Bolton Wanderers 1 Tottenham 4

Spurs' win over Bolton gave them their first away win of  2012, their first league success at the Reebok Stadium and two consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since January.  They retain fourth place ahead of Newcastle United on goal difference and are only one point behind Arsenal who are third with two games remaining.

Bolton Wanderers 1 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Scorers: Reo-Coker    Modric, Van der Vaart, Adebayor (2)

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas (Nelsen), Kaboul, Rose; Lennon (Saha), Sandro (Livermore), Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Adebayor  Subs: (unused) Cudicini, King, Giovani, Defoe 

The England manager's position having been settled after three months during which Tottenham's form slumped alarmingly, Spurs returned to better times with a hard-working display that showed some of their old confidence which has been so lacking for too long.  Having waited for a Tottenham player to step up and score a 'screamer' of a goal we end up with two in two games.  As if to show Kyle Walker that he wasn't the only one capable of a super strike, Luka Modric followed suit with a 'wonder' opening goal in the first half.  Receiving the ball direct from a corner by Rafael Van der Vaart, Modric controlled the ball and fired an unstoppable shot from twenty five yards.  After a Bolton revival and early second half strike Spurs rallied with three goals in nine minutes to secure the much needed win and the vital three points in their quest for next season's Champions League place.

The Tottenham team was unchanged from their easy victory over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.  Brad Friedel became the oldest player ever to play for Spurs in the League moving ahead of Jimmy Cantrell, a centre forward who played for them before and after the 1st World War.  Scott Parker was still absent through injury while Ledley King was again on the bench along with Jermain Defoe.

Both teams were in great need of the points but for different reasons - Bolton to lift them out of the bottom three while Spurs are aiming to get into the top three by the end of the season.  Spurs had an early corner at which Bolton deployed the Stoke City defensive tactics with Wheater dragging Younes Kaboul all over the penalty area.  Spurs were looking to the pace of Aaron Lennon to cause Bolton problems as both teams started brightly and looked to get forward quickly.  Spurs had an early scare when Danny Rose missed a tackle but recovered to clear the danger.  

Bolton worked hard to keep Spurs in their own half but after eleven minutes Gareth Bale had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper who again blocked Van der Vaart's follow up shot.  Almost immediately Emmanuel Adebayor was put through by Van der Vaart but he was unable to control the ball.  After fifteen minutes Friedel collected the ball under pressure from a Bolton free-kick but it was Spurs who had had 55% possession in the opening period.  Spurs continued to show positive intentions with good interplay between Lennon and Adebayor resulting in Lennon's shot going out for a corner.

Spurs were displaying the greater threat in attack and midway through the half a good run by Bale ended with a super cross but with three players up in support, no-one was able to reach it.  Bolton were fully committed and covered back quickly when they lost the ball making it difficult for Spurs to make forward progress even with 60% of possession in the opening twenty five minutes.

Bale was again the source of danger with a cross blocked and then Van der Vaart fired wide from a free-kick.  After a period of home pressure Friedel made a good save from Ngog who had the chance when a long cross from the left was played back to him and he turned quickly but Friedel had come out quickly and got a block on the shot.  Spurs then moved forward and when Adebayor's shot was blocked, Sandro who worked hard all evening, followed up and put Bolton under pressure with the ball being cleared for a corner.  Spurs had some good fortune in that the ball had struck Sandro on the hand as he went for it but perhaps it was pay back time in Spurs' favour this time as Spurs were to score from the corner which was awarded.

What a great strike it was from Modric after thirty six minutes who had positioned himself well outside the area to receive from Van der Vaart.  It was Spurs first away goal in four matches since Adebayor's penalty put them two up at the Emirates.  Spurs maintained their ascendancy with the corner count showing their five to none from Bolton with five minutes of the half remaining.  In those final minutes, however, Bolton felt they could have had a penalty for handball against William Gallas or holding by Kaboul.  An Eagles shot went wide and in the last minute of added time they squandered a glorious chance to draw level when the Spurs defence got into disarray from a free-kick and Boyata fired over an open goal.

The second half started with early Bolton pressure but Spurs still threatened when a pass from Van der Vaart to put Adebayor clear was cut out by a defender.  After six minutes the Bolton pressure paid off as Spurs defended poorly from a basic throw in as a flick on and back heel put Rio-Coker in to level the scores.  Bolton were on top for the first time in the match and the crowd who had given Fabrice Muamba a great reception when he appeared on the pitch before the match came to life to back their team.  Spurs frequently gave the ball away in their haste to clear and were hemmed in their own half.  After fifty five minutes Bolton won their first corner and with three quick corners the home team kept up the pressure and a shot from Eagles went just over the bar.

Spurs then turned the match in their favour with two goals in two minutes on the hour.  First a quick counter attack by Bale on the left and he pulled the ball back for Van der Vaart to score with a shot across the goalkeeper.  Two minutes later, Modric released Lennon and he selflessly put the ball across fro Adebayor to get the third.  The home side and their supporters were in shock but in response Ngog had a shot easily saved by Friedel and poor defending from another throw in almost caused Spurs a problem.

After 69 minutes good inter-passing by Modric and Bale enabled Adebayor to take the ball around the goalkeeper and score his second and Spurs' fourth.

Bolton tried to respond through Petrov who for the first time got away from Kyle Walker but Friedel blocked his powerful shot and Sandro got back to clear any further danger.  Adebayor was now causing more problems for Bolton as he tried to play in Lennon but the home side crowded him out.  He then blasted over following a break by Bale as he looked for his hat-trick.  In the final minutes Spurs almost added to Bolton's misery as Bale had two shots blocked for a corner and in the final action Walker's shot was also deflected off a defender and the goalkeeper for a corner.

Spurs won at a ground where they always find it difficult and managed to prevent the Bolton captain, Kevin Davies, from getting his customary goal or goals against them.  It was a vital win as Newcastle beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to keep apace with Spurs for fourth but both clubs are now only a point behind Arsenal whose goal difference advantage over Spurs has been reduced to one goal.

Spurs' performance was vastly improved from previous away games, they showed much more purpose and forward intent, they played with more confidence than they have for quite some time and showed a greater endeavour and fight against a team renowned for its combative qualities.  Now it's on to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon in the penultimate stage of the race for third, fourth or fifth.

COYS!!

Gareth Bale on the Right. Why?

Gareth Bale has been most effective for Tottenham when played on the left wing with the option to roam as the need arises.  On Saturday, he spent most of the match against Everton on the right side of midfield and it was only when he switched to the left side that Spurs started to pose a greater threat to the massed Everton defence.

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Tottenham, The Glory-Glory Game

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On Saturday evening at Goodison Park, Harry Redknapp decided to play Gareth Bale on the right side of midfield with Luka Modric moving out from central midfield on to the left.  This selection was made for three reasons, to enable him to make a tactical change to the starting line-up with Scott Parker and Sandro playing a holding role in central midfield which allowed him to include Jermain Defoe and to cover on the right for the absence of the injured Aaron Lennon.

