Spurs Record at Bolton

For the third successive match Tottenham face a relegation threatened side.  Spurs lost against QPR at Loftus Road while Blackburn showed no interest but Spurs can rest assured that Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium will put up greater resistance in a must win match for both sides with Spurs wanting the three points to secure their Champions League place for next season.

Travelling 'up north' has never has never been a favourite venue for any Tottenham team and the Reebok Stadium is a ground where Spurs have yet to win in the Premier League.  Their only win at Bolton during the league during the Premier League era was in season 1995-96, just prior to Bolton's move to their new stadium.  The only successs that Spurs have achieved at the Reebok was in a Carling Cup tie in October, 2004 which they won 4 - 3 after extra time (2 - 2 after ninety minutes).

Spurs' Away League Record against Bolton (inc. PL):

P 43  W  11  D  7  L  25  For  52  Ag  76

Premier League Record at Bolton:

P  12  W  1  D  4  L  7  For  13  Ag  23

Last Season's Result: 

Nov. 2010  PL  Lost 2 - 4  Hutton, Pavlyuchenko

Four days after their stunning win over Inter Milan in the Champions League Spurs were brought back down to earth with a bump at Bolton.  Kevin Davies scored twice, the first from an off-side position and the second from the penalty spot, as Spurs found themselves three down with fourteen minutes remaining.  A mini-revival saw Spurs score twice through Alan Hutton and Roman Pavlyuchenko, only for the home team to score late in added time.

Spurs' Last League Win at Bolton

March, 1996  PL  Won 3 - 2  Howells, Fox, Armstrong

Bolton were relegated at the end of this their first season in the Premier League but having earned their first away point  at White Hart lane in December, coming back from two goals down, they again showed fighting qualities in this match.  Spurs were three ahead with little more than a quarter of the game to go but they had to withstand a barnstorming finish from Bolton to secure the points.  David Howells had given Spurs an early first half lead before Ruel Fox and Chris Armstrong scored two goals in five minutes early in the second half.  Bolton's comeback could have been even better but for a last minute goal line clearance by Clive Wilson from a header by former Spurs player, Gudni Bergsson who had scored the equaliser in the game at Tottenham.

Spurs' Other Premier League Results at Bolton

Oct. 2009  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Kranjcar, Corluka

Bolton grabbed the lead after four minutes but Niko Kranjcar brought them level before the interval.  Davies scored his usual goal against Spurs in the second half but within four minutes Vedran Corluka scored with a header from a corner.

Jan. 2009  PL  Lost 2 - 3  Bent (2)

Half-time substitute, Darren Bent, scored twice in three minutes to bring Spurs level in the second half.  Spurs battling against relegation in Harry Redknapp's first season were a goal down at half-time.  Davies then added a second before Bent struck.  Three minutes from time Davies got his second from a corner leaving the Spurs manager furious at conceding another late goal.

Sept. 2007  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Keane

Robbie Keane gave Spurs the lead after thirty four minutes but within five minutes Bolton had drawn level through Campo.

Aug. 2006  PL  Lost 0 - 2

Spurs' season got off to the worst possible start.  Martin Jol's team simply weren't up for the match and Bolton made them pay for their lethargy with two goals in the first quarter of an hour from Davies and Campo.

Nov. 2005  PL  Lost 0 - 1

A Monday evening match which Bolton won with a goal after half an hour from Nolan.  Jermain Defoe 'equalised' almost immediately but was incorrectly flagged off-side. 

Feb. 2005  PL  Lost 1 - 3  Defoe

All the goals came in the second half.  Bolton went ahead with a penalty just after the interval but Defoe equalised with about twenty minutes remaining.  Two goals in the final three minutes gave Bolton the points with Davies scoring again.

April, 2004  PL  Lost 0 - 2

A goal in each half saw Spurs' poor run continue, having taken only five points from nine matches - with only three goals in the last eight games, one an own goal.

March, 2003  PL  Lost 0 - 1

A penalty in the final minute brought the points to Bolton.

April, 2002  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Iversen

Steffan Iversen gave Spurs an early lead but Bolton took a point with a goal twenty minutes from time.

