Liverpool 0 Tottenham 0

Spurs, without their manager and a number of first choice players took a hard-earned point from Liverpool at Anfield and having defended for much of the  game could have won it late on with the best chance of the match.

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Liverpool 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Team: Friedel; Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar (Rose), Livermore, Parker, Modric, Bale; Adebayor (Saha). Subs (unused): Cudicini, Nelsen, Khumalo, Fredericks, Luongo, Lancaster

Brad Friedel

Spurs were satisified with a point at Anfield considering the injuries to crucial players which greatly weakened the team.  Without manager, Harry Redknapp, stranded in London due to fog causing the postponement of his flight to Liverpool, Spurs had also lost Younes Kaboul, Rafael Van der Vaart, Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Sandro to injury.  The players who came in as replacements gave their all as the whole team battled to take a deserved point, led by Scott Parker who was everywhere especially during the last fifteen minutes when Liverpool increased the tempo and their efforts to snatch the win. 

In the first half Spurs comfortably repelled Liverpool's attacking threat which mostly involved hoisting high balls towards Andy Carroll.  Michael Dawson stood up well to this test and it was Spurs who had the first shot on target after thirty minutes - a Niko Kranjcar effort which the goalkeeper saved at the second attempt.  

The final fifteen minutes of the half brought a number of attempts on goal without causing either goalkeeper any great difficulty.  A couple of minutes later Liverpool caused their first major threat when a shot from Spearing curled wide with the former Liverpool goalkeeper, Brad Friedel at full stretch.  

As the commentator said, to this point, 'Spurs were coping impressively' and then Friedel had to scramble across his goal to deal with a cross from Johnson.  At the other end, a good run by Emmanuel Adebayor released Kyle Walker on the right and his cross was flicked towards goal by Gareth Bale.  After a long series of passes, Spurs again found Walker whose run and shot was blocked for a corner and in the last action of the half Friedel saved well from Johnson.

In the first half Spurs had been content to sit back and deny Liverpool but after the interval they came under increasing pressure and were finding it difficult to make any forward progress, with Adebayor isolated, and as they looked to threaten Bale was booked for diving.  This seemed to spark Bale and Adebayor into action as Spurs looked more purposeful for a few moments but then Liverpool regained the ascendancy with Friedel being called into action.

With an hour gone, Friedel made a good save, for a corner, from a shot by Kelly and then Agger headed wide from a corner.  Carroll had a header from a corner saved by Friedel.  

Liverpool brought on Luis Suarez with twenty five minutes to play and his introduction lifted the crowd and he was immediately in the action dispossessing Benoit Assou-Ekotto and heading towards goal.  He was then booked for kicking Parker in the stomach, having been on the pitch for only five minutes.

With twenty minutes to go Louis Saha made his Spurs debut replacing Adebayor and he played a good ball to Bale whose shot went wide.  Carroll had a shot over from a cross from the right.  Friedel again bravely punched clear from a dangerous free-kick and earned a free-kick for dangerous play.  

As Liverpool increased their efforts, with six minutes to play, the best chance of the evening fell to Spurs when Bale was put through by a lovely pass from Kranjcar.  Bale had got behind the home defence for the only time in the night to be one on one against Reina but the goalkeeper got a foot to block the shot and the ball was cleared. 

Spurs withstood Liverpool's final efforts to score with Scott Parker putting himself on the line time and time again - to block shots, put in a tackle or get the ball cleared.  As is often said in these circumstances, that was a game Spurs would have lost in the past but it's also a game other 'top' teams would have won, given that late goal scoring opportunity.

Overall, it was a well won point by Spurs, taking into account all the circumstances, and it keeps them just behind United and City but ahead of the chasing pack.  Brad Friedel, Michael Dawson, Scott Parker, Niko Kranjcar and Jake Livermore worked tirelessly throughout the game to deny Liverpool while Ledley King was his usual calming influence, organising those around him in defence.

Scott Parker

The stats from last night show Scott Parker's contribution to Spurs earning a point at Anfield, with many of the blocks and clearances coming in the final minutes at a time in the match when Liverpool were making a fianl effort to take the three points and  and when traditionally Spurs would have wilted under the pressure:

2 tackles
5 interceptions
7 clearances
3 shots blocked
89% passing accuracy

If Tottenham are to put in a challenge for the title then they need to win against Newcastle United on Saturday evening at White Hart Lane and then put together a winning sequence that really threatens the Manchester teams.

