League Report: Spurs 1 Newcastle 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

The heat is on!

Darren Bent's 16th goal of the season was the decisive factor as we defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at a sun-drenched White Hart Lane.

The result takes us level on points with eighth-placed Fulham and just one point behind West Ham in the all-important seventh spot, which will guarantee a place in next season's Europa League.

It was our first league win against the Magpies in seven attempts, and they find themselves still four points off safety with just five games of the season left.

Prior to kick off, White Hart Lane held a rousing one minute applause to celebrate the life of former player Jimmy Neighbour, who sadly died last weekend.

Jimmy made 156 senior appearances for the Club between 1966 and 1976, scoring 11 goals before a move to Norwich City. He later returned to serve as a youth team coach.

Manager Harry Redknapp made two changes to the side that defeated West Ham last week.

Wilson Palacios returned from suspension to take his place in midfield alongside Tom Huddlestone, with Jermaine Jenas out injured.

Meanwhile, persistent injury problems prevented Ledley King making his sixth consecutive start. As ever, the reliable Michael Dawson was on hand to fill the void.

We were dominant in the first half against a team desperately needing the points to ease their plight.

Our first sighting at goal came after 15 minutes when Huddlestone and Luka Modric worked a short corner to Bent, who hit his shot low at Steve Harper. But nine minutes later, the striker was on hand to give us the lead.

Modric attempted a throughball to Robbie Keane, and although that was cut out by Sebastien Bassong, the loose ball ran to our leading scorer.

Bent hit his first shot straight at Harper but tucked away the rebound from a tight angle to give us the goal we deserved.

It was his first goal in four games and keeps the manager's striking options healthy with Jermain Defoe also making a return to the squad in this game after nearly three months out through injury.

Redknapp's options in midfield are also looking strong at the moment, with Huddlestone making his second consecutive start and once again proving a valuable asset.

On 28 minutes, he hit a trademark searing drive goalwards from 25 yards, which Harper did extremely well to tip over the bar.

Huddlestone repeated this act four minutes before half-time with the same result. Prior to this, Modric had another goal-bound effort blocked by Bassong, although the defender knew little about it as the ball ricocheted safely into his goalkeeper's arms.

The only low point of the first half was when Dawson landed awkwardly on his left ankle after an aerial challenge with Andy Carroll on 34 minutes, and was subsequently stretchered off in some discomfort.

But once again, the strength of Redknapp's squad was displayed again when Alan Hutton came off the bench to make his first Spurs appearance since November having been out with a foot injury.

He took up his familiar right back role, with Vedran Corluka switching to centre-half in place of Dawson.

And the Scotsman was impressive on his return, bombing forward at every opportunity and crossing superbly to the back post on the stroke of half-time for Bent to head over when he really should have done better.

Into the second half and Newcastle went desperately searching for an equaliser without actually creating a great deal.

We could have doubled our lead on a number of occasions, first on the hour mark when Bassong did well to block Palacios' 12-yard shot after Bent's cross deflected into his path.

Nine minutes later Aaron Lennon, who prior to kick-off received his PFA Player of the Month award for March, nearly marked the occasion with a goal after cutting inside from the right and sending a low left foot shot inches past the post.

Defoe was indeed introduced to a grand ovation with 15 minutes remaining, and this helped us regain the initiative in the closing stages with Newcastle having much of the possession beforehand despite our chances.

Another chance fell to Jonathan Woodgate 11 minutes from time, when Harper parried away his powerful header after Modric's corner.

Huddlestone also had another run and shot which whistled past the post before Newcastle came as close to scoring as they had done all game on 87 minutes.

Ryan Taylor played a ball in from the right and Obafemi Martins got in behind Woodgate to latch on, before controlling on his chest and lashing a shot over the bar, much to the despair of the travelling support.

Overall it was a frustrating afternoon for them, but for us it keeps our good run of form going - it's our sixth win in eight league games.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson (A Hutton, 34), Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric; Bent (Defoe, 75), Keane
Subs not used: Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Campbell

Newcastle (3-5-2): Harper; Beye, S Taylor (Smith, 46), Bassong; R Taylor, Butt, Nolan (Viduka, 61), Gutierrez, Duff; Carroll (Martins, 61), Owen
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Guthrie, Ameobi

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 1 West Ham 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

Roman Pavlyuchenko came off the bench to take a vital three points in our quest for European football against London rivals West Ham at White Hart Lane.

The Russian struck his 14th goal of the season having been introduced for Darren Bent early in the second half.

It puts the disappointment of last week's defeat against Blackburn, and moves us into a season-high of eighth - just three points behind the Hammers in the seventh place which is likely to secure a spot in next season's Europa League.

Harry Redknapp made just one change to the side defeated at Ewood Park, with Tom Huddlestone replacing the suspended Wilson Palacios in midfield.

And despite not creating a great deal, we were dominant in the first half with three good penalty shouts turned down by referee Martin Atkinson.

The first, and perhaps the strongest claim, came on 21 minutes when Aaron Lennon's deep cross was volleyed into the flailing arms of defender James Tomkins by Robbie Keane for what appeared to be handball.

Nothing was given, as was the case two minutes later when Keane was knocked over in the box by Luis Boa Morte after beating Tomkins.

That could have been seen as a coming-together, as was David Di Michele's push on Vedran Corluka on 26 minutes.

It wasn't until the half-hour mark that we finally tested Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green, who was forced to turn a stinging 25-yard Huddlestone effort round the post.

Moments later, the England man looked far less comfortable in dealing with a Keane volley from the edge of the box, but managed to claw it to safety.

Bent also went close on 33 minutes when he climbed well to meet Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross but headed just wide of the post.

Heurelho Gomes was forced into action for the first time 10 minutes before the break, doing well to keep out an arrowed volley from inside the box by Di Michele.

Going into half-time, however, things were certainly looking good for us, although it was clear we needed an extra dimension.

Enter Pavlyuchenko. The Russian came on as a 57th minute substitute for Bent and got himself straight into the thick of things.

Huddlestone's free-kick was flicked on goalwards by Jonathan Woodgate, and the rangy striker just failed to turn his header past Green.

From the resultant drop kick, we got lucky when Woodgate misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Di Michele to get in behind and force Gomes into a good low save.

That only served as a wake-up call, and it was Green who was next called into action, again turning a decent Huddlestone effort around the post on 64 minutes.

A minute later, there was nothing the goalkeeper could do as we finally took the lead.

Corluka played a ball into the box to Luka Modric, who found Pavlyuchenko with his back to goal. In one movement, he turned his marker and found the bottom left-hand corner.

The form of Bent alongside Keane up-front in recent weeks has made it a frustrating time for the Russian, but he proved here the quality he possesses when called upon.

And with Jermain Defoe on his way back from injury, our striking options certainly look strong for the end-of-season run-in.

For the rest of this game, it was just going to be a case of holding onto the hard-earned lead, although we came close to doubling the lead on two occasions before the end.

Lennon curled one in from the left, and although only he will ever know whether it was an attempted cross or effort on goal, it certainly had Green back-tracking to keep it out of his top corner in the end.

Three minutes from time, Pavlyuchenko broke away and played in Lennon racing up alongside him. The winger carried it into the box and tried to go around Green. The goalkeeper timed his tackle well, but the loose ball fell to Keane who struck towards the empty net, with only covering defender James Collins on hand to keep it out.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola used up a wealth of attacking options he had on his bench in the hope of grabbing an unlikely equaliser, but it's fair to say it would have been undeserved.

Di Michele did force Gomes into another good save two minutes from time, but they had little else as our push for a top seven finish got back on track.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas (Zokora, 46), Modric; Keane, Bent (Pavlyuchenko, 57)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Chimbonda Dawson, Bale, Bentley

West Ham (4-4-2): Green; Tomkins (Savio, 81), Collins, Upson, Ilunga; Boa Morte (Dyer, 71), Neill, Noble, Stanislas; Di Michele, Tristan (Sears, 84)
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Payne, Lopez, N'Gala

Linked here.

League Report: Blackburn 2 Spurs 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Blackburn Rovers snatched an unlikely victory with two late goals after a Robbie Keane penalty saw us lead and proceed to dominate at Ewood Park.

It really was a case of defeat from the jaws of victory and leaving Lancashire without at least a point would have appeared impossible until the last ten minutes or so.

That's when Wilson Palacios was sent off after two quickfire yellow cards - the second decision somewhat harsh as he appeared to pull out of the tackle on David Dunn - and the home side, naturally lifted, turned the game around.

With the exception of Heurelho Gomes having to deal with a back pass of rather too much force from Jonathan Woodgate, the opening exchanges of this contest were not ones that really looked likely to generate any excitement in front of goal.

Hardly surprising maybe, given the AirMiles collected by many of the players from both sides over the last two weeks. One who wasn't on his travels, Paul Robinson, received his anticipated appreciation from the Spurs thousands behind his goal before his opposite number was given his second concern of the afternoon at the other end.