Sept. 1997  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Armstrong

Bolton scored the first goal at their new Reebok Stadium after two previous scoreless draws.  They went ahead with a penalty after twenty minutes but substitute Chris Armstrong brought Spurs level in the second half and Ian Walker played a big part in Spurs taking a point from this match - described in one match report as 'the only Spurs player who can take any credit'.

A Long Time Ago:

Spurs won their first two League games at Bolton.  The clubs met in Tottenham's first season in the Football League in January, 1909.  It was a 2nd Division match which Spurs won thanks to a goal from Bobby Steel.  Both clubs gained promotion at the end of that season but when they met in the 1st Division in April, 2010 in the penultimate match of the season it was a relegation battle.  Spurs triumphed with two goals by Percy Humphreys and that victory saw Bolton relegated but Spurs survived by beating Chelsea the following week.  That result saw Chelsea go down with Humphreys scoring the winner against his former club.  Spurs then lost their next six matches at Bolton.

Spurs Away Record Against Chelsea

Tottenham's record at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea is horrendous.  They have not won their in any competition since 1990, a total of twenty four matches, twenty one in the League.

Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era, they have lost thirteen of the nineteen Premier League matches played but prior to this period Spurs' away record against Chelsea was very good.

Premier League Record at Chelsea

P  19  W  0  D  6  L  13  For  12  Ag  37  

Away Record at Stamford Bridge pre-Premier League (Old 1st & 2nd Div)

P  44  W  19  D  7  L  18  For  67  Ag  56

Overall League Record: 

P  63  W  19  D  13  L  31  For  79  Ag  93

The stats clearly show the dramatic  change in fortunes that has occurred since the arrival of the Premier League.  From a ground where Spurs had a good record, it has become one not to be discussed and will be wheeled out once again on Saturday by commentators and Chelsea fans alike as a reason why the three points are Chelsea's for the taking.  It is hard to argue against such comments but perhaps this is the time to turn it around as both clubs battle, with Arsenal, for the final two places in next season's Champions League.

Gary Lineker's Winning Goal in 1990

Last Season's Match:
Apr. 2011  PL  Lost 1 - 2  Sandro
This match is typical of what has happened to Spurs when facing 'top 4' opposition in recent years.  Spurs had taken a deserved first half lead through a great shot from Sandro, his first goal for Spurs.  It looked as if they were going to have the advantage at the interval until with a minute to go Lampard took a speculative shot from distance.  It should have posed little threat for the goalkeeper, but Heurelho Gomes let it slip through his grasp and roll towards the line.  He managed to retrieve the situation and stopped it crossing the line but the referee's assistant signalled, incorrectly, that it was a goal and Chelsea were level.  This was just the lift that the home team needed, Spurs never regained the ascendancy of the first half but were looking set for a point with a minute to go, only for Chelsea to score from an offside position

Recent Matches at Stamford Bridge

Sept. 2009  PL  Lost 0 - 3
Hopes were high that Spurs could get a result as they had started the season well, suffering only one defeat in their first five matches.  Spurs created early chances without taking any of them but after half an hour Chelsea went ahead.  Early in the second half, Ledley King went off injured and after Spurs were denied a penalty for a foul on Robbie Keane, Chelsea scored two goals in five minutes to secure victory.

Aug. 2008  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Bent
An unexpected result, one of Spurs points in their '2 points from 8 matches' start to the season under Juande Ramos before Harry Redknapp was appointed two months later.  Spurs had lost their opening two games and were behind after half an hour.  They drew level through Darren Bent just before half-time and held on for a point.

Jan. 2008  PL  Lost 0 - 2 
According to Assistant Manager, Gus Poyet, "It was a tight match with not many chances.  Chelsea controlled the game and they are a team that will find a way to score and get the points even when they are not playing well."  A goal in each half secured the points for Chelsea.

Apr. 2007  PL  Lost 0 - 1
Martin Jol's side had played in Seville on the Thursday evening in the UEFA Cup quarter-final match and returned to play the early kick-off game on Saturday.  They lost to a hopeful shot from distance, early in the second half.

Mar. 2006  PL  Lost 1 - 2  Jenas
Another sad tale of so close but so far for Spurs who were trying to hold on to fourth place in the League.  Chelsea were ahead with fifteen minutes but Jermaine Jenas equalised on half-time from a free-kick.  In the final minute of added time, William Gallas, scored with a spectacular shot from distance to deny Spurs.

