Recent Silverware

Recent Silverware
Carling Cup 2008

Friday, January 30, 2009

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.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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.

Monday, January 26, 2009

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.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

Match report

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.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

"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.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Charlie Daniels to Orient

Courtesy of Official Site-

We have reached agreement for the permanent transfer of Charlie Daniels to Leyton Orient.

The 22-year-old left-sided player, who has come through the Academy ranks at the Club, spent the whole of last season on loan with the League One side, as well as enjoying a one-month period with Gillingham earlier on in this campaign.

We wish him every success for the future.

Linked here.

Defoe Back to the Lane!

Courtesy of Official Site-

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Portsmouth for the transfer of Jermain Defoe.

Personal terms have been agreed and the striker will today undergo a medical.


Linked here.

Carling Cup Report: Spurs 4 Burnley 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

An incredible second half comeback from a goal down gave us a 4-1 semi-final first leg win over Burnley at The Lane to leave us with one foot firmly in the Carling Cup Final for the second season running.

Martin Paterson gave the plucky visitors a half-time lead before a Jamie O'Hara-inspired turnaround put another trip to Wembley firmly in our sights.

Last season's Young Player of the Year set up our first for Michael Dawson before netting the second to put us ahead. Roman Pavlyuchenko and a Michael Duff own goal then put the tie well in our grip.

Harry Redknapp stuck with the 4-4-2 formation that defeated Wigan in the FA Cup on Friday, making two changes to the starting lineup.

Fraizer Campbell started where he finished against the Latics - up-front alongside Pavlyuchenko in place of the injured Darren Bent, while Aaron Lennon returned to the eleven at the expense of O'Hara.

But no matter what side we fielded, Burnley made it clear from the start that they were going to be extremely hard to beat.

And not solely due to the dogged determination and grit one may associate with a Championship side away at a Premier League ground on a stage like this - the men from Lancashire came to play football, and a stylish, easy-on-the-eye brand at that.

Chris Eagles, a summer signing from Manchester United, was the main orchestrator of most of their fluid first-half attacks.

The right winger sliced a couple of early shots wide, but his first major contribution was a telling one.

Eagles skipped past Gareth Bale and David Bentley with ease before picking out Paterson with a pin-point cross to the back post, leaving the striker with a tap-in.

It sent the throng of visiting fans into raptures, and it was nothing more than Owen Coyle's men deserved after a confident and positive start.

On 24 minutes, Burnley could have doubled their lead. Eagles was the provider again with another splendid cross that Robbie Blake glanced inches wide.

It sparked us into action, and a minute later came the first sign that we had woken up from what can only be described as a 25-minute slumber.

Dawson, of all players, carried the charge forward from the back, sliding Campbell through to stand up a dangerous cross from the by-line which Pavlyuchenko attacked in the air, only to be denied by some fantastic Duff defending.

Bentley's resulting corner was nodded down by Woodgate in the area for Pavlyuchenko to turn goalwards, but Burnley stopper Brian Jensen was equal to it.

In the following attack, Lennon sent in a cross from the right that Bentley should have done better with at the back post, but we ended the half the stronger side nonetheless.

That was to be Bentley's last action of the match, as after the break, O'Hara emerged in his place and did nothing less than change the game.

Our first attack of the second half resulted in a corner, which the England Under-21 international raced over to take with a look of intent.

His delivery was pinpoint to the back post as Dawson climbed to power home his first goal since November 2007.

The atmosphere around the stadium and the shape of the game was never the same from that point onwards as we completely took control.

O'Hara was playing like a man possessed and fired a warning shot just over moments before he got the goal he deserved to put us in-front against all the odds on 52 minutes.

Luka Modric found Pavlyuchenko, who cut inside a defender onto his left foot and sliced a shot up in the air towards the back post, where O'Hara waited and watched the ball all the way onto his sweet left foot which struck a volley underneath the body of Jensen.

It totally knocked the stuffing out of Burnley, perhaps a little undeservedly on the night, but neither our fans or players were about to have any sympathy.

Especially considering the visitors were far from out of the tie yet, and we went to sleep at a quickly-taken free-kick on the hour mark before Blake curled inches wide from the edge of the box.

They threatened again five minutes later, with Heurelho Gomes coming to the rescue after a goal-mouth scramble instigated by Blake and Paterson

We knew we needed more than a one goal lead to take to Turf Moor in a fortnight's time, so that's exactly what we went down the other end to secure.

Bale found Pavlyuchenko just outside the box, and in one movement the Russian glided past Clarke Carlisle and into the box before drilling firmly into the bottom corner for his third goal in two games.

To rub salt into Burnley's wounds, we added a fourth on 67 minutes to put us in a more than commanding position going into the second leg.

Pavlyuchenko won a free-kick in the bottom right-hand corner of the field, and defender Duff mis-timed his jump to glance O'Hara's resulting free-kick past his own goalkeeper.

You could say it was ‘Duff justice' on Burnley for the football they had produced in the opening period, but thankfully, it was our Premier League quality that shone through in the end.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Bale; Lennon, Zokora, Modric, Bentley (O'Hara, 46); Campbell, Pavlyuchenko
Subs not used: Alnwick, Gunter, Giovani, Taarabt, Boateng, Rocha

Burnley (4-1-4-1): Jensen; Alexander, Duff, Carlisle, Jordan; Gudjohnsen (K McDonald, 30); Eagles, Elliott, McCann, Blake (Rodriguez, 75); Paterson (Akinbiyi, 86)
Subs not used: Penny, Kalvenes, Mahon, A McDonald


Linked here.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

FA Cup Draw: 4th Round

Courtesy of Official Site-

We have been drawn away to Southampton or Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Saints take on United in the third round at St Marys at 4pm this afternoon.

The fourth round takes place over the weekend of January 24/25.

Here is the draw in full...

Liverpool v Everton
Southampton/Man Utd v Tottenham
Hull/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth/Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient/Sheff Utd v Charlton/Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea
Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering Town v Fulham
Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham City/Wolves v Middlesbrough


Linked here.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Time for a Second Chance

Courtesy of Official Site-

Harry Redknapp feels it's time to give Hossam Ghaly another chance.

The manager gave his thoughts after the midfielder was booed on his reappearance at White Hart Lane when he was named on the substitutes bench for Friday night's FA Cup third round tie against Wigan.

It was the first time Hossam had been in the 18 for a home game since he threw his shirt down on the touchline after being substituted in a league match against Blackburn in May, 2007.

Hossam apologised for his actions immediately after that game.

"I am just so angry with myself," he said at the time. "I have always considered it an honour to wear the Tottenham shirt and I never intended to show any disrespect.

"I know my reaction was totally wrong. I have apologised to the manager and I also want to apologise to the fans. I hope they don't judge me on this incident alone. I have tried hard for the Club this season."

Harry feels now is the time to forgive and forget.

"I really feel for the lad," said Harry.

"We all make mistakes in life. Show me someone who doesn't make mistakes and I'll show you a liar. He's made a mistake and he deserves another chance. Everyone deserves another chance."

Harry underlined the need to use the full squad with such a busy schedule and injuries hitting the midfield department - Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone were both ruled out against Wigan.

"Hossam has always shown a positive attitude since I have been here," added Harry. "We need the supporters to get behind everyone in a Spurs shirt.

"He is a member of our squad and we'll need them all to play a part in what will be a very important second half of the season."


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Absolutely agree with Redknapp. He lost 4 teeth and kept playing against Pompey! That is a good attitude.

FA Cup Report: Spurs 3 Wigan 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Our first game of 2009 resulted in victory as we defeated Wigan 3-1 at White Hart Lane in the third round of this season's FA Cup.

Two goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and one from Luka Modric in between were enough to make sure Henri Camara's late strike for the visitors was meaningless.