A cross from the left by Morten Gamst Pedersen was cleverly worked out by El Hadji Diouf, who ghosted in behind his marker and planted a header just beyond Gomes' right hand upright. Ledley King was next to call heads, stealing in at the near post to meet a Luka Modric corner, glancing across the face of Robinson's goal.

On 19 minutes, Palacios ventured forward and superbly picked out the run of Darren Bent behind the Blackburn defences. The striker drilled in a powerful drive that appeared to be arrowing into the bottom corner before Robinson reached out and brilliantly diverted.

A long throw from Pedersen then caused confusion when the ball landed in our area, Diouf was quickest to respond and his free hit on goal looked like rattling the net until a late intervention from Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Vedran Corluka was next to try his luck at opening the scoring, but this was duly achieved when, on 28 minutes, an Aaron Lennon cross struck the arm of Gael Givet and referee Mr Walton pointed to the penalty spot. There was the usual protest and delay, but eventually Keane was able to pit his wits against his former teammate and placed his kick with aplomb in the bottom left hand corner. Robbo guessed right but could not quite reach.

A bit of Modric magic could have made it two before the break after the little playmaker combined with Keane, but Blackburn employed safety in numbers and managed to crowd out the Croatian.

There was a Blackburn change at the break as Jason Roberts was withdrawn injured and the giant Chris Samba was deployed in attack, offering a fair guide to home intentions for the second half.

If Blackburn wanted to employ the order of the big boot, it was made all the more challenging by the men in black performing some intricate possession football which, while it didn't lead to much to overly concern Robinson, the home side were getting stretched and a little ragged.

A second goal, however, you suspected was needed and would certainly have been warranted.

The wily Tugay was introduced by Sam Allardyce in the 64th minute in an attempt to restore some order to the Rovers engine room, but he quickly lost the ball and it led to Assou-Ekotto flighting in a low cross that Darren Bent was unfortunate not to get more of a touch on.

Jermaine Jenas, a magnificent presence throughout with his industry and perhaps unnoted tenacity in the heart of midfield, measured a superb low cross along the front of goal that neither Bent or Keane could quite reach, the same with a Lennon centre moments after - one touch and Rovers would have been re-starting from the half-way line.

It could have been us doing just that though when Diouf teased a cross into the near post and Benni McCarthy plunged his head towards the ball. The South African could not provide any direction a rare threat passed.

Palacios was booked for two fouls in quick succession and there was no leeway from Mr Walton, who brandished red, leaving us to face the last 10 minutes with 10 men.

The deficit proved costly just moments later when Samba shrugged off Jonathan Woodgate and rolled the ball to where McCarthy was waiting to tap in right in front of goal on 82 minutes.

Gomes pulled off a stunning save from Stephen Warnock before a Diouf corner somehow squirted through a crowd of players at the near post and the substitute Andre Ooijer was in place to tap home in the final minute of normal time.

Blackburn and a crowd of 21,891 will probably not quite believe they snatched a victory from this one.

Linked here.

Latest New Stadum Plans 3/31/2009

Courtesy of Official Site-

Club reveal next stage plans for Northumberland Development Project

- New Public Square for North Tottenham

• Spurs publish plans for a new public square on Tottenham High Road as part of its Northumberland Development Project.
• To include a dedicated space for community events, such as street markets, performers, ice rink or educational activities; and a second smaller, quieter space.
• New images released of the proposed Stadium and public square.
• Development now also includes a hotel to provide a further economic boost for the area.
• Architects tighten the stadium bowl to maximise atmosphere - spectators will be closer to pitch than at any other comparable stadium.
• Plans revealed at a new exhibition as part of a second public consultation, taking place from 2 to 7 April.

The Club has published detailed plans of its Northumberland Development Project, including an exceptional new public square designed by Martha Schwartz Partners, the widely acclaimed landscape architects behind some of the most exciting new public spaces in the world - including Grand Canal Square in Dublin, Exchange Square in Manchester, Nexus Kashi Housing Project, Fukuoka, Japan and the Jacob Javits Plaza in New York City.

The public square will contain two distinct but connected spaces - an active space for events and performances and a smaller, quieter space. Each space is defined by stepped landforms for seating, new planting and a ribbon of Astroturf that connects the landforms and provides softer places to sit. Together they provide places to watch events, read, meet up or just relax.

The Club will actively manage these spaces to promote their positive use, for example as a host for a street market, a temporary ice rink or musical performances as well as being used by local schools, churches and Haringey Council for events and activities.

Architects, KSS Group, has also reconfigured the stadium to create a tighter bowl and thereby maximise matchday atmosphere. Fans at the new stadium will be closer to the pitch than at any other comparable stadium in the UK.

The development now encompasses a vibrant mix of retail, leisure, restaurants, homes and a hotel - a mix of uses that will ensure visitors to the area 365 days a year, with all of the associated benefits that will bring to the local economy in the Borough.

Commenting on the improved plans, Daniel Levy, Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, said:

"We received an overwhelmingly positive response to our first exhibition and we have spent the past few months further developing our plans, adding new elements, responding to feedback and evolving the scheme to where it is now.

"Too often new stadiums are surrounded by empty, dead space and we did not want that in Tottenham. Instead, with these new plans for the public square and public space, we have embraced the opportunity to create something truly special for local people.

"I believe the result is a space which has endless possible uses, is both fun and practical and will also build on the work of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation which already touches the lives of tens of thousands of people of all ages and abilities in Haringey and across North London. It provides an ideal area to engage with the community in both educational and social activities.

"We have always had the very highest aspirations for the Northumberland Development Project and this space completes a development which has the potential to be a flagship for the wider regeneration of the area.

"In respect of the stadium, we have been urging our architects to push the boundaries on technical design aspects in order to create a tighter bowl and an unbeatable match-day atmosphere. We are currently well known for the fantastic support from the stands and we wanted to ensure that this was retained and prioritised at a new stadium."

Commenting on the fans proximity to the pitch, Team Captain, Robbie Keane, said:

"The atmosphere in the stadium and its impact on the players can never be underestimated. Having the fans right up close, on the edge of the action, can lift the team on the day when it matters most and make the stadium a fortress."

Martha Schwartz, landscape architect, said:

"Spurs has been at the centre of Tottenham life for over a hundred years and the local people are proud of this heritage, they are proud to be Tottenham. The public space around the new stadium is an opportunity to celebrate this connection and provide a catalyst for regeneration.

"Our challenge has been designing space that is safe and exciting on a match day but that also engages and energizes the local community on non-match days.

"Tottenham has a young and vibrant population, but the quality of public space is low, particularly along the High Road, and there are few places to hang out and play. For this reason a new public square is at the heart of the proposals and will provide a space for Spurs fantastic supporters to gather but also space for civic events, learning and play."

TO VIEW THE CLUB'S EMERGING PLANS, CLICK HERE... (pdf, 20mb)

As always we shall look to keep you, our supporters, along with the local community of Haringey, as informed and up-to-date as possible and the special section of the website - www.tottenhamhotspur.com/futureplans will carry the latest stories to keep you up to date on our emerging plans and to let us have your comments.

Linked here.

Danny Rose loan to Watford

Courtesy of Official Site-

Danny Rose has joined Championship side Watford on loan for the rest of the season.

The attacking midfielder, 18, has recently returned from a long-term knee injury that ruled him out from September until March and has impressed in our last two reserve wins against Chelsea and West Brom.

An England youth regular, Danny joined us from Leeds United in July, 2007 and played 10 games for the reserves last season, scoring once.

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 1 Chelsea 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

Luka Modric struck the only goal of the game as victory over London rivals Chelsea at The Lane takes us into the top half of the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season.

On a blazing hot and memorable day at the Spurs, we performed outstandingly against Guus Hiddink's side to stretch our run to six games unbeaten in the league.

Not only that, but the result puts a serious dent in the title hopes of the Blues, who have now failed to beat us in the last four attempts.

Harry Redknapp stuck with the team that featured for the majority of our impressive win at Aston Villa last weekend, with Vedran Corluka starting at right-back this time in place of Didier Zokora.

With the sun shining, there was a great atmosphere at The Lane for this derby clash and a tempo to match from the off.

The in-form Michael Essien did force Heurelho Gomes into an eighth minute save, but it's fair to say we had the better of the first half overall.

A minute later, Corluka's cross was cleared only as far as Jenas, who hit a ferocious shot from the edge of the box just inches over the bar.

On 18 minutes, Darren Bent climbed high to flick on Gomes' goal-kick, and as the bounce deceived Chelsea defender Alex, Robbie Keane ran in behind to hit a stinging volley first time, which Petr Cech did well to stand up to.

Keane tested the Czech goalkeeper again on 25 minutes with another first time shot from the edge of the box after good work from Corluka on the right.

Gomes was called into action only once more in the opening 45, turning Nicolas Anelka's 33rd minute shot around the post.

We finished the half the stronger side, and Keane once again got a sighting at goal seven minutes from the break after a 40-yard run into the box. He just failed to curl his attempt past Cech.

But you sensed there would be more chances to come into the second half, and we didn't have to wait long before our pressure paid dividends.

