Match Report ManCity 2 - Spurs 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

Robbie Keane's 21st goal of the season proved not to be enough as Manchester
City came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at Eastlands on Sunday
afternoon.
It looked pretty promising when territorial sway was rewarded by
Keane's arrowed effort that landed high in the net, but two goals out of nothing
in the second half saw us defeated at the City of Manchester Stadium for the
first time. A few minutes in Keane sought to fire the game up by first prodding
to Alan Hutton who, in turn, chipped back into the path of the striker who was
left to battle with Nedum Onuoha before flashing across goal just a little too
far in front of the advancing Aaron Lennon. The passing was slick and
progressive in the opening 15 minutes, mostly from the team in white shirts.
Michael Dawson's flighted throughball got Keane on the chase and he would have
been in had the ball not picked up pace on landing and skidded through to Joe
Hart in the City goal. After the momentum of the game tapering off to a large
degree, Dawson was then in the thick of it in front of our goal. He slid in to
deny Michael Johnson and the ball hit his chest, despite pleas for a penalty
before Elano picked up on the top corner of the area and shot goalwards. Benjani
connected with the shot and helped it on with his head and it took a combination
of Dawson and Paul Robinson to frustrate City. They were further frustrated on
31 minutes when an ambling run down the left from Pascal Chimbonda led to a
stabbed ball through to pick out the angled run of Keane who took a touch before
slamming right-footed past the outstretched hand of Hart. It made it 13 Premier
League goals for the popular marksman. At the other end a magnificent challenge
from Chimbonda and a smart save from Robinson thwarted the attacking intentions
of Johnson and Elano. Lennon then popped a shot wide and then Nery Castillo sped
away towards goal with Chimbonda in hot pursuit, but overcooked his final touch
and Robinson was able to foil. Lennon was replaced at the interval by Tom
Huddlestone, but it was City who came closest to scoring the first goal of the
half when Benjani picked out Castillo in and around the six yard box, but a
combination of defenders and Robbo saw him quickly outnumbered. Huddlestone
tried to put his marker on the game but his effort was gathered by Hart before
City netted a fortunate leveller on 59 minutes. A deep Benjani cross was the
target of a miscue by Castillo but Elano was able to nod towards goal and an
offside-looking Stephen Ireland helped guide past Robinson from a few yards out.
Juande Ramos made a double change bringing on Darren Bent and Jamie O'Hara for
the goalscorer Keane and Malbranque. In truth, the game needed a bit of a
livener from our perspective as it had become laboured and scrappy. A price for
this was paid on 71 minutes when an Elano corner kick was rammed home by the
head of Onuoha. Bent squeezed the ball into the City net with five minutes
remaining but his joy was curtailed by the flag of the assistant, raised for a
reason that was not immediately clear.The toil of extra-time in midweek was
perhaps taking its toll as the game wore on but this will go down as an unlikely
defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

Linked here.

Uefa Cup Match Report: PSV 0 - Spurs 1 Reg & EXTRA Time (Penalties 6-5)

