Spurs Home Record Against Swansea

Tottenham meet Swansea in the League at White Hart Lane for the first time since season 1982-83.  It will be the first Premier League meeting and only the third game played in the top flight of English football.  They have met on thirteen previous occasions in the League with eleven of the matches being in the old 2nd Division.

Swansea have never won in the League at White Hart Lane - Spurs have won their last ten home matches against Swansea and will be hoping to maintain that record as they endeavour to hunt down Arsenal and a third place finish to the season.  Swansea were difficult opponents on New Year's Eve at the Liberty Stadium and will again be looking to upset Spurs in their first season in the Premier League which sees them in tenth position with 39 points.

Added interest to the game is the media speculation that the Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers, may be a candidate for the position at White Hart Lane, should Harry Redknapp accept an offer to manage England.  My view on such an appointment is that while Rodgers has had an excellent season with Swansea, I'd prefer to see how he copes next season when opponents have a better understanding of how his team will play.

Home League Record against Swansea 

P  13  W  11  D  2  L  0  For  42  Ag  10  

Last Home League Match against Swansea 

Feb. 1983  1st Div.  Won  1 - 0  Crooks

Swansea were relegated after only two seasons in the 1st Division while Spurs were to finish fourth behind Liverpool, Watford and Manchester United.  Having lost in Swansea earlier in the season Spurs were grateful to the Garth Crooks goal which gave them the three points, heading in from a cross by Terry Gibson.

Previous League Matches at White Hart Lane

May, 1982  1st Div.  Won 2 - 1  Brooke (2) (1 pen)

In their first season in the 1st Division Swansea, after winning promotion in three successive seasons, had a very credible year, finishing in 6th position.  Spurs were fourth behind Liverpool, Ipswich and Manchester United with Arsenal fifth.  Spurs had lost at Swansea in late September but two Garry Brooke goals won them the points at White Hart Lane.  

Dec. 1949  2nd Div.  Won 3 - 1  Bennett, Duquemin (2)

Spurs won promotion as Arthur Rowe's 'Push and Run' side with Bill Nicholson, Ron Burgess, Eddie Baily and Alf Ramsey started out on their way to two successive championships.  Spurs fans were hard to please even in those days as they felt the team had an 'off-day'.  Spurs hit the woodwork twice and had two near misses before Len Duquemin headed them into the lead after fifteen minutes.  Swansea drew level after an hour but two rather fortunate goals, resulting from goalkeeping errors, scored by Les Bennett and Duquemin gave them the win.

Jan. 1947  2nd Div. Won 3 - 1  Bennett, Dix, Whitchurch

Swansea were relegated at the end of the season.  Charlie Whitchurch was a winger who made eight League appearances for Spurs, scoring twice and his goal against Swansea was the second of these.  He played in the next match which was to be his last for Spurs, being released at the end of the season.

Three Memorable Wins

Nov. 1931  2nd Div.  Won 6 - 2  Davies (2), Hunt, O'Callaghan, W.Evans (2)

Spurs and Swansea first met in season 1928-29 and on two of their first three visits to White Hart Lane, Swansea earned a point.  That changed, however, in 1931-32, when they suffered a heavy defeat to a Spurs side which scored 87 League goals that year.  It was a memorable day for Willie Evans who made his debut at outside-left (left wing), scoring twice.  George Hunt, 'Taffy' O'Callaghan and Willie Davis (2) scored the other goals.  It could have been worse for Swansea, Port Vale were the next visitors and they lost 9 - 3.

Dec. 1932  2nd Div.  Won 7 - 0  O'Callaghan, Hunt (2), Greenfield (2), W. Evans (2) (1 pen)

Swansea's next visit was even worse as Spurs headed towards promotion, finishing second behind Stoke City. George Greenfield who scored twice was a young player but having become established in the team, he broke his leg in the next match against Fulham and never fully recovered.  Willie Davies scored 28 goals in the League, eleven from the penalty spot.

Nov. 1935  2nd Div.  Won 7 - 2  Fulwood (pen), Morrison (2), G.W.Hall (3), W.Evans

Swansea were not finding White Hart lane a welcoming ground with their third successive heavy defeat.  Although the personnel had changed from the earlier matches, Spurs remained dominant and were 3 - 1 ahead at the interval.  Willie Davies who had scored twice for Spurs in 1931 was now with Swansea and played on their right wing.  This wasn't Spurs biggest home win of the season as they defeated Southampton 8 - 0 the following March.

Spurs will be looking for a win tomorrow to draw level on points with Arsenal but a win similar to the 1930s results would be very acceptable and enable them to reclaim third on goal difference.  Here's hoping.

Spurs Home Record against Stoke City

After three consecutive defeats in the Premier League Tottenham are looking to get their season back on track by retaining third and the Champions League place it assures.  Having shown recent defensive frailties, the team Spurs would least like to face in such circumstances is Stoke City.  That, however, is exactly what the football fixture computer has decreed for the men from White Hart Lane.