Sept. 2004  PL  Draw 0 - 0
In the words of Jose Mourinho, Jacques Santini 'parked the bus' in front of the Spurs goal and took a point as Spurs remained undefeated in the opening six matches of the season.  The result demonstrated the defensive strategies of the newly appointed manager.

Sept. 2003  PL  Lost 2 - 4  Kanoute (2)
Spurs took the lead and were comfortable until Chelsea scored twice in two minutes before the interval.  They added a third but Kanoute scored a second with three minutes remaining, only for the home team to score in the final minute.

Feb. 2003  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham gave Spurs an early lead but Chelsea drew level direct from a free-kick just before half-time.

Mar. 2002  PL  Lost 0 - 4
Spurs had beaten Chelsea 5 - 1 at White Hart Lane two months earlier in the Worthington Cup semi-final but they extracted ample revenge winning 4 - 0 in both the FA Cup and League in consecutive matches.  This was Spurs third successive four goal defeat in  a week having also lost to Manchester United.

We Can Win There!
Enough of this doom and gloom, Spurs last won at Stamford Bridge in 1990.

10th February, 1990  1st Div.  Won 2 - 1  Howells, Lineker
David Howells and Gary Lineker scored the goals with Lineker heading the winning goal from a Nayim cross with two minutes remaining.  Spurs finished the season in third place.

Nov. 1970  1st Div.  Won 2 - 0  Mullery, Pearce
One of the most enjoyable wins at Stamford Bridge, not for the quality of the football or the game but for the nature of the win.  On a wet day, on a very muddy pitch Spurs scored twice in the final minutes through Alan Mullery and Jimmy Pearce to take the three points.

A Memorable Encounter but Spurs Didn't Win (from ESPN site)
Chelsea 4-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League, 1993-94)
This was a match that had everything bar quality - a seven-goal thriller decided in the dying seconds between a Chelsea side that had not won for four games and a Spurs side that had lost their previous six.  "There were so many soft goals that it was possible to walk away from Stamford Bridge with the impression both sides had lost," The Guardian reported.

Spurs opened the scoring on 18 minutes through Steve Sedgley, and an unmarked Jason Dozzell instantly doubled their advantage, but goals from Mal Donaghy and Mark Stein - again, unmarked - had made it 2-2 by the 33rd minute, and seven minutes later Chelsea were in front when John Spencer was given the space he needed to strike.

Andy Gray netted an equaliser from the penalty spot on 73 minutes but nine minutes later, presented with his second penalty, Gray's effort was saved by Dmitri Kharine.  To add salt to Gray's wound, Spurs defender Dean Austin fouled Gavin Peacock in injury time, and Stein stepped up to give Chelsea the three points.  "The lasting memories will be of two sides committed totally to attack in the image of their respective managers Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles," the Express said, "although it would contravene the Trades Descriptions Act to say either team fielded a defence."

It Could Only Happen to Spurs
Dec. 1990  1st Div. Lost 2 - 3  Gascoigne, Lineker
This is the first game in that losing sequence, ten months earlier Spurs had won at Stamford Bridge but for this game the signs were not promising from the outset.  On the way to the match the team stopped for lunch at a hotel in Central London.  Their coach was parked illegally, clamped and towed away with the team kit inside.  Subsequently, they arrived late, handed in their team sheet late and were later fined by the Football Association.  On the pitch it wasn't much better as Gascoigne and Lineker's goals weren't enough to take the points.

Tottenham at Swansea - Preview

Spurs go to Swansea for a League game for the first time since October, 1982.  The last time that Tottenham came away with a win in a competitive match was in the first season after the Second World War in September, 1946.

Spurs go to the Liberty Stadium for the first time, all other games in Swansea having been played at the club's former Vetch Field ground which they vacated in 2005.  Swansea won promotion last season by defeating Reading in the play-off Final at Wembley.

They have received credit for their style of play under manager, Brendan Rodgers, and have one of the best home records in this season's Premier League, bettered by only the top five clubs.  They are in 14th position in the League with 19 points, having gained 16 points from their nine home matches.  They have suffered only one defeat by the only goal to Manchester United and were unfortunate to miss the opportunity of a late equaliser.  At home they have conceded only three goals, the meanest home defence in the League, so Spurs will have to be at their attacking best to break through a defence which has had to cope with a number of lengthy absences through injury.