Courtesy of Official Site-

It was heartbreak in Eindhoven after a penalty shoot-out determined our UEFA Cup
fate.
We exit the competition after a 6-5 reverse on penalties following a
superb single goal victory in the game itself. Dimitar Berbatov ensured the game
went into extra-time, but penalties followed.
Paul Robinson saved from Danko
Lazovic and Jermaine Jenas had the chance to seal victory with our fifth kick,
but Gomes saved and Pascal Chimbonda missed to spark joy among the home fans and
hurt for Spurs. The Philips Stadion was a rocking arena as the pre-match rituals
were being gone through, the venue being a traditional style ground that carries
a superb atmosphere. However, it was a fairly timid beginning by both teams, no
quick-out-of-the-blocks explosive stuff, but then the first goal was always
going to have a huge impact on this meeting so perhaps a cagey start was
understandable. There was a great chance to level the aggregate score on 16
minutes when Tom Huddlestone - playing on the right of a midfield diamond -
slipped the ball inside and into the path of Steed Malbranque. The Frenchman
took aim but misfired from a good shooting position. The balance of play was
marginally with the team in all white, but PSV were passing the ball around in
an efficient manner and always seeking to exploit any space. Thankfully, with
Ledley King back in situe, space in and around our area was more often than not
going to be at a premium. PSV came close to being the architects of their own
downfall just over ten minutes before the break when Carlos Salcido and the
goalkeeper Gomes did not communicate and the defender nodded past him but also
past the post. From the resulting Jermaine Jenas corner a King header flashed
just past the post. Jenas picked up a booking moments later, before stepping
aside and allowing Huddlestone a shy on goal from a set piece, but his effort
clipped the wall and flew narrowly over. Domination was creeping in and, from a
Young-Pyo Lee centre, Malbranque teed up Huddlestone, who again was denied by a
deflection. There was a purposeful change at half-time with the withdrawal of
Lee and introduction of Darren Bent. He had the chance to make an instant impact
when Malbranque passed to the left of the area for Robbie Keane, who in turn
delivered a low centre in front of the striker, but his effort lacked the power
to significantly trouble Gomes. Pascal Chimbonda nearly played us into trouble
with a chest move back towards his own goal before PSV should really have taken
the lead on the night when a chip into the area left Danny Koevermans unmarked
in front of Paul Robinson. His first touch let him down and the relieved
goalkeeper was able to gather. Dimitar Berbatov then flicked a header wide from
a Huddlestone set-piece, but PSV were livening up on the counter attack. Jenas
was next with a forceful thrust but his final ball after darting into the area
lacked direction. Aaron Lennon came on just after the hour in place of King and
this time Didier Zokora moved into central defence and Malbranque dropped in at
full-back. Robinson was called on to produce a big save when Zokora got in a
muddle on 65 minutes, stooping low to prevent Ibrahim Afellay an opener. He was
beaten all ends up by a Jefferson Farfan free-kick a couple of minutes later but
thankfully if arrowed just over. Berbatov's persistance next opened up a
shooting window for Huddlestone, but his powerful hit was too high. Bent was
through on goal on 70 minutes but elected to square to Keane and prodded without
accuracy allowing the danger to be averted. There was a real urgency going into
the final 15 minutes and the game completely opened up - leading to almighty
confusion between Gomes and Salcido that Keane was not quite able to capitalise
on. There was an exquisite turning point after much pressing in the 81st minute.
A Chimbonda cross was met full on the volley by Berbatov, who fizzed right
footed beyond Gomes and into the bottom left hand corner. Jamie O'Hara came on
to become our fourth left-back of the game, Keane being sacrificed, before a
Lennon cross led to a Bent header being tipped over by Gomes. The tension was
incredible inside the stadium and no doubt in the living rooms of Spurs
supporters at home. Extra time it was and a Berbatov chip resulted in a Bent
volley that swerved just wide after a couple of minutes before an O'Hara whipped
free-kick was touched by Jenas and volleyed over on the turn by Berbatov. Other
than this the first period was largely uneventful and the opening minutes of the
second was pretty cautious from both sides - end to end, but without real
conviction, although the defending was stout. There was so nearly a glorious
finale when a Malbranque smash was arrowing towards the top corner, only for
Gomes' outstretched hand to prevent a stunning winner. Then it was penalties.

Linked here.