Stoke City are always a difficult side to play with their high energy and forceful style, both defensively and offensively.  Their use of long, high ball tactics are always a source of worry for Spurs and in the first half of the match at the Brittania Stadium in December it was such play that caused Spurs to be two goals down at the interval.  Spurs recent defensive errors and poor marking at set-pieces will be an encouragement to Stoke who prosper at all set-pieces, including throw-ins near the penalty area, with their tall defenders making life very difficult for the defending team.  Former Spurs players, Peter Crouch and Matthew Etherington, will again be looking to do well against Tottenham.

Spurs' greatest motivation for a win, however, will be the way in which they were denied the opportunity to make a fighting comeback after the interval at Stoke and so lost their long unbeaten run as numerous questionable refereeing decisions went against them.

Last Meeting at White Hart Lane:

Apr. 2011  PL  Won 3 - 2  Crouch (2), Modric
Peter Crouch scored twice as Spurs won their first League game since mid-February.  All five goals were scored in the first half with Spurs two ahead through Crouch and Luka Modric within eighteen minutes.  Etherington then ran from the half-way line to pull one back for Stoke after twenty seven minutes.  Crouch scored his second eight minutes later, only for Stoke to score again, four minutes before the interval.  Relief for Spurs to have the win but it didn't mark the start of an exciting end to the season as Spurs struggled to beat teams in the lower regions of the League.

Home League Record against Stoke:

P  36  W  28  D  6  L  2  For  80  Ag  30

Premier League Record against Stoke at White Hart Lane

P  3  W  2  D  0  L  1  For  6  Ag  4

As can be seen, White Hart Lane is not Stoke favourite ground, with only three wins in thirty nine previous visits.  

Previous Games in PL:

Oct. 2009  PL  Lost 0 - 1

Stoke defended in depth with their reserve goalkeeper, Simonsen, who was only drafted in at the last moment, having a match to remember.  Spurs had many opportunities to score but as time wore on they ran out of attacking ideas and with four minutes left Stoke snatched the win. The only other home defeat was in February, 1975 when Stoke won 2 - 0.

Jan. 2009  PL  Won 3 - 1  Lennon, Defoe, Dawson

In their first League game at White Hart Lane since October, 1984, Stoke were three down after twenty five minutes.  Spurs dominated the first half with Aaron Lennon scoring after eight minutes. Jermain Defoe added a second after twenty one and Michael Dawson scored the third four minutes later.  In the second half with over half an hour remaining Stoke pulled one back.  Carlo Cudicini made his Premier League debut for Spurs.

Previous Meetings:

Oct. 1984  1st Div.  Won 4 - 0  Roberts (pen), Chiedozie, Allen, C. (2)

It was Peter Shreeves' first season as manager.  Glenn Hoddle and Clive Allen returned to the Spurs team against bottom club Stoke.  Within six minutes they had combined with Allen putting Spurs ahead.  A few minutes later John Chiedozie scored after a good run and shot.  Stoke were reduced to ten men before the interval and in the second half, Allen scored his second with Graham Roberts scoring a late penalty after a foul on Mark Falco.  The four goals brought Spurs total of League goals at White Hart Lane to 19, from five matches, more than any other team in the four divisions of the Football League.  This is Spurs largest home win over Stoke.

Mar. 1984  1st Div.  Won 1 - 0  Falco (pen)

Spurs were without Hoddle and Steve Archibald but did all the early attacking.  Late in the first half they had their reward when Falco scored with a penalty awarded for a handball offence.

May, 1983  1st Div.  Won 4 - 1  Brazil, Archibald (3)

Oct. 1980  1st Div.  Won 3 - 2  Hughton, Archibald, Taylor (pen)

Mar. 1978  2nd Div.  Won 3 - 1  McAllister, Lee (2)

Oct. 1972  1st Div.  Won 4 - 3  Pratt (2), Gilzean, Coates

Tottenham v Chelsea Preview

Tottenham and Chelsea meet at White Hart Lane in their private battle for third place in the Premier League.  Tottenham regained their hold on third with a single goal win over Sunderland while Chelsea dropped two points at Wigan last weekend.

Thursday evening's match is crucial for both Tottenham and Chelsea in their endeavours to close the gap on the two Manchester clubs who head the Premier League table.  Defeat for either club would be a big blow at the start of the busy holiday period and both clubs will be hoping that injury doubts can be overcome so that they can field their strongest teams for such a vital game.  Chelsea have had a disappointing start to the season compared with previous years - and have lacked their normal consistency both as a team and as individuals.

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They dropped two points on Saturday, the Wigan goal coming from a mistake by their usually reliable goalkeeper,  Petr Cech.  The previous Monday evening, however, Chelsea inflicted the first League defeat of the season on Manchester City, coming back from conceding an early goal to win through a first half equaliser from Raul Meireles and a late Frank Lampard penalty.

