates will look a forlorn place with swaths of empty seats. It won't be a venue to set the pulse racing of would be future signings.
Four consecutive wins see Spurs in the top six and suddenly this season, after the predicted slow start with matches against the two Manchester sides, is sizzling.
It was not the tilting of the balance of power. Arsenal could have gone ahead, and we scored the winner with the type of wonder goal that nobody can legislate. But it was a dramatic portrayal of how the gap is narrowed so dramatically in such a short time. Prior to Harry, the gap seemed not only insurmountable, but widening to the point of no return.
Returning to our current squad, Scott Parker has made a big difference. By contrast, Rafael Van der Vaart seems on the decline at the club after making such a wonderful impact when he first joined.
This was not quite the pulsating match that we saw last season when AFC visited, but the result was excellent and the big picture looks bright for us, and dim for Arsenal. Evenly balanced we may be in north London, but the momentum is with Spurs for now.
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
OK. First reaction to the match in progess coming up soon. Must make a cuppa tea first.
THFC's win at Wigan means three straight wins and we are motoring up the table.
Both Tottenham goals came in the first half. Emmanuel Adebayor created wonderfully to supply van der Vaart with the first goal (3), and Bale headed home a Modric corner (23).
Spurs seemed surprised that Wigan looked a different team after the half time pep talk, with Mohamed Diame powering past Brad Friedel to set visitors' nerves jangling.
Wigan lost some momentum when they went down to ten men however it was by no means a foregone conclusion until the final whistle.
Spurs had lost their first half cutting edge as the strike partnership of van de Vaart and Adebayor, which had showed great potential earlier on, seemed to lose its understanding.
The Spur's Premiership
Tottenham Hotspur came out of the trap full throttle, and if there was any doubt that Modric was not on-side with the club after his failed move to Chelscum, his early goal put paid to that.
Both he, Adebayor, and Bale, along with most of the other lads, were on fire from the very first whistle, leaving Liverpool shellshocked from the get go with the home side's early pressure.
Last season in the corresponding fixture Spurs enjoyed a 2:1 victory over Liverpool in the opening game of the season, and Harry seems to have the magic touch for Tottenham when it comes to playing the red half of Scouseland, previoulsy three 2:1 wins against the reds under his belt for Spurs since taking over as manager. Pity there's so much speculation about his job with England about to call.
Back to this season, and Modric almost nabbed a second in the 14th minute as the Lilywhites continued to dominate.
"Every pass applauded by the crowd as if was an exhibition match," says the commentator.
Heck of a shock in the 18th minute as Liverpool "score" but deemed offside.
A warning that it's a bit too early to uncork the champers. Liverpool trying to bounce back and the game showing a slight tilt towards equilibrium as the visitors readjust, in particular trying to choke off the supply line to Gareth Bale on the left flank.
28th minute and Charlie Adam rather harshly sent off for a challenge on Scott Parker, not a deliberate foul but the ref gives more than just a free-kick. Supremely lucky break for Spurs.
43rd minute Kaboul's header just wide of the Park Lane goal.
Suarez manages to get booked for dissing the assistant ref, a symbolically fitting end to a miserable half for the under-par visitors, an almost dream 45 minutes for the Cockerals, except for a cushion goal.
After the win at Wolverhampton, this season is starting to buzz.
2nd half and in the 62nd minute Liverpool go down to nine men, and Defoe scores a ground hugging beauty from a perfect pass in the 67th. Cushion achieved at last. One minute later, Adebayor makes it three (pictured).
94th -- Adebayor, it's four! The volley that makes this a route, followed by the final whistle.
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12 The colour commentator, the ex-Liverpool bloke Macca, expressed surprise at how fat and lazy the Tottenham Hotspur team looked, and although the Lilywhites held United quite well for the first half, the gap in class and fitness showed through glaringly as the home side ran away with a three-nil walkover over a largely tepid, tame Tottenham turnout.
Spurs had the excuse of a midfield injury crisis, even before the season started for them.
By contrast, United played a young side that seemed hungry and fit. They had a team spirit that was all too lacking with Spurs.
Brad Friedl was often on his own at the back trying to keep the score down.
In the corresponding match last season, United beat us by 2:0 and Nani has been winding us up ever since about his non-goal that was a goal, officially.
United created some early chances with THFC keeper Gomes safe in handling their gettable on target efforts. Van de Vaart hits the post in the eighth minute. Cracking left footed scorcher.
Harry has chosen Robbie Keane over Peter Crouch.
Nani, so often Tottenham's tormentor, is combining well with ex-Spur Berbatov and Sun Park.
Spurs respond with an equally impressive team offensive collaboration in the 22nd minute that shows our potential and ultimately leads to a corner.
Approaching the half hour mark with Spurs playing creditably, but a noticeably increasing MUFC ascendancy culminating with Vidic latching onto a United free-kick conceded by Kaboul to put the home side ahead in the 31st minute.
Minutes later a stellar Van de Sar save from a sizzling Modric shot trying to capitalize on a Van de Vaart corner. Well worked set piece from THFC.
At the other end Gomes solidly saves a Berbatov effort from a quick United counter.
Lilywhites pressing going into injury time in the first half but to no avail.
Will the second half just be a case of United guiding home tht three points? For all Tottenham's efforts, it looks like it.
Gareth Bale clearly beign overused by Harry. Should have rested him for the Inter game. 62nd minute Keane replaced by Super Pav, as per Yid Army's chanted request.