Match Report: Spurs 4 - West Ham 0

Courtesy of Official Site-

The Premier League gap between ourselves and West Ham was narrowed to five
points as the East London side were defeated 4-0 at the Lane.
Dimitar
Berbatov netted twice with his head to take his tally to the season to 19 in all
competitions in a game that was, in truth, as one-sided an encounter as you are
likely to witness. Substitute Gilberto put a late gloss on the scoreline with
his first for the Club on his league debut before fellow sub Darren Bent added a
fourth.Paul Robinson had his fingers stung as early as the fourth minute from a
Freddie Ljungberg shot before bravely foiling the Hammers' attacking thrust with
two superb blocks before a Bobby Zamora effort struck a teammate and flew over
the bar. Three minutes later and it was the visitors in retreat and in arrears.
A measured free-kick flighted in by Tom Huddlestone was met with a flick of the
head by Berbatov and Robert Green was defeated and picking the ball out of his
net on seven minutes. There was a repeat, only from the other side, ten minutes
later. A similarly fizzed in cross from Huddlestone was again met by the head of
Berbatov and the advantage was doubled. Aaron Lennon then started to put his
mark on proceedings with a few speedy bursts down the right flank and West Ham
were in a fair degree of disarray. Complete dominance followed with the ball
being pinged around with authority, only not providing a further end product.
Another Huddlestone set piece was this time aimed at the impressive Jonathan
Woodgate, but eventually fell to Berbatov on the volley, with Green equal to his
effort on this occasion. West Ham were dealt a further blow two minutes before
half time when persistant offender Luis Boa Morte finally saw red after numerous
offences. The only surprise is that he was not subbed as he was so clearly going
to be taking the walk at some point. Four minutes into the second half the
excellent Huddlestone fired a volley just over the bar as West Ham were becoming
an increasingly agitated side and referee Mr Foy was having to calm a good few
frayed tempers. They rallied for a spell approaching the hour mark, but a
lightening quick counter which saw Berbatov combine with Lennon saw a few late,
desperate blocks being called for. Gilberto then replaced Steed Malbranque and
there was a further change in the 69th minute when Keane left the pitch to a
great ovation to make way for Darren Bent. Woodgate later left the pitch after
hobbling back from an attacking sortie - Teemu Tainio came on in midfield, with
Didier Zokora dropping back into central defence. West Ham battled in search of
a goal that would have set a few nerves jangling but the head of Michael Dawson
was the common factor at the conclusion of most of their attacking intent.At the
other end a seal was put on the victory when Pascal Chimbonda squeezed the ball
into the path of Gilberto, who turned inside the area before rolling past Green.
Berbatov had a hat-trick chance after a counter dash from Hutton and Lennon, but
disturbed the side netting after Green foiled Hutton's shot.There was further
pain for the Hammers in stoppage time when the superb Hutton dispatched a
measured cross from the right that was headed downwards by Bent to make it a
fully deserved four goal triumph.

LInked here.

UEFA Cup: Spurs 0 - PSV 1

Courtesy of Official Site:

We will travel to Eindhoven next week with ground to make up in this UEFA Cup
Round of 16 tie after suffering a 1-0 reverse to PSV at White Hart Lane.
It
was a game that never really got going for us and a strong and resolute PSV side
were quick to take advantage, with Jefferson Farfan netting the only goal just
after the half hour. There was a crisp tempo, but it was a largely uneventful
first 15 minutes - a spot of gentle sparring as the two sides sized each other
up. It was the Carling Cup team, but with new boy Gilberto in for the cup-tied
Alan Hutton. He slotted in at left-back with Pascal Chimbonda restored to his
more natural habitat on the right flank. On the subject of Wembley, the Carling
Cup was paraded before kick-off, with Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale doing the
honours and in turn cranking up the atmosphere. Gilberto was yellow carded for a
trip on the speedy Farfan 26 minutes in, presenting the first real shooting
opportunity that the same player clipped the wall with from the resulting
free-kick. On 33 minutes Farfan did make a difference. A quick counter was not
effectively repelled and Gilberto was caught in possession before the Peru
international steered low past Paul Robinson. Steed Malbranque then had two
efforts deflected wide as the urgency levels increased before a Jermaine Jenas
cross was nodded just wide by Jonathan Woodgate. A brilliantly constructed
passage of play, moments later, concluded with Malbranque squirting his shot
wide as PSV were being planted on the back foot. Gomes then pulled off a
stunning save to deny Robbie Keane, who before dispatching his shot plucked a
huge Robinson clearance out of the air and spun to lose his markers. The second
half brought about some lively end-to-end exchanges with neither goalkeeper
being greatly troubled. There was a blow just after the hour when Jermaine Jenas
was stretchered off with what appeared to be an ankle injury - Tom Huddlestone
was introduced in his place. In fact, the game was crying out for the passing
and invention of the midfielder. The score should have been level on 68 minutes
when a flighted ball from the right from Dimitar Berbatov cleared the PSV
backline and fell within nodding distance from Chimbonda - the full-back getting
under the cross and heading over. Adel Taarabt was next on the scene in place of
Ledley King, but it was Robbo to the rescue 15 minutes from time and he
effectively kept us in the tie. A Farfan shot was arrowing into the bottom right
hand corner until the goalkeeper's outstretched hand diverted to safety. The PSV
bench were up and about to celebrate. PSV were finishing the stronger but an
O'Hara volley across goal just fizzed in front of a Berbatov lunge with five
minutes left on the clock but at the other end PSV had the ball in the net
again, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Linked here.

