FA Cup Tottenham v Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham Town from League 2 visit White Hart Lane in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup for the first ever match between the two clubs.  This is Spurs' fifth successive home draw on 3rd Round day and their seventh in the past nine seasons.  Cheltenham's best performance in the FA Cup was reaching the 5th Round ten years ago.  This is their fifth appearance in the 3rd Round and last season they were knocked out in the 2nd Round at Southampton.  

Cheltenham Town, known as 'The Robins', was founded in 1887 and played its football in the Southern League until joining the Football Conference in 1997.  In their two seasons there they finished as runners-up and then Champions so gaining promotion to the Football League at the end of season 1998 - 99 under manager, Steve Cotterill. 

Cheltenham have maintained their League status since then and finished eighth in their first season in the Football League.  After three seasons they won promotion but Cotterill left to become manager of Stoke City.  They were immediately relegated after just one season in Division 1 and their pattern of League promotions/relegations has taken on a three year pattern - winning promotion after three years followed by relegation to Division 2 three years later.  Currently, after another three years, they are second in League 2 and in perfect position for another promotion.

Cheltenham are managed by Mark Yates who replaced Martin Allen three years ago.  Their season didn't start in the best way with a defeat at Gillingham.  They then lost to MK Dons in the Carling Cup but had their first win of the season at home to local rivals, Swindon Town.  They lost their next home match to Morecambe before winning at Northampton Town and inflicting the first League defeat of newly promoted and current League Two leaders, Crawley Town at their Abbey Business Stadium, Whaddon Road ground.

They are now a point behind Crawley at the top of League 2 having won 11 of their last 15 games with nine wins in their last 10 away matches and a 2 - 1 win at Port Vale last Monday when Alan Bennett and Brian Smikle scored in the second half.  With such a record Cheltenham will come to White Hart Lane with a confidence in their play.  On their last visit to North London in mid-December, they drew 2 - 2 with Barnet.  A Kaid Mohamed goal and a Duffy penalty gave them a goal advantage at the interval but Barnet drew level with a second half penalty.

"A Mix of experience and youth"

As Mark Yates admits himself, his team has "one or two experienced campaigners who will enjoy the game and a couple of younger players who will have the chance to show what they're about.' 

Scott Brown joined Cheltenham in 2005 and has over 140 League appearances for them. He started at the Wolves Academy but failed to make the breakthrough and moved to non-League football and arrived at Cheltenham as understudy but has now made the position his own.

They are captained by defender Alan Bennett who has two caps for the Republic of Ireland.  He made over 160 appearances for Cork City in the League of Ireland before moving into football in England.  He joined Reading in 2007 but didn't play for them and played last season with Wycombe Wanderers and joined Cheltenham in 2011.

Steve Elliott is another experienced defender who had six seasons with Bristol Rovers and over 200 appearances.  He signed for "the Robins' in 2010.

Cheltenham's leading goalscorer is Darryl Duffy.  He is a Scotland 'B' international and started his career with Glasgow Rangers, playing once.  He moved to Falkirk and into England with Hull, Swansea and Bristol Rovers, before joining Cheltenham in 2011.  He has scored 11 goals this season - 7 in the League, 2 FA Cup goals and 2 others.  

James Spencer has 7 goals with 6 in the Leagie and 1 other.  He is on loan from Huddersfield Town for the season.

Kaid Mohamed has scored 6 league goals and plays on the wing or as a striker.  He started in Welsh football before joining Swindon Town.  Last season he helped AFC Wimbledon win promotion to the Football League and joined Cheltenham in the summer.

Jeff Gouding has five goals with 4 in the league and one other.  He had considerable non-League experience before spending two seasons with Bournemouth and joined Cheltenham in June, 2010.

Luke Garbutt is a young defender who has been on loan from Everton and has represented England at age groups up to Under-19 level.

FA Cup Road to White Hart Lane
Cheltenham's visit to London is their third away tie in this season's FA Cup.  

They started off by defeating Tranmere Rovers 1 - 0  in the 1st Round with a first half penalty scored by Duffy.  

They then overcame non-League Luton Town by 4 - 2  in the next round.  Duffy gave Cheltenham the perfect start with a goal after two minutes.  Luton equalised five minutes before the interval but Cheltenham snatched the lead on the half-time whistle through Marlon Pack.  Luton drew level again early in the second half but two further goals from Luke Summerfield after 64 minutes and one in added time from Russell Penn ensured their progress to the FA Cup 3rd Round draw.

Former Spurs players and Cheltenham
David Hutton joined the Tottenham Academy in 2006–07 and in March 2009, he went on loan to Cheltenham Town and made his league debut against Leyton Orient.  Hutton's first league and Cheltenham goal came on 10 April 2009 in a 1–1 draw at Peterborough United.

He signed for Cheltenham that summer on a one-year deal but was released by the club the following year.  After a brief spell with St. Albams City he signed with Glenn Hoddle's team in Spain, Jerez Industrial.  He is currently playing for Borehamwood.

Sam Cox had a month with Cheltenham on loan from Spurs in 2009.  He came through the Spurs Academy, playing in midfield or defence, but after further periods out on loan he was released in June, 2010 and joined Barnet.  He is currently on loan with Borehamwood.