Aaron Lennon, fresh from putting pen to paper on a new contract the day before, attacked Ashley Cole before sending a pin-point ball into the box for Modric to sweep home first-time into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was the Croatian's fourth goal of this his first season in English football, and no more than the little man deserves for his outstanding performances in recent weeks.

A bumper home crowd at The Lane was now in full voice, and they were so nearly treated to a carbon copy of the goal on 59 minutes.

Keane picked out Lennon with a pinpoint crossfield ball, and the flying winger once again attacked his man before putting the ball into box. This time Modric tried to catch it on the volley - it would have been spectacular, but he didn't properly connect, and the ball fell safely into the hands of Cech.

Once Chelsea settled, a touch of panic, it is fair to say, maybe crept into our game, and we came under a spell of pressure.

Portuguese international Ricardo Quaresma was introduced by the visitors to add some width, and it took some good defending from Corluka to deny Frank Lampard at the back post following his 64th minute cross.

Didier Drogba then forced Gomes into a near post save, and we found ourselves constantly having to defend set-pieces.

Although Keane sent a fantastic 25-yard effort just wide on 71 minutes, it was left to our Brazilian goalkeeper to claim the plaudits for keeping our lead intact 11 minutes from time.

Lampard found John Terry with a free-kick, and his powerful downward header looked destined for the bottom corner before Gomes dived full stretch to turn wide with a splendid reaction save.

It follows on from what the big man described as his best performances in a Spurs shirt last week, and he now looks full of confidence after a difficult first season at times.

From that save, we could, and perhaps should, have doubled our lead when Modric broke away and played in Lennon down the right. He got all the way to by-line and options in the box, but perhaps got caught in two minds and tried a shot that he got all wrong.

A minute later, Drogba nearly punished us with a looping header after Terry's ball to the back post, but it sailed wide and it looked as if we had weathered the storm...

Of course, it's never that easy, and there was some late, late drama when Alex climbed to head a corner onto the bar.

But we claimed what has to be the result of the season, and the joy around The Lane at the final whistle was tangible.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Zokora, 90), Palacios, Jenas, Modric (O'Hara, 87); Keane, Bent
Subs not used: Cudicini, Dawson, Huddlestone, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Belletti (Quaresma, 61), Essien (Malouda, 77), Ballack, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba
Subs not used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Mancienne, Kalou, Di Santo

Linked here.

Lennon Commits Future

Courtesy of Official Site-

The Club is delighted to announce that Aaron Lennon has signed an extension to his contract that will see him at White Hart Lane until 2014.

The 21-year-old winger has featured in 41 of our 45 games so far this season and scored five goals, equalling his best scoring return in a season.

Aaron joined us from Leeds United in July, 2005 and has made 160 appearances in our colours, including starting both our League Cup finals in the past two seasons.

Linked here.

League Report: Aston Villa 1 Spurs 2

Courtesy of Official Site-

Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent goals - four minutes into each half - defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in an absorbing encounter at Villa Park on Sunday.

The substitute John Carew did reduce the arrears late on but the team dug in and showed the character to emerge victorious in front of a crowd of 41,205.

The game exploded into life on four minutes when Aaron Lennon skinned Luke Young down the right and fizzed in a cross that Brad Friedel could not deal with and Jenas was on hand to nod home in front of a stunned Holte End.

Stilian Petrov did his best to level matters after a spell of Spurs pressure following the breakthrough, unleashing a dipping drive that did not dip quite enough for the liking of the Bulgarian and cleared the crossbar.

Urgency was injected into Villa's attacking play, in particular down the left flank being worked by Ashley Young, who seemed to be afforded an awful lot of space by Didier Zokora at right back. From one of this sorties he managed to square in the direction of Gareth Barry and Heurelho Gomes was called on to field.

It was an open encounter and the pace of the Villa front two, plus Young out wide, was the cause of some concern. Zokora was booked for a reckless challenge on Young and the Ivorian was having a torrid start to his afternoon.

Jenas did his best to again rattle Friedel, but a deflection took the sting out of his effort as we approached the final ten minutes of the half. Zokora was then replaced by a more natural full-back in the shape of Vedran Corluka, a decision based purely no doubt on the problems being posed by Young.

A missed header by Carlos Cuellar gave Darren Bent the chance to speed down the right flank, but his centre in the direction of Keane was intercepted at the last by Luke Young before Jenas employed some clever play to release Luka Modric in the area and it took a strong one-handed block by Friedel to avoid a doubling of our advantage in the moments before half-time.

Despite the advantage, Harry Redknapp will have felt there was much to improve on during the interval, not least some increased security at the back, with a warning being provided by Emile Heskey heading against the crossbar just before the half-time whistle sounded.

The deficit for Villa was doubled four minutes into the second half when a run from Lennon teed up Wilson Palacios for a shot that Friedel did well to block but could not gather. Keane went for goal from an acute angle on the rebound and, with Friedel beaten, Bent was on hand to tap home at the far post.

Sustained pressure followed with the home side rocked back on their collective heels, the pace of Lennon and Bent was the feature of this half as opposed to Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor.

Martin O'Neill made the bold move of swapping a central defender for a burly striker - John Carew replacing Zat Knight.

Modric was next to the fore though, drilling goalwards and once again forcing Friedel to show strong hands, while Gomes did well to get his body in the way of a Petrov shot that kicked up right in front of him.

It was end to end stuff as the game progressed, Villa probably had too many set pieces for comfort but Gomes was always quick to take the pressure off his defenders by coming and claiming - occasionally punching.

Keane stung the palms of Friedel again as the noise from the Spurs travelling thousands echoed around the stadium.

Six minutes from time the home fans came to life when a run and raking cross from James Milner was met at the far post by the head of the giant Carew, who planted the ball into the top corner of the net.

It placed renewed vigour into the efforts of Villa and nervous minutes where endured before referee Mr Bennett called time to make it a fourth away win of the season and lift us up to 11th in the table.

Linked here.

Gunter Loan to Nottingham Forest

Courtesy of Official Site-

We have reached agreement with Nottingham Forest for Chris Gunter to join the Championship club on loan for the rest of the season.

The Welsh international defender joined us from Cardiff City in January, 2008 and made his debut in our FA Cup Third Round replay win against Reading later that month.

The 19-year-old full-back has since gone on to make a total of 15 appearances in all competitions for the Club.

Linked here.

League Report: Sunderland 1 Spurs 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

A late goal from Robbie Keane secured a deserved point up at Sunderland after the home side found the net in the first few minutes.

It appeared that it was going to be one of those frustrating and fruitless away days, where just desserts are off the menu, but Keane saw to it that there was some return from this particular trip with his crisp late finish in the 89th minute.

Harry Redknapp made four changes to the side that beat Middlesbrough in midweek with Darren Bent partnering Keane up front, Pascal Chimbonda facing his former club and Vedran Corluka and Ledley King back on defensive duty.

Sunderland were certainly the quicker out of the blocks and just over three minutes were showing on the clock when Kieran Richardson seized on some defensive hesitation and stole in behind before slipping the ball beyond Heurelho Gomes.

There were suggestions that the speed of Darren Bent and Aaron Lennon could make a telling contribution before the 10-minute mark had passed. Bent's chasing of an over-hit pass down the right flank resulted in Lennon being presented with a crossing opportunity which Bent himself did his utmost to get on the end of. Another Lennon sortie led to a Keane header being comfortably fielded by former Spur Marton Fulop.

On the subject of former Spurs, there was also Steed Malbranque and Andy Reid in the Sunderland starting line-up, while Calum Davenport was on the bench - the injured Teemu Tainio was in the tunnel greeting his old team on their arrival.

The gusting wind was making fluent football a problematic exercise, the ball hanging in the air from clearances and the stringing together of lengthy passages of possession was at a premium.

Pascal Chimbonda, operating at left back, was getting the bird from his former public of six months or so, while in front of him Luka Modric slowly became more influential as the first half wore on. On the other side Lennon was having to cope with being double-marked every time he received the ball.

From a Jermaine Jenas free-kick, Ledley King had a clear sight of goal on 34 minutes, the ball falling loose after striking a home defender and the central defender looked set to score before Fulop advanced and smothered his intentions.

Djibril Cisse got the run on King in the opening moments of the second half, the former Liverpool man thankfully steering his drive into the side netting.

Modric was clearly instructed to become a more active presence during the interval and he was quickly coming inside and increasing his involvement, whereas he remained stationed on the left during the first 45 minutes.

Control was almost complete in the first 10 minutes after the break, but still we were a goal in arrears as the final ball was lacking and so was a finish in the case of Bent on 58 minutes when Dean Whitehead spun a clearance back in the direction of his own goal and the leading scorer was through, only to blast over the bar. He later shot wide from a more difficult position on the right side of the penalty area.

Tom Huddlestone was introduced just after the hour mark in place of the hard-working Jenas, but the next significant chance came when Cisse was presented with a free header from a Reid cross which zipped just wide via the knee of King.

David Bentley was next on in place of Jenas, with Lennon switching to the left and Modric to the middle. Chimbonda and Vedran Corluka also swapped flanks.