On all three counts the decisions proved unsuccessful as Everton dominated midfield from the start and it was only after half-time that Spurs really came into the game as an attacking force.  Defoe offered little threat in that first half and rarely linked with his strike partner, Emmanuel Adebayor and with Bale and Modric both playing out of position, Spurs most creative players were restricted and Everton were handed the early initiative.  If the thought of having Modric on the left was that it would create space for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to overlap, then again that failed as in the first forty five minutes the left back rarely ventured forward as would normally be his custom.

Early in the first half, Bale had an opportunity of a break on the right but as he took on the defender at pace, the Everton player knew to force him wide and keep him on his weaker foot.  This he succeeded in doing and any danger was averted.  It was only late in the first half after Bale moved over to the left that Spurs started to play with some greater purpose and cohesion.  Again, in  the second half after Rafael Van der Vaart replaced Sandro, Bale moved wide on the left and his attacking threat and danger to the compact Everton defence became obvious. 

The absence of Lennon, due to a recurrence of his injury created a dilemma for Redknapp but his decision to move Bale to that position, weakened Spurs as an attacking threat on a number of counts.

• Gareth Bale is most effective on the left, ask Inter's Maicon,  whereas on the right, he prefers to cut in to use his more favoured left foot.
• Modric has less opportunity to be influential when he is removed from his normal central midfield role.
• Bale on the right prevented Kyle Walker from playing his normal attacking role.  Both players were wanting to get forward into the same attacking areas on the pitch and this wasn't possible.  Walker and Lennon have developed a good understanding of how to play together just as Vedran Corluka had done previously with Lennon, but Walker and Bale don't have that understanding.
• Bale and Assou-Ekotto, however, work very well together on the left, both defensively and as an attacking force but that was missing on Saturday especially in the first half.  Only after the interval did, Assou-Ekotto venture forward as Spurs became more dominant and attack minded.

Injuries and loss of form are creating some additional problems for the Tottenham management team.  Adebayor, apart from the Newcastle match, and Van der Vaart have  been less influential of late and even Modric and Parker haven't been such a presence in recent weeks.  Then the defence has been punished for individual errors, Ledley King hasn't been his usual effective self while injuries and players out on loan mean that there are few options available to re-organise.

Having suffered three successive League defeats for the first time since immediately before Harry Redknapp's appointment, the next ten days are crucial for Spurs to get themselves back on track. Progress to the FA Cup semi-final would not make up for a fourth successive League defeat or even four League games without a win so it is essential that Spurs achieve two wins in the next two games in order to prevent any self-doubts taking control.  Whatever, decisions Harry Redknapp makes concerning the team, it is essential that Bale's role keeps him predominantly on the left where he is most effective and feared by opposing defenders.

Spurs' Record against Liverpool at Anfield

Last season Spurs ended Kenny Dalglish's unbeaten home run since his return to Anfield as Liverpool manager and that remains his only home defeat.  Liverpool have shown recent improved form with last weekend's home victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup and holding City in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg match.  Their Premier League home record for this season shows seven draws and only four wins in eleven matches so Spurs will be looking to add to last year's success.

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Up until 1985 Tottenham's annual trip to Anfield was associated with the sinking of the Titanic as Spurs had not won there since before that sad event.  This year, 15th April, 2012 marks the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.  A month earlier, Spurs had achieved their last win at Anfield on 16th March, 1912.

16th March, 1912  1st Div.  Won 2 - 1  Newman, Mason
Ahead of this game Spurs had won only twice since defeating Woolwich Arsenal 5 - 0 at White Hart Lane on Christmas Day.  There record included five defeats and four draws from eleven League and Cup games.  Spurs goals at Anfield were scored by Ernie Newman and Tom Mason.  This was Mason's only goal for Tottenham and neither player had lengthy careers with Spurs but events over the next 73 years finds them with a place in the Tottenham's history books. Spurs had taken a fifth minute lead with a header from Mason.  Newman added a second before half-time and although Liverpool scored early in the second half they couldn't get a second.  This was Spurs second success in three visits to Anfield, having won by the same score the previous season.

Seventy three years later, on the same date, 16th March, Spurs brought their terrible record at Anfield to an end.  During that time they had played 43 matches in League and Cup competitions, achieving 15 draws and 28 defeats.

16th March, 1985  1st Div.  Won 1 - 0  Crooks
Tottenham were challenging near the top of the 1st Division title but had lost in midweek at home to Manchester United.  It was actually their away record which was keeping them in the title race and they were undefeated in their previous 10 away League games with six victories.  They had lost at Anfield in the 4th Round of the FA Cup but on this occasion a garth Crooks goal with twenty minutes remaining earned them the three points.  Spurs finished the season in third place, level on points with Liverpool.

Over the next 27 years Tottenham have won at Anfield on another five occasions in League and Cup:

Premier League Record at Anfield

P  19  W  2  D  5  L  12  For  17  Ag  38

Last Season

May, 2011  PL  Won 2 - 0  Van der Vaart, Modric (pen)
Liverpool and Spurs were both in contention for a place in the Europa League with two matches tpo play at the end of the season.  Ledley King made a surprise return to the Tottenham defence having been absent since October and helped keep a clean sheet for the first time in ten games.  Rafael van der Vaart gave Spurs an early lead and Luka Modric's second half penalty helped secure the victory and Liverpool's first home defeat since Kenny Dalglish's return as manager.  This was only Spurs second Premier League win at Anfield.

Jan. 2010  PL  Lost 0 - 2
Dirk Kuyt gave Liverpool an early lead but the determining moment in the game came just after half-time when the referee, Howard Webb, who else, disallowed a Jermain Defoe goal for offside, a controversial decision.  A last minute penalty secured victory for the home side.

Oct. 2007  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Keane (2)
Liverpool scored early but Robbie Keane equalised right on half-time.  He then put Spurs ahead two minutes into the second half and looked to have secured the win until a last minute goal snatched it away.

April, 2005  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Edman, Keane
Erik Edman was the scorer of one of the best goals by a Spurs player at Anfield.  His early strike from almost forty yards giving the goalkeeper no chance.  Spurs held the lead until just before half-time but regained the advantage after ten minutes of the second half through Robbie Keane.  Liverpool were level eight minutes later.

Nov. 1998  LC  Won 3 - 1  Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
This victory enabled Spurs to continue on their Road to Wembley and success in the Final of the Worthington Cup against Leicester City.

Mar. 1995  FAC  Won 2 - 1  Sheringham, Klinsmann
Everyone was beginning to think that this was going to be Tottenham's year for the FA Cup.  they had shown great determination to win at Anfield with Jurgen Klinsmann's late goal.  Liverpool had taken the lead late in the first half but Teddy Sheringham brought them level just before the interval.  A draw was looking the most likely result when with two minutes remaining Sheringham put Klinsmann through to score the winner.  Sadly, Everton ended Spurs' Wembley dreams in the semi-final.