Tottenham v Everton Preview

Spurs and Everton finally get the opportunity to play their 'opening match of the season' - in January.  This match which has been so important to Spurs and  Everton supporters, when calculating League tables and the position of their team taking account of their 'one game in hand'.  It is about to come to pass and all will be revealed by 21.40 (approx) this evening - will the gap to those clubs above have narrowed and will the advantage over to those below be three points greater?

Everton took four points from Spurs last season and so will believe that they can do a repeat job this year.  They are in 11th position in the Premier League with 24 points - 13 points having been earned away from Goodison Park.  They have won 4 and drawn 1 of their nine away matches, having scored and conceded 10 goals on their travels.  The goals tally shows immediately that they keep it very tight, giving little away and their away record shows a number of games going in their favour with late goals.  

The first away game of the season was at Blackburn and they took the three points with a penalty scored in the 92nd minute, Arteta's gift before leaving for Arsenal.  At Fulham, after taking an early lead but then looking set to lose the match only for Bobby Zamora to miss an open goal very late in the match, Everton turned the match on its head by scoring twice in added time to win 3 - 1.  A similar style of win came in  their last away match against WBA on New Year's Day.  A dull game was drawing to a scoreless conclusion only for Everton to score with three minutes left through substitute, Victor Anichebe.  Their fourth away success came at Bolton with two second half strikes - so Spurs need to be wary of Everton making a late push to snatch the points.  Everton's other away point came at Sunderland on Boxing Day when they equalised in the second half through a Leighton Baines' penalty, to deny Martin O'Neill's rejuvenated side - the only points Sunderland dropped over the holiday period.

Everton lost early in the season at Manchester City (0 - 2), Chelsea (1 - 3), Newcastle (1 - 2) and at Arsenal (0 - 1) in mid-December.  Last weekend they progressed in the FA Cup at  home to non-League Tamworth (2 - 0) with an early goal from Johnny Heitinga and a second half penalty scored by Baines.

Leighton Baines, the penalty and free-kick specialist, is Everton's leading goalscorer with 4 goals from 4 penalties (three in the League) .  Spurs know to be wary of him as he scored with a stunning free-kick to give Everton the lead in last season's game at White Hart Lane.  Leon Osman and Apostolos Vellios, their Greek striker, have each scored three goals.

Everton have a problem with a number of injuries and it was added to when defender Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell went off in their last League game with Bolton.  Seamus Coleman also suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury in the FA Cup tie with Tamworth.  Tim Cahill, Leon Osman,  and Tony Hibbert are all injury worries for Everton.   Landon Donovan has returned to the club on a short term loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Spurs have their own injury concerns with Ledley King and William Gallas out of defence while Sandro and Scott Parker will be missing in midfield.  Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon played in the FA Cup against Cheltenham Town and could be available for the match.

Home Record in Premier League against Everton

P  19  W  11  D  5  L  3  For  37  Ag  24

Home League Record v Everton (inc. PL)

P  74  W  37  D  21  L  16  For  145  Ag  91

Recent PL Home Games

Oct. 2010  PL  Draw 1 - 1 Van der Vaart

Spurs went into the game on the back of their thrilling dedeat in the San Siro and everyone was expecting a repeat preformance from Gareth Bale.  Everton took the lead with a free-kick from Baines in the first half and Rafael Van der Vaart levelled three minutes later from an assist by Peter Crouch.  It was Van der Vaart's fifth goal in four home appearances.  Bale had a quiet game as Phil Neville used all his experience to nullify the threat posed.

Feb. 2010  PL  Won 2 - 1  Pavlyuchenko, Modric

Two goals in the first half hour from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Luka Modric set Spurs up for the win but and Everton goal early in the second half made it more difficult than it had first appeared as Everton showed improved form after the interval.

Nov. 2008  PL  Lost 0 - 1

After their long sequence without a win at Tottenham, Everton took advantage of a loss of concentration by Spurs to score the only goal from a quickly taken free-kick.  The first half was scoreless but Steven Peinaar put Everton ahead within six minutes of the restart getting the ball from the free-kick, which Spurs didn't react to quickly enough.

Aug. 2007  PL  Lost 1 - 3  Gardner
Spurs start to the season went from bad to worse.  Having lost at Sunderland on the opening day, they compounded it but losing comprehensively in their first home game.  Everton were ahead after three minutes but Tony Gardner equalised after twenty minutes.  Everton scored twice in the eight minutes leading up to the interval and Spurs with a number of injuries in defence never looked like recovering.