Harry Redknapp has shown little appetite for Cup football since his arrival at White Hart Lane and once again has the League and Champions League qualification as his first ambition.  He will be looking to rest many of his experienced players who have had a busy fortnight with the holiday matches and he will be wanting all of them available for next Wednesday's game with Everton and the crucial matches through January.  With injuries taking their toll to squad players, Vedran Corluka and Sandro, it could be quite an inexperienced side which plays against Cheltenham.  Some of the younger players who played in the Europa League have gone out on loan already, Andros Townsend and Harry Kane, so they are not available either.  Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon may return after injury which would bring much needed experience and whatever team plays, they should have enough experience to overcome the threat presented by Cheltenham.

Tottenham and the FA Cup (3rd Round)

Spurs and the FA Cup 3rd Round 
[Article first appeared on Topspurs]

Gary Mabbutt FA Cup winning Captain

The first Saturday in January and the FA Cup 3rd Round go together hand in hand and has always been a special day in the football calendar.  The Final in May is a memorable occasion for two clubs and their fans but 3rd Round day includes everyone.  The excitement would have started a few weeks earlier when the draw was made on a Monday lunch-time in early December – there was so much more tension listening on the radio as the reporter entered the inner sanctuary of FA headquarters than there is now with former players trying to put on a show.  Then on 3rd Round Saturday as it used to be, there was the excitement of scouring the papers to see if any of the journalists would tip your team for success at Wembley and there was always a new sense of expectation and hope for every fan as they truly believed that, no matter how poorly their team had performed over the first five months of the season, that ‘this could be the year’ when their team would win the Cup.

The 3rd Round weekend reminds us of the true romance of football – the Premier League clubs finding it uncomfortable when visiting some of the less well off teams, the opportunity for the ‘giant-killers’ to have their day or a player returning to a former club to show what he could have done had he not been released. All the ingredients are there and they’ll be put into the mix again this weekend.

Incredibly, Spurs last won the FA Cup in 1991.  The images are also still so vivid in the memory that it’s hard to believe it is so long ago - Gazza and his free-kick in the semi-final at Wembley, followed by his celebrations after the win over Arsenal and then his self-inflicted injury in the Final before it all turned out right on the day with Gary Mabbutt lifting the Cup.  On that Saturday in May, Spurs were collecting the trophy for the record equalling eighth time, drawing level with Manchester United for the record number of wins and Spurs’ reputation as a ‘Cup’ team was further enhanced.  Now they are third on that list behind United and Arsenal.

However, it had only been in the previous thirty years that Spurs had acquired that reputation – in the first seventy eight years since their formation they had only won the Cup twice, as a non-league side in 1901 and twenty years later having just escaped the 2nd Division the previous summer.  At the start of the 1950s, Arthur Rowe’s ‘Push and Run’ team won the 2nd and 1st Division championships in consecutive seasons but the fans clamoured for the cherry on the top of the cake, an FA Cup success – but it wasn’t to be.

A team that wins the Cup will have its moments of good fortune and often they can occur in that very early round.  In Spurs’ last Cup win in 1991 the 3rd Round tie was a game made for a Cup shock. Spurs who were having an indifferent season were drawn away to 4th Division Blackpool.  To make matters worse the game was played in extremely stormy conditions and there had been doubts over whether the game would even take place.  Spurs were not known for handling such a tricky situation but they showed determination and character.  They managed to overcome the weather and Blackpool with a goal from the former Blackpool player, Paul Stewart.  It was to everyone’s relief that they had safely negotiated the first hurdle on a possible road to Wembley.

In 1901, the 3rd Round equivalent was the 1st Round and the match wasn’t played until early February due to the death of Queen Victoria.  Spurs were defending Southern League Champions and their first opponents were the might of the 1st Division, Preston North End, the team they had so admired that they had adopted their colours two seasons previously and who had defeated them in the same round a year earlier.  Having lost at Preston the previous year, Spurs were hoping for revenge but when the visitors took the lead midway through the first half the prospects were not looking good. Spurs increased the pressure in the second half but the Preston goalkeeper played exceptionally well to deny them until nine minutes from time when Sandy Brown equalised.  The return of inside forward David Copeland, the previous season’s inspiration, from long term injury just prior to this game, had been a great boost to the team and they set out for the replay at Preston with another injured player returning, captain John Jones.  In the replay Spurs looked a different side going ahead through Copeland and Brown then added another two before the interval.  Preston pulled a goal back but Brown completed his hat-trick and although Preston scored again, Spurs were safely through to the next round – the giant-killers were on their way.

Twenty years later, following promotion, Spurs, after a disappointing start to the season, were coping well in the 1st Division.  Their first game in the FA Cup (1st Round) saw them drawn at home to Bristol Rovers who were in the 3rd Division, their first season in the Football League. The two clubs had met at Bristol the previous year at the same stage of the competition.  Spurs won 4-1 on that occasion and this again turned out to be one of Spurs’ easiest opening rounds – they were one up after four minutes and four ahead by half-time, ensuring a comfortable victory.  Having taken an early lead through Jimmy Seed they added to it with a Tommy Clay penalty.  Goals from Bert Smith and Fanny Walden gave them a 4 – 0 lead by half-time.  Rovers scored early in the second half, before Jimmy Cantrell scored and then after Rovers’ second, Bert Bliss added a late sixth.  These names were to become part of the illustrious history of Spurs.