Aug. 1993  PL  Won 2 - 1  Sheringham (2) (1 pen)

Oct. 1986  1st Div.  Won 1 - 0  Allen, C.

Ledley King made his debut for Spurs at Anfield in May, 1999, coming on as a substitute in a 2 - 3 defeat.  A Jamie Carragher own goal and a Steffan Iversen gave Spurs the lead at the interval but Liverpool came back in the second half with Jamie Redknapp scoring their first from the penalty spot.
King had come on at half-time in place of Stephen Clemence.

Mar. 1973  1st Div.  Draw 1 - 1  GilzeanOne of the most memorable performances by a Spurs player at Anfield was in a 1 -1 draw in 1973 when Pat Jennings saved two penalties to deny Liverpool.

Keegan had seen the first saved, Jennings diving to his right to palm away.  Smith put the next one to Jennings's left, with similar results.  There is a photograph of Jennings springing up from his second penalty save, punching the air with one hand.  The referee looks on, grinning wildly in sheer disbelief.  On the turf, down on his knees, is Smith, hammering the ground with both fists in impotent rage.

Alan Gilzean had scored the opener, but Keegan eventually put the ball past Jennings with, of course, a mishit, deflected shot.

Spurs who defeated Liverpool by four goals at White Hart Lane in September will hope to reduce the gap on second placed Manchester United to three points with a win at Anfield and secure a second consecutive win at the ground, something they haven't achieved since those two seasons immediately before the sinking of the Titanic.

Tottenham 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Spurs strengthened their hold on third place in the Premier League with a comfortable win over bottom side Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane.  They are now only five points behind the two Manchester clubs who are level on points at the top.

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Tottenham Hotspur 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Scorers: Bale (2), Modric               McArthur       

Team: Friedel; Walker (Sandro), Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar, Parker, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart (Livermore), Adebayor (Lancaster)  Subs: (unused) Cudicini, Dawson, Rose, Pienaar

Gareth Bale

Spurs returned to their winning ways with a comfortable win over Wigan Athletic in which Luka Modric and Gareth Bale took centre stage.  The only concern following this success was the injuries to Rafael Van der Vaart, Kyle Walker and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Brad Friedel, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gareth Bale returned to the team after last weekend's FA Cup win over Watford and Niko Kranjcar started his first League start since September in place of the injured Aaron Lennon.  Jermain Defoe was unavailable due to injury.  

Spurs started brightly with a series of corners as Wigan concentrated on their defensive duties in an effort to deny Spurs.  Younes Kaboul came close to an early goal with a header from the second corner on four minutes which the goalkeeper, Al Habsi, saved well.  Spurs dominated the possession and it was only in a rare foray forward that Wigan showed any attacking intent although Spurs were relieved on nineteen minutes when Gomez just failed to take the ball with him as he reached the edge of the penalty area.

Immediately after this Kranjcar had a curled shot which the goalkeeper saved easily and two minutes later Adebayor played the ball back to Kranjcar on the edge of the area but his shot was deflected wide.  From Van der Vaart's corner Kaboul's header was hacked off the line with the goalkeeper beaten.

Tottenham continued to probe patiently, looking for an opening and it came after 28 minutes.  Luka Modric played a cross field pass over the defence and Bale stole in behind to control the ball on his chest and score his eighth Premier League goal of the season.  It was a delighful goal with Modric and Bale combining so effectively.

Two minutes after the goal the first injury of the evening saw Van der Vaart depart with Jake Livermore as his replacement.  This allowed Bale greater freedom to roam around the pitch creating more difficulty for the Wigan defenders as they never knew where he was going to appear.  He had a shot saved after good pass from Kranjcar to the left.

Modric scored the second goal on 33 minutes when a cross from Assou-Ekotto who was given plenty of room to get forward but didn't always make the most of the opportunities, was cleared by a defender but hit his own team mate and fell invitingly for Modric who with his back to goal, turned and drove it into the bottom corner of the net.  

It was now all so comfortable for Spurs who really appeared as if they could score at will, if they so desired.  Wigan had handed the initiative to Spurs from the start and had few attacking ideas themselves.  Just before half-time, following a good passing movement, Livermore had a shot saved which brought the goal attempts for Spurs to thirteen compared to Wigan's two.

The second half commenced as the first had ended with Spurs in the ascendancy and an early run and cross by Bale which Adebayor headed over.  At times Spurs were a little too casual as when Kranjcar gave the ball away on the edge of the area but Wigan were unable to take advantage and shot over.

Gradually, Wigan started to get more possession and looked to get forward and it took good defensive work by Kaboul to clear a dangerous cross after 55 minutes.  Bale responded with  a long range shot which Al Habsi saved easily.

After 64 minutes, Spurs, lifted by the crowd, suddenly moved up a gear and Modric collecting the ball in midfield, shook off two defenders and played a lovely cross field pass to Assou-Ekotto on the left wing, he played it in to Bale who took on his defender and fired low across goal and into the bottom corner at the far post, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Into the final fifteen minutes and Spurs had to replace Walker and Adebayor due to injury with Sandro and Cameron Lancaster, who was making his first team debut, coming on.  Spurs became too casual and with ten minutes remaining Wigan pulled a goal back through substitute James McArthur and then they were almost caught out again when a cross sailed past the other Wigan substitute, Conor Sammon, needing only a touch for a second goal.

Spurs recovered their composure as Bale took on Wigan with a series of long, powerful runs and shots at goal which the Wigan defenders simply couldn't deal with.  From one such run the goalkeeper saved well and then Scott Parker fired wide.  Another run, after Lancaster dispossessed the defender on halfway, and Bale found the side netting.  In the final minute of added time, after another run, Bale put a ball across goal towards Lancaster, but like Defoe at Manchester City, his effort went into the side netting.

Tottenham were satisfied with their night's work - three points which brings them closer to Manchester City who lost at Everton and increases the gap to Chelsea in fourth by two points as they could only draw at Swansea through a last minute own goal.  Spurs still have their part to play in the title race but the matches in February - at Liverpool, against Newcastle at home, at the Emirates and at home to Manchester United - will be critical, as will be how they cope with the build up of injuries which has occurred in the past week.

• Gareth Bale has scored 9 Premier League goals and has 7 assists this season.
• Spurs completed 91% of their passes against Wigan.
• They had 20 attempts on goal (13 on target) compared to Wigan's 10.
• Tottenham's possession: 64%

Watford 0 Tottenham 1 FA Cup 4th Round

With a single goal from Rafael Van der Vaart, Tottenham became the first club to reach the 5th Round of the 2012 FA Cup and that's about the best that can be said for the match and Spurs' performance at Vicarage Road.

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FA Cup 4th Round

Watford 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Scorer: Van der Vaart

Team: Cudicini; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose; Van der Vaart, Livermore, Parker, Modric (Lennon); Defoe (Pienaar), Adebayor (Pavlyuchenko) Subs (unused): Friedel, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar

Spurs First to Reach FA Cup 5th Round (just!!)