Aug. 2006  PL  Lost 0 - 2
It was exactly twenty one years from Everton's last League win at White Hart Lane but two second half goals secured their win.


Oct. 2005  PL  Won 2 - 0  Mido, Jenas
Everton played with five in midfield and they held out for an hour.  Then Mido and Jermaine Jenas scored twice with headers within six minutes to secure the points.

 
Memorable Matches
1st January, 2005  Spurs 5 Everton 2 Marney (2), Ziegler, Mendes, Keane
What a way to start the New Year especially for Dean Marney who scored his only goals for the club.

12th January, 2003  Spurs 4 Everton 3 Keane (3), Poyet
Five goals in the second half after Spurs levelled in the first half through Gus Poyet, Everton having gone ahead in the tenth minute.  After the interval Everton twice pulled Spurs back after Keane put then ahead but Keane completed his hat-trick with seven minutes remaining.
 
3rd October, 1993  Spurs 3 Everton 2 Sheringham, Anderton, Caskey
Everton were ahead at the interval but Teddy Sheringham equalised on the hour.  Everton regained the lead and with two minutes remaining seemed to have earned the points.  Darren Anderton then drew Spurs level and Darren Caskey scored the winner in the last minute.
 
11th October, 1958  Spurs 10 Everton 4 Ryden, Medwin, Harmer, Smith (4), Stokes (2), Robb
What a way for Bill Nicholson to start his managerial career.  Appointed on the morning of the match the players responded and produced this outstanding result - a sign of the great times ahead at White Hart Lane when 'Sir' Bill was in charge.

25th December, 1956  Spurs 6 Everton 0  Medwin, (2), Harmer (pen), Smith R (2), Stokes    
A memorable way to mark the last time Spurs played a game on Christmas Day at White Hart Lane.  The tradition of playing matches on that day was finally brought to an end in 1958.

Once again, as against WBA, Spurs face a side with a better away record that home and a team who have benefited from late goals.  Spurs can expect to face tactics similar to those employed by Sunderland and West Brom and even Chelsea in their initial approach to the game.  All three teams sat back and filled the area in front of their defence to stop Spurs' quick passing movements and to frustrate the opportunities for Kyle Walker, Bale and Lennon to run with the ball at pace.  Chelsea started the game in that way but became more expressive after Spurs went ahead.  

Everton will come to defend and restrict Spurs with a well organised game plan.  Even if they are weakened due to injuries David Moyes will expect his team to work hard in front of  Spurs to ensure they have no time on the ball and rely on Tim Howard to produce another sound display in goal.  Everton will attempt to wear Spurs down through time and then in the final part of the game hope to gain some extra reward for their effort with late attacking substitutions attempting to make their mark with a late goal as they have done previously in their away games. 

Spurs will hope for an early goal to upset any defensive plan which Everton might have set up so as to provide them with space to play in and the opportunity for the win to strengthen their position by moving level on points with Manchester United and create an eight point advantage over Chelsea in fourth place.

FA Cup Tottenham 3 Cheltenham Town 0

Spurs progressed to the FA Cup 4th Round with a comfortable win over League 2 side, Cheltenham Town.  Two ahead at the interval through Defoe and Pavlyuchenko, Spurs added a late third from Giovani Dos Santos.  Cheltenham battled throughout, especially in the second half.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Cheltenham Town 0

Scorers: Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani

Team: Cudicini; Livermore, Dawson (Carroll), Bassong, Rose; Lennon (Bostock), Kranjcar, Pienaar, Giovani; Pavlyichenko, Defoe (Falque)  Subs (unused): Gomes, Kaboul, Van der Vaart, Parrett

Tottenham eased through the 3rd Round tie with a team showing ten changes from the one which started against West Bromwich Albion last Tuesday evening.  Only Jermain Defoe remained from that team but Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon had recovered from injury to bring further first team experience to a team containing eight internationals.  Only Carlo Cudicini, Jake Livermore and Danny Rose are not full internationals in a team which had too much experience for their League 2 opponents.