Over the next forty years Spurs reached the semi-finals on a number of occasions but always fell short and so it was not until the ‘Double’ year that Spurs managed to get to another Final.  On that occasion in 1961 their 3rd Round opponents were Charlton Athletic from the 2nd Division.   As Spurs were well ahead at the top of the 1st Division, this game was regarded as a formality but Charlton had other ideas and made the mighty Spurs fight all the way.  It took two goals from Les Allen and one from Terry Dyson for Spurs to come through with a 3-2 success.

The following year as Cup holders Spurs were drawn to play 1st Division opponents, Birmingham City at St. Andrews.  It was a very difficult tie on a pitch that had been covered in snow for much of the previous week.  Spurs took a three goal lead by the 32nd minute. However Birmingham fought their way back into the game by scoring a minute later and then equalized with two second half goals. The ‘Double’ winning team of the previous season had been strengthened by the signing of Jimmy Greaves who scored the first and third goals, the second a header, with Cliff Jones scoring the second. Spurs won the replay 4 – 2, with goals from Terry Medwin (2), Greaves and Les Allen.

The opening to the 1966-67 had seen little of note or any sign of impending success but then in mid-January Spurs struck a rich vein of form which took them all the way to Wembley.  Spurs 3rd Round opponents made it very difficult for them at The Den.  Millwall were in the 2nd Division and it was a typical Cup-tie and Spurs were glad of a number of saves from Pat Jennings to foil the home side and with relief escaped back to White Hart Lane with a scoreless draw. The only goal in the following Wednesday’s replay was scored by Alan Gilzean.

In similar fashion, the 1980-81 season had proceeded through the opening months with little of note when Spurs were faced with a 3rd Round game at Loftus Road against Queen’s Park Rangers.  After what was called a ‘sterile’ contest ended in a scoreless draw against the 2nd Division side, few would have expected Spurs to make much progress in the competition.  Spurs won 3-1 in the replay with the goals scored by Tony Galvin, Glenn Hoddle and Garth Crooks.

It was different twelve months later as it was a season when Spurs were striving for trophies in four competitions. Also the 3rd Round game had so much extra importance as Spurs as Cup holders were given the tie of the round – at home to North London neighbours, Arsenal.  The two clubs had only met on one previous occasion in the FA Cup, Arsenal having won 3-0 in a 3rd Round game at Highbury in 1949.

A crowd of 38,421 watched a match that was settled by a Garth Crooks goal which went under the body of former Spurs goalkeeper, Pat Jennings.  That unusual mistake was only part of Jennings’ misery that day as an injury saw him substituted later in the game.

The romance of the FA Cup came to White Hart Lane in 1993 when Spurs were drawn against non-League Marlow Town in the 3rd Round.   The game should have been at Marlow but the club agreed to play at White Hart Lane to increase their financial wind-fall from the 26,636 spectators in attendance.  Marlow performed well but were beaten by goals from nicky Barmby (2), Vinny Samways (2) and Teddy Sheringham.  However, the biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the Marlow Town scorer who got his team's thoroughly deserved consolation goal a few minutes from the end.

Another non-League opponent was Margate in 1973. The UEFA Cup holders having been to the vast San Siro Stadium to play AC Milan the previous spring had to adapt to the closeness of the Margate ground but ran out easy winners through goals from Cyril Knowles, Martin Peters, Martin Chivers (2), John Pratt and Jimmy Pearce.

Not all 3rd Round games have been so fortuitous for Spurs, six year's ago they contrived to lose a two goal lead at Leicester City at a time when the home side hadn’t won in seven games and had been goal-less in the previous three.  Two seasons earlier, the players capitulated at Southampton and lost by four goals, demonstrating the level to which the club had sunk in those Hoddle times.

In 1999 Spurs departed the FA Cup before Christmas.  The 3rd Round ties were played in December and after drawing 1-1 at home with Newcastle United, they lost the replay 1-6 so Spurs didn’t play an FA Cup game in the year 2000.  Thankfully, the authorities returned the 3rd Round games to their rightful place at the beginning of January.

Neither have they avoided the embarrassment of suffering at the hands of lower level teams – in 1923 in the 1st Round Spurs were drawn at home to Worksop Town, a team from the Midland League. Spurs - Cup winners in 1921, semi-finalists in the Cup and runners up in the League in 1922 and with six members of the Cup winning team still playing - failed to score and overcome determined opposition.  Wintry weather conditions made the pitch difficult to play on but the non-League team showed determination and bravery to earn their place in Cup history.  The Worksop ground was thought unsuitable for the replay and Spurs readily agreed to play it at White Hart Lane.  So, on the Monday after the first game, Worksop sent out the same eleven players to face Spurs.  Relieved at having an opportunity to put things right, Spurs won 9-0.  Playing conditions had improved and Spurs were six up by half-time.  Their goals were scored by Alec Lindsay (4), ‘Tich’ Handley (3), Jimmy Seed and Jimmy Dimmock.