Goalscorer: Rafael Van der Vaart

Tottenham became the first team to reach the FA Cup 5th Round as the match at Vicarage Road ended just ahead of the one at Goodison Park but in another sense they just managed to beat Championship side, Watford, thanks to a goal from Rafael Van der Vaart a few minutes before half-time.

The Spurs team contained six players who started last weekend's game against Manchester City showing that Harry Redknapp realises the importance of winning some silverware this season.  Carlo Cudicini, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Jake Livermore and Emmanuel Adebayor came into a team which contained eight full internationals.  With Spurs lacking pace and width it was much easier for the Championship side to contain them and Watford set out with purpose taking the game to their Premier League opponents.

Early enterprise from Watford saw Cudicini parry a shot which a defender cleared and then a dangerous cross to the near post was knocked wide with defenders nowhere and Cudicini relieved.  A long range effort passed wide for the home side with Tottenham offering little threat to the home defenders.  It wasn't until almost the half-hour mark that Spurs managed their first attempt on goal - a weak shot from Jermain Defoe.

While Watford were hard working, industrious and much quicker to every ball, Spurs' display was akin to their home performance against PAOK Salonika when defeat ultimately led to their elimination from the Europa League.  Their passing often fell short and was inaccurate, they were slow on the ball and were often caught in possession and they resorted to playing hopeful long balls forward which caused no problem to the Watford defence.

With such a lacklustre performance Spurs were fortunate to go ahead three minutes before half-time.  Watford had just created some confusion in the Tottenham penalty area which Spurs managed to scramble clear to Kyle Walker who broke at pace and passed the ball on to Van der Vaart having crossed the halfway line.  Van der Vaart for the first occasion found time and space in the Watford half and proceeded towards the goal with options of a pass both left and right but from thirty yards shot and as the ball bounced in front of Scott Loach, the goalkeeper's mistake ensured Spurs were ahead. 

Aaron Lennon replaced a very out of sorts, Luka Modric, at half time but Watford continued to press and could have levelled early in the half following some shambolic defending by Spurs.  It all started with a poor goalkick out by Cudicini putting the defence under pressure and as Dawson gave the ball away, it was only a finger tip save by the veteran goalkeeper that retrieved the situation as he touched Sean Murray's shot onto the post and the rebound was blazed over.

Spurs best attack of the evening saw a Rose cross met by Kyle Walker and pushed over by the goalkeeper. 

Watford always looked more likely to score as Spurs continued to concede possession with sloppy defending and only occasionally offered anything of an attacking threat although a Van der Vaart shot hit the bar after he combined well with Lennon and Defoe with just over an hour played.

Spurs failed to learn from earlier mistakes and nearly conceded after giving the ball away outside their own area.  Such were Spurs attacking limitations that it was only with about fifteen minutes remaining that I realised that Emmanuel Adebayor was still on the pitch as he chased a ball out after defending a corner, so anonymous had he been in the second half.

Cudicini saved for a corner from a high dropping cross and then Watford struck the outside of the post for a second time from the corner.  Watford who had lost their last three League games were giving Spurs a fright and brought on former Tottenham player Mark Yeates.


Cudicini again saved and then again as he blocked with his feet from a free-kick and a defender cleared.  With ten minutes remaining a fierce drive was blocked by Dawson who knew nothing about it as Watford continued to seek an equaliser and an opportunity of the replay their performance deserved. 

Spurs held out and maintained their unbeaten Cup record against Watford but it was the home side who deservedly received all the credit as their attempts on goal was over three times greater that Tottenham's and their performance was far superior than suggested by their position in the Championship.

Spurs progress with their first 1 - 0 FA Cup 4th Round success since defeating Leeds United in 1982. and they went on to win the Cup that year.  An omen, perhaps, but performances would need to show considerable improvement for any such dream to become reality.

Tottenham 1 Chelsea 1

Spurs remain in third place, two points above Chelsea, after their draw at White Hart Lane.  Tottenham started the better and took an early lead but a loss of concentration defensively gifted the visitors a goal which revitalised them and Spurs could never regain the control and momentum with which they had started the match.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Chelsea 1

Scorers: Adebayor                  Sturridge 

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, King, Assou-Ekotto; Van der Vaart (Pavlyuchenko),Sandro, Parker, Modric, Bale; Adebayor  Subs (unused): Gomes, Bassong, Kaboul, Livermore, Rose, Kranjcar

Harry Redknapp had Gareth Bale and Ledley King available to start but Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe were out through injury.  Younes Kaboul returned to the substitutes bench following his one match suspension.

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Tottenham started the brighter with a good pace and touch to their passing and movement while Chelsea sat deep trying to stifle Spurs' game.  Spurs had the early control and took the lead when a burst of pace from Bale on the left gave him the space to put in a dangerous cross which Emmanuel Adebayor met ahead of John Terry and Petr Cech to put Spurs ahead after 8 minutes.

Tottenham continued to play the better football but almost immediately had a warning of how dangerous Chelsea could be.  When Brad Friedel failed to hold a long range shot from Juan Mata, Daniel Sturridge's shot was deflected over an empty net.

After twenty three minutes Tottenham conceded a free-kick near halfway but were caught out when the visitors took it quickly.  That lack of concentration cost them dearly as Ashley Cole, having been given the benefit of a handball decision in the build up, put in a cross which Sturridge accepted to level the scores.  Assou-Ekotto was badly out of position, having failed to track back to mark Sturridge as the move developed and generally Spurs had been caught out by a lack of awareness of what was happening following the award of the free-kick and were slow to respond defensively to the situation with players querying the initial decision and then appealing for the handball offence.

The goal lifted Chelsea who could have gone ahead within five minutes when a Didier Drogba shot came off the post.  Tottenham had now lost their early control and impetus and were finding it difficult to make inroads through Chelsea's well organised defence.  Chelsea were preventing Spurs from playing out from the back as players were closed down quickly which prevented Spurs from picking the pass to set Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart and Modric free.

At half-time, Roman Pavlyuchenko replaced Van der Vaart who was injured but the Russian was unable to contribute anything to the game.  Through the second half Chelsea managed to keep control and on occasions looked dangerous but only in flashes were Spurs able to create a really threatening move.  From one Adebayor had the ball in the net but was ruled offside, another dubious decision from the officials.  Later Matu scored for Chelsea but was clearly offside and Cech saved well from a deflected shot from Sandro who had worked tirelessly both in defence and going forward in an effort to lift Spurs.

In the closing minutes Ramires was left unmarked at a free-kick but headed wide.  Tottenham put in a final drive to take the three points but Cech saved from Adebayor, Cole blocked a King shot and with almost the last kick of added time, Bale went on a run and fed the ball to Adebayor whose shot beat Cech but Terry sliding in at the back post prevented the shot from crossing the line.

For Tottenham it was disappointing to take only a point after the way they started the game but it was all they deserved - while Chelsea celebrated the point as if it was a win - changed days for the 'Blues' at White Hart Lane.