But it's all rather petering out for Spurs. United don't look particularly troubled. Accurate Nani free-kick saved by Gomes, in confident form.
66th minute Palacios replaces Jenas. Three minute later Kaboul gives away the ball and is almost punished by a quick United one-two with Mexican Henandez forcing another solid Gomes save.
74th minute Super Pav creates space to shoot and forces a corner. Could have easily deflected in. But we don't get that kind of luck at Old Trafford.
Uh oh. Van de Vaart injured. Limping off to be replaced by Peter Crouch. So the giraffe with lanky Super Pav. High ball into the box? We need possession first. It's all rather anti-climactic. Laundry calls. Come on Spurs. This is disappointing really because United are not the force they once were. Albion won here. They had a sense of purpose. We really need some "oomph".
Pity the players aren't as fired up as our traveling supporters are.
Well a controversial goal with Nani kicking what Gomes thinks is his placed free-kick into the net and the goal being allowed.
Gomes was so consummately professional and solid up until this point -- it was as if he had to snap at some point. The fact that the assistant seemed to flag for a stoppage and then that Clattenburg nodded to Nani that it was OK for him to kick the ball at the goal didn't exactly help.
Once again Mark Clattenburg and his officials with a clattering howler of miscommunication to destroy the credibility of the game and this "league". Good thing I only pay $14.99 a month to follow the Prem. The officiating isn't worth a penny more of my money.
Bale
Lennon
Adebayor
Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur [FA Cup Round 4]
LIVE Fox Soccer Plus TV and foxsoccer.2go on-line -- 11.45a Pacific.
Time to take a break from the all important Prem to remind ourselves that the Lilywhites have traditionally been an FA Cup side.
These official Spurs supporters clubs took over from CAATS, part of The Spur. The CAATS page still exists and will stay on the web for posterity but The Spur -- this page -- is where future updates will occur from this US based Spurs webzine.
Spurs 3:0 Cheltenham
Spurs go to Watford in round four
Jan 07, 2012 (Ssn 20011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 3
Cheltenham Town 0
No live TV USA. 7am Pacific time.
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
Spurs rule north London
Up into the top six for THFC
Tottenham H. 2
Arsenal 1
Oct 2, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
London. Live on USA TV: Fox Soccer
Spurs hold on for 1-2 win
Wigan away
Sept 24, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Wigan Athletic 1
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Wigan, Lancashire
highlights. Audio: BBC London.
Marvelous Modric inspires route
Spurs sink rubbish Reds
Sept 18, 2011 (Ssn 20010/11)
Tottenham H. 4
Liverpool 0
London N17
US TV: Live online @ foxsoccer.tv 5.30am/PT
Last season: United 2:0, this time, 3:0
THFC potential seldom bears fruit at OT
Aug 22, 2011 (Ssn 20011/12)
Manchester United 3
Tottenham Hotspur 0
Old Trafford, Manchester
US TV: ESPN3.com 11.45am
We look worse than we did last year, last year if we went a goal down we'd wake up, today we rolled over and conceded two more. 
glenroyid
The Beautiful Game: Remember when
"Yer havin' a laff......."
"if you get the chance to go to Arsenal, you go. But the deal fell through and Tottenham came in." -- Michael Carrick
Ah the good old days. From a 60's edition of the Daily Mail: "A police officer kicked a man so hard in the face that the sole of his boot came off, it was claimed in Leeds County Court. The man, Mr John Marshall, was accussed of criminal damage to a police boot."
"I don't think Manchester city is a big enough job for Sam Allardyce. There is no club in this area - other than United - who are on the same footing as Bolton." -- Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside
Friedel
Dawson King A-Ekotto
Van der Vaart Modric Parker
Defoe
Pride of London
The Spur's FA Cup 2011/12
Tottenham Hotspur, the third most successful club in FA Cup history, make the short trip through the north-west districts and suburbs of London to Watford in Hertfordshire and a place generally considered the last outpost of not just London, but the south-east of England. Or maybe that's just because I grew up somewhere between south London and Gatwick airport.
Word is Harry will be there to play The Hornets, well not personally on the pitch, but back in person to oversee Tottenham in action after being absent owing to his tax trial.
Daily Fail: "Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is relishing the prospect of returning to the dugout for the FA Cup game against Watford, according to his assistant Kevin Bond."
The 64-year-old will resume his place on the Spurs bench on Friday night, however, for his team's fourth-round clash at Vicarage Road."
BBC: "Centre-back Adrian Mariappa will line up for Watford in their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham despite speculation linking him with a move.
Ten-goal striker Marvin Sordell, who has also been linked with a transfer in January, will lead the line.
Tottenham's Gareth Bale (thigh), Scott Parker (hamstring) and Younes Kaboul (groin) are doubts.
Kaboul sat out Wednesday's training, Bale and Parker came off with strains, while Ledley King is set to be rested."
Spurs bounce back as 4 goals go in, in a 10 min spree, then a penalty in stoppage time decides it.
Match on. English commentary from yy live. It's a game I can't take my eyes off, yet it's hard to watch us play away against what is in effect a World XI paid for by money beyond our wildest dreams, and we're not a poor club.
"Cagey opening" says commentator. Both sides playing well but it's a great build-up from City culminating in Silva brilliantly creating the opportunity for Nasri which he scores well. Hate to say it, but that's what the world's most expensively assembled side can do to you.