More recently, in 1953 Spurs met Tranmere Rovers, a mid-table team in the Third Division North and they held Spurs to a 1-1 draw at home.  The replay was a different matter as Spurs won 9-1 through goals from Sid McClellan (3), Len Duquemin (2),  Roy Hollis (2) and EddieBaily (2).  The successful team of the early 1950s had not made any impact in the F.A. Cup and many thought that this could be their year but after nine games, including four replays, having scored 21 goals, Spurs failed in their fifth semi-final.

In 1979, Keith Burkinshaw’s side suffered a similar fate as they drew 1-1 with non-League Altrincham at White Hart Lane.  The goal scored by Peter Taylor from the penalty spot enabled them to try again at Maine Road where the replay was played.  This time a Colin Lee hat-trick saw Spurs into the next round.

In 1993-94 Spurs were grateful for penalties as they defeated Peterborough United at home after two 1-1 draws. Spurs held their nerve and scored all five penalties.

Other memorable 3rd Round ties were games against Manchester United.  In 1968 a difficult 3rd Round tie at Old Trafford saw Spurs earn a replay in a thrilling action-packed game through a last minute equalizer from Martin Chivers.  Mike England returned, having been out for two months with injury but Jimmy Greaves was left out and Phil Beal played as an extra defender.  Chivers scored for Spurs after four minutes but United equalized within two minutes.  Half way through the second half, United took a lead which they looked like holding until Chivers’ last minute strike.  The replay was a very tight and combative affair.  Jimmy Greaves was re-instated to the Spurs team but the match remained scoreless after ninety minutes.  Meeting four days after the original match, some old scores had to be settled and in the second half Joe Kinnear and Brian Kidd were sent off for a tussle in the Spurs penalty area.  In extra time the match was settled by a disputed goal from winger, Jimmy Robertson – United players felt that England had impeded their goalkeeper.

In January, 1980 Spurs and United had drawn 1-1 at Tottenham in the 3rd Round, Ossie Ardiles scoring, but Spurs progressed the hard way.  The replay was scoreless, in spite of Glenn Hoddle having to take over in goal for the injured Aleksic.  Hoddle played confidently and as extra time was drawing to a close, Ossie Ardiles managed to summon a last ounce of energy to score the winner. Spurs, under Keith Burkinshaw, were now beginning to re-establish themselves in the 1st Division although further Cup success would have to wait for another season ending in ‘1’.

The FA Cup 3rd Round memories are endless, so perhaps it’s time for Spurs to rekindle their love affair with the competition and make a successful trip to the Final at Wembley.  The 3rd Round games are so much more memorable when there’s a winning Final at the end of all the effort.

‘Spurs are on their way to Wembley’

Spurs - Comparison with Season 2010 - 11

Tottenham - Plus 13 Points

(Up-dated 4th January, 2012)

Spurs opened the 2011-12 season with two heavy defeats but have managed to recover the lost ground to put themselves in a stronger position compared with the same stage of the season last year.

At present Tottenham are sitting in third position in the League with a game in hand on all other teams around them.  The postponement of the opening day fixture against Everton because of the riots near White Hart Lane immediately put Spurs at a disadvantage and this was compounded when their next games were against the two Manchester clubs who made a flying start to the new season.  So when all the other teams had played three games Spurs found themselves pointless and at the bottom of the League.

Now, at the mid-point of the season, Spurs have made a remarkable recovery by accumulating 42 points from thirteen wins and three draws. 

The comparison of fixtures played shows how Spurs have a 13 points advantage over last season, a credible situation:
 

Manchester Utd (a)   -

Manchester City (h) - 1

Wolves (a) + 2

Liverpool (h)  -

Wigan (a)  + 2

Arsenal (h)  + 2

Newcastle (a)   -
Blackburn (a)  -
QPR (WHU*) (h) +2
Fulham (a)  -

Aston Villa (h) - 

WBA (a) +2

Bolton (h) -

Stoke City (a) -3

Sunderland (h) +2

Chelsea (h) -

Norwich (Blackpool*) (a) + 3

Swansea (Birmingham*) -

WBA (h) +2

[* QPR, Norwich & Swansea in comparison with WHU, Blackpool & Birmingham City as the relegated teams)

This season's results show a positive score of 13 points and with four matches to the end of January, three at home, Spurs will be looking to consolidate and improve on that position.  

 

Next up is Everton (h) (Draw**), Wolves (h) (Win**), Manchester City (a) (Lost**) and Wigan (h) (Lost**).

[** Last season's result]

Competition at the top of the Premier League is very competitive this season with every team needing to take advantage of other teams' misfortune.  Over the holiday period Spurs were the only team in the top nine clubs not to lose so while there was disappointment at the late goal conceded against Swansea and the draw with Chelsea, overall we are still in a strong position.  

 

Last  night's success over West Brom didn't have the flowing football of the win over Norwich a week earlier but was a hard-earned three points.  At this point of the season that's all that matters so that the challenge at the top of the League can be maintained as other top clubs have slipped up in similar matches.  Spurs and Manchester United have both played 19 games and Spurs trail by three points but United have the opportunity to rejoin City at the top of the table but need to beat Newcastle United in a difficult away fixture.  

Spurs' form this season is better than any they have produced in the Premier League and has only been bettered by the 'Double' winning team of 1960 - 61.  Hopefully, a week's rest and recuperation and they will be ready for what is sure to be another difficult match against Everton next Wednesday.