The injury to Lennon meant that Tottenham had to change their style of play from the system which has been so effective this season.  In the first half Van der Vaart had had little influence in the game while Modric and Bale were closed down quickly at every opportunity.  Sandro had a growing influence on the match with his tireless running and endeavour.  

Tottenham are beginning to encounter difficulties with injuries as Van der Vaart is to be out for a period at what is a very busy time in the football calendar.  With two away games at the promoted sides leading up to 2012, Spurs will be looking for good points at Norwich and Swansea in the week ahead to retain their hold on third place going into the new year.

Scott Parker on his time at Spurs

Scott Parker was a signing which not only caused disagreement between the manager and Chairman but one which did not find total approval among supporters.  However, since his arrival at the end of August Spurs have gone on an undefeated Premier League run which has lifted the club to third place and Parker is rightly receiving credit for his part in that transformation.

Scott Parker - leading by example

Harry Redknapp was adamant that he wanted to sign Scott Parker last summer but the season started with Parker turning out for West Ham in the Championship.  It was only as the transfer period drew to  close that the two clubs came to an arrangement and Spurs signed last season's Footballer of the Year for a fee of £5 million.  Many fans were not overly enthusiastic about the signing as Parker, now aged thirty one, had had previous opportunities to sign for the club but had always ended up elsewhere.  Many, like the Chairman, thought he was too old and that his best days were past him.  Parker, has however, proved all the doubters wrong with midfield performances that had Harry Redknapp recalling the 1960s when that Spurs legend, Dave Mackay reigned supreme at White Hart Lane.

Many new players arriving at Tottenham take a long time to settle but Parker managed to settle from day one as was shown in his debut against Wolves and has gone on to develop a very effective partnership with Luka Modric which has brought a control and strength to Tottenham's midfield.

Speaking after Saturday's win over Bolton, Parker acknowledged that he has settled quickly into his new club.

Parker who captained the side in the absence of the injured Ledley King said, "I needed to hit the floor running when I came here in the summer.  I needed to make a good impression and feel I have done that."

Since his arrival Spurs have enjoyed an unbeaten sequence in the Premier League, winning a record sixth consecutive Premier League game and equalling their best run, undefeated in eleven matches.  Parker, like Emmanuel Adebayor, have yet to experience defeat since arriving at White Hart Lane and Spurs are now third, only two points behind Manchester United with a match in hand.

Parker continued, "I don't think I've played in a team that plays better football than this one.  There are some very good players, not just in the team but in the squad.  There is a lot of pace and we have got a consistency to our game.  When you are up there you need to grind out results even when you are not playing well.  We have done that, especially last week at West Brom and before that at Fulham where we didn't play well but got three points."

"On our day we can beat anyone.  Confidence is the key."

Parker is a combative midfielder who enjoys a battle and reminds many older observers of a cross between Mackay and Alan Mullery.  He is a presence in the centre of the field, covering for other players, winning the ball and passing it on to Modric but also prepared to get forward himself.  He harries players, putting them under pressure and forcing mistakes as happened with Gary Cahill on Saturday.  He also inspires those around him to follow his example and work harder as has been witnessed by Adebayor's willingness to come back and fight for the ball, especially helping out in the away matches where Spurs have found themselves under pressure.

Scott Parker has proved a very important part of Harry Redknapp's plan for this Tottenham team and while he may not always lead the team out on to the field, his performances have been as of a captain.

Spurs 3 Bolton 0 - Spurs Up to Second

Tottenham with their sixth successive Premier League win move up to second place in the Premier League following a three goal victory over Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Bolton Wanderers 0

Scorers: Bale, Lennon, Defoe

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Van der Vaart), Parker (Livermore), Modric, Bale; Defoe, Adebayor.  Subs (unused): Cudicini, Bassong, Pienaar, Pavlyuchenko, Corluka

Tottenham Go Second (at least for a short time)

Tottenham had a convincing win over Bolton to record their sixth consecutive Premier League win, a record for the club.  The score could have been so much more as Spurs had 25 goal attempts with sixteen on target as Bolton had to play for over 70 minutes with ten men following the harsh sending off of Gary Cahill for a foul on Scott Parker who captained the Spurs side in  the absence of Ledley King. 

Harry Redknapp made two  changes from last week's team with Luka Modric returning in place of Sandro and  William Gallas starting his first Premier League game of the season as King had taken a knock in training.  Rafael Van der Vaart and Roman Pavlyuchenko returned to the substitutes bench following injury.

Spurs started brightly with quick passing and movement in an open game with Bolton looking to attack when the opportunity presented itself.  In the opening five minutes Bolton had a chance from a free kick but Cahill headed over.  Then on six minutes Spurs went ahead from a Modric corner with Gareth Bale flicking the ball in after meeting it at the near post.  Bale ran to the crowd and held up his red boot as a tribute to his Wales manager, Gary Speed who died last weekend.

Spurs 1 Bolton 0

From this point on, the match was a lengthy catalogue of  chances spurned by Tottenham with the occasional foray by Bolton. 

9 min: from a Bale cross, Jermain Defoe flicked it wide.

18 min: the crucial point which made Bolton's task even more difficult when Gary Cahill was sent off for a foul on Parker who had pinched the ball from him, just inside the Bolton half.  It was a harsh decision considering Parker was so far from the goal.

22 min: a Modric pass to Parker who shot over.

23 min: a cross from Aaron Lennon but Defoe had his shot saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

While Tottenham had all the possession and chances, it was so nearly level after twenty five minutes when Kyle Walker dived in on Chris Eagles on the right.  Eagles continued across the field and his shot was blocked by Younes Kaboul but it looped high in the air over Friedel who got back to tip it over for a corner.

28 min: Emmanuelk Adebayor had a shot saved.

32 min: Bolton gave the ball away to Bale who shot over from a good position.

33 min: Jaaskelainen saved from Bale, the ball fell to Lennon who passed to Defoe and his shot was saved as well.

36 min: Spurs broke and a lovely ball from Bale to Adebayor but he shot wide.

38 min: Defoe just failed to reach a dangerous cross from Modric.

39 min: Lennon broke quickly and crossed but Adebayor's shot was saved.  Tottenham had had 7 shots on target to this point

40 min: Eagles had a shot saved by Friedel

42 min: Lennon chased a through ball but the goalkeeper collected it just ahead of him. Friedel saved a Bolton free kick and then Parker shot over.

44 min: Mark Davies shot straight at Friedel.

45 min (+1): Bale broke on the left but his cross was missed by both Adebayor and Defoe.

In the second half the match proceeded in a similar vein with Spurs creating dangerous situations every couple of minutes.

47 min: Walker attacked on the right at pace.  He gave the ball to Lennon who crossed to Modric but his shot was blocked by Defoe.

49 min: Spurs again broke at pace following a Bolton corner.  Walker passed to Adebayor who moved it on to Defoe who found Lennon.  The winger came in from the left to score on his 200th start for Spurs.