Less than three minutes later, Lescott bundles a Dzeko flick over the line.
Within the same minute, Defoe pulls one back, pouncing on the up and under from Kaboul. 2:1, game back on.
Then comes the wonder goal, the fourth in less than ten minutes. Great run from Lennon cutting in to provide Bale who unleashes the sensational goal that shows why he is now considered beyond monetary value -- he simply is irreplaceable.
Friedel playing a solid game so far, as is Ledley. 20 mins to go, can we get the point? 71 st minute, Lennon still causing City lots of problems, feeds Modric who drives it well over. Spurs now on the front foot after getting pegged back for a while. 15 mins to go -- gotta stop clock watching, way too early. Spurs are not sitting back though.
79th Balotelli booked, his 16th yellow since being at City. A dirty player, he deliberately stamps on Scott Parker's hand and then head, the camera spots it but the officials don't see it, and he gets away with what should have been I think his fourth red card since "playing" for City.
In injury time Bale provides Defoe a sitter which he just couldn't steer into the far post in front of the mesmerized Spurs traveling faithful.
In the final act Ledley King, up until now so solid at the back, "professionally" fouls Balotelli and concedes the penalty that loses us the match.
My soft spot for City has almost completely eroded however after this -- with hideous fouls by Lescott and Balotelli that truly sickened. Balotelli's was delierate but well faked as if he didn't know exactly what he was doing. A nasty piece of work that player. Gruesome individual.
A glimmer remains because proper City fans are also embarrassed and ashamed by what they saw today from the dirty element of their team.
Pre-match: As far as media attention it's turning out to be the biggest match of the upcoming weekend eclipsing the goons hosting Manchester United, and deservedly so, this is the #1 vs #3 match-up, not #2 vs mid-table mediocrity, OK, #5.
Tottenham Hotspur are five points behind City at the top, six points points ahead of Chelsea, with a currently sizeable ten point gap over the Arse, and that's the latter which is the most important based on our realistic goal of making it into the champions league, preferably at their expense.
We hope to thwart City from completing their first double over us since the 1991-92 season. It's a tough ask, they have won every home league game so far, and they're knocking in goals at home just for fun.
In a mixed scenario of the past, the BBC site points out that "Spurs have lost just two of their last 11 league visits to Manchester City (W7, D2), but Manchester City won the last two (1-0 in May and 5-1 in August)." So the trend is not good, and a report of the August match appears below this article.
Anyway, we won what The Spur dubbed the "watershed" match against EFC to see if we were the real deal as far as being a top four act was concerned, and the answer was YES. So then many people said, well, what about the prem title? We saw from the Wolves game the answer is NO.
Now, against the odds, we need to take at least a point at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium to keep up a decent gap between us and Arsenal, and to not let the gap disappear between between us and Chelsea.
City are beatable at home by a side with the potential creative abilities and killer instinct that we do possess, if only sporadically.
But please discount their cup match losses -- what they, and we, really care about is the prem. And agreed they played poorly at Wigan, but they ground out another result, away from home, and although they have somewhat of an injury problem, to get even a point at their place this season, irrespective of their home cup losses, is something any club will consider a massive achievement. This is not the "old" Citeh of even last season when it comes to the current prem season.
Well on the positive side, I watched both Spurs v City and United v Arsenal and although we were comprehensively beaten, our bitter local rivals were completely humiliated 8-2. Not just that their scoreline was worse, they were ripped to shreds. We still looked like a football team, albeit outplayed, at the end. Arsenal were mentally on the bus well before the middle of the second half.
And we may have also been beaten by United a week earlier, but again, not humiliated. Not destroyed.
Last season's corresponding fixture saw a nil all draw but edge of the seat stuff with both sides showing big potential. This time the potential of one of the teams, City, was realized.
Manchester City, parading an ever more expensive line-up of heavyweight talent, look set to battle for champions with United, and, possibly, Chelsea, who despite the uninspiring way they play whenever I watch them, albeit sporadically, seem to know how to notch up lots of points.
City seemed to create so much space around the park, or did we give it to them? A bit of both perhaps. Either way, players of their calibre are going to punish such generosity, and they did.
Both Manchester sides today had players flying very high in terms of form. It wasn't that we were awful, but our player's talents seldom shone through, City's were on display almost every time they got the ball, plus their movement was fluid and relentlessly forward surging.
Now we are going to face teams other than "the big two" (there, I coined a new one) and, if we can emulate what we've seen from the opponents in our two first league games, there's still reason to believe we could have a decent season.
After this, and I've turned into an optimist?
I said it last season, and it's even truer this season: it's gonna be very tough for anyone to beat Man City this campaign. You could already see how their passing and possession game will, as they start to become even more familiar with each other, give them a big edge over teams (like us) who have a harder time keeping the ball.
And where can we get us a Dzeko? On our side, the man we seemed to be pinning all our hopes on before the season, and whose arrival at Spurs was such a breath of fresh air, Rafa Van der Vaart, seems to be on the wane.
Wolves' goal was from a corner that should never have been awarded. Spurs "equalized" through a Bale shot that was tucked away by Adebayor but wrongly given offside, there was a visiting player at the far side playing the the Bad One onside.
The Lilywhites did finally pull level, but awful decisions by the officials, culminating in that bizarre drop ball incident near the end, which although it was at the expense of Wolves, was the epitome of this laughable attempt at officiating, badly influenced this game.
This is not just a partisan fan's view. Anybody who watches the footage will see these decisions for the shambles they are.