There was a big handball shout against Phil Bardsley from a Lennon cross but pleas were ignored by referee Mr Dowd. Huddlestone then had a header fielded by Fulop following a precise cross from Chimbonda.

Roman Pavlyuchenko was our final throw of the dice and a defender - Corluka - was sacrificed in a bold attacking move for the final eight minutes or so.

It worked when Bentley picked out the run of Bent down the right, who crossed low for Keane to save the day.

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 4 Middlesbrough 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

Aaron strikes twice as Robbie re-opens account

Robbie Keane marked his 200th league appearance in our colours by scoring his first goal since rejoining the Club in a vital 4-0 win over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.

The in-form Aaron Lennon also struck twice in the win which takes us up to 13th in the Barclays Premier League table.

Roman Pavlyuchenko got his name on the scoresheet as well as we put the disappointment of our Carling Cup Final defeat well and truly behind us.

There were three changes to the side defeated at Wembley on Sunday. Keane and Wilson Palacios, who were cup-tied for that game, both reclaimed their places in the starting line-up at the expense of Darren Bent and Vedran Corluka.

Didier Zokora switched to right-back, allowing Palacios to take up his central midfield role alongside Jermaine Jenas.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodgate, who missed out on the cup final with an Achilles injury, came back into the centre of defence in place of Ledley King.

But ‘Woody' did display a little rustiness, you could say, in the opening stages of this game, in which Boro started brightly.

Their former player misplaced a pass straight to the feet of Stewart Downing, who tested Heurelho Gomes with a third minute shot.

But our first chance came just moments later when Jenas picked out Lennon at the back post, who stretched to meet the ball on the volley which trickled just wide.

Overall, it was an even start to the game, so the crucial opening goal was more than welcomed when it came after nine minutes.

Luka Modric's corner was flicked on by Michael Dawson at the near post, and there was captain Keane to turn the ball home with a typical striker's finish.

Then came the familiar celebration as the Irishman wheeled away in delight towards the elated Park Lane end, holding out his arms spread-eagled to lap up the reception. It was if he had never been away.

But Boro were not about to let their promising start go to waste and thought they had found an equaliser just three minutes later.

Tuncay Sanli raced onto Downing's arrowed ball over the top and slammed a shot home off the bar, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Maybe then their heads dropped a little, and before they knew it, we were 2-0 up.

Keane was instrumental again as he slipped a ball through to Modric, whose drop of the shoulder left Robert Huth for dead and the Croatian in the clear to slide the ball across the face of goal for Pavlyuchenko to slide in and score his 13th goal of the season.

Again, Boro must be given credit for doing their best to keep the game alive - but you got the feeling this just wasn't their night.

On 18 minutes Justin Hoyte's cross headed clear by Woodgate but only as far Tuncay, whose goal-bound shot was superbly and bravely blocked by Dawson. So it was left to us to go and kill the game off.

Keane had a chance to do so on 35 minutes as he received a throughball from Modric and tried to lift the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Brad Jones. He was equal to that one, but there was little he could do five minutes later.

After a splendid passing move, Keane picked up the ball 20 yards out and cheekily flicked the ball through the legs of the hapless Huth for Lennon to run onto and finish past Jones with aplomb.

It was his second goal in two league games and a fourth of the season for the flying winger.

The last attack of the first half summed it all up for Boro. Gary O'Neil put in a great cross to the back post where Jeremie Aliadiere waited unmarked. His downward header was tame and well wide when he really should have scored.

Their bad luck continued into the second half. On 66 minutes, Hoyte played in Tuncay down the line, and although his cross from the by-line was miss-hit, it hit the inside of Gomes' post.

Julio Arca also went close on 73 minutes with a shot that skimmed the roof of the net from the edge of the box before Lennon put the game well and truly out of sight six minutes later.

Tom Huddlestone found fellow substitute Bent with a throughball and he checked and found Keane, who slid the ball in for Lennon to dink over the goalkeeper for his second of the night, and his third in two league games.

Boro continued in their endeavours and Tuncay forced Gomes into another low save on 82 minutes.

But Keane should have made it five three minutes later when he headed over Jamie O'Hara's corner unmarked from six yards.

It is worth noting at this point the fantastic reception O'Hara received from our fans when he was introduced for Modric on 73 minutes - a heart-felt show of support after the midfielder's unfortunate miss in Sunday's penalty shoot-out.

In the dying moments, Tuncay had yet another goal disallowed for offside after heading home O'Neil's in-swinging free-kick to make it a truly forgettable night for the Teesiders.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Zokora, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Jenas (Huddlestone, 64), Modric (O'Hara, 73); Pavlyuchenko (Bent, 53), Keane
Subs not used: Cudicini, Chimbonda, Corluka, Bentley

Boro (4-4-1-1): Jones; Hoyte (Johnson, 70), Wheater, Huth (Taylor, 46), Pogatetz; O'Neil, Bates, Arca, Downing; Tuncay, Aliadiere (King, 53)
Subs not used: Turnball, Walker, Emnes, Alves

Linked here.

Carling Cup Final: Man United 0 Spurs 0, Man United win on PKs

Courtesy of Official Site-

Ledley King feels we put in a performance to be proud of in our Carling Cup Final defeat against Manchester United.

The Club captain has praised the team effort that saw us match the European champions throughout the 120 minutes of football before the penalty shoot-out cost us.

And with another massive game coming up against Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Wednesday, Ledley feels we must focus on the positives that have come out of our Wembley display.

"The whole team worked hard to protect the defence and Gomes didn't have too much to do on the day," he said.

"United didn't create too many openings and it had the look of a 0-0 going into extra time as there were a lot of tired bodies out there. We just hoped we could take one of our chances, but it wasn't to be.

"We got a little tired towards the end and they put the pressure on, but that was to be expected. I think we can take heart from the performance going into our league games."

The misfortune of failing to convert spot-kicks falls on the shoulders of the brave Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley.

But as skipper, Ledley took it upon himself to praise the lads for their courage as the pain of defeat hit home after the game.

"I said to the lads that they were the ones who showed the willingness to step up. We win as a team and lose as a team, so no-one is being singled out.

"It's disappointing, but I thought we put in a performance we can be proud of, and penalties is never a nice way to lose. But one team has to, and unfortunately it was us.

"The dressing room was sombre afterwards and a big contrast to how it was last year. Now we've got to pick ourselves up for Wednesday's game. There's no time to dwell on this result."

Ledley also praised our fans who, for the second year running at Wembley, proved they are one of the best sets of supporters in the land.

"The fans were brilliant, and everywhere they go they seem to out-sing the opposition and spur the lads on. They played a big part in our two Wembley performances."

Linked here.

UEFA Cup Report: Spurs 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp's side bowed out of the UEFA Cup despite a brave attempt to over-turn a 2-0 first leg deficit against Shakhtar Donetsk at White Hart Lane in the Round of 32.

Giovani Dos Santos scored his first goal for the Club to give us hope in the second half, but Fernandinho's late strike equalised on the night to give the Ukrainian champions a 3-1 aggregate victory.

As expected, there were no less than 10 changes to the side that beat Hull in the league on Monday, with two notable introductions in particular.

Jon Obika followed in the footsteps of Under-18 team-mate Dean Parrett the week before by making his first start for the Club up-front alongside Fraizer Campbell.

Meanwhile, Jamie O'Hara returned to action after a month out with a hip injury, while Tom Huddlestone captained the side for the first time.

It was always going to be a tough ask to over-turn a two goal deficit against a strong Shakhtar side, and our young team spent much of the opening exchanges getting to grips with their opponents.

Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho seemed to provide their main threat, forcing Heurelho Gomes into a full stretch save from 20 yards on as many minutes.

Gilberto, making his first start since December, then blocked Fernandinho's header from Dario Srna's corner on the line on 27 minutes, before the same player was allowed to flash a free header across goal from the resulting set-piece.

That seemed to spark us into action. On the half hour mark, there were strong claims for a penalty when Campbell appeared to be shoved over in the box by Razvan Rat.

Then 18-year-old Obika had his first sighting at goal with a good effort from 25 yards that flew only inches wide.

In the same spell of pressure, we once again left referee Paolo Tagliavento with a decision to make when Campbell went down in the box for a second time under Fernandinho's challenge. But again appeals were turned down.

Although Gomes was forced into another save by Rat on 35 minutes, the best chances of the half fell to us.

On 39 minutes, O'Hara played a ball into Obika who turned and shot just wide from inside the box.

Two minutes later, Huddlestone picked out Gareth Bale with a pinpoint pass from the back. The Welshman cut inside Srna into the box but could only fire his shot straight at goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov on his weaker right foot.

Then Pascal Chimbonda came up from the back to again test the goalkeeper with a header from Chris Gunter's cross as we finished the half the stronger side.

Our dominance continued into the second period as Obika was only inches away from connecting with Bale's ball across goal in the opening minute.

But 10 minutes in we took the lead on the night. Bale played a ball into Campbell which the striker turned neatly into the path of Giovani who ran onto it and smashed a terrific shot left footed into the roof of the net.