Spurs 2 Bolton 0

55 min: A lovely ball from Modric found Benoit Assou-Ekotto moving into the box at pace.  He was brought down for a clear penalty but not awarded.

56 min: Corner by Modric to Bale to Walker who shot over.

60 min: A corner after Walker charged forward which Modric took.  Bale again met it at the near post and flicked it on for Defoe to score Spurs' third.

Spurs 3 Bolton 0

62 min: Modric again caused problems for Bolton and Parker shot over.

63 min: Adebayor just failed to intercept a poor back pass.

64 min: The goalkeeper tipped over a Modric shot.

65 min: Bale just missed the ball at the near post from another corner.

66 min: A pass from Modric to Parker who had his shot saved low to Jaaskelainen's right.

68 min: Long range shot from Bale was saved.

69 min: Bolton broke and Kaboul cleared for a corner.

71 min: Assou-Ekotto passed from the left to Modric who turned and shot wide with the goalkeeper beaten.

Van der Vaart came on to replace Lennon.

74 min: Kaboul headed over a Bolton free-kick to concede a corner.

76 min: Van der Vaart had space and found Defoe who took an extra touch and from wide on left he hit the post.

78 min: Van der Vaart gave the ball away and Bolton had a shot blocked.

81 min: From a corner and Bolton got a header which Modric cleared at the back post.  It was too easy for Spurs and some of their passing got casual giving the ball away.

84 min: Jake Livermore replaced Parker.

85 min: Stat for previous five minutes - Tottenham 100% possession.

Spurs were content to keep the ball while the crowd wanted another goal but it wasn't until injury time that another chance came when Adebayor passed to Defoe and his shot was saved with the follow up cleared off the line.  There was a final charge by Bale but the ball got caught between his feet and came to nothing.

Never have I seen a team create so many chances, at will, with the defending team at a complete loss as to what to do about it.  If Spurs had been move clinical in their finishing they could have matched their win over Wigan two seasons ago.  Spurs now move into second place ahead of Manchester United until at least 7.25pm, unless Aston Villa can produce a good result.

Not unexpectedly United won by a single goal so Spurs return to third, two points behind them but three points ahead of Chelsea and with that all important game in hand against Everton.  So, it's off to Stoke next Sunday to try and improve on our VERY impressive Premier League record:

W W W W D W W W W W W

Friedel, Parker and Adebayor Boost Spurs

Brad Friedel

On Saturday Spurs will look to set aside the disappointment of the second team’s Europa League defeat to PAOK Salonika and focus on the main objective for the season, the Premier League.  By five o’clock, Tottenham with a win over Bolton at White Hart Lane would be sitting in the giddy heights of second as Manchester United have a late kick-off against Aston Villa.  It would probably only be a short sojourn there but who in their right mind at the end of August could have seen Spurs with such an opportunity by the beginning of December, especially after the disastrous start they had to the season.

The August transfer deadline at the end of the month is often criticised as a distraction with three matches of the season already gone and on many occasions players signed in those late, late deals take considerable time to settle into their new team.

Tottenham’s summer transfer activities, however, provided a boost to the team that has seen them recover from the most difficult of starts and commentators and supporters are now asking the inevitable question, ‘Can Spurs actually win the Premier League?’  That such a question is doing the rounds is down to the impact of the three players, including two who joined in last minute deals, who signed last summer.

Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel at forty years of age continues to defy his age and uses all that experience to bring a calming presence and authority to the goalkeeping role which in turn brings order to the defence.  He got off to the worst possible starts, particularly for a goalkeeper, by conceding eight goals in his opening two games but he knew not to dwell on such setbacks and kept a clean sheet in the next two games.  His true value was seen in the hard earned victory over Fulham where Spurs spent the entire half defending but he produced outstanding saves when required and remained unflappable throughout, having the time to smile at some of the things that were going on around him.  He was equally unbothered last weekend when West Brom’s Gareth McAuley tried to nudge him over the line as he caught a high ball under the crossbar.  He’d had to deal with that sort of activity before and wasn’t phased by it.  It’s not often that signing a forty year old is seen as strengthening a team but in this case it has and if he keeps going to the end of his two year contract with the club he will overtake Jimmy Cantrell as the oldest player to appear in League football for Spurs.

Scott Parker
Scott Parker has brought a work ethic to central midfield that has been absent for some time.  He goes about his work, up and down the pitch, winning the ball, carrying it forward when necessary or simply passing it on to someone else.  This has been very effective and even in his debut it was evident that he was going to be an important part of the team, giving Luka Modric the freedom to express himself creatively, knowing that there was cover behind him.  Parker has been likened to Dave Mackay, quite an accolade to receive from your manager but he is probably more a combination of Mackay and Alan Mullery as he bustles around in midfield like a throwback to the1960s.  The ‘bargain of the season’ is a label that he has already been given and certainly he has justified Harry Redknapp’s determination to sign him even when the Chairman seemed reluctant.

Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor’s arrival on loan from Manchester City has provided the team with a focal point in attack and it has been used very effectively as Spurs undefeated run takes them up the Premier League table and into serious contention for a Champions League place.  Last Monday week, Adebayor’s two goals took Spurs up to third and the two against West Brom ensured that they retained that position.  If Adebayor had been clinical in his finishing in those two games, his goal tally could easily have reached double figures.  He had nine shots on target last Saturday against Albion, more than any other player in a Premier League match in the past five and a half seasons.  His contribution to the win at The Hawthorns didn’t just centre on those goals scoring opportunities as he worked very hard for the team, tracking back to win the ball on many occasions.  He was also the provider for Jermain Defoe’s goal with a deft back heel to release him into the Albion half and strike for goal. 

Unlike Friedel, Adebayor got off to the best possible start with a debut goal and then scoring twice in the home win over Liverpool which would ensure that he won over the Tottenham support. He then went six games without scoring but he contributed to the team’s success with ‘assists’ in a number of the matches.  He has played with a smile and certainly seems to be enjoying his time at Tottenham.  It was a bold move by the manager to take on a player of obvious talent but who in the past has had his temperamental side which would have made some managers wary, but Redknapp’s has previous for that sort of enterprising transfer.

Luka Modric
One further ‘non-transfer’ piece of business during the summer has also played it’s part in Spurs rejuvenation and it is Daniel Levy who must receive the plaudits for that.  His obstinate refusal to sell Luka Modric to Chelsea even in the face of constant media stories and doubts by his manager, has shown that Spurs are no longer a selling club and was an encouraging message for the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart who have been able to display their full range of skills knowing that they have the strongest possible team around them.  While Modric may not have performed at his best so far, his very presence at the club has been an encouragement to everyone.

It’s exciting times at White Hart Lane with every player wanting to be part of the successful team that even when someone is out injured, they appear to be recovering more quickly in order to reclaim their place in what has been the best start to a season in fifty years. 