Please check for further updates for Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers.
One of the few matches where I was not on tenterhooks wondering if the Lilywhites would hold on or claw back -- it just seemed we were clearly the better side with too much for an OK but not especially worrying Everton outfit. This was impressive for precisely this reason -- we really just looked better. Wish it was like that every week!
1:0 after about 35 mins, a superb run inside from Aaron Lennon and pummeled on the turn into the Park Lane goal.
Spurs started with a roar, now getting pretty even, though Friedel had nowt to save in the 1st half. The co-commentator's script: "He puts it into an area. It's a man's game. He puts it into an area. It's a man's game. He puts it into an area. It's a man's game."
Landon Donovan booked for nailing Assou-Ekotto just before the break in frustration at the home side rolling the ball around as the clock expires on the first half, or maybe because AEK supplied the quality cross for Lennon's goal. Swedish commercials on LiveView365 as Spurs fans seem to rate VderV as first half man of the match.
Second half and a 35 yard screamer from Benoit Assou-Ekotto to give us the safety goal. 2-nil.
Pre-match: Welcome back to England, former San Jose Earthquake Landon Donovan. Just stay quiet against us!
Postponed by the riots in August of last year, it's now time to play the Toffees. Spurs v Everton. So much hanging on this one. Are we for real? We are about to find out.
In the corresponding match last season, played on October 23rd 2010, Spurs and Everton drew 1:1 with a goal from Rafael Van der Vaart assisted by Peter Crouch.
Check back for post-match updates and reactions.
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
WBA get men behind the ball, lots of 'em, but in around the 64th minute, four Baggies players around Jermain Defoe failed to prevent him swivelling and scoring in his classic striker's style to break the deadlock as boring boring Baggies came to park the bus.
It wasn't until the 82nd minute from what I recall that our keeper Brad Friedel was forced into a save to keep us ahead.
But Spurs remained very nervy allowing Albion a number of gilt opportunities, Kranjcar in particular making some dodgy moves. Heart in mouths time right to the end. Even in stoppage time WBA had a flurry of corners, but somehow THFC eked out the narrow but crucial 1:0 win.
Back on May 2, 2009 in the corresponding fixture Spurs nicked it 1:0 with a goal from Jermain Jenas. Albion were strictly second best that day.
They are perhaps even more negative and "behind the ball" nowadays, despite some talent up front that tries to score on the break. It may be a way for their manager Roy Hodgson to keep them up, but other "also ran" and so-called relegation fodder clubs, like the attractive Swansea style and plucky Norwich City, have done better by being far less cynical and way more adventurous.
It hurts to say that about West Brom because they are an honest, likeable, old school type of club who deserve better. But life is what it is and they feel their current boss is the best they can get. I like "Woy", but I have to say Albion have been hard on the eye under his leadership so far.
Soccerway: "Injuries are biting for both sides but would appear to be about to hurt the visitors more given Spurs' strength in depth and with their momentum remaining intact.
"A draw away to Swansea City didn't appear as damaging as it could have been given other results and although West Brom will be obdurate and organised under Roy Hodgson and come for a point, there would appear to be too much to Spurs' attack for anything but a home victory."
Anyway, here's how that previous encounter panned out:
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.
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
Well a draw seemed disappointing especially as the only result I knew about for a while afterward was the expected Arsenal win at home to QPR also shown on foxsoccertv online.
However, when this evening I finally got around to seeing the other results, suddenly things didn't seem so bad at all: Chelsea losing at home to a team that has been at times abjectly poor this term, Aston Villa, and ManUre losing at home to rock-bottom no-hoper crisis torn Blackburn Rovers. Just effing wow!
Add that to the fact that although Liverpool won a day earlier it was at the expense of Newcastle, it meant that although two of our deadliest top four spot rivals 'Pool and Arse made a significant gain and now lurk right in our shadows, we distanced ourselves from CFC and the Geordies, and equally encouraging we see that Cheslea, Man Utd, and even Man City are very far from invincible, indeed, they seem just as frail, if not frailer in some cases, than we can be.
So a lot more good news than bad so far over this holiday season despite Scott Sinclair's late equalizer against us at the Liberty after Van der Vaart had put us ahead with a bundled, frankly ugly goal, but they all count, from an Assou-Ekotto feed that was made better than it was by bouncing off a defender to the Dutchman, and even then, he in turn needed a deflection to see it go in.
As another sign that the playing fields seem to be levelling is that our hosts and potential relegation strugglers Swansea flowed with style and created just as fluently and poetically as we, lauded and praised from every rooftop these days, can play at our best.
Pre-match: Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur travel to Wales on Saturday to take on Swansea as we continue the quest to ensure a top four spot to ensure a champions league berth next season.
After beating Norwich City 2-0 on Tuesday, Spurs are now the top London club but Chelsea and Arsenal are right behind and both absolutelty hell bent on not being eliminated from the top European contest, where the money is, next year.
The good news is that Newcastle and Liverpool, who play on Friday prior to when this was penned, are off the pace a bit, but it would be foolish to deny that it's still a five horse race for the two spots remaining after the two Manchester teams fight it out for champions of England and runners up of the Prem.
The Swans just got held at home 1:1 a few days ago by Queens Park Rangers, however the partisan home crowd and the fact that Wales' top side are doing way better than expected since being promoted into the top flight, combines to make them a potentially tough proposition.