The 19-year-old had finally broken his duck after 11 attempts since joining from Barcelona last summer.

Now we were looking for an equalising goal to take the tie into extra time, and our effort in attempting to do so cannot have been faulted.

Just minutes after Giovani's strike, Gilberto linked up with Bale on the left hand side and fired a ball across goal which nobody could get on the end of.

Then came the most controversial moment of the match. Campbell got in between two defenders to receive a Huddlestone ball before having his legs taken from under him by Mykola Ischenko inside the box. But again, appeals were waved away by Tagliavento.

It would have been the least we deserved as Shakhtar had offered little going forward, and Gomes was equal to it when they did.

On 69 minutes, Jadson slid in Marcelo Moreno but the goalkeeper stood up to him well to make the save, and Jadson himself had a volley saved by his fellow countryman eight minutes from time.

But the longer the game went on without us finding that second goal, the more tired we seemed to get, and Fernandinho put the tie out of sight with four minutes remaining.

The impressive Jadson found him on the left side of the box, and his finish was sublime inside Gomes' left-hand post.

The closest we had come to getting an equaliser had been six minutes beforehand when Bale sent a free-kick just wide from the edge of the box, but it was not to be.

Our hopes of silverware this season rest on Sunday's Carling Cup Final with Manchester United at Wembley.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Gunter, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Gilberto (Bostock, 77); Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara (Parrett, 71), Bale; Obika, Campbell
Subs not used: Jansson, C Butcher, Smith, Mason, Townsend

Shakhtar (4-4-1-1) Pyatov; Srna, Ischenko, Chygrynskyy, Rat; Ilsinho (Gay, 80), Fernandinho, Lewandowski, Willian (Hubschman, 46); Jadson; Gladkyy (Moreno, 61)
Subs not used: Khudzhamov, Duljaj, Kucher, Sleznov

Linked here.

League Report: Hull 1 Spurs 2

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp was quick to underline the importance of Monday night's 2-1 Premier League win at Hull.

Jonathan Woodgate's header five minutes from time secured our first away win in the league in five matches and crucially lifted us five points clear of the bottom three.

"We've got to make sure we stay in the Premier League and tonight was a huge step towards doing that," stated a delighted Harry at the KC Stadium.

"It is a massive result. It puts us in a much better position and keeps Hull in the relegation battle."

Aaron Lennon opened the scoring with a fine 20-yard strike in the 17th minute but Hull levelled via a set-piece from Michael Turner for 1-1 at the break.

Both teams hit the woodwork with headers in the second half - Vedran Corluka for us, Mendy for the home side - before Woodgate secured maximum points with a header from Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross.

"I thought we were terrific in the second half," added Harry. "We came out and we upped the pace.

"They made it difficult for us in first half, they got in our faces and they worked hard, they worked their socks off and they were always a big threat on set plays.

"That was the big fear but in the second half I thought we got the ball down, passed it well, created some terrific chances and were the better team.

"If Hull would have won they would have almost been out of it and we would have been right in it even more. That result now gives us confident for the rest of the week."

What could be the defining week of the season continues with us trying to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit in the UEFA Cup last 32, second leg at the Lane on Thursday night before the Carling Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

Linked here.

UEFA Cup Report: Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Spurs 0

Courtesy of the Official Site-

Harry Redknapp declared himself satisfied with the performance - particularly defensively - after Thursday night's 2-0 reverse against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup.

A battling rearguard display looked set to earn its reward until substitute Yevgen Seleznov struck with his first touch to open the scoring 12 minutes from time.

Ten minutes later and Jadson made it 2-0 to hand us an uphill task in an intriguing second leg of this last 32 tie back at the Lane on Thursday, February 26.

Chances on the night were few and far between and Harry only had praise for a side that showed nine changes from the draw against Arsenal last time out and included young Academy debutant Dean Parrett, who gave an assured display in midfield.

"For 80 minutes we looked comfortable, in fact I thought we might go and nick a goal ourselves," reflected Harry before the late flight home from Ukraine.

"I thought we contained them well and could see the game ending 0-0 but it wasn't to be.

"We tried to get one back but it was difficult for us.

"Shakhtar are a good team. They were the unluckiest side in the Champions League in terms of not qualifying for the next round but for 80 minutes we looked solid and Gomes didn't have too much to do.

"I was happy with Dean Parrett and John Bostock is another good young player at the club - it's great experience for them to play in a game like that. Overall I was pleased with the performance."

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 0 Arsenal 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp's side were held to a goal-less draw by North London rivals Arsenal in the derby at White Hart Lane - despite the visitors playing most of the match with 10 men.

Emmanuel Eboue was sent off for a second bookable offence after an off-the-ball incident with Luka Modric in the 37th minute, but we were unable to press home our man advantage.

But the result keeps an impressive home record under Redknapp's guidance in tact - we have still only lost once at The Lane since he took charge.

The manager made two changes from the side defeated at Bolton last Saturday. Jermaine Jenas came into the midfield in place of Didier Zokora and, as expected, Robbie Keane made his second Spurs debut having rejoined from Liverpool last week to start up front alongside Roman Pavlyuchenko.

It was Robbie who led the side out as captain, and it didn't take long before he was right back in the thick of the action leading our line.

After just three minutes, the Irishman put William Gallas under pressure, forcing the Frenchman to take a wild swipe at the ball in an attempt to clear, felling Keane in the process in the box. However, penalty appeals were turned down by referee Mike Dean.

The first real chance of the derby fell to the visitors after six minutes, when Eboue linked up with Robin Van Persie and burst into the box before firing across the face of goal and wide.

We answered back two minutes later when Aaron Lennon cut inside off the right and forced Manuel Almunia into his first save of the match with a left foot shot.

This exchange set the tone for the first half as the football was end-to-end with chances created by both sides in a typically pumped-up derby clash.

On 14 minutes, Eboue went foraging into our box again, pulling the ball across the face of goal for Emmanuel Adebayor, who was shut out by a cluster of Spurs defenders.

Eboue picked up on the ball as it went loose and slammed into the net, but Jonathan Woodgate was adjudged to have been tripped by Adebayor during the melee, and the goal was ruled out.

At the other end a minute later, a great chance fell to an unmarked Pavlyuchenko in the box after Benoit Assou-Ekotto's ball in, but the Russian snatched at a volley which sailed well over.

But we were applying pressure to the visitors all over the field and were starting to get on top of the game.

Modric was beginning to have a similar influence in this encounter as he did in his man of the match display in our last home game with Stoke and, on 28 minutes, he fizzed a ball out to the right where Lennon nipped in front of Gael Clichy, got into the box, but dragged his shot wide in our best chance of the half.

Arsenal's main threat was coming from counter-attacks, and even defender Kolo Toure ventured forward into our box on 29 minutes and pulled across the face of goal, but Carlo Cudicini did well to cut it out.

Almunia was called into action again three minutes later, palming a Modric shot from the edge of the box wide, and once again, Arsenal went straight back down the other end.

Vedran Corluka was caught in possession on the by-line by Adebayor, whose centre was an open invite for a tap-in - but none of his team-mates were in sight, and Assou-Ekotto was able to clear to safety.

That was to be Adebayor's last action of the half, as on 36 minutes, he pulled up when chasing down a long ball and had to be stretchered off.

Things went bad to worse for the Gunners moments later when the lively Eboue received his marching orders. Modric was also booked in the fracas.

It was now left to us to make the most of the man advantage, and we finished the half the stronger side.

Wilson Palacios had made a fantastic start to his home debut and, fittingly, it was he who forced Almunia into a fine save just before the break with a fierce 25-yard effort.

As the second half started, we continued to press, with good chances falling to each of our strikers in the first 15 minutes.

Five minutes into the half, Pavlyuchenko cut inside of Toure and went into the box with only the goalkeeper to beat, but fired high and wide.

Then, seven minutes later, Lennon put in a teasing cross from the right and Keane got in front of Almunia, only to glance his header onto the roof of the net.

Despite being down to 10 men, Arsenal had not given up hope of getting more than just a point from the game, and did apply second half pressure of their own in spells.

On 67 minutes, Samir Nasri scuffed a corner, but it fell at the feet of Van Persie at the near post, who fired wide.

Three minutes later, the Dutchman took a corner of his own, and Alex Song got in front of Palacios six yards out and turned wide.

We were waiting for that little bit of Robbie Keane magic, perhaps, to break the deadlock in this tight encounter, and that so nearly came on 71 minutes.

He picked up on a bouncing ball 20 yards out and hit a beautifully-struck trademark volley agonisingly wide of Almunia's right hand post.

The last 20 minutes were tense, but we had to wait until the dying moments for our best chance of the second half.

Adel Taarabt, a late substitute for Lennon, broke away and played in Modric who closed in on goal with just Almunia to beat - but the Croatian could not find a way past the Spaniard.

It could have been so much worse as, moments earlier, we had Cudicini to thank for pulling off a fine save to deny Nicklas Bendtner.

So we continue to look for our first league win over our biggest rivals in 10 years, although we are now unbeaten in four games against the Gunners in all competitions.