Senior Players Let Harry Down

Last night's defeat to PAOK Salonika in the Europa League has almost certainly brought to an end Tottenham's European campaign for another year.  Harry Redknapp fielded his most experienced side so far in the group stages so what went wrong that they couldn't overcome a team reduced to ten men from late in the first half?

Throughout the Europa League Harry Redknapp has successfully rotated his squad to ensure that the first team players were well rested for the next weekend's Premier League fixture.  The teams comprised of a mixture of squad players and youngsters and for the most part they have acquitted themselves well.  The younger players have shown considerable ability and have worked hard throughout the campaign.  Most importantly from the manager's perspective, the first team has maintained their form in the League matches and Spurs have climbed to third place.

Having lost in Russia Spurs slipped from the top of the group to third and so needed a result against PAOK at White Hart Lane to maintain their interest in the competition.  A win or a draw would suffice but a defeat would make things very precarious for the final match in Dublin.  Harry Redknapp duly sent out an experienced team with numerous internationals and only three younger players - Jake Livermore, Harry Kane and Danny Rose.  He even added additional strength to the side with the inclusion of first team regulars, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe.  As backup he named Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker among the substitutes - to be called upon in case of an emergency if the game wasn't going as planned.  The rest of the team consisted of another four internationals - Heureulho Gomes, Vedran Corluka, Sebastien Bassong and Steven Pienaar.

Observers were surprised at the strength of the side selected for the game as it was much stronger than any other sent out in the Europa League so far with the exception of the first match in Scotland against Hearts.  So what went wrong that the first sign of the need to call on the backup was as early as the fifteenth minute when Bale and Walker were sent out to do a 'warm up'?

Excuses can be made that some of the players were returning from injury and were not match sharp but as experienced players they should have been able to produce a better performance than was seen last night.  Spurs were two goals down within thirteen minutes and both goals were the result of theor own casual, sloppy play.  Whereas in the previous matches the younger players had worked hard and kept good possession of the ball through careful passing and movement, last night Tottenham's passing was going astray from the opening minutes which gifted PAOK the ball.  The visitors were well organised and were set up to be patient and wait their opportunity to step in and take the ball away from a Spurs player and they were presented with many opportunities to do that.

After five minutes William Gallas ventured into the PAOK half and was caught in possession, PAOK broke quickly before Spurs could recover and a simple cross was delicately headed past a flat-footed Gomes.  The PAOK forward was totally unmarked in the centre of the penalty between two defenders.  A bad start, self-inflicted, but there was plenty of time to recover.  Tottenham, however, continued in their ponderous ways and when PAOK put a ball behind Vedran Corluka after thirteen minutes, he was so slow that there was no way he was going to prevent a cross going into the area and so Spurs were two down.

Misplaced passes, even simple ones, over hit or misdirected, continued as the order of the day from Spurs while PAOK waited and took every opportunity to pick up a loose ball or catch someone in possession.  It was half an hour before Spurs gathered some momentum and that was inspired by the crowd's encouragement.  In this period they were helped back into the game by the referee who awarded them a harsh penalty and sent off the defender.  Modric scored and surely that would ignite the recovery especially against ten men.  PAOK got through to the interval comfortably and then in the second half set out their stall to defend.

For the whole of the second half Tottenham huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the PAOK defensive wall down.  Spurs had all the possession and it was wave after wave of attack but no end product in either chances or goals.  Bale and Walker eventually were brought on but it was too late - the momentum was with the visitors and while they defended heroically, they weren't really in very much danger of conceding a goal.  They stopped Spurs in front of the penalty area and if Tottenham did manage to break through that barrier there was usually so many men around them that it came to nothing.

Vedran Corluka expressed the view during the week that as he wasn't playing regular football he would have to consider leaving in January to protect his international place with the Euros coming up in the summer.  From last night's performance it was clear why Kyle Walker has replaced him in the team.  He has never been the quickest of foot but last night he was slow and ponderous in every aspect of his game and his passing was poor.  The purpose of including the squad players in these games is to enable them to show the manager that they deserve an opportunity in the Premier League team.  Last night Redknapp had it confirmed that he had made the right choice in selecting Walker.

William Gallas was at fault for the first goal and his partnership in central defence with Sebastien Bassong was non-existent.  They looked as if they'd never met before, never mind played together.  Bassong has been low on confidence for the past eighteen months and again last night his defending was lacking.  The weakness of last night's pairing in central defence once again proves the point that Tottenham's best central defensive partnership is Ledley King and one other, Dawson, Kaboul, Gallas or Bassong, such is the importance of King to Spurs.

Steven Pienaar who is also recovering from injury was also well short of the required standard - his passing was poor and he was regularly caught in possession with no idea of what he was going to do with the ball.  He has had a difficult time with injuries since joining Spurs last January and has played very few matches.  He worked so hard and effectively for Everton but it will be some time before he is pushing for inclusion in the first team going on last night's performance.

In some ways the sending off made it more difficult for Spurs as PAOK decided at half-time to defend and hold what they had.  They did this very successfully but Spurs had enough experience in the team and should have been able to turn the game around.  Spurs lost because of casual play and poor defending in the first half which gave the visitors the encouragement they needed to get a positive result and the mistakes, as in Russia, came from experienced players.  A team can only perform in  all competitions if the squad players do their part.  Harry Redknapp has never been overly enthusiastic about the Europa League or Cup competitions but on this occasion he was let down very badly by the more experienced squad players.

Tottenham 1 PAOK Salonika 2

Spurs' future in the Europa League is no longer in their hands.  Defeat at home to PAOK sees the Greek side qualified for the knock-out stages while Spurs must have a convincing win over Shamrock Rovers and rely on PAOK defeating Rubin Kazin.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 PAOK Salonika 2

Scorers: Modric (p)            Salpingidis, Athanasiadis

Team: Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Bassong, Rose (Bale); Lennon, Livermore, Modric, Pienaar (Walker); Kane (Falque), Defoe.  Subs (unused): Cudicini, Fredericks, Townsend, Carroll.

Luka Modric - penalty

Tottenham fielded their strongest team yet for a Europa League group game with Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Jermain Defoe starting.  Danny Rose and Harry Kane were the only younger players selected with experienced squad players and those recovering from injury making the starting line-up - William Gallas, Sebastien Bassong, Vedran Corluka, Stephen Pienaar and Heurelho Gomes.

From the outset Spurs had the majority of possession but PAOK denied them time and were quick to step in and pick up a loose or misdirected pass.  Spurs were casual in their approach and paid for it after five minutes.  Gallas meandered into the visitors half and was caught in possession which gave PAOK the opportunity to break quickly on the left, from where a nice cross into the penalty area found Salpingidis unmarked and he carefully headed the ball past Gomes.

Tottenham didn't learn from their mistake and found it difficult to make progress into the visitors penalty area as they defended with patience and considerable ability.  On thirteen minutes they broke up a ponderous Spurs attack and with a lovely pass to the left found Corluka lacking in pace and a low cross was hit home by Athanasiadis.  The Tottenham defence was again caught flat footed with Gallas and Bassong looking as if they'd never played together.