Tottenham 1 WBA 0 - Defoe, At Last

It was a difficult night for Spurs against a very well organised and hard working West Brom team but a second half goal from Jermain Defoe gave Tottenham the win they required as they moved to within three points of Manchester United in second place in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

Scorer: Defoe

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas (Bassong), Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Van der Vaart, Sandro (Livermore) (Kranjcar), Modric, Bale; Adebayor, Defoe.  Subs (unused): Cudicini, Rose, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani

Jermain Defoe

It was hard work for Spurs at the end of a busy holiday period as they played their fourth game in twelve days but it was a 'must win' match at the start of a run of four home matches in January with only one away trip.  A crucial period in Tottenham's ambitions for the season as Harry Redknapp made one change in the team as Jermain Defoe returned in place of the injured Scott Parker who was missing his first League game since joining Spurs in August.  West Brom whose away results are better than their home record came with a much weakened team due to injury but a team that was was set up as expected to deny Spurs and to maintain their run of three away games without defeat where three late goals have seen them snatch the spoils.

Spurs started with an early burst that saw them win five corners in the first four minutes and West Brom who had clearly come to defend were content to hammer the ball out of defence for their lone striker to chase.  It was the sort of play a team would normally employ in the final moments of a game as they tried to defend a lead or hold a hard-earned point, not something you see from the opening minute.  West Brom weathered the early storm and with everyone back they frustrated Spurs who apart from the occasional flash rarely caused much concern for the visitors.  Rafael Van der Vaart saw Foster push a shot over but on most occasions a defender made a crucial tackle or block to deny Spurs a clear shot on target.  A Van der Vaart shot from the edge of the box was saved comfortably by Foster while Brad Friedel was occupied with collecting long punts upfield by either the goalkeeper or defenders.  West Brom were hoping that a lack of concentration by a Spurs defender would create a chance for them and on a couple of occasions it nearly came off but Spurs recovered quickly.

Spurs bright start quickly faded and it became a matter of trying to pick a way through the maze of resolute West Brom defenders who invariably got a foot in at the crucial moment.  Play continued as such to half-time with Jake Livermore replacing Sandro after thirty minutes because of injury.  Little changed after the interval as Spurs became increasingly frustrated at their own inability to put in that telling pass which would be the key to success.  Emmanuel Adebayor managed a clever flick on to Defoe but it came quickly to him and he blasted over.  West Brom continued to be satisfied with their game plan to harry and frustrate so Friedel continued to act as a ballboy collecting the backpass as Spurs started another attacking move.

At last, with just over the hour gone Spurs managed to put together possibly their only quick passing moivement of the evening and were rewarded with the goal.  Benoit Assou-Ekotto advanced on the left as he had done for much of the evening and played a quick pass to Van der Vaart on the edge of the area.  He played it wide to Gareth Bale who was on the left of the area and he quickly played it into the middle towards Defoe.  The move appeared to have broken down as Defoe's first touch saw the ball rear up into the air but with his back to goal and four or five defenders around him, Defoe quickly regained control, swivelled and shot into the far corner of the goal - relief for all in White Hart Lane.

West Brom weren't shaken out of their style of play by the goal although Friedel was called upon to make his first save of the evening saving at his near post.  An injury to William Gallas meant that he had to go off to be replaced by Sebastien Bassong and later a clash of heads between Younes Kaboul and Livermore reduced Spurs to nine men as they received attention.  It was at this point with over ten minutes remaining that the visitors realised that there might be something in the game for them.  Spurs were stretched defensively as they tried to reorganise to cope with the temporary situation and it was Van der Vaart who showed unusual defensive attributes as he battled to stop a West Brom breakthrough.  Spurs survived, Kaboul returned and Niko Kranjcar replaced Livermore.

Encouraged, Friedel saved well from a powerful shot by substitute Somen Tchoyi and in the closing minutes West Brom won a series of corners which troubled Spurs and just as the visitors had done in the opening minutes the home side were quite happy to clear the ball anywhere to get it out of danger.  Spurs held on and played out five minutes of added time to take the three points.  

Spurs have moved within three points of Manchester United and stay six behind City who defeated Liverpool.  Chelsea are five points behind Spurs in fourth with Arsenal a further point behind, although Spurs have their match in hand over both London clubs and City.

On paper the home fixtures that Spurs have in January look 'easy' but that match showed what they will be like.  All three teams will come to defend and try to snatch something from the game - Spurs have been introduced to the tactics that they can expect through the month and it will require patience and hard work to breakdown resolute defences with only one thought - to survive and deny Tottenham the chance to impose their style of play on the game.

A week to rest and recover ahead of the Everton match which will be of benefit to the players who looked weary and not as sharp as they have been with tired bodies and minds as the busy holiday period took its toll.  A Happy New Year start to 2012 for Spurs - it wasn't the exciting football that they've played earlier in the season but the important thing was that they took the three points and at the moment anything continues to be possible for Spurs.

Tottenham v West Bromwich Albion Preview

It was only five weeks ago that Spurs went to The Hawthorns and returned with three points from a 3 - 1 success.  With the Premier League at the half-way point, West Brom come to White Hart Lane for the first of the return fixtures.  This is the start of a very important period in the season for Tottenham with four home League games in January and only one away, at Manchester City.  By the end of the month  we will have a greater indication of what Tottenham's goals will be for the rest of the season. 