BBC Football: "Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may bring Ledley King into the team after he was rested against Norwich.
"Jermain Defoe is again a doubt with a hamstring problem, while Aaron Lennon is not yet fit to return.
"There will be plenty of attention focused on Gareth Bale ahead of the match. The Welsh international's second goal at Norwich on Tuesday was magnificent - his double strike at Carrow Road meant that Tottenham have won the last 10 Premier League matches in which he has scored.
"Swansea have the best home defensive record in the division with just three goals conceded.
"Victory for Spurs would equal their record total away wins in a Premier League season (seven, set in 1993-94, 1995-96, 2009-10 and 2010-11)."
Eurosport Yahoo: "The last six meetings in all competitions between Swansea and Spurs have all ended as home wins.
"Swansea have won only one of their last eight league games."
View from a Swansea fanzine: "On Saturday, Harry Redknapp brings another of the genuinely iconic Clubs in English football to our Home patch, and that feels good in itself. First club to do the double in the 20th Century, first club to win a UEFA sponsored trophy etc. Another Club with a justifiably proud history.
At Norwich: "the feeling you got that they (Spurs) were always in total control.
"Bale, (does he have three lungs?) , is in imperious form, also has a license to roam. Oh, and Adebayor, his Arsenal and Man City languid days long behind him, nowadays works his socks off for the team. They all do, really. And they score goals too, regularly, often of the great goals variety."
Glowing stuff from pierre91.
All the build up and post-match reactions here at The Spur. Please check back soon.
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
It's all over, with a two nil win for the Lilywhites courtesy a brace of goals from Gareth Bale, the star of the show.
In the 35th minute a brilliant Spurs construction of quick perceptive passing leaves Bale one-on-one with the Canaries' keeper but the shot is blocked.
Second half starts, still no score until the 54th minute another nifty Spurs build-up with Van de Vaart involved, as so often, and Adebayor unselfishly passes to Bale to create the space for the Welsh gem to find the net.
Spurs fans in great voice with a rendition of "Grand 'ol team to play for."
Runaway goal in the 67th minute from Bale who turns on the jets leaving City players in the dust. "This is just outrageous, frightening pace," types the insta-report BBC online guy.
With Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Chelsea faltering, a victory here crowns an excellent 'phase one' of the holiday fixtures.
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
A beautiful dash down the wing and an inch perfect cross for Adebayor to bundle home gives Spurs an early 9th minute lead as the Lilywhites started in top gear, a tidal-wave momentum that lasted for about fifteen minutes but petered out dramatically for the major mid part of the match, so that towards the end many home supporters were more than happy to get a point out of this.
It's still the case with a team of lavishly accumulated world class talents like Man City and Chelsea a point earned home or away is not shabby, also the case with Man Utd.
Against Arsenal, Liverpool and all other clubs we should expect to win home games, and mostly do.
12th minute Blue Racists' Sturridge balloons over from almost point blank range.
Pulsating match with Sturridge equalizing in the 23rd minute on the break, despite THFC dominating possession and the better side.
Drogba joins Sturridge in missing a chance to net for the Racists as his effort cannons back off the upright, as Chelsea start to play as equals. A game that really could go either way. Van der Vaart almost invisible so far.
Adebayor, already with a yellow card, is flirting with a red card. He's a great part of the current THFC set-up, but it's really too risky to leave him on with the dangerous way he's playing.
Super Pav replaces VdV for the second half. Sandro and Walker playing blinders, but Chelsea more organized and created more chances, and too many Spurs players having mediocre games: VdV, Parker, Pav, AEK as examples.
A frantic finish but neither side able to convert, with Terry blocking a goalbound Adebayor effort with the visiting keeper Petr Cech beaten.
Spurs in third place and top placed London side.
Pre-match. After our defeat at Stoke we bounced back with a "dig it out" home win over Sunderland, with Super Pav, who also scored against Chelsea in the 1:1 corresponding fixture last season. With this in mind, will Harry bring him on for this one?
Spurs have scored in every home Prem game. This is an even match going into it, could go either way.
"Spurs head into the midweek fixture looking to cement their standing above their capital rivals in the Premier League table," says Sky Sports.
"Two points separate the two clubs at present, with Tottenham sat third and able to boast a game in hand on the Blues.
"Victory at White Hart Lane would help to strengthen their grip on a UEFA Champions League spot, with the club determined to return to European football's top table."
Last season this fixture occured on Dec 12 2010 and ended 1:1. Shown live on US TV on Fox Soccer channel this was an amazing match which had Spurs poised to claim a famous victory only to be left facing defeat with a penalty award against Gomes in stoppage time.
Considered the second biggest league match of the year at the Lane, the visit of Chelsea is only outdone by that of Arsenal, and relished even above the show-downs against Man United and the Hammers. It did not let us down. This was riveting stuff.
Roman Pavlyuchenko put Tottenham ahead in the 16th minute and the home side looked the best in the first half. But Chelsea brought on Drogba for after the break and for th final 25 minutes or so had taken control of the game, but largely failing to pose the kind of goal threats that you would expect from the champions.
Heurelho Gomes was both villain and hero. He could not hold onto Drogba's power shot to concede the equalizer for the visitors, and gave away the penalty that promised a Chelsea win in the dying minute of injury time. But he bounced back with a big save of the penalty thus instantly redeeming himself and saving Spurs from a brutally unfair loss.