Cheltenham started at a pace with Kaid Mohamed taking Livermore by surprise with his pace in the opening seconds.  They worked hard and were quicker to the ball but without ever threatening the Tottenham goal.  Roman Pavlyuchenko worked himself a good chance after fourteen minutes when he curled a shot over from 16 yards.  The opening goal came after 23 minutes when Niko Kranjcar played Giovani through and he lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and looked to have scored until Defoe poked the ball home from virtually on the goal-line, much to the Mexican's annoyance.  Defoe had scored Tottenham's 750th FA Cup goal, only the second club to reach that landmark.

Rose put in a dangerous cross on thirty two minutes which caused the goalkeeper problems but he did well to get back and keep it out.  Just as it looked as if Cheltenham were going to get to half-time without any more difficulty, Spurs struck suddenly with a good team passing movement which resulted in Giovani putting in a clever through ball to Defoe who squared for Pavlyuchenko to score from six yards.  It was Pavlyuchenko's eighth goal from eleven FA Cup appearances.

Cheltenham had a chance in added time when Mohamed intercepted Kranjcar's pass and ran at Dawson.  He shot early but Cudicini dealt with it.

After half-time Cheltenham increased their enderavour and worked hard to restrict Spurs although any chances fell to the home side with Scott Brown making a number of good saves for Cheltenham.  Defoe was put through but his shot was saved from a narrow angle with Pavlyuchenko unmarked.  The Russian had a chip go over and Giovani had a shot over after good work by Defoe and Kranjcar.  On the hour Brown made a good save from Defoe having been put through by Pavlyuchenko.  Then Livermore shot over from 25 yards.  

Kranjcar had a shot saved and Giovani's follow up was blocked.  Then Russell Penn shot over for Cheltenham after Brian Smikle beat Rose on the right.  Defoe was replaced by Yago Falque after 75 minutes and Brown saved from Sebastien Bassong.  Cheltenham won their first corner after eighty minutes.

As Town tired and with four minutes remaining, Rose intercepted a pass and played in Giovani to complete the scoring with a shot which deflected off a defender and looped over the goalkeeper.  It was hard on Cheltenham to concede another goal after all their hard work in the second half.  Marlon Pack had a late opportunity to score a consolation goal but shot over.

The attendance was 35, 672 - the biggest crowd ever to watch a Cheltenham Town game.

Cheltenham Town's manager, Mark Yates summed up the match perfectly, "Tottenham are quality but we have done ourselves so proud today.  It was a learning curve and we've given them a game."

Before the game, knowing that Harry Redknapp was going to rest players, Yates said, "I went to Ireland to watch them and saw a similar team beat Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League and we know the quality they have beneath the first XI.  Whatever team they put out it will be a massive step up from what we've been playing."  And so it proved.

I 'watched' the game on Twitter with a BBC Radio Gloucester commentary.  Thanks for all the tweets to keep us informed.

For Spurs it's Everton on Wednesday evening while Cheltenham play Aldershot next weekend.  They deserve a warm welcome home from their supporters next Saturday.

FA Cup 4th Round Draw: Tomorrow evening - 5.30pm ITV - Tottenham Hotspur No. 8

Michael Dawson's Wembley Jinx

Michael Dawson's Wembley
disappointments

In the past playing at Wembley Stadium was often regarded as the pinnacle of a footballer's career when the only opportunity to tread the hallowed turf came through a Cup Final appearance or an international match.  However, in this modern era there are so many games at the stadium - internationals, FA Cup semi-final and finals, League Cup finals, the Community Shield, Football League play-offs, random minor Cup finals and even pre-season tournaments, that to make an appearance there is not so highly regarded and for the top players it is common place.

However, for Michael Dawson, Tottenham's Player of the Year for last season, the new Wembley experience must be something of a disappointment.  Over the past three seasons he has had four opportunities to play there but they have not been as memorable as he would have hoped for and if he were a superstitious person he might be starting to feel that the place was jinxed as far as he was concerned.

2007-08 Carling Cup Final

Having helped Spurs reach the Final against Chelsea, appearing in four of the five games on the road to Wembley, including the famous 5-1 semi-final victory over Arsenal at White Hart Lane, Dawson cruelly missed out on the final through injury.  Two weeks before the final, he sustained an injury early in the league game at Derby County and was sidelined for a month.  However, as the team celebrated their stirring extra time success over Chelsea, Dawson showed his character and his pleasure for his colleagues and the club as he watched from the side-lines with a great smile, obviously enjoying the moment and not being overwhelmed by his own sense of disappointment at not being in the team that day.