West Bromwich Albion arrive at Spurs for the first match of 2012 on the back of two contrasting home results.  They denied Manchester City a win in a well-drilled performance on Boxing Day but lost to a late goal from Everton on Sunday afternoon in what was reported to be a drab game to quickly erase from the memory bank.  Since losing to Spurs at the end of November, they have taken only one home point from three games but are undefeated on their travels.

West Brom have little over forty eight hours to recover from that game before taking to the White Hart Lane pitch but it is their away form which is keeping them in the relative mid-table security of 12th with 22 points.  They have earned 14 points on their travels from four wins, two draws and three defeats at Chelsea (1 - 2), Swansea (0 - 3) and Arsenal (0 - 3).  They have won their last two away matches at Newcastle (3 - 2) at the start of the holiday games and at Blackburn Rovers (2 - 1) four days earlier.
 
Their last visit to London at the beginning of December saw them take a point from a 1 - 1 draw with QPR.  All three of those games featured late West Brom goals to snatch the points - Shane Long scored in the 81st minute to earn the point at Loftus Road, Peter Odemwingie scored after 89 minutes against Blackburn and Paul Scharner's winner against Newcastle came five minutes from time.

A month earlier, their only away game in November saw them lose at the Emirates.  They also lost at Chelsea in their first away game of the season but followed that with a single goal successs at Norwich.  They then lost at Swansea but earned a point at Sunderland (2 - 2) and defeated Aston Villa 2 - 1 in the Midlands derby.

While West Brom have scored late goals in recent games, they have also scored the highest percentage of their goals in the first half - 63%, more than any other club.   Earlier in the season they scored at Chelsea after four minutes, scored the only goal at Norwich after three and were two up at Sunderland within five minutes.  Food for thought for Harry Redknapp as he prepares the team as West Brom are sure to be well organised and determined to deny Spurs space while still looking for a goal opportunity for themselves.  Team selection is always difficult to predict during the holiday games with injuries and squad rotation coming into play but Roy Hodgson is the master tactician in setting up his team to defend, deny and frustrate the opposition and Spurs can rest assured that whoever plays they will be fully committed to carry out the manager's plan.

Shane Long is the leading scorer with 5 goals while Peter Odemwingie has four.  Chris Brunt has two goals as has Scharner, Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

They Played for Spurs and West Brom: Read more

Spurs' Home League Record against WBA 

P  58  W  28  D  16  L  14  For  100  Ag  61 

Last Season's Match
23rd April, 2011  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Pavlyuchenko, Defoe
Spurs looked to have earned the three points until a late strike from Simon Cox, nine minutes from time.  It was his first Premier League goal and denied Spurs after Roman Pavlyuchenko had equalised Odemwingie's early goal, before half-time.  Jermain Defoe scored his 100th Spurs goal in the second half but Cox's spectacular strike cut short Tottenham's celebrations.

Previous PL Meetings at White Hart Lane
2nd May, 2009  PL  Won 1 - 0  Jenas 
A Jermaine Jenas goal, two minutes before half-time earned the three points for Spurs.  Heurelho Gomes, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King played their part in the win by keeping a clean sheet with important saves and a good defensive display.

27th March, 2006  PL  Won 2 - 1  Keane (2) (1 pen)
West Brom had taken a first half lead and it wasn't until twenty minutes from time that Robbie Keane equalised.  The game looked to be heading for a draw until the final minute's drama when the visiting goalkeeper, Thomasz Kuszczak, messed up a clearance and then fouled Defoe as he tried to recover the situation.  Keane coolly put away the penalty with one minute remaining.  

20th April, 2005  PL  Draw 1 - 1 Keane
A first half goal from Gera puts the visitors ahead only for Keane to get a second half equaliser.

8th December, 2002  PL  Won 3 - 1  Ziege, Keane, Poyet
Chritian Ziege put Spurs ahead after three minutes from a free-kick on the edge of the area and Keane added a second after half an hour but West Brom were the better team in their first visit since 1986.  the visitors pulled a goal back in the second half but Gus Poyet made the points secure with ten minutes remaining.

The Previous Meeting
8th March, 1986  1st Div.  Won 5 - 0  Mabbutt, Falco (2), Galvin, Waddle

Earlier this Season
26th Nov.  PL  Won 3 - 1  Adebayor (2), Defoe  Match Report and Preview

Tottenham are looking to increase the pressure on the two Manchester clubs with their run of four Premier League home games this month.  They need to start with a win to build the momentum for a challenge on the top two clubs and to distance themselves from the pursuing pack.  It has been a hectic period for all clubs but with two away games following the high intensity of the local derby against Chelsea, it has been particularly draining on the Spurs players.  Clubs around them have slipped up at less obvious hurdles so Spurs will want to ensure maximum points from this match.

The results in the coming month will not determine Spurs' season but they will give an indication of their goals and what they will be competing for in the final four months of the season.

It's Spurs: 1st January, 1986 - Roberts Takes Out Nicholas

Graham Roberts has a 'legendary' reputation as the 'hardman' of the Tottenham team of the 1980s.  It was enhanced twenty six years ago today as Spurs and Arsenal met at Highbury.