However the table reveals a gap opening up between the"new big four" of which Chelsea are a member, and ourselves. This bodes ill for the future because unless we win the Champions League we will not be in it next year unless we improve dramatcially in the league, and this in turn will lead to pressure as the vultures circle in on our superstars like Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric, and Van de Vaart.
Friedel; Walker, Gallas, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Sandro, Modric; Van der Vaart,
Adebayor. Final result: 1-0 Spurs.
Half time. No score. Not much action, except Aaron Lennon with a probable hamstring joins Bale on the injury list. Not good with this game to win and Chelsea coming up.
What else. Adebayor constantly getting caught offside.
One moment of collective magic breaks deadlock as beautiful support work from VdV and Modric gives Pav a moment to shine, and he does.
Check back for more reactions soon.
Last season's corresponding match was played on Nov 09, 2010 and finished 1:1 under The Spur's headline "V de V's goal gives THFC brief lead". Here's the report:
Succeeding so far in the European Champions League has come at a hefty price for the Lilywhites, with mediocre performances in the Premiership likely to cost us our place in Europe next year and effectively put Spurs out of the running of turning back into a big club. In a nutshell, reasons to be alarmed so soon after our greatest victory in a generation taking Inter apart.
Van de Vaart scored what seemed like a superb goal provided by Peter Crouch but the replay showed a clear handball.
Seven goals in his last nine games and he's scored at every home Spurs match he's played, this man is a revelation. I never much rated him prior to joining us mainly because the few times I saw him before he did not stand out of the crowd. He does now!
Barely had Spurs gone ahead when, in the 67th minute, both Gallas and Kaboul tangled to allow Sunderland the equalizer.
What's more is that the Wearsiders looked the more likely to win this game. They looked hungry, we looked tired.
The Spur's Europa Cup 20011/12
8,500 at the Shamrock Rovers ground with extra seating installed.
Pienaar shot from the right side of the box, deflected past Brush as it clips the defender's ankles.
Stupendous goal from Townsend makes it two up to Tottenham Hotspur, with Jermain Defoe getting a third just before the half time whistle.
Meanwhile Kazan equalized aganst PAOK in the other match so that shatters Spurs' chances of going through.
So the home stretch of the 2nd half unfolded with Spurs needing two goals, and for PAOK to go from 1:1 to winning.
Doesn't look like happening, despite Spurs getting a fourth.
The Spur's Europa Cup 20011/12
Early in the second half, Rovers' Patrick Sullivan drilled the ball into the goalmouth and Rice turned it in to create a true shock situation: Spurs trailing at home to Shamrock, a semi-pro team from south Dublin, with their first effort at goal of the entire match.
On the hour Super Pav equalizes from an early delivery from Dos Santos, followed in quick succession by two more home goals, a great header from Jermain Defoe, then an incredible solo run from Defoe to supply Giovani dos Santos with the third.
"Delighted with the win. I love this competition, we've had three tremendous nights already this season, Hearts & PAOK away and now this.
Many more great nights before as well, going all the way back to 1972. How people don't rate or disrespect the EL/UEFA trophy is beyond me.
Well done Spurs, well done Shamrock, another great evening of football down the Lane and a real credit to the game, as Spurs so often have been on their 50 year European adventure." -- Ghoddle
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
THFC Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Modric, Parker, Bale; Van der Vaart; Adebayor.
Spurs trailed by two goals to nil at the half. The home side unfortunately largely dominated proceedings, with two goals from former Spur Matt Etherington.
I have watched Stoke in previous matches and they looked lame, but in this match they resolved to close Spurs down and outmuscle them at every opportunity.
"Spurs haven't turned up," said the half time pundit on the Indian feed. Without Ledley King, and with Scott Parker having a rare bad game, things look grim for Tottenham. Meanwhile Harry brings on Defoe and Bassong to replace Lennon and A-Ekotto.
With Modric felled in the box, Adebayor made it 'game on' from the penalty spot. Humorous response from the home support with a chant of "Same old Arsenal, always cheating!" to the former gooner.
Meanwhile the ref misses a blatant penalty foul, this time by the Stoke City captain. The home side are threatening to bring on a fourth ex-Spur: Wilson Palacios. Great vocal support from both sets of fans.
Ever since the away goal Stoke have been painfully slow to take their set pieces in a very early start to the time wasting.
In the 74th minute a Stoke handball to save a point blank shot from Kaboul (the latter sent off shortly afterwards for two bookings), immediately followed by an Adebayor goal wrongly given offside. Very harsh on Spurs not to be level with Stoke lucky not be down to ten men.
Breathless end to end action with Spurs showing a determination and drive mostly lacking in the first half.
Scott Parker may on the losing side for the first time in a Spurs shirt with just five minutes to go, however the ref got it so badly wrong in the earlier second half incident. It should have been 2:2.
Game over.
Pre-match: Jonathan Woodgate, plagued by injury leading to his ultimate release by THFC, is hoping to find form for Stoke City and according to the BBC "is hopeful of keeping his place for the visit of his former club Spurs on Sunday.
"Harry Redknapp's side are currently third in the Premier League after winning 10 and drawing one of their last 11 matches.
"It won't be easy at all, the way they're playing at the minute and the pace they've got in the side, from full-back, to wingers, to forwards," said Woodgate. They'll definitely finish in the Champions League places."
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
Fox soccer channel LIVE
In the original sub-header I called this "the away fixture that nobody gets right" and yet in my prediction league I wasn't far off, guessing at a 1:2 away triumph. Pity we scored the third, lost me two bonus points! Only kidding.