Spurs (4-4-2): Cudicini; Corluka (Chimbonda, 75), Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Taarabt, 86), Palacios, Jenas, Modric; Pavlyuchenko (Bent, 64), Keane
Subs not used: Gomes, Bale, Zokora, Huddlestone

Arsenal (4-4-2): Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Gibbs, 87); Eboue, Song, Denilson, Nasri; Adebayor (Bendtner, 38), Van Persie
Subs not used: Fabianski, Eduardo, Ramsey, Djourou, Arshavin

Linked here.

Courtesy of Official Site-

January window round-up

With the January transfer window drawing to its conclusion yesterday afternoon, Manager Harry Redknapp offers his thoughts on our transfer business conducted over the course of last month.

A total of five players joined the Club- Jermain Defoe, Carlo Cudicini, Wilson Palacios, Pascal Chimbonda and Robbie Keane. Hossam Ghaly, Cesar Sanchez, Paul Stalteri, Charlie Daniels and Andy Barcham all moved on and we wish them well at their new clubs.

"I am pleased with the work we have done this month," considered Harry.

"I would have preferred January to have been a quiet month for us but we were not in a position to do so when you consider our current position in the league. It was obvious that the squad needed strengthening because the results over the past 12 months have shown that to be the case.

"We had to do something and I am delighted with the players we have brought in. They are good players and the Chairman has done a fantastic job in securing them. I am sure they will make us stronger.

"Three players have returned to the Club. They were always good players in my opinion and it was circumstances that resulted in their exits. I am sure the Club did not want to lose any of them in the first place. But they are all back here now and for me they are terrific players.

"Jermain was the first one in and he started ever so well but unfortunately has since picked up a bad injury. He is a goalscorer, he has always scored goals. He has proved that already since his return with three goals in five games.

"Carlo was a great free transfer. In the past he was considered probably as good a goalkeeper as there was in the Premier League and I have been well pleased with him since he has been here. He has been cool, calm and done a good job for us. Everybody should have two or three top goalkeepers at this level. He will work hard to get into the team and it will be good competition in that position.

"Wilson is a terrific midfielder. He is a strong player with a great future. He will come in here and get after it and play aggressively. He is an all-round modern midfielder- he's box-to-box. It was difficult on Saturday in his first game but I felt the longer the game went on, the better he got and I think he will be a big player for us.

"Pascal was here before and can play in several positions- right-back, left-back and as a central defender- and that will be important to us because we need someone like that in our squad. He came off the bench on Saturday and had a hand in both our goals to get us back into the game and will prove to be a good player for us.

"Robbie will be a big, big player for us and I am confident he will be able to forge strong partnerships with all the other strikers we have here. He is such a terrific character and I am glad to have him here because he will be important to us both on and off the field. He is just the type of player we need here and gives his all everytime he plays. He is a leader with great presence in the dressing room and I am sure his enthusiasm will rub off on others. Ledley is our Club captain but because of his injury he accepts he can't be involved every week, so Robbie will be my team captain."

Linked here.

Robbie returns to the Lane

Courtesy of Official Site-

Robbie happy to be home

Robbie Keane is delighted to be returning to a Club he feels is his home having rejoined from Liverpool on transfer deadline day.

The striker describes the six years he previously spent at The Lane as a ‘wonderful' time of his career, and now he is relishing this latest challenge.

Robbie realises the battle we currently face in the Premier League, but he believes the passion he has for Spurs will drive him on to make sure we soon pull away from trouble.

And although he admits his short-lived spell at Anfield was a disappointment, the 28-year-old refuses to look back and is only looking forward to what he hopes will be exciting times ahead.

"I'm delighted to be back at a Club I have very strong feelings from having previously spent six wonderful years here," said Robbie, who will wear the number 15 shirt.

"Coming back to Spurs was an easy decision to make because this is my home. Firstly in respect of the Club - but also my house is in the area and everything is set up for me to walk right back into.

"It's funny how football works sometimes and situations turn around very quickly, but I can assure fans I will be giving my all to make sure this Club stays in the Premier League.

"It would have been difficult for me to have gone anywhere else while a Club I have such strong feelings for has this fight on its hands.

"It was a difficult time for me at Liverpool, but there's no point in dwelling on it.

"Now I have the chance to work with a fantastic manager in Harry Redknapp, who has done a great job since he came in, so I am lucky to be getting this exciting opportunity."

On his fifth and final signing of the January transfer window, Harry himself commented: "I'm delighted to have Robbie back. I couldn't be more pleased.

"I think he's a terrific player, a terrific character and just the type of lad we need here.

"He's a leader, he gives his all every time he plays and has great ability. He will be fantastic for us and his enthusiasm will rub off on other players around him.

"The Chairman has been tremendous in backing me and bringing these players back. I know Daniel worked very hard to try and keep Robbie here in the first place and just as hard to get him back.

"Robbie knows what he's doing, you can rely on him, he's a clever player and plays with that enthusiasm."

Although a number of new faces have arrived in N17 since Robbie's departure last July, the Irishman feels he knows the current squad well enough to suggest we can make strides during the final months of the campaign.

"It's been an up and down season for the Club and there's been a lot of change, including a change of manager, but now it's up to us as players to start getting the team up the table," he added.

"It's all very close down there at the minute, and I will be doing everything in my powers to help us pull away from it.

"I'm coming back to a fantastic club with fantastic players. I am well aware of the strength of the squad having worked with near enough all of them!

"I am extremely excited about this new chapter in my career, even though it doesn't feel as if the previous chapter really ended."

And now Robbie must prepare for what could be the debut of all debuts - a North London derby against Arsenal at The Lane on Sunday.

"What a game to come back into! I've played in so many derbies against Arsenal over the years and I'm so excited at the prospect of another one at White Hart Lane possibly being my first game back."

Linked here.

League Report: Bolton 3 Spurs 2

Courtesy of Official Site-

'I couldn't see us losing' - Harry

Harry Redknapp insisted he 'could only see one winner' after we fought back from 2-0 down at Bolton - unfortunately, another late goal on our travels meant it was the home side that took the spoils in the final minutes at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Sebastien Puygrenier and Kevin Davies capitalised on balls into the box to hand Bolton a 2-0 lead with 64 minutes on the clock but two goals in as many minutes from substitute Darren Bent turned the game on its head.

The second goal arrived in the 74th minute and we piled forward looking for the winner after that only to get hit by another set-piece in the 87th minute, this time Davies rising highest to meet Matt Taylor's corner and power his header home at the near post.

"I certainly didn't we'd lose the game (after coming back to 2-2), we looked the only winner," said a disappointed Harry at the Reebok Stadium.

"Bolton only had two shots in the second half and they've scored twice.

"We changed it at half-time because we were 1-0 down, Luka (Modric) had taken a bang in the ribs and we needed two up front.

"We started the second half well, got on top but then suddenly found ourselves 2-0 down but when we got back to 2-2, I could only see one winner at that stage.

"Unfortunately, we didn't defend the set-pieces well enough."

There was praise for two-goal Bent. "He was fantastic. He came on, worked his socks off, scored his goals and if he does that every week he'll be fantastic for us."

Linked here.

Dervite loan to Southend

Courtesy of Official Site-

Dorian Dervite has joined League One side Southend United on loan for the rest of the season.

The young French defender, 20, has been a regular for our reserves this season and has been an unused substitute on three occasions - Dinamo Zagreb, Spartak Moscow and most recently our FA Cup tie at Manchester United.

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 3 Stoke 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp's side picked up a vital three points in our battle to avoid relegation with a 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Stoke City at White Hart Lane.

First half goals from Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson gave us a 3-0 lead at the break, which should have put the game out of sight.

But the visitors did rally in the second half, clawing one back through James Beattie although creating little else as we climbed up to 12th in the Barclays Premier League table.

Carlo Cudicini made his debut in goal following his move from Chelsea the day before, while there were a further three changes to the outfield personnel defeated at Manchester United in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Redknapp reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jonathan Woodgate coming back in to skipper the side at centre-half alongside Dawson. Vedran Corluka switched to right-back in place of Chris Gunter.

Lennon came in for Gareth Bale on the left of midfield, while Defoe returned to the starting XI in place of Tom Huddlestone to partner Roman Pavlyuchenko up-front.

And we made a bright start, with Luka Modric going close with a shot from the edge of the box after just three minutes.

At the other end, Benoit Assou-Ekotto had to be alert to clear Ryan Shawcross' header off the line from Matthew Etherington's corner.

But any nerves we may have had going into such an important game were calmed after eight minutes, when we took the lead.

Defoe attacked goal and switched the play to Lennon, who ran at his back-tracking defender before finding the space to fire home underneath Thomas Sorensen. It was just the start we needed.

Stoke were far from deflated by this, however, and managed to regroup. But the closest they came before we got our second was when Shawcross again climbed to meet Etherington's in-swinging free-kick to head onto the roof of the net.

Then, on 21 minutes, a neat passing move involving Didier Zokora, Modric and Pavlyuchenko resulted in the latter playing in his strike-partner Defoe to finish emphatically.