1st January, 1986

Arsenal 0 Tottenham 0

Graham Roberts - Tottenham's hardman of the 1980s

The main talking point during and after this scoreless draw at Highbury on New Year's Day 1986 was Graham Roberts' challenge on Charlie Nicholas which deposited the Arsenal player in the crowd.

The match was the first goal-less draw between the two clubs at Highbury in 77 years of competitive action.  That, however, was to given little thought or discussion when there were was something of greater interest to chew over.

'The Times' reported the incident as follows:

'Despite spurts of genius from Ardiles, Hoddle and Nicholas, it was regrettably true that the game would be best remembered for one horrendous tackle by Roberts on Nicholas which carried both players off the field, through an advertising hoarding and into the laps of th eringside spectators.

Roberts' 'tackle' had all the finesse of  acharging rhino but thoiugh hopeless ill-times - as so many of his challenges this season have been - I do not believe it was malicious.  For a moment it threatened to spark a riot as Arsenal players reacted furiously to the referee's decision merely to warn Roberts.  Peter Shreeve, the Tottenham manager, commented: "Roberts was totally committed.  Charlie never complained.  And he's an honest lad.  Situations in front of the main stand always do tend to flare up."

Fortunately tempers cooled before any real damage could be done, the hoarding apart.  The least affected seemed Roberts who ten minutes later went in a trifle roughly on Davis as if to prove his mental well-being and was booked by the referee with a keenness that suggested he had had self-recriminations about his earlier decision to absolve Roberts.' 

On such events are reputations built and for that act alone, Graham Roberts will be forever remembered by Tottenham supporters, never mind his goals and all-action performances which helped to bring silverware to White Hart Lane during his time with the club.

1st January, 1985 

 Spurs Take Highbury: Read more

It's Spurs: 1st January, 1985 - Spurs Take Highbury

On this day 27 years ago, Spurs took the short journey to Highbury and started the new year with a resounding victory over their near neighbours.

Happy New Year from Tottenham Spurs in History Blog

1st January, 1985

Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Scorers:  Woodcock           Crooks, Falco

Team: Clemence; Stevens, Mabbutt, Roberts, Miller, Perryman, Chiedozie, Hoddle (Allen, C.) Galvin, Crooks, Falco.

Mark Falco

Spurs went into the game leading the 1st Division with 43 points from 22 matches while Arsenal were four points behind.  Also in the chasing pack were Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Peter Shreeve had replaced Keith Burkinshaw as manager and Spurs had been top of the League for much of the first half of the season.

Arsenal dominated the first half at Highbury and took the lead through Tony Woodcock three minutes before half-time.  In the secdond half Spurs much greater determination and started to show the form that had seen them win four of their last five away games.  Captain, Steve Perryman led by example but on the hour it was Glenn Hoddle who demonstrated his magnificent skills as he played a long ball from deep in defence towards the Arsenal area.  It deceived defender and goalkeeper, allowing Garth Crooks to steal in and score his fifth goal in five games.

Tottenham continued to be more purposeful in their play and with seventeen minutes remaining, Tony Galvin passed to Mark Falco and his shot hit the back of the net.

Spurs started the new year with a win at Highbury and remained at the top of the 1st Division.  They didn't lose another away match for the rest of the season but poor home form saw Everton overtake them to win the title as Spurs slipped to third.

1st January, 1986

Roberts Takes out Nicholas at Highbury: Read More 

1st January, 1996 

Spurs 4 Manchester United 1: Read More 

Swansea 1 Tottenham 1

A Swansea equaliser six minutes from time denied Spurs the opportunity to end 2011 with a win and move to within four points of Manchester United with a game in hand.  Rafael Van der Vaart had given them the lead just before half-time but in the end a draw was all that Spurs deserved.

Swansea City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Scorers: Sinclair                                Van der Vaart

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

Tottenham were unchanged from the team that played so well at Norwich but Swansea had made six changes from their draw with QPR.  Swansea started much quicker and denied Spurs time to play the ball out of defence and on four minutes Brad Friedel was called on to make a good save from Nathan Dyer after former Spurs player, Mark Gower, had robbed Scott Parker out on the left wing.  Three Swansea corners in quick succession caused Spurs problems as the home side competed all over the pitch but then ran with purpose when they gained possession.  Spurs were struggling to make an impression on the game and on ten minutes Friedel collected comfortably from a long range shot. 

Two minutes later, Spurs first attacking move ended with a shot from Luka Modric which went past the post.  Gareth Bale's first contribution saw the fullback, Richards, booked for a heavy tackle.  Spurs were unsettled by the Swansea players closing them down quickly and the two wide men were keeping Kyle Walker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto occupied.

Spurs looked dangerous after twenty minutes as they broke through Scott Parker but Emmanuel Adebayor was crowded out.  It was Scott Sinclair who then caused Spurs further alarm with a shot from outside the area which he curled wide.

Spurs were playing much too close and intricate football which encouraged the home players to pressurise them to try to pinch the ball.  Spurs players were never able to turn with the ball and move forward, always having to play it in the direction they were facing.   