Match Report: Birmingham 4 - Spurs 1

Courtesy of Official Site-

It was back to league business with a bang and then a crash at St Andrews as
Birmingham emerged 4-1 winners on Saturday.
The point that the season is far
from over was firmly reinforced by the home side, who were clinical in front of
goal, if not dominant in possession. An early strike and two second half goals
in quick succession - topped up by another ten minutes from time that saw Mikael
Forssell claim a hat-trick - put us to the sword. Jermaine Jenas scored a late
consolation, nothing more.Teemu Tainio lined up in an unfamiliar full-back role
behind Jamie O'Hara down the left flank, while Pascal Chimbonda moved inside to
centre-half alongside Younes Kaboul. Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zokora occupied
the central midfield berths, deep of an attacking duo of Darren Bent and Dimitar
Berbatov. Playing in all yellow the team fell behind on seven minutes after a
scruffy opening. A corner from the left was nodded into the danger area by
Liam Ridgewell and James McFadden smashed back across goal to where Forssell was
waiting to direct a header past an unprotected Paul Robinson. O'Hara was only a
foot or so away from perhaps levelling six minutes later after Bent battled to
work him a shooting chance, but a Gary McSheffrey free-kick in the other
direction skimmed the head of Alan Hutton and the home lead came close to being
doubled. Berbatov repossessed the ball on 19 minutes and advanced before
smashing what at first looked a goalbound attempt against the upright. Bent then
sprung the offside trap latching on to Huddlestone, but Maik Taylor was quick
off his line - later foiling an O'Hara drive. Malbranque then carved himself out
a scoring chance that a combination of Ridgewell and the goalkeeper contrived to
squeeze behind, although the midfielder maybe took a touch or two too many and
the angle was working against him. O'Hara was looking most likely to create an
avenue to goal and Taylor did particularly well to deny him seven minutes before
the break with an excellent stop and hold to his right. There were two changes
after half-time, Robbie Keane on for Malbranque and Jermaine Jenas introduced in
place of Tainio. Chimbonda switched to left-back and Zokora centre-half. Before
the new system could really take shape, Robinson kept his team in it with a
magnificent save. McSheffrey crossed from the left and Forssell met the ball
with a downward volley and Robbo reacted superbly to tip over the bar. The
changed formation appeared to involve three at the back, four in midfield and
three up top, with Keane given more licence to roam. The home advantage,
however, was doubled on 54 minutes after Zokora gave away a free-kick on the
edge of the area with a trip on David Murphy. McFadden stepped over the ball and
the right-footed Sebastian Larsson angled his effort around the wall and into
the near post to make it two. It was a home treble four minutes later when a
Larsson cross struck Zokora, Robinson was forced into a fine save, but Forssell
was on hand to slot in from a tight angle and the St Andrews crowd was not about
to contain its delight. Chris Gunter was added to the mix with 17 minutes
remaining, swapping places with Zokora, with Hutton then given the freedom to
push further forward down the right flank. Berbatov then extended Taylor into a
tip-over from a powerful drive, but a recovery was not looking on the cards at
this stage. Huddlestone drilled a shot high and wide before Birmingham increased
their margin with Forssell claiming a hat-trick, profiting from a McFadden
throughball.
Jenas struck late from close range, scant reward on the day for
a high number of efforts on goal for an away side.So it ended as a seasonal
double for Birmingham, but surely PSV will not find us nearly so accommodating
on Thursday.

Linked here.

Carling Cup Final: Spurs 2 - Chelski 1 ET

Courtesy of Official Site-

Had a great time watching the game at Penny Lane with some fellow Yids. Good English breakfast and pints.

