'Supre-Sub Defoe' Spurs 2 - Man City 1

Courtesy of Sky Sports-

Super-sub Jermain Defoe stepped off the bench to secure a vital three
points for Tottenham and continue Manchester City's away-day blues.
The
England international was on hand to drill home the rebound after Steed
Malbranque's curling cross-shot had hit the base of the post seven minutes from
time.
City had been reduced to 10 men just seconds earlier with Stephen
Ireland shown a straight red card for a late two-footed lunge on Lee Young-pyo,
and the visitors never fully cleared their lines from the resulting free-kick.
It had looked as though it would be Sven-Goran Eriksson celebrating an
inspired change after Rolando Bianchi had headed City level in the 61st minute,
powering home Martin Petrov's corner just minutes after coming on.
Pascal
Chimbonda had given Spurs the lead in controversial circumstances seconds before
the interval, deflecting Dimitar Berbatov's cheeky flick from Jermaine Jenas'
low free-kick beyond Andreas Isaksson with his arm when stood in an offside
position.
But it was left to Defoe to grab the headlines with his goal just
six minutes after coming on as City, who boast a 100 per cent record at home,
suffered a fourth defeat on their travels and a seventh in succession against
Spurs.
With Spurs' top scorer Robbie Keane out for another two matches
through suspension, he also offered head coach Juande Ramos an indication he is
ready to step in.
Elano absent
City were without the influence of Elano,
the Brazil playmaker having failed to recover from a hamstring complaint, so
their creativity came from Martin Petrov on the left wing.
Petrov's delivery
from the flank went some way to explain why Dimitar Berbatov wanted his Bulgaria
team-mate at White Hart Lane this summer.
However, with £8.8million striker
Bianchi on the bench, Petrov only had Darius Vassell to aim for initially,
giving Younes Kaboul time to settle after getting dropped for the midweek UEFA
Cup clash against Anderlecht.
However, the young French defender's passing
range was awful, and he was nowhere to be seen for City's equaliser.
Bent
wasteful
At the other end, Darren Bent was wasteful. Berbatov's silky touches
sent Bent through on goal in the ninth minute but Andreas Isaksson rushed out to
save with his feet.
Javier Garrido picked up a booking for tripping Aaron
Lennon, and from the resulting attack Berbatov was on the floor but managed to
clip the ball through to Bent. He snatched at his shot with Jermaine Jenas
waiting with an open goal in front of him.
Berbatov was full of invention,
drilling a cross for Malbranque to sweep a shot towards goal but Richard Dunne
got himself in the way of the effort.
City showed pace on the break when
Kelvin Etuhu, making his first start for the club, smashed into the
side-netting, while Michael Johnson was patrolling the midfield area with
authority on his return to action.
The opener came on the stroke of
half-time, with Berbatov getting fouled on the touchline by a combination of
Gelson Fernandes and Vedran Corluka. Jenas drilled the ball across, Berbatov
flicked and Chimbonda angered City with the finish off his arm - he also
appeared to be standing in an offside position.
Eriksson responded by
bringing on Bianchi for Etuhu just before the hour mark, with the substitute
making an instant impact.
Robinson
Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson would
have been braced for a busy spell but he also had time to banter with the City
fans, who dubbed him "England's number four" after his recent troubles at
international level.
He could do nothing about Bianchi's equaliser, the
Italian striker rising to thump home a header from Petrov's corner.
City
were putting Spurs under intense pressure and Lee had to make a last-ditch
clearance from another Petrov cross. Petrov also fizzed a long-range effort just
wide.
The game turned when Ireland was given his straight red card by Mark
Halsey for a slide on Lee.
Defoe grabbed the winner from the free-kick, with
Malbranque hitting the post and the substitute smashing the rebound between
Micah Richards' legs.

Linked here: http://origin.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2908997,00.html

Anderlecht under Disciplinary Proceedings

Source: Sporting Life

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht after objects
appeared to be thrown from the crowd during the tie with Tottenham.Spurs' Didier
Zokora appeared to be struck by lighter thrown from the crowd and goalkeeper
Paul Robinson also picked up a metal rod which he handed to the fourth official
after the final whistle of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in
Brussels."UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht for the
throwing of objects by spectators," said a UEFA spokesman.The Belgian side have
already been fined for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier
earlier in the season against Fenerbahce and UEFA officials will take previous
cases into consideration when they meet.The punishments range from a fine to
expulsion from the tournament."The control and disciplinary body will meet on
December 13 to make a decision on this case," the spokesman added.Zokora claimed
afterwards that he was targeted as he used to play for Anderlecht's rivals Genk
at the start of his career, yet he also had cause for celebration as the point
earned Spurs a place in the knockout stages of the competition.Spurs head coach
Juande Ramos was hit by Real Betis fans when he was at Sevilla and although he
did not see Zokora struck, the Spaniard said: "This is very bad for the players
and those who work in football."We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you
can't have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt."