As it happens.... Almost time for kick-off. Indian feed available at USA goals. Spurs two up at half time. Indian commercials mostly a lot more creative than the rubbish US ones. Course, would prefer no commercials but can at least watch uninterrupted video coverage.
Spurs looking very confident, however we only had two real opportunities, but both were converted.
The first goal was a team goal inspired by a clever long ball form Adebayor, Walker also playing a role, with Bale sticking it in at the Hammersmith End.
Lennon made it two, and after a slump in his career we are now seeing again his blistering pace combined with great end product, be it supplying or finishing. A hugely valuable cushion to take Spurs two up at the break.
Fulham come rip roaring out for the second half and after extreme pressure get one back, assigned a Kaboul own goal. The visitors have to find a way to stop this onslaught.
Well Spurs survived an absolute storming of their goal, but with a break at the very end nabbed a third from Jermaine Defoe.
In fairness Fulham were absolutely robbed in this one, the worst 45 mins Spurs have played in recent history. Still, it was a win in the end.
But why can't Spurs retain some possession when they are in the lead? Why do they end up desperately having to throw bodies at opponents shooting at almost point blank range? That's something this club desperately needs to look at.
Pre-match: Long time liabilities Alan Hutton and Michael Dawson outdid themselves last season in the FA Cup when Tottenham Hotspur crashed specatcularly out of the Cup we pride ourselves on doing so well in, the FA variety, in a 4:0 drubbing at Craven Cottage.
I mention that because if Fulham seem to be your typical lower mid-table team in the general view of the average Spur or fan of other clubs, it is easy to underestimate them.
That was not the only wacky result in recent years between us two London clubs and the truth is -- this is one of those fixtures, when Spurs play away at FFC (at home it's a different story), that's completely unpredictable and rarely reflects the supposed merits of the situation, or any kind of reasoned analysis.
In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match. In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match. In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match.
In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match. In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match. In any event check back soon for Sunday's big match.
In any event check back soon for reactions Sunday's big match.
Although this was live in the USA on fox soccer TV, my schedule meant I had to watch it much later, as if live, online at foxsoccer.tv.
We came out of the traps on fire, and although there was a moment of doubt when Rangers pulled one back to make it 2:1, in the end it was a comfortable win for the Lilywhites with very little for Friedel to do.
As most often, our midfielders Scott Parker and Luka Mordric were impressive, Gareth Bale showed many moments of his unique brilliance, including a goal so brilliantly taken it even seemed lighting fast even in slow motion replay, Van der Vaart continues to roam around in fine fettle, and if Adebayor had been sharper with his shots -- his mere presence and loping, drifting swerve is enough to put most opponents on the back foot -- this could have been a scoreline similar to the thrashing Fulham handed out to their west London rivals a fortnight ago.
This is not one of those brutal derbies like when we play the scum, the spammers, or the blue scum. In fact, the ref didn't even have to reach for a card a single time.
Both sides tried to play good football, but with all due respect to The R's they simply don't have the level of individual talent, and, equally important, they changed their personnel so much after gaining promotion, that they were at a disadvantage playing a Spurs side that mostly has a lot of experience working together and where this is not the case, like Scott Parker, they've meshed superbly in no time at all.
And QPR are the kind of team we like to play against, because they like to play, too.
We are a team that, at home, enjoys its football and feels empowered at the Lane, fast becoming a fortress.
Pre-match: Tottenham Hotspur could be boosted by the return of William Gallas for the visit of QPR in the Premier League on Sunday.
He has yet to feature for us this season because of a calf injury and he will be given a fitness test before manager Harry Redknapp decides whether to call him into his team.
A long-standing groin problem has kept Steven Pienaar sidelined but the former Everton player is in line to make his first appearance of the campaign.
There is also a chance that Ledley King could start but the defender will have to pass a late fitness test before he gets the all clear to play.
While the trio are in line for a return, Redknapp must plan without Michael Dawson (Achilles), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Vedran Corluka (foot).
The West London side Queen's Park Rangers, flush from beating their bitter local enemies at Loftus Road by 1:0, could go with the same starting XI that defeated the Chelscummers last weekend, although manager Neil Warnock has hinted that he could bring in Danny Gabbidon and Armand Traore for the trip to the Lane.
We are better at grinding out results these days, not a typical Tottenham trait, so though it may not be as spectacular as some of the matches on Saturday or last weekend, we just need to win to take advantage of CFC's loss, and to keep up with the leading pack, and stave off Arsenal's revival.
Spurs did the double over The R's in the last season that Rangers were in the Premier League, winning 1-0 at home and 3-2 at Loftus Road in the 1995-96 campaign.
Lilywhite Army (from): Gomes, Friedel, Cudicini, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Gallas, King, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Rose, Parker, Modric, Livermore, Townsend, Carroll, Lennon, Falque, Sandro, Pienaar, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Dos Santos, Adebayor, Van der Vaart.
Check back for more.
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
Great news Rovers-THFC is on foxsoccer.tv online here in the USA: originally seemingly not scheduled. Check back for more reactions soon.
OK just started watching this game. The dumbass tannoy guy at Ewood Park just blew the Manchester derby result so not a good sign right there that this is gonna be a good day, even though I'm glad the glory hunters lost (to the new glory hunter team to whom the Red Devils "fans" will soon be switching allegience. Money talks, Fergie walks!).
