Spurs' GOAL of the Season?

Spurs 3 Watford 1

Paul Robinson celebrates his goal against Watford

Paul Robinson scored a goal for Spurs from a free-kick inside his own half. He was wide on the left, 80 yards from goal when he lauched the ball forward towards the Watford goal. The ball bounced between the defender and Foster in the Watford goal and went over his head and into the net.

That is second goal of Robinson's career having previously scored for Leeds United in a League Cup tie. He becomes the third Spurs goalkeeper to score in a competitive match - the last one being Pat Jennings who scored at Old Trafford in the Charity Shield match in August, 1967. The only other League goal scored for Spurs by a goalkeeper was in April, 1914 against Bolton Wanderers by John 'Tiny' Joyce from a penalty, Spurs won 3-0.

Spurs' first goal against Watford was scored late in the first half, rising high to head in a Chimbonda cross. Robinson's goal settled the game and while Ghaly scored the third the match would have been decided sooner if Mido had not missed from five yards with the goalkeeper sprawled on the ground. A tame shot from Tom Huddlestone was spilled by Foster and fell nicely toMido but his casual shot was too close to the goalkeeper who stuck out his leg and deflected it wide. Watford's consolation goal came in the 89th minute when Chimbonda didn't clear a ball near the goal line and allowed the Watford player to cross for Henderson to score his 50th career goal.

Spurs, with a weakened team, earned the three points which lift them into 6th place in the Premiership and Berbatov, Keane, Lennon and Zokora had a well earned rest ahead of Monday evening's FA Cup 6th Round Replay against Chelsea.

The only disappointment was that once again Spurs were unable to keep a clean sheet in the League. It is now 20 games since Spurs managed a clean sheet, the scoreless draw at Watford in October being last time Spurs achieved it in a League match. That inability to prevent the opposition scoring is always an encouragement to the other team in that they know they can score and get back into the game even if they are two down.

Spurs Make Chelsea Go all the Way!

What a marvellous game - the neutral will have been enthralled by it and Chelsea supporters will be delighted that they have an opportunity of a replay at WhiteHart lane on Monday week, 19th March. For Spurs although they would have taken that result before the game kicked off, there must be a feeling of disappointment at an opportunity missed.

They played magnificiently in the first half and had Chelsea all over the place and thoroughly deserved their 3-1 half-time lead. Considering the composition of the team, without Robinson, Chimbonda, King, Keane and Jenas, Spurs took the game to Chelsea and scored three great goals. Lennon's through ball gave Berbatov the opportunity for the first, then after Chelsea had equalised, his cross was deflected into his own goal by Essien. To put the icing on the cake for an excellent first half, Ghaly ran through the centre of the Chelsea defence to score the third.

In the second half Spurs had opportunities to add to their goal tally but first Lennon had a shot blocked by Cech when clean through and from the rebound Defoe misheaded from a cross with the goalkeeper out of position. A despairing lunge by Cole put off Defoe, and he could have been penalised for dangerous play.

The departure of Dimitar Berbatov who had given Spurs so much control after 65 minutes with an injury, was the start of the game turning Chelsea's way. Mido couldn't pick up where Berbatov left off and found it difficult to get into the game in a positive way. It was a loose ball from him, in midfield, that led to Chelsea's second goal and this created the momentum for their final surge.

Leenon was replaced by Malbranque and Gardner replaced Ghaly, further surrendering the initiative and Chelsea took their chance. Gardner failed to jump with Drogba who headed the ball across for the equaliser. But even after that Spurs could have won, Defoe hitting the bar with a thunderous shot in the 89th minute.

All the players, led by captain, Michael Dawson, gave everything, total commitment with Zokora and Tainio doing excellent work in central midfield. It was only as tiredness came on following their heavy schedule over recent weeks that Chelsea began to show greater control.

An opportunity missed? Only time will tell but it doesn't matter to Chelsea and their experienced players whether the game is home or away and they will be looking to ensure they don't get caught out again. In situations like this you usually only get one chance and you need to take it.

Spurs may have missed theirs.

Team: Cerny; Stalteri, Dawson (Captain), Rocha, Lee: Ghaly, Zokora, Tainio, Lennon, Berbatov, Defoe. Subs: Burch, Huddlestone, Gardner, Malbranque, Mido.