Steven Caulker who is on loan from Tottenham will be missing as he is ineligible, having just returned following a time of injury.  His time with Swansea had been beneficial to him as he has been a regular member of the team at the centre of their defence and has been gaining good reviews as he builds up his Premier League experience, having stepped up from Championship football last year.  Swansea have also been without their captain, Alan Tate, with a broken leg but have coped with the necessary re-organisation.  One of their stars has been Dutch goalkeeper, Michel Vorm, whom they signed from FC Utrecht during August - he made his debut in Swansea's first game in the Premier League at Manchester City.  He kept the City strike force at bay for almost an hour with an exceptional performance and has grown in stature and confidence since that match.

Danny Graham has scored six League goals, two ahead of Scott Sinclair who scored a hat-trick in the play-off final to secure Swansea's Premier League place.  The former Chelsea player joined Swansea in July, 2010.  A year earlier, Nathan Dyer, a winger, another product of the Southampton Academy joined Swansea and he has scored two goals this season, the same as Joe Allen the Welsh international midfielder.

Two former Tottenham players who will be anxious to make an impression are Mark Gower and Wayne Routledge.  Gower came through the Spurs youth system but didn't make it into the first team before moving on to Barnet.   He spent five seasons with Southend United before joining Swansea in 2008 and helped them to promotion last season.  Routledge joined Spurs from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2005 but only made five League appearances for the club.  An early injury hindered his progress with Spurs and he had periods on loan with Portsmouth and Fulham before joining Aston Villa in January, 2008.

Swansea's 2011 - 12 Home Record:
Swansea's last home match ended in a 1 - 1 draw with QPR, their goal being scored by Danny Graham.  That goal in last Tuesday's match was only the third goal they have conceded at home this season.

After their tough introduction to the Premier League, Swansea played out two scoreless draws at home to Wigan and Sunderland.  They then won three home games in a row against WBA (3 - 0), Stoke (2 - 0) and Bolton (3 - 1).  Following the close defeat to United, they drew 0 - 0 with Aston Villa and then defeated Fulham (2 - 0).  The win over Fulham being their only win in their last eight matches as their early season form has taken a dip.

Spurs' League Record at Swansea

P  13  W  4  D  3  L  6  For  14  Ag  18

Spurs and Swansea have only met in the top Division on two occasions, in 1981 - 82 and 1982 - 83 in the 1st Division when Swansea won both of their home matches.  In September, 1982 Glenn Hoddle scored a penalty for Spurs as they lost 1 - 2 and the following year Swansea won 2 - 0.

Prior to those matches, the clubs met in the 2nd Division in the years from 1928 until Spurs won promotion in 1950.  Spurs first match at the Vetch Field ended in a 4 - 0 defeat but the following year in November, 1929 they won 1 - 0, with Ted Harper scoring the goal. The following season Harper scored again as Spurs triumphed 2 - 1, Jimmy Smailes scoring the second goal.  

In March, 1932 they earned a point from a 1 - 1 draw when Tom Evans scored with a penalty.  Spurs' good form in Wales continued in March, 1933 with a 2 - 0 success provided by goals from Les Howe and Willie Evans.

That was the end of their success until 1946 when two goals from Les Bennett gave Spurs another 2 - 0 win.  Even in their promotion year of 1949 - 50 the Spurs 'Push and Run' side failed to take any points from Swansea, losing 0 - 1 in April, 1950.

Having triumphed in the east (at Norwich) last Tuesday, Spurs will need to show the same resilient form which has stood them in good stead for most of this season as they travel west to Wales for their final game of 2011.  Gareth Bale will want to make an impression as he returns to his homeland but may not necessarily receive a warm welcome from the home fans, especially as he was born in Cardiff.  

The miserly Swansea defence will be doing their utmost to prevent Spurs getting into their free-flowing style of play so the visitors will be able to take no liberties with Swansea on their first match at the Liberty Stadium.

Preview - Spurs Record at Norwich

Tottenham play catch up again as they travel to Norwich for an evening kick-off at the end of the second set of matches for the Christmas/New Year period.  Norwich have made a favourable impression on their return to the Premier League following an absence of six seasons.