2008-09 Carling Cup Final

Twelve months later as Spurs endeavoured to retain the trophy, Michael Dawson made it on to the pitch, partnering Ledley King in central defence.  This time he played his part as the defence held firm against the strike power of Manchester United but after extra time the match remained goal-less and Dawson could only watch helplessly as United took the game on penalties.  Another disappointment at Wembley for Dawson who had again played in four of the five games on the way to the final.

2009-10 F A Cup Semi-final

Spurs were looking good for another FA Cup final appearance, their first since Gazza and the 1991 success over Nottingham Forest, especially as they were playing Portsmouth whom they had defeated twice in the Premier League and who were facing relegation and were in serious financial difficulty.  However, the match didn't go as Spurs would have hoped and Portsmouth displayed much commitment and determination and were proving difficult opponents.  With no goals after ninety minutes the match went to extra time and looked to be heading for a penalty decider when the highly criticised Wembley turf played a crucial role in proceedings.  Unfortunately, it was Michael Dawson who was to suffer as he slipped at a vital moment when he was about to clear the ball in the centre of the penalty area.  The ball fell invitingly for Portsmouth who accepted the gift and went on to secure a two goal victory.  Once again Dawson was left to rue his Wembley experience.

August, 2010 - England Debut 

After enduring a long summer in South Africa, without getting a game at the World Cup, Michael Dawson finally made his long awaited England debut.  Having appeared in a number of England squads, Fabio Capello gave Dawson his first full cap as a second half substitute for John Terry in the friendly against Hungary.  In the early moments of the half Dawson looked nervous but with the game goal-less he was settling into the match when he moved to intercept a through ball but missed it allowing Hungary to progress into the penalty area.  As the England defence covered the attack, Dawson recovered to try to make amends and when a deflected shot came across the goal, Dawson stretched to clear and prevented it from crossing the line.  It was a close call but then the French referee's assistant decreed that the ball had in fact crossed the line and a goal was awarded.  Television evidence shows that the ball didn't fully cross the line but Dawson had made the initial mistake which had allowed Hungary to create the goal scoring opportunity. Of course, he was wearing the England shirt with number '13'.  Fortunately, as it was a friendly international and as England recovered to win the game, the press didn't make too big an issue of Dawson's blunder on his debut and hopefully he will have the chance to add to his international appearances in the future and avoid being a 'one-cap wonder'.

A great former Spurs stalwart, Gary Mabbutt, endured Wembley heartache before being able to enjoy the sweet taste of success at the stadium.  Mabbutt had appeared at the ground on a number of occasions both for Spurs and England - he actually made his Spurs debut in the 1982 Charity Shield defeat by Liverpool.  Howver, his greatest disappointment will have been the memory of the own goal which enabled Coventry City to wn the FA Cup in 1987.  In extra time a cross came into the Spurs area, the ball hit Mabbutt on the knee and looped over the reach of Ray Clemence.  Spurs had been clear favourites and it was the first occasion that Spurs had suffered defeat in an FA Cup final.  David Pleat's team had come so close to success in all three competitions but in the end had fallen at the final hurdle.  It was not until 1991 that Mabbutt avenged this disappointment when he held aloft the FA Cup as captain of the victorious Spurs side who had overcome many difficulties both on and off the pitch to secure their trophy and possibly the very existence of the club.  Ironically, it was as Mabbutt challenged for the ball from a corner that Des Walker headed into his own goal to put Spurs ahead.

Hopefully, in the not too distant future Michael Dawson will be able to set aside his Wembley disappointments and have some exciting memories to tell his grandchildren in the years to come.

Review of Season 2006-07

Spurs’ Season Ends on an Upbeat Note!
(from Topspurs.com)

In August’s season preview, I raised the following questions:

Was last season the best it was going to get for Spurs?
Did Spurs overachieve last year?
Can they maintain their progress this time?
Will Carrick be missed?
Will Berbatov score regularly in the Premiership?

The answers have come during the course of the season and while at times early on as Spurs stuttered through some indifferent displays and results, it looked as if the response to the first two, would have to be in the positive now on the final day (with UEFA Cup football achieved for a second successive season) we can answer that Spurs have improved and didn’t overachieve last season.

Spurs have maintained their progress - in mid-season after losing at Sheffield United they threw off the shackles that had restricted them for much of the season and produced a level and style of football not seen at White Hart Lane for some considerable time. They played exciting football during an impressive period that brought Cup and League progress, lifting them to the heights attained last season, fifth, but with a refreshing, more open, attacking style of football.