It was almost half an hour before Spurs first corner and their first period of pressure around the Swansea area but then Gower took the ball off Adebayor and his long dangerous cross was cleared for a corner.  Spurs nearly benefited from a Swansea error when a short back pass to the goalkeeper fell to Adebayor but Vorm cleared the danger.  From a corner Assou-Ekotto shot just wide as Spurs started to match Swansea by pressurising the home players much more quickly, denying them time but they still had the greater possession which they used well with crisp, accurate passing.

Gareth Bale was having a quiet afternoon and he was booking for diving which created an even more hostile reception for his return to Wales.  Spurs got the break that their play didn't really deserve when Assou-Ekotto crossed from the left and it was deflected to Van der Vaart whose shot was also deflected past Vorm.  Spurs were grateful for that goal and the half-time lead.  Van der Vaart's goal was only the fourth that Swansea had conceded at home this season and in the previous seven games where they had conceded the first goal, Swansea had lost.

After the interval Spurs seemed to start with more purpose and had a break on the left from Bale but Adebayor put his cross just wide.  Luke Moore then had two quick chances for Swansea - a header wide and Wiliam Gallas blocked another attempt on goal.  Another break for Spurs saw Adebayor feed Van  der Vaart but he shot from distance rather than going on into the penalty area and the goalkeeper saved for a corner.  After an hour Bale shot wide after going through the middle from a pass by Adebayor.

Swansea began to exert greater pressure on the Tottenham defence and Friedel saved from Moore and from the resulting corner, a shot was volleyed past the post.  Swansea brought on Danny Graham, their leading goal scorer and with twenty minutes remaining Jermain Defoe replaced Van der Vaart and Jake Livermore came on for the injured Parker.  

Defoe was playing on the right of a five man midfield and Spurs were finding it increasingly difficult to thwart the Swansea attacks.  Sinclair shot and Graham headed over, Kyle Walker cleared a dangerous cross and Modric cleared off the line from the corner.  Walker relieved the pressure with a break and gave the ball to Bale.  He crossed for Adebayor who played in Modric whose shot was blocked and Vorm saved from Adebayor who'd picked up the rebound.

Almost immediately, on 84 minutes, Joe Allen played a long ball out from defence to the right wing and the quick cross was deflected by the lunging Assou-Ekotto but Friedel couldn't hold the cross which fell to Sinclair who scored into the empty net.  Disappointing for Spurs but only what Swansea deserved for their play and endeavour.

In the final minutes Spurs tried to regain the lead - a free-kick from Bale was deflected off the wall and into the hands of Vorm who then saved from a header by Sandro following a cross.

Swansea deserved a point and are probably annoyed not to have won the game.  Spurs will be disappointed to have dropped two points which would have closed the gap on Manchester United to four points with a game in hand but in reality they hardly deserved the single point.  Spurs looked slow in body and mind and never achieved the levels of skill or endeavour they've shown in previous matches.  It's been a tough schedule with two away matches following the home game with Chelsea which was another high pressure game.  Swansea never allowed Spurs to settle or to play their game, the home side dictated throughout and were quicker and more positive in their play.

Spurs missed an opportunity when those around them lost unexpectedly - United at home to Blackburn and Chelsea at home to Aston Villa.  Arsenal have moved into fourth but remain three points behind Spurs who have their game in hand.  Chelsea was a missed opportunity as was Stoke although there were extenuating circumstances.  Spurs can't afford to let many more opportunities slip past them so they need to take advantage of their next three games being at White Hart Lane.  They are then away to Manchester City, followed by a home game against Wigan.  By the end of January we might be in a better position to decide how damaging today's dropped points were in the bigger picture of the Premier League title race.

Swansea will not be an easy side to beat at home and their next opponents at the Liberty Stadium are Arsenal and Chelsea so let's hope they find it as difficult as Spurs found it on the last day of 2011 which has been quite an amazing year in the history of Tottenham and let's hope that the new year brings much more excitement from Harry Redknapp and his players..

They Played for Spurs and Swansea

The history of Tottenham Hotspur is littered with Welshmen who have played for the club and have brought glory to the club both as individuals and with trophy winning teams.  Gareth Bale is currently the name on everyone's mind but before him there was Mike England, Ron Burgess, Cliff Jones and Terry Medwin.  Some of those players played for both Spurs and Swansea with the Welsh club providing Spurs with two members of the 'Double' winning squad.

As Gareth Bale returns to Wales, Spurs can be extremely grateful for the Welsh born players who represented the club in earlier years and for a time after the Second World War there was a succession of players who came from Wales to play football at White Hart Lane.

Terry Medwin signed from Swansea Town in April, 1956 for £25,000.  He played mostly for Spurs on the right wing but had filled all of the forward positions for Swansea.  He had already made three international appearances for Wales prior to joining Spurs and went on to add another 27 caps for his country.  He was a regular for Spurs for the next four seasons but lost his place to Terry Dyson at the start of the 1960 - 61 season but came into the team at times of injury, making 15 appearances.  He regained his place for the 1962 FA Cup triumph but a serious injury on tour in the summer of 1963 led to his eventual retirement.  He made over 200 appearances for Spurs and scored 72 goals.

Cliff Jones - 'Spurs Legend'

Cliff Jones followed Medwin from Swansea to