Norwich City were last in the Premier League in season 2004 - 05, a one season sojourn before returning to the Championship.  They won automatic promotion last season as runners-up to champions QPR and are currently the highest of the three promoted teams in ninth position with 21 points.  They've gained 14 of those points at Carrow Road with four wins and two draws.  Their only home defeats have been against Arsenal (1 - 2) having taken a first half lead and WBA who took an early lead and held out for the next 87 minutes.  In their last home match they defeted Newcastle United 4 - 2 with goals from Wes Hoolahan, Grant Holt (2) and Steve Morison.

Norwich started their season with a draw at Wigan (1 - 1) and followed it with a home draw with Stoke City.  Following defeat at Chelsea and at home to West Brom their first win of the season came at Bolton.  They then won their first home game against Sunderland (2 - 1).  Swansea City lost 1 - 3 at Carrow Road and then Blackburn took a point home from a six goal thriller at Norwich.  Since the home defeat to Arsenal they have enjoyed home success against QPR (2 - 1) and Newcastle.  After a difficult start to life in the Premier League they have shown a resilience, an attacking spirit and a work ethic for which they have been rewarded, especially at home.

Their leading goal scorer is Holt with 7 Premier League goals but Morision is close behind with 6.  Anthony Pilkington has four goals.

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John Ruddy in goal has impressed for Norwich, especially when the team earned a point at Anfield in mid-October, thanks to his display.  Tottenham's Kyle Naughton will be missing from the team as he is ineligible while on loan from Spurs, although he is also suspended for five bookings - convenient.  He has established himself as regular in the team and is gaining good Premier League experience which hopefully will be of benefit to him on his return to White Hart Lane. Norwich are a hard working, well organised team who give their all in every game without any 'star' names.  They are making the most of this opportunity in the Premier League and their manager Paul Lambert knows that they must continue in a similar vein throughout the season to avoid an instant return to the Championship, the fate that befell them when they last won promotion.

Tottenham's Record at Norwich
Totenham have visited Carrow Road on four occasions in the Premier League with a record of three wins and a draw.  The last two matches were on Boxing Day and ended with Spurs winning 2 - 0.  In 2004 Robbie Keane and Michael Brown were the scorers, while in 1994 the goals came from Nicky Barmby and Teddy Sheringham.  The previous April, Spurs won 2 - 1 and Sheringham scored again.  The other goal was an own goal.  On Boxing Day, 1992 the clubs played out a scoreless draw.    

The overall League record:

P  24  W  8  D  6  L  10  For  32  Ag  36

As can be seen, Spurs record in the Premier League matches has improved the overall record which is not too impressive.  Matches have been close but Norwich have had the upper hand.  

In August, 1991 a Gary Lineker goal was enough to earn Spurs the points but the previous April Spurs lost 1 - 2, a few days ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.  The most notable aspect of the game was the return of Paul Gascoigne after missing five games following an operation.  Gascoigne was using this game to test out his fitness for the weekend's big match.  That Spurs lost was an irrelevance at the time and that John Hendry scored his first goal on his League debut for Spurs and that Ian Walker and Peter Garland also made their debuts has largely been forgotten.

The first League meeting between the clubs was in season 1935 - 36 in the 2nd Division.  Spurs lost by the only goal of the game on their first League visit to Norfolk in April, 1936.  The following season they won their first League match at Carrow Road - Johnny Morrison scoring a hat-trick in their 3 - 2 success.

Having met in four consecutive seasons up to 1939, the clubs didn't meet again in League football until Norwich won promotion to the 1st Division in 1972 when Norwich won 2 - 1, Martin Chivers scoring Spurs only goal.

Spurs eventually managed a win in March, 1978, their relegation season.  Goals from John Pratt, Gerry Armstrong and Peter Taylor gave them a 3 - 1 win.

On gaining promotion after a year's absence, it took Spurs seven attempts before winning at Carrow Road.  In December, 1994, Tony Galvin and Garth Crooks scored the goals as Spurs won two nil.

Norwich have proved difficult opponents for Spurs teams in the past and the current Spurs team can expect a difficult evening with a team prepared to battle against them in an effort to put them out of their stride.  The good news for Spurs is that Rafael Van der Vaart has recovered from injury and is expected to play.