PAOK contuinued with their patient defensive work and swift counter attacks which nearly brought further reward while Spurs had a lot of possession without ever threatening on goal.  Much of their passing was slow and frequently fell down through inaccuracy.  On the half hour Spurs gained some momentum, urged on by the crowd.  Harry Kane shot wide and Defoe had a shot saved by the goalkeeper.  Then from the corner Corluka's shot was blocked and fell to Kane whose shot was blocked on the line.  The referee awarded a penalty for handball and sent off the defender.  Modric sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score and brought Spurs back into the match.

PAOK survived to the interval without much bother and then in the second half set out to defend and deny Spurs which they did heroically.  The whole of the second period saw Spurs attack and the visitors defend with nine men back.  Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker were introduced to add pace but no matter how hard they tried they couldn't break down the stubborn PAOK defence.  The nearest they came to a goal was when Defoe scored but amid confusion, it was disallowed for a foul on the defender who had been lying on the goal line for almost a minute.  In the lead up, Iago Falque had a shot blocked but Defoe had fouled the defender in trying to reach the loose ball.  However, play continued and when the ball came to Defoe he put it in the net.  No-one was sure what decision the referee had given but he had actually made the correct decision even if he'd come to it by an uncertain route.

For all their possession against ten men, Spurs couldn't create any real scoring chances and PAOK worked tirelessly to deny them.  During five minutes of added time the best Spurs could offer was a Bale free-kick which was saved easily by the goalkeeper and then PAOK celebrated as if they'd qualified for the knock-out stages, which, of course, they had.  For Spurs, they must rely on a PAOK home win against Rubin Kazan who are three points ahead of them.  Spurs will then need to win by five goals against Shamrock Rovers to have a better goal difference that the Russians.

The greatest disappointment about this defeat was that the most experienced team that Harry Redknapp has fielded in the group stage has given the poorest performance.  In the other matches, the younger players battled in difficult circumstances and showed a great determination throughout.  The experienced squad players were very ponderous and showed a lack of match sharpness - the passing was poor, there was little urgency to the game and they paid dearly for their early mistakes.  It looks as if Spurs will now be able to concentrate on the Premier League as their continued presence in the Europa League is looking distinctly unlikely.

Only a good result over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday will take away the disappointment of this match.

Tottenham's Record at West Brom

Spurs' games against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns have proved difficult for them in the past.  Spurs look to extend their undefeated Premier League run which has stretched to nine games while Albion are in mid-table in tenth place.

West Bromwich Albion had a difficult start to the season with opening matches against Manchester United and at Chelsea.  They lost both in close games and then lost at home to Stoke.  Their first win came in mid-September at Norwich before losing by three goals at Swansea.  They then drew with Fulham and at Sunderland before defeating their Midlands neighbours, Wolverhampton Wanderers at home and Aston Villa at Villa Park.  A home defeat to Liverpool was followed by a loss at Arsenal.  Last weekend they defeated Bolton (2 - 1) at the Hawthorns. 

Shane Long is their leading scorer with 4 goals, while Peter Odemwingie has two.  They have scored only five goals in six home games, conceding six from two wins over Wolves and Bolton and a draw against Fulham.  Their home defeats have been against Manchester United, Stoke and Liverpool.  Every home game has been close with only Liverpool managing to gain a two goal advantage.  This is in line with Roy Hodgson's style of management.  He presents his team in a way which makes them difficult to beat - hard-working and well organised, while able to break quickly and use set-pieces to their advantage.

During the summer West Bromwich strengthened their squad by signing a number of players at a minimum of expense.  Irish forward Shane Long came from Reading for an undisclosed fee.  Hungarian and former Tottenham reserve goalkeeper  Marton Fulop and Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley were signed on free transfers from Ipswich Town.  Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera was a free transfer from Fulham and goalkeeper Ben Foster came on loan from Birmingham City.  Midfielder Billy Jones was a free transfer from Preston.  Albion have an experienced line-up but can call upon talented younger players, especially in central defence with Craig Dawson who has been very impressive with the England Under-21 side this year.

Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion have only met on five occasions at the Hawthorns in the Premier League due to Albion's tendency to win promotion and then get relegated the following season.  They avoided the drop last year after Roy Hodgson's arrival last February led to a revival which lifted them to an eleventh place finish, their highest for almost thirty years.

Tottenham's Away Premier League Record against West Brom:

P  5  W  1  D  2  L  2  For  5  Ag  8

League Record at The Hawthorns (inc. PL) 

P   58  W  14  D  10  L  34  For  73  Ag  122

As can be seen from the above statistics, The Hawthorns has never been a happy hunting ground for Spurs, something they will want to rectify on Saturday.  Their last win at The Hawthorns was in the first Premier League game to be played there between the two sides in season 2002 - 03.  Tottenham won 3 - 2 with Robbie Keane scoring twice and Teddy Sheringham getting one as Spurs completed the 'double' over their Midlands rivals.  Albion were relegated at the end of that season, having been absent from top flight football for sixteen years. 

Premier League Results at The Hawthorns

Apr. 2003  P  Won 3 - 2  Keane (2), Sheringham

Twice Albion who were already relegated took the lead but first Robbie Keane equalised on the stroke of half-time and then Teddy Sheringham scored two minutes after West Brom had regained the lead.  Keane's second goal came with five minutes left.  Sheringham's strike was his last goal for the club.

Aug. 2004  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Defoe

Gera gave Albion the lead after three minutes but Jermain Defoe levelled after 34 minutes.  Both clubs maintained their undefeated start to the new season.

Dec. 2005  PL  Lost  0 - 2

More festive disappointment for Tottenham's travelling fans as tow goals, one in each half, from Kanu saw them suffer their first defeat in seven games. 

Dec. 2008  PL  Lost 0 - 2

Tottenham had Benoit Assou-Ekotto sent off ten minutes before half-time but held out until late in the game before conceding two goals in the final seven minutes.

Sept. 2010  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Modric

Luka Modric gave Spurs an early lead but went off injured a few minutes later.  Chris Brunt equalised just before half-time and in the second half Spurs had goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to thank for keeping them in the game.

In this period there was also an FA Cup 4th Round tie in January, 2005 which ended 1 - 1, Defoe scoring for Spurs who won the replay 3 - 1 with Defoe scoring twice.  Defoe has scored five goals for Tottenham against WBA in League and Cup matches.

Such is the intensity of competition at the top of the Premier League that no team can afford any slip-ups so having risen to third place Spurs need another win to be guaranteed of retaining that position.  West Bromwich will be difficult opponents - they made it hard for Manchester United earlier in the season and will be equally determined to put in a good performance against Spurs.  Tottenham will be looking to continue the impressive form of recent weeks and make the most of the chances they create so that Albion aren't given any encouragement or opportunity to deprive them of the points they require to continue their march towards the summit of the Premier League table.