It was Jermain's third goal in five games since rejoining the Club from Portsmouth earlier this month.

Now the visitors were reeling, and three minutes later we had a three-goal cushion when Dawson popped up to score his second of the season.

David Bentley had seen his free-kick from the edge of the box tipped over by Sorensen before playing the resulting corner short to Modric, who crossed for the defender to head firmly home.

Tony Pulis' side appeared bereft of confidence and we continued to dominate for the rest of the half.

On 28 minutes, Lennon reached the by-line and pulled back for Defoe, whose shot beat Sorensen but not covering defender Andy Wilkinson on the line.

And Pavlyuchenko also went close on the stroke of half-time when he superbly took down a high ball and fired just wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Cudicini had not had a save to make throughout the opening period, and his first bit of action came seven minutes after the break.

Beattie curled a free-kick around the wall from the edge of the box, but the Italian did well to hold despite no doubt being unsighted.

However, there was little he could do when Stoke did manage to pull a goal back through Beattie on 57 minutes.

Dawson gave the ball away to Etherington, who played a sublime ball directly into the path of the England international striker, who held off Woodgate to finish low into the bottom corner.

The challenge for us now was to not let the visitors get any further back into the game, and although little was created during the remainder of the game, it was mission accomplished in that sense.

Stoke did come close to a second six minutes from time when Richard Cresswell glanced an Andy Griffin cross inches wide, but overall we were comfortable.

A special mention must go to Modric, who was outstanding on the night, but the most important aspect to this game was the three points.

Spurs (4-4-2): Cudicini; Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Bentley, Zokora, Modric, Lennon (Huddlestone, 90); Pavlyuchenko (Campbell, 90), Defoe
Subs not used: Alnwick, Bale, Giovani, Taarabt, Rocha

Stoke (4-4-2): Sorensen; Wilkinson (Griffin, 46), Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye (Sonko, 46), Higginbotham; Delap, Whelan, Amdy Faye (Fuller, 49), Etherington; Cresswell, Beattie
Subs not used: Simonsen, Lawrence, Kitson, Pugh

Linked here.

Ghaly departs

Courtesy of Official Site-

We have reached agreement for the transfer of Hossam Ghaly to Saudi Arabian side Nassr Saudi Club.

The 27-year-old Egyptian midfielder joined the Club in January 2006 from Dutch side Feyenoord and made 34 appearences in our colours scoring three times.

We wish him well for the future.

Linked here.

Wish he was given a second chance. Yet I understand why he wasn't. Best of luck in the future!

Chimbonda returns

Courtesy of Official Site-

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the transfer of Pascal Chimbonda from Sunderland.

The French defender made 98 appearances, scoring four goals, during his previous spell at The Lane where he featured on both flanks and in central defence, having originally joined from Wigan Athletic in August 2006.

The 29-year-old left for the Stadium of Light in July last year and made 16 appearances for the Black Cats.

Linked here.

Cudicini signs

Courtesy of Official Site-

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Carlo Cudicini to the Club.

The Italian goalkeeper served at Stamford Bridge for almost ten years, making 210 appearances and is second behind Peter Bonetti in Chelsea's all-time list of clean sheets.

The 35-year-old has previously had spells in Italy with AC Milan and Lazio.

Linked here.

FA Cup Report: Manchester United 2 Spurs 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Roman Pavlyuchenko opened the scoring, but two goals in just over a minute from Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov ended the FA Cup road for us in round four at Old Trafford.

Pavlyuchenko's re-directing of a Tom Huddlestone centre and subsequent relatively comfortable containing of the European champions made for a promising beginning, but a double salvo ten minutes before the break turned the contest on its head and the team were unable to secure what in the end would have been a deserved replay.

Just five minutes were showing on the Old Trafford clock when a little spell of pressure resulted in Pavlyuchenko nodding us into a lead. Benoit Assou-Ekotto attempted to cross but was foiled and the ball ran to Tom Huddlestone, who teased in a measured centre that the Russian was able to steal in front of his marker and glance into the bottom corner. Ben Foster was motionless and the home crowd were quieter than before.

The home reaction was predictable and Carlos Tevez was the driving force, carving out space for teammates with selfless and speedy running before rattling the crossbar himself shortly before the 20-minute mark.

Danny Welbeck swapped passes with Dimitar Berbatov and skipped into the area evading challenges on his way but just as it seemed he would level there was one challenge he didn't bank on, Chris Gunter charging in from the right and sliding across at the crucial moment.

United were keen on trying their luck from distance, but Ben Alnwick was not tested until Fabio Da Silva combined with Berbatov and enabled Tevez to let rip from from penatly spot range. Alnwick reacted magnificently and jutted out a hand to divert over.

It was a corner routine that restored parity on 35 minutes, a low corner to the edge of the area from Michael Carrick was met by Paul Scholes, who drove goalwards and the ball flicked up off Huddlestone and found its way into the net.

Less than a minute later Carrick picked out the run of Berbatov who advanced on goal and struck past Alnwick's right hand and United were ahead.

David Bentley took a pot shot from the right in a bid to swing fortune back in our favour, but we were in deficit when the whistle sounded for half-time.

Giovani was introduced after the break in place of Luka Modric, who was a pre-match doubt, and it was a first chance to impress for the little Mexican under the management of Harry Redknapp.

It was Bentley who shifted into a more central role behind Pavlyuchenko, with Gio out on the right. It was a looped cross from Bentley that presented Gareth Bale with the first chance of the half at the far post, but his left foot could not provide the desired direction.

A deflected cross from Assou-Ekotto led to Bentley powering the ball into the side netting in a period when the team were calm and patient in possession and managed to draw the sting from Manchester United.

Breaks were quick with Giovani to the fore, although a counter at the other end resulted in Alnwick having to throw himself low to his right to thwart Ronaldo.

With 22 minutes left Harry opted for the unpredictable offensive weapon that is Adel Taarabt, with Bale withdrawn to make way for the young Frenchman. Jermain Defoe was next on in place of Bentley.

When we really needed to be stepping up the pace, United indulged in some keep-ball and disrupted the momentum generated by the promptings of Huddlestone and the enthusiasm of Giovani.

A combination between Assou-Ekotto and Gio led to the substitute knocking the ball over the bar in front of goal.

Unfortunately it was to be our final opportunity of note.

Linked here.

Sanchez registration cancelled

Courtesy of Official Site-

The Club can announce that the registration of goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez has been cancelled by mutual consent.

The 37-year-old joined from Real Zaragoza in August to provide goalkeeping cover and has featured on the substitutes bench in all but three of our fixtures this season - replacing the injured Heurelho Gomes on one occasion in the second half of the Carling Cup 4th round against Liverpool in November.

We wish Cesar every success for the future.

Linked here.

Palacios Deal Agreed

Courtesy of Official Site-

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the transfer of Wilson Palacios from Wigan Athletic.

Personal terms have been agreed and a medical completed, we now await the Honduran international receiving his work permit before completing his registration.

The midfielder made 41 appearances for the Latics after joining in January, 2008 having started the 2007/08 campaign on loan with Birmingham City, where he featured on eight occasions.

The 24-year-old had previously played for Honduran top-flight side Olimpia where he scored 32 goals in 102 appearances.

Linked here.

Carling Cup Report: Burnley 3 Spurs 2

Courtesy of Official Site-

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe clawed back a 3-0 deficit on the night at Burnley to book a place in the Carling Cup Final by a 6-4 aggregate margin.

It appeared that Burnley were on their way to Wembley after our 4-1 lead from White Hart Lane was cancelled out with one first half goal and two in the second half at Turf Moor.

With three minutes of extra time remaining and the aggregate score locked at 4-4 we were on our way out with Burnley's goal from the first leg set to count double.

Thankfully, Pavlyuchenko popped up with another fine finish to tip the semi-final back in our favour. Defoe made sure with seconds left to make it 3-2 on the night, 6-4 on aggregate.

The wind was swirling the rain around under the pylons suspending the lights at Turf Moor as a thunderous reception received the teams onto the pitch. The first leg deficit did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the home crowd and this came very close to being reduced via an unlikely source in the sixth minute.

To echoes of 'when the Spurs' behind the goal, debut-making goalkeeper Ben Alnwick was forced into an emergency stop. A Benoit Assou-Ekotto interception was somewhat overcooked and the ball looked to the sailing over the head of the advanced Alnwick and into an empty net when the goalkeeper stretched every sinew and managed to tip just around the post.

It was an early warning shot that said clearly that we were going to be offered no easy ticket to Wembley, although Burnley's task would have been steeper had Brian Jensen not managed to thwart Jermain Defoe - although not altogether convincingly - just moments later.

After the initial flurry, goalscoring chances were at a premium for the next 20 minutes, there was no lessening of the intensity level, but the defending became more regimented and opportunity was not knocking for either side.

Robbie Blake fizzed across the face of goal with 32 minutes on the clock as Burnley attempted to raise the tempo ahead of the break and they got their boost two minutes later from set piece a few yards outside the area.