New manager, Andre Villas-Boas, has taken time to find his best team and has ruffled a few feathers among the established Chelsea players heirarchy by omitting some of them from the team on occasions - Lampard, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Alex and Nicolas Anelka.  With the results not always going as Chelsea would have wanted, including two home defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal, Villas-Boas has been under considerable pressure early in his Stamford Bridge managerial career.

Chelsea's draw on Saturday was only their second this season, having drawn at Stoke on the opening day of the season.  Their away record also includes four wins at Newcastle (3 - 0), Wolves (3 - 0), Blackburn (1 - 0) and Bolton (5 - 1).  They suffered defeat at Manchester United (1 - 3) in September and at QPR (0 - 1).  The loss at Loftus Road was eventful for a variety of reasons, including the dismissal of Jose Bosingwa and Drogba before half-time and allegations that John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand, a matter for which he has been charged by the police and is to appear in court at the beginning of February.

Their win at St. James' Park also caught media attention over the referee's failure to send off David Luiz in the fourth minute when his foul prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity.  Drogba scored before half-time and two late goals rather flattered them.

Their leading goalscorer is Daniel Sturridge with nine, eight in the League.  He has impressed since returning from last season's loan spell with Bolton Wanderers.  While Lampard has not always been in their starting team, he has still accumulated 8 goals (7 in the League) but Drogba has only managed two in the Premier League.  Ramieres and Mata have three each and John Terry has scored four.  Terry appears to have overcome his injury scare in training on Monday and will be fit to play.

Tottenham have their own injury worries ahead of the game with Aaron Lennon definitely missing while doubts surround Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe who both missed Sunday's win over Sunderland.  The usual late decision will determine whether Ledley King will be able to play his second game inside four days.

Tottenham's Recent Home League Record against Chelsea
It is well documented that Spurs' record against Chelsea in the Premier League era is poor, so I don't intend to dwell on that and will focus on the recent years since November, 2006 which has seen Tottenham overcome their Chelsea hoodoo at the Lane.

Nov. 2006  PL  Won 2 - 1  Dawson, Lennon
Chelsea took the lead after fifteen minutes but Michael Dawson equalised from a free-kick ten minutes later.  Seven minutes into the second half, Aaron Lennon put Spurs ahead after good work on the left by Robbie Keane.  John Terry was sent off with eighteen minutes remaining and Spurs held out for their first victory over Chelsea in nineteen years.


Mar. 2008  PL  Draw 4 - 4  Woodgate, Berbatov, Huddlestone, Keane
Chelsea were ahead after three minutes through Drogba but Jonathan Woodgate equalised after twelve.  Essien restored the visitors' lead after twenty minutes and Joe Cole increased it early in the second half.  Ten minutes later Dimitar Berbatov reduced the lead and Tom Huddlestone equalised with thirteen minutes left.  Cole added his second, three minutes later to restore Chelsea's advantage, only for Robbie Keane to score with two minutes left with a beautiful curled shot.  With the match in added time, Berbatov missed an opportunity to snatch victory for Spurs.  

Mar. 2009  PL  Won 1 - 0  Modric
A well struck shot from Luka Modric, set up by Aaron Lennon, early in the second half gave Spurs the three points.  It was a great team effort with Heurelho Gomes making a number of crucial saves as the game drew to a close.


Apr. 2010  PL  Won 2 - 1  Defoe (pen), Bale
A week earlier Spurs had lost top Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi-final but had beaten Arsenal at the Lane three days later as their renewed drive for Champions League football got underway.  Spurs had the perfect start with a Defoe penalty after fifteen minutes.  They doubled their lead a minute from the interval through Gareth Bale who left his defender trailing before scoring past Cech.  Chelsea's goal came in the final minute from Frank Lampard. 

Dec. 2010  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Pavlyuchenko 
Michael Dawson returned for last season's game, having been absent since September with injury.  Roman Pavlyuchenko put Spurs ahead after fifteen minutes from a Jermain Defoe cross.  Tottenham held the early ascendancy but in the second half the introduction of Didier Drogba gave the visitors some inspiration and he equalised with twenty minutes remaining, when Dawson slipped as he challenged and Gomes allowed a fierce drive which was straight at him, go into the net.  Spurs avoided defeat in the final minute when Gomes redeemed himself by saving a Drogba penalty which he had conceded.

Previous Success Against Chelsea
Feb. 1990  1st Div.  (a)  Won 2 - 0  Howells, Lineker

Aug. 1987  1st Div.  (h)  Won 1 - 0  Claesen  

Tottenham, with two away games over Christmas, will want to take all three points to aid their own progress while denting those of one of their nearest rivals.  To have any chance of getting close enough to United and City to put in a challenge for the title, they need to win their home games and maintain their impressive record in London derbies.  Fitness worries will be a concern but they have adapted well so far to meet different problems so hopefully they will be prepared for the battle that will be required to overcome a Chelsea side who have extensive experience of coping with such important games.