Jonathan Woodgate's header in extra time deservedly clinched the
Carling Cup at Wembley and secured a place in Europe for next season.
'Woody'
threw himself at Jermaine Jenas' free-kick with 93 minutes and 25 seconds on the
clock, got his head in front of Petr Cech and gleefully ran off in celebration
as it nestled into the corner.
It was no less than we deserved after
dominating chances created at Wembley. Quite how Chelsea went in 1-0 up at
half-time was mystery with a chance count of eight-two in our favour but once
Dimitar Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, the tide
turned in our favour.
More chances came and went - Cech saved brilliantly
again - but once Woodgate's header landed it was a case of seeing the game out
and we did it in superb style, Ledley King and man of the match Woodgate
absolutely magnifent.
Robbie Keane set about making his mark on the final in
the first minute when a Juliano Belletti pass went astray and the striker fizzed
in a shot that only diverted wide via the inside of John Terry's leg. Ledley
King, in the side to the biggest cheer of the pre-match build-up, then nearly
latched onto a Dimitar Berbatov header from the resulting corner. The atmosphere
from the Spurs end of this gigantic arena was spine-tingling and the boys looked
intent on feeding off the support with a purposeful beginning that plonked
Chelsea right on the back foot. The flags placed on every seat on Saturday
provided a scenic and colourful backdrop to the occasion. There would have been
an explosion of colour at our end had a Pascal Chimbonda header bounced under
rather than on top of the bar from a deep Steed Malbranque corner then seconds
later Berbatov's heading direction was lacking a little when he nodded wide with
a free header from a Keane cross. Chelsea edged into the contest and Jonathan
Woodgate had to be sharp in front of goal to block a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross
being met by a boot wrapped around a blue sock. A flying header from Woodgate at
the other end was too far off making capital from an expertly flighted free-kick
from Jermaine Jenas. Petr Cech later showed sharp reactions down to his right to
foil a Malbranque shy on goal which was swiftly followed by Frank Lampard trying
his luck at the other end - Chelsea's first shot just before the half hour mark.
Quite a telling stat that went a long way towards explaining the story of the
first third. Two free-kicks in quick succession from 20-odd yards out taken by
Lampard and Didier Drogba - neither troubling Paul Robinson - topped up
Chelsea's shot count. Another free-kick - given for a Didier Zokora chop on
Drogba with 38 minutes in the clock - did come at a cost. The burly striker from
the Ivory Coast recovered to take it himself and, with Chelsea players in our
wall, arrowed the ball through the protective layer and into the net. Berbatov
had the chance to level just before the break when Keane slotted him through on
goal, but the Bulgarian tangled with Ricardo Calvalho and slipped in the area
rather than quickly getting his shot away. The second half did not get off to an
explosive start as Chelsea sought to slow the game down and dull the
tempo.
Juande Ramos made his first change just after the hour, introducing
Tom Huddlestone for a disconsolate Chimbonda. Malbranque appeared to make the
switch to left-back, but it was on the other side that King was at his masterful
best in denying Nicolas Anelka a shooting chance. The twist in the tale came on
68 minutes when Huddlestone attempted to work himself a spot of shooting space
and the ball struck the hand of Wayne Bridge. The assistant spotted the offence
and referee Mr Halsey eventually gave the penalty. Berbatov was ridiculously
cool in applying his finish from 12 yards.A chance to double advantage came ten
minutes from time when Zokora was sent clean through, his first effort being
saved by Cech and his rebound chance flying over the bar.Extra time seemed
almost inevitable after this point and the additional period was duly ushered in
without too much further incident.Less than four minutes in a Jenas free-kick
was latched onto by the head of Woodgate, who had made a clever marker-evading
dash round the back, and his flick into Cech came back onto him before rolling
into the empty net. Woodgate set off on a charge and half of Wembley went very
quiet.Another change was made a few minutes before the end of the first 15
minutes, with Keane making way for Younes Kaboul. With Chelsea likely to go long
and fire balls into Drogba and Anelka, a central defensive three was deemed the
way to repel the threat.
It worked a treat - although Robinson was forced
into key late action to deny Cole from 12 yards and there were the usual
scares to overcome.
Ultimately, the right team won on the day - and how great
it felt to watch Ledley lift the trophy.

Linked here.

Carling Cup Final at Weeeembley

Being shown live on 2/24/08 (Sunday) at 9:30 am EST on Setanta in the US.

I have been in contact with Penny Lane Pub here in Downtown Richmond, VA. They are looking into opening early and showing the match. I should know sometime today (Friday, 2/22/08) if they will be showing the match. I will post here when I find out.

Come On You Spurs!

Official Word from Penny Lane...

"Here is the official word: "Joe and Terry will both be in at 9:30am Sunday for the game (10am kickoff) along with a few of the regular lads. So you know Terry will let anyone in that shows up to watch the game. So we won't be officially open, but Terry will be here to pour a few pint for whomever shows up to watch."
Spread the word!
John P."