Kick off. Spurs line up with Friedel in goal; Walker, Kaboul, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart, Adebayor.
Hoilett so far the best player, carving open the Spurs midfield and defence but couldn't finish. Soon after Spurs break and a pinpoint cross from Bale just about scrambled away by a Rovers defender.
Looking better for us, another great build up in the 10th min but Parker overcooks the feed.
Mindboggling and superbly athletic run from Kyle Walker, on the far right towards the Blackburn singing end, who cuts back to Van der Vaart and the Dutch star slots home in around the 14th minute.
Resulting from a Pedersen free-kick, Rovers equalize through Formica, from a headed Samba assist, in the 28th minute.
HALF TIME.
53rd minute and an absolute doozie from Rafael Van der Vaart, his 21st goal for Spurs, after an extraordinary five pass Tottenham build-up, involving, as several times before in this game, Assou-Ekotto marauding forward on the left flank as Spurs successfully stretched the home side.
With the travelling Lilywhite army in full song, it seems once again Harry knows how to deliver a motivating half-time pep talk.
Rovers had a spell of real pressure when they could have scored a couple, while Spurs faltered as the second half progressed, with some wayward passing and ineffectual play form normally high quality players like Modric and Bale.
But, on this day, a far from inspiring Tottenham performance was just about enough to win the points, and that's what a successful side needs to do, just ask the Chelseas and Arsenals of this world.
Spurs are on their way to Wembers
Van der Vaart scores lone goal
Jan 26, 2012 (Ssn 2011/12)
Watford 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Vicarage Road
US TV and online: Fox.
The Flying Dutchman
winds up to shoot
the 1st half goal
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
Denied by Stampio
Head & hand stomping Balo the undoing of brave Spurs
Sun, Jan 22, 2012 (Ssn 2011/12)
Foulchester City 3
Tottenham Hotspur 2
USA TV LIVE: fox soccer, usagoals.com
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
City hit their stride
Spurs give space for City showmanship
Aug 28, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Manchester City 5
Rob Francis watched on USA TV delayed
Man City have just done to us what we done to Hearts 1st leg. Completely different resources.
wv1
The Spur's Premiership
Denied! [Get in there Swansea!]
Awful officiating denies Tottenham
Jan 14, 2012 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Wolves 1
White Hart Lane, London N17
US Online live: foxsoccert.tv
Stat Spurs Wolves
Shots On 10 3
Shots Off 12 2
Possession 59% 41%
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
Spurs make full use of game in hand
Lennon & AEK blasters win watershed showdown
January 11, 2012 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Everton 0
WHL
11.45am Live USA: Fox soccer ch.
Defensive Baggies throstled by Defoe
Sometimes you gotta grind 'em out
January 3, 2012 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham H. 1
West Bromwich A. 0
USA Live: Fox soccer ch.
West Brom didn't look too impressive against Everton. Their away record is pretty good though.
soccerkowboy, bsmb
MAN OF THE MATCH: Wilson Palacios, becoming the anchor of Tottenham's on-field
resurgence under new manager Harry Redknapp.
Spurs down the Swan 'ee? Not really.
Many shock results in this round but Swans derserved point
December 31, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Swansea City 1
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Liberty stadium, south Wales
US online live: foxsoccer.tv
Tottenham's professional performance
Brace for "outrageous" Bale
December 27, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Norwich City 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Carrow Road
US TV live: Fox Soccer channel.
A match of equals
Two pinpoint crosses for both goals
December 22, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Chelsea 1
WHL, London N17
US TV live: ESPN2 (on-line espn3). Rob Francis watched.
goals
Chelsea were up for this one. Lucky for us they did not take the many chances they created.
floridaspur
The Spur's Premiership 20011/12
Super Pav gives Spurs victory
One moment of collective magic breaks deadlock
Dec 18, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Sunderland 0
White Hart Lane, London N17
Rob Francis watched on foxsoccer.tv online
Spurs win by 4 but don't progress
Kazan equalize to dash THFC hopes
Dec 15, 2011 (Ssn 20011/12)
Shamrock R. 0
Tottenham H. 4
Live on BBC Radio London
Another Euro night of magic
Shamrock scare doesn't survive Spurs onslaught
Sept 29, 2011 (Ssn 20011/12)
Tottenham H. 3
Shamrock R. 1
BBC Radio London
Adebayor penalty not enough to save Spurs
Ex-Spur Etherington nabs two for Potters
Dec 11, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Stoke City 2
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Stoke-upon-Trent, England
US live TV: Fox soccer channel 8am Pacific.
We'll bounce back
home to Sunderland!"
Spurs Survive
Fulham make THFC work, and work
Nov 6, 2011 (Ssn 20011/12)
Fulham 1
Tottenham Hotspur 3
Craven Cottage, SW London
"My confidence
paid off
again."
The Spur's Premiership 2011/12
Lane Fortress for Spurs
Tottenham talent too much for QPR
Oct 29, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Tottenham Hotspur 3
Queen's Pk Rangers 1
Rob Francis watched on foxsoccer.tv usa delayed
Excellent first half and a slightly complacent, if still pretty decent, second half. Good result and some very good individual performances. I'd like to single out Adebayor's shift today, as his misses might undermine the graft and quality of his play.
coys2157
Stunning Van der V goal wins it
THFC do just about enough
Sun, Oct 23, 2011 (Ssn 2011/12)
Blackburn Rovers 1
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Live on foxsoccer.tv