MATCH REPORT: ANDERLECHT 1, SPURS 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Dimitar Berbatov provided the cool head needed to book our place in the last 32
of the UEFA Cup with the penalty to secure a 1-1 draw at Anderlecht on Thursday
night.
On as a second half substitute, Berba calmy slotted home the spot
kick won by Jermaine Jenas as keeper Daniel Zitka dived the other way in
the 71st minute. The point means we'll finish second place at worst in Group H
with the final round of matches to follow on December 19.
It was just what
the doctor ordered on a rain-soaked night in Belgium as the home side took the
lead two minutes earlier, Bart Goor slotting home from 16
yards.
There were a couple of changes to the starting line-up from the team
that took on Birmingham on Sunday, with Lee Young-Pyo drafted in for the injured
Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone taking the place of Younes Kaboul. It was
naturally not a straight swap as it was Didier Zokora who took up position at
centre half. Darren Bent retained his place in the side, this time in a
two-pronged attack alongside Robbie Keane - featuring in his final game before
serving a three-match suspension. There was not a huge amount of meaningful
activity in the opening 15 minutes as the teams sized each other up, as well as
attempting to get used to the new UEFA ball - which seemed to fly around a bit.
Mbo Mpenza nearly stole a march on Lee midway through the half, but his touch
was heavy and Paul Robinson was able to advance and collect before Jermaine
Jenas issued Daniel Zitka with his first assignment of the game with a low drive
that the goalkeeper foiled. Robinson denied Roland Jahasz with a similar smother
at the other end ten minutes before the break as Anderlecht increased the
intensity slightly, although it was Jermaine Jenas who received the first
caution of the evening after 41 minutes. The home side did manage to rouse their
supporters just ahead of half-time when Martin Wasilewski forced Robinson into
action and Nicolas Frutos looked set to profit from the rebound but failed to
capitalise and shot wide. In truth, it was a poor half in which both sides
displayed little creativity or, apart from late on, looked like altering the
scoreboard. Keane did test Zitka in the opening moments of the second half and
Pascal Chimbonda seized on the loose ball but could not break the deadlock.
Robinson then ensured parity remained with a smart block to deny the rampaging
threat of Frutos, who made a powerful run into the area. An Mpenza surge
followed and this time it was an excellent challenge from Zokora that quelled
the potential danger. Berbatov entered the stage in the 58th minute, taking the
place of Keane, and it was the Bulgarian who stepped up to take charge of a
free-kick 66 minutes in after the felling of Steed Malbranque. Zitko, however,
was equal to the challenge. Just two minutes later though, Anderlecht snatched
the lead when an Mpenza cross from the right was not dealt with by Michael
Dawson or Jenas and Bart Goor was able to steer past Robinson. A quick
response was called for and we didn't have to wait too long - just a couple of
minutes. Jenas was bought down in the area and the referee pointed spot-wards to
the despair of the home support and Berbatov, cool as you like, slotted his
penalty past Zitka. Jermain Defoe came on for Bent but it was Robinson who made
the next significant contribution with a superb stop to deny the substitute
Cyril Thereau.
Typically sharp off the bench, JD then tested Zitka twice, the
home keeper producing a smart save to tip the second effort over.
That was
just about that - our last moment of concern as a corner bobbled around - and
the whistle signalled further progress in the competition. The only worrying
note Young-Pyo Lee's departure on a stretcher after a clash of heads.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport061207.html

Ledley King on his return (Reserve action)

Courtesy of Official Site-

Ledley King admits he did not anticipate beginning his season on a cold December
night by the River Thames.
That's how it turned out though with his first
window of opportunity for some match minutes coming in a reserve team contest
against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday. Ledley was pencilled in for a 45
minute work-out after recovering from knee surgery carried out in May and the
Club skipper eased through the examination with his usual cool before
contemplating the next step on his comeback trail. "I suppose not, but it was in
June when I had the operation and I knew there was a lot of work to do to get
back," said Ledley when the setting of his seasonal opener was mentioned. "I am
now just thinking about trying to get as many minutes under my belt as I can
before trying to get back into the First Team squad. "It was nice just to come
through 45, my first in six months or so, and it feels good," added Ledley, who
pointed out that nerves still play a part for him no matter what the game.
"Every time I go on the pitch they are there, it is the pressure I put on myself
to perform. Even at school, where I was the best player, I felt them and that is
the way it should be when you go on the pitch." Even though he suffered a few
match night nerves, what Ledley did have was confidence in his knee standing up
to the test. "That is the main thing. The medical staff have been brilliant and
have helped me to get to where I am now. I had confidence in the knee going out
there and that is a good feeling. "I feel fine, it was good to come through it.
As long as the knee is fine I am happy. "I've had my fair share of injuries, but
this has been the longest one. They are all as frustrating as each other, but
this has been the one I've had to be most careful with and I had to make sure I
was right before coming back so that I don't have any more problems. I feel I
have done that and hopefully I will get the rewards from it."