Michael Carrick was missed and we all knew that would happen. Martin Jol had built the team around him and it took some time for the players to become accustomed to his absence. Zokora, Jenas and Tainio have now taken over the central midfield role and shown more authority as the season has progressed. Numerous injuries prevented a midfield partnership being formed with Tom Huddlestone having to play far more matches than would have been expected at this early stage of his career but he will have benefited the experience.

Dimitar Berbatov has not disappointed. He has grown in stature and reputation throughout the season. The early European games gave an indication of his ability and class and as he became accustomed to the Premiership so his worth increased. Naturally, rumours abound of ‘big’ clubs looking to take him from Spurs. Look at the league table to see why he and Keane and Defoe have been so important to Spurs’ position this year. The goals against column is similar to those of the relegated clubs but Spurs have managed to score thirty goals more than the clubs in the bottom three – that’s down to the combined contributions of the three strikers, reliable, consistent goal scorers. Those goals have lifted Spurs to fifth position and overcome the deficiencies in defence and without them Spurs would have experienced a totally different season. Every team needs goals and would give a king’s ransom to have strikers of the ability of those three. Berbatov can not go – Spurs took the money for Carrick and made Manchester United a better team – Berbatov must stay to make Spurs even better next year.

The season has seen Spurs again unable to keep a clean sheet – only six in the Premiership through the season, only one club with a worse record in the League, Accrington Stanley. The injury to Ledley King obviously was a factor but individually the players come with some considerable reputation – the England goalkeeper, an England prospect, a French international, a South Korean international and others but as a unit they continue to concede goals. Midfield inadequacies haven’t helped but even in recent months when the team has been more settled, defensively the team has been uncertain and prone to lapses. A break through into the top four will only come about if the defensive frailties are resolved.

Highlights of the season:
The UEFA Cup experience – eight successive wins and not just scraping past opponents but doing it in style.

The exciting, winning football which started with the win over Fulham in the FA Cup.

The array of ‘goal of the season’ strikes from Berbatov, Keane, Huddlestone – quite exquisite, and so many of them.

Disappointments:
The poor start to the season and meaningless displays at Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and Reading.

Losing out in the Cups after promising so much, especially having been in a good position in all of the games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Sevilla.

Goal of the Season:
Which of Berbatov’s goals could you select and some of Robbie Keane’s volleys? But I’ll select Paul Robinson’s goal for its novelty value and to set him alongside Pat Jennings, goal scores extraordinaire.

Most Haunting Memory:
The big screen at White Hart Lane, glowering down at us with the score:

Tottenham Hotspur 0
Sevilla 2

After seven minutes of Spurs’ biggest European game in years, we knew the European dream was over and the screen just emphasised the point and mocked all of us who has arrived with such optimism.

Best memory of the season:
Berbatov’s goal against Manchester City (I wrote this on Saturday evening) to secure a European tour for next season.

Jermaine Jenas’ goal against Arsenal – such joy around White Hart Lane!

Spurs have proved themselves this season – Martin Jol turned it around when it was looking dodgy so here’s to next season – full of optimism. Don’t disappoint us by selling Berbatov or some of our other top players – remember Mr Levy, you said it, “Tottenham Hotspur are not a selling club!” Make sure you prove it this summer.

COYS

'D' Team for Tottenham-Spur

The 'D' team of current and former Spurs players is a mix of famous White Hart Lane 'Legends' and those who made a few appearances for the club.

Ted Ditchburn

GK: Ted Ditchburn - member of 'Push and Run' team - 575 appearances for Spurs.

RB: Simon Davies - Welsh International midfielder who could play full-back - early 2000s

LB: Michael Dillon - played occasionally in the team of early 1970s

CD: Michael Dawson - impressive member of current team

CD: Gary Doherty - Republic of Ireland International

M: Terry Dyson - winger for 'Double' team

M: Edgar Davids - current player and Dutch International

M: Jimmy Dimmock - member of 1920s - scorer of FA Cup winning goal in 1921.

F: Jermain Defoe - current striker and England International

F: Len Duquemin - centre forward for 'Push and run' team

F: John Duncan - goal scorer for the team of late 1970s - Scottish International

Sub: Gordon Durie - Scottish International - early 1990s