Blake curled around the assembled wall and beyond the reach of Alnwick to hand Burnley a pre-interval tonic, before David Bentley free-kick from the right caused a good degree of panic in the home guard a few minutes later.

It should perhaps be noted that Burnley were playing with the wind in the first half, with the icy rain blowing into their backs as opposed to their faces. Whether this was an advantage or not that would become clear later.

A Luka Modric turn and shot provided our opening salvo of the second half, where the conditions were now firmly against the home team and it was certainly showing in their approach play early on that was lacking the zip of the first period.

Gareth Bale replaced Jamie O'Hara just after the hour in our first change of the game. He looked like he'd made an instant impact with a cross that landed at the feet of Bentley, but his effort struck a post and he was deemed to be offside anyway.

The young Welshman then burst down the left, leaving his markers in his wake, before unfortunately dragging his shot wide. Modric was then withdrawn, with Roman Pavlyuchenko taking over in attack.

Defoe seized on a slip by Clarke Carlisle and forced Jensen to foil bravely off his line, but it was the home side who struck again at the other end on 72 minutes. Blake did the crucial work down the left flank, evading challenges to fizz low across goal to where Chris McCann was waiting to gleefully force home at the far post.

The aggregate lead was whittled down to 4-3. This should have been extended on 77 minutes when Bale sped down the left and dispatched a low centre into the feet of Pavlyuchenko in front of goal. The Russian striker could not keep his first time shot down and Turf Moor remained in raptures.

Michael Dawson made a vital interception from a Jay Rodriguez cross before Defoe was denied in front of the travelling thousands seconds later.

Burnley secured a fortunate third with just over two minutes remaining when a Blake free-kick was not gathered by Alnwick and Rodriguez was on hand knock in the loose ball.

A Pavlyuchenko effort from distance was deflected wide in the final minute, so extra time it was - a prospect that appeared highly unlikely just over two weeks ago.

We now had to score, Burnley needed to simply see it out without conceding.

Adel Taarabt was given the chance to make an impression, with Chris Gunter withdrawn and Zokora moved to right-back.

Bale worked Jensen in the opening moments of the second period of extra time after the first passed without major incident.

Three minutes from time Pavlyuchenko saved the night.

Assou-Ekotto squared the ball inside where the Russian was in place to ping past Jensen to huge relief. Jermain Defoe then inflicted punishment that Burnley did not deserve when he slipped a further goal past Jensen to reduce the score on the night to 3-2.

Linked here.

Jon Obika signs contract

Courtesy of Official Site-

Young striker Jon Obika has signed his first professional contract at the club.

A Second Year trainee in our Academy, Jon, 18, has scored 11 goals for the Under-18s this season, including a hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup third round victory over Sheffield United.

His form has earned him a place in the First Team squad on three occasions this term, and he came off the the bench to make his senior debut in the UEFA Cup game with NEC Nijmegen in November.

Jon also netted on his only appearance for the Reserves so far this season.

Linked here.

League Report: Spurs 1 Pompey 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Jermain Defoe scored his first goal since rejoining the Club to rescue a vital point against Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.

We went into the game at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table and in desperate need of a win, but a 59th minute thunderbolt from David Nugent could have made our situation a whole lot worse.

Thankfully, JD popped up with the goods 11 minutes later, but a flurry of chances late on should have seen us to victory.

As it is, the point takes us out of the bottom three on goal difference, even though it could have been so much better.

Harry Redknapp reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation having experimented with a diamond midfield in the defeat at Wigan a week ago.

Michael Dawson made way for captain Ledley King to partner Jonathan Woodgate at the heart of the defence, while Aaron Lennon came back into the side on the right of midfield.

Defoe was making his second Spurs home debut against the club from whom he rejoined us less than a fortnight ago.

And he was gifted a chance to put us in the lead after just nine minutes. Former Spur Sean Davis misplaced a cross-field ball right into the striker's path, but with only David James to beat, Defoe slashed his shot wide.

He was nearly left to rue that miss three minutes later when Heurelho Gomes failed to hold onto a Glen Johnson shot, but just managed to palm the loose ball away from the lurking Peter Crouch.

The middle third of the first half belonged to us, with our best chance coming on 20 minutes.

Lennon went on a run and shot that was tipped round the post, and from the resulting corner, Woodgate rose to meet the ball and glanced to the back post where Roman Pavlyuchenko was on hand to sweep home, only for Defoe to accidentally block the shot.

Defoe nearly atoned for that and his earlier miss three minutes later when Lennon stood up a cross for him from the by-line, but the header was well saved by James.

At the other end, some fantastic defending was required by Vedran Corluka when Nugent was sent clean through to slide across the area for Armand Traore, who was denied by the Croatian's last ditch tackle.

Corluka nearly turned provider on 34 minutes when his in-swinging cross was glanced goalwards by King, but James was once again equal to it.

The football was end-to-end at this stage, and three minutes later Jamie O'Hara was dispossessed by Niko Kranjcar who sent Younes Kaboul through to go on and shoot into the side-netting.

O'Hara did the same at the other end with a promising 25 yard effort, but the last action of the half was Portsmouth's.

Kranjcar sent a ball over the top of our defence and Nugent beat the offside trap to go clean through on goal, only for some great goalkeeping from Gomes to deny him.

Just before the break, skipper King limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring strain and was replaced by Dawson.

Earlier on, Pavlyuchenko was also removed and replaced by Darren Bent after going down under a challenge from Davis.

As the second half began, it was clear this game was there for the taking for both teams, but it was the visitors who got themselves in front on 59 minutes.

Moments beforehand Lennon had jinked past Nadir Belhadj and hit a cross against Sylvain Distin. The deflection looked like it had beaten James, but somehow the goalkeeper clawed the ball back off the goal line.

Pompey went down the other end with Traore who played a cross-field ball to Nugent, and his sweet first-time shot arrowed into Gomes' bottom right-hand corner.

We knew this was a game we could ill afford to lose, and 10 minutes later we were back on level terms.

Modric teed up Defoe on the edge of the box for an equally unstoppable effort that went through the legs of Sol Campbell and past James.

For JD it was a repeat of his last home debut at The Lane nearly four years ago, when he netted against Portsmouth in a 4-3 win. And it was three points were looking for again on this occasion.

Corluka cut inside from the right and hit a left foot shot inches wide moments after the equaliser, and from here it looked as if only one team would go on to win it.

David Bentley was introduced for Gareth Bale in an attacking substitution, and his in-swinging free-kick on 75 minutes had to be tipped round the post by James.

The England midfielder took the resulting corner, and Corluka's looping header had James beaten, but not Davis defending on the line who cleared.

It was left to our front pairing of Defoe and Bent to go and win it, and both had guilt-edged chances to do so.

Ten minutes from time, Bentley stood up a cross to the back post for Bent who only had to nod home with James stranded. But somehow, he put it wide.

Six minutes later, Corluka played a long ball to release Defoe, but his second of the afternoon was not forthcoming as he put wide.

So we had the chances to win it, but we will have to settle for just the single point at the end of the day as we continue to try to drag ourselves away from the foot of the table.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Woodgate, King (Dawson, 44), Bale (Bentley, 68); Lennon, Zokora, Modric, O'Hara; Pavlyuchenko (Bent, 30) Defoe
Subs not used: Alnwick, Huddlestone, Campbell, Taarabt

Portsmouth (4-1-4-1): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj; Kaboul (Wilson, 88); Nugent (Utaka, 73), Davis, Kranjcar (Hreidarsson, 90), A Traore; Crouch
Subs not used: Begovic, Pamarot, Little, Kanu

Linked here.

Button Loan

Courtesy of Official Site-

David Button has joined AFC Bournemouth on a month's loan.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper has previously spent time out on loan this season with Grays Athletic.

Linked here.

"Ghetto Prince" sent on Loan

Courtesy of Official Site-

Kevin-Prince Boateng has joined Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season.

The German midfielder joined us from Hertha Berlin in July, 2007 and has gone on to appear on 23 occasions for the Club.

Linked here.

League Report: Wigan 1 Spurs 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp couldn't hide his disappointment after another late goal cost us on our travels - Wigan the latest team to do the damage in injury time at the JJB on Sunday.

The Latics won it when Maynor Figueroa powered home a header from Ryan Taylor's corner in the 91st minute of a Premier League encounter that seemingly had 0-0 written all over it.

Jermain Defoe made his debut and Ledley King was employed in front of the back four as we started brightly with chances for Michael Dawson, Jamie O'Hara and Didier Zokora in the first half.

Wigan got into the game towards the end of the half and Amr Zaki glanced a header inches wide but the second half was a stark contrast with barely a chance at either end until Figueroa clinched it for the home side.

"That has happened to us in three away games - Newcastle, West Brom and now Wigan," fumed boss Harry. "This time we gave a soft corner away and then defended it poorly.

"We started well enough and passed the ball well, but then stopped. We didn't play with the quality we're capable of.

"It looked like it was petering out into a draw and we'd done enough for a point, our goalkeeper hadn't had to make any world-class saves. It looked a banker draw.

"We need to improve our away form. We've been okay at home but we've now thrown away three away games."

Linked here.