It was our first win in six games and keeps us still competing in every competition we've entered, with a Carling Cup semi-final first leg coming up next on Tuesday.

Harry Redknapp made three changes to the side that lost at West Brom in the league last Sunday, reverting to a 4-4-2 formation.

Jamie O'Hara came in for Aaron Lennon, who started on the bench, to occupy the left flank with David Bentley on the right.

Modric and Didier Zokora operated in the centre of midfield, and with Jermaine Jenas out injured, Pavlyuchenko came back in to partner Darren Bent up-front.

At the back, Gareth Bale came in for the suspended Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left back but, once again, we were forced into a change early on.

Bent limped off on 28 minutes to be replaced by Fraizer Campbell in a straight swap, but by then, we were well on top.

There was an early scare after five minutes when Camara headed Antonio Valencia's cross inches wide, but after this, the visitors offered little in the first half.

The chance of the half fell to Modric two minutes later when he should have done better with a shot from the edge of the box after being set up by Pavlyuchenko.

On 19 minutes, Pavlyuchenko was fouled by Michael Brown 25 yards out, and Bale sent a good-looking free-kick just wide.

Two minutes later, a Bentley free-kick on the right was blocked, but the rebound came back to him and Wigan skipper Kevin Kilbane came close to putting the resultant cross into his own net.

We came close to opening the scoring twice more on the stroke of half-time. First an O'Hara cross was dummied by Pavlyuchenko for Modric who turned and shot at goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

Then Bentley hit a stunning 35-yard pot-shot with his left foot which went into the side-netting, but it seemed like only a matter of time for us.

Six minutes after the break, we finally broke the deadlock. Bale released the lively Campbell, who was upended by Kingson as he tried to go round him.

Pavlyuchenko stepped up to slot home the penalty and score our first goal of the New Year and his eighth of the season.

It was also our first goal in around 300 minutes of football, so we were now looking to make up for the mini-drought.

Pavlyuchenko and Campbell were linking up well, and the Russian crossed for the latter on 56 minutes, only for the England Under-21 international to force a superb flying save out of Kingson with the header.

On 65 minutes, it was Pavlyuchenko's turn to go close again when he latched onto Jonathan Woodgate's long ball and lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper, only to see the ball bounce agonisingly wide.

Our strike partnership tried to link up again on 75 minutes as Campbell attempted a pass for Pavlyuchenko in behind Titus Bramble, and the Russian did extremely well to get there and poke just wide of the post.

So instead, it was left to a midfield man to put the tie to bed, as Modric netted his third goal in 15 days.

Vedran Corluka played a cross-field ball for O'Hara, who hit a sweet 25 yard shot against the post, and Modric followed up with a diving header into an empty net - followed by a celebration which, literally, fell flat on its face!

The second goal seemed to spark Wigan into action, but it was all a bit late in the day and Heurelho Gomes was equal to most.

First Valencia beat O'Hara in the box but his shot was palmed away, and then the Ecuadorian's corner was met by Olivier Kapo in the air, only for Gomes to make a smart low save.

But Steve Bruce's men did eventually give the visiting fans something to cheer about with a consolation two minutes from time.

Valencia was the deliverer into the box again, Tomasz Cywka's shot was blocked, and Camara swept home from close range.

But Zokora's run and Pavlyuchenko's rasping shot from the edge of the box in injury time restored our two-goal lead, and saw us safely through to the fourth round.


Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Bale; Bentley, Zokora, Modric (Lennon, 90), O'Hara; Bent (Campbell, 28), Pavlyuchenko
Subs not used: Alnwick, Ghaly, Gunter, Taarabt, Boateng

Wigan (4-4-2): Kingson; Boyce, Scharner (Figueroa, 74), Bramble, Kilbane; De Ridder (Cywka, 74), Brown, Palacios, Valencia; Camara, Kapo (Edman, 85)
Subs not used: Pollitt, Taylor, Routledge, Holt


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