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/ledleyonreturn041207.html

FA Cup Third Round tie

Courtesy of Official Site-

Our FA Cup Third Round tie at home to Reading is now confirmed for Saturday
January 5, kick-off 3.00pm.
If a replay is required this will take place on
Tuesday January 15, kick-off 8.00pm.
Please note that the date and kick-off
time of the replay are still subject to change in the event of it being selected
for live TV coverage.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/facupdate041207.html

Keane appeal Rejected

Courtesy of Official Site-

The Club can confirm that the appeal against Robbie Keane's red card for
serious foul play has been rejected.
Robbie will now serve a three-match
domestic suspension as a result of his dismissal in our Premier League fixture
against Birmingham City on Sunday.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/keaneupdate.html

Match Report Spurs v Birmingham City

Courtesy of Official Site-

It turned out to be an afternoon of conflicting emotions for Robbie Keane at the
Lane, his two goals against Birmingham turning the contest on its head before a
red card cut short his contribution and the visitors went on to grab the
initiative and snatch a late winner.
Keane struck twice - once
from the spot - to overturn a first half deficit and it appeared that three
points would be making a happy deposit in our account. However, Birmingham
struck again out of the Blue and then the skipper was given his marching orders
following a decision that is likely to be debated for a little while yet.
Sebastian Larsson had the last and dramatic say in the encounter.Younes Kaboul
and Darren Bent were restored to the side in place of Lee Young-Pyo and the
injured Jermaine Jenas. It was certainly an attacking hand played by Juande
Ramos, with Keane and Steed Malbranque occupying a central midfield anchored by
Didier Zokora. Dimitar Berbatov was first to cause concern to the Birmingham
bench of newly appointed manager Alex McLeish and his assistant Jim Aitken when
he seized on defensive uncertainty and worked Maik Taylor for the first time of
the afternoon. Keane should then have worked him further after Bent slotted him
through on goal, but his effort was slashed high and wide. It was a lively
affair though under lights in the late afternoon winter darkness and drizzling
rain. You knew we are now well into the winter programme when news of the FA Cup
Third Round draw filtered through - Reading to visit the Lane in early January.
There was a blast from the past working with a Belgian TV crew on the Press Box,
one Nico Clausen, no doubt gathering preview material for our UEFA Cup clash
with Anderlecht on Thursday. Watch this space for Nico's thoughts. Berbatov and
Keane combined to create half a chance through the Bulgarian's header before the
same player dispatched a superb cutting throughball for Bent to pounce on. Bent
went for it first time and the legs of Taylor were enough to divert wide.
Completely against the run of play, Gary McSheffrey darted into the area and
Kaboul came across to deal, but ended up making more contact with the man than
the ball and referee Mr Dowd instantly pointed to the spot. McSheffrey did the
honours himself and drove down the middle to make it 1-0 to Birmingham on 23
minutes. The pressure continued to head in one direction only, with Lennon
posing the biggest threat, but Taylor really had to be at his best to keep out a
Gareth Bale free-kick that was arrowing into the top corner in the 36th minute.
There was some resolute defending in front of goal by the visitors, who managed
to slide in and apply a block to just about every low cross in the first period.
Like on Thursday it was the whistle for the beginning of the second half that
provided the spark. Zokora sped forward and linked up with Berbatov, who was
felled in the area by Johan Djourou. Again Mr Dowd showed no hesitation in
pointing spot-wards. Despite a delay due to Pascal Chimbonda receiving
treatment, Keane stayed cool and hit his penalty high into the net. There were
changes again at the resumption of play after the interval, Tom Huddlestone
being drafted in along with Jermain Defoe in place of Kaboul and Bent. The
introduction of Huddlestone once more paid dividends when a delicious chip into
the area was gobbled up by Keane, who hit his shot downwards and the bounce of
the ball beat Taylor and it was 2-1 with 53 minutes on the clock. It should then
have been three when Berbatov hit the post rather than the back of the net after
a stray defensive header fell to him in front of goal. The crowd of 35,635, bar
700 in the top corner, were stunned into silence just after the hour when
Cameron Jerome ventured forward and escaped Zokora before pinging in a low shot
between two defenders and beyond the reach of Paul Robinson's outstretched left
hand to make it an unlikely 2-2. Berbatov peeled away to connect with a Bale
corner a few minutes later and it took Stephen Kelly to chest away off the line.
There was a twist in the tale on 67 minutes when Keane challenged Fabrice Muamba
and Mr Dowd showed the skipper a red card. Replays showed there was contact, but
no way did it look a sending off offence and Keane looked suitably bemused as he
was leaving the field. Bale then had to be withdrawn following a hefty challenge
from Muamba and, with Lee now on the pitch, it was a case of seeing whether the
ten men could net the three points. It was Birmingham who next came closest to
winning the day with two minutes left on the clock when Mikael Forssell grazed
the bar from all of a few yards out when he connected with a low Olivier Kapo
delivery. Kapo went on to test Robinson with a fierce drive before, in stoppage
time, Larsson picked up the ball some thirty yards out and fizzed the ball past
Robinson and into the top corner.
If you needed a game to sum up
the term 'smash and grab' then this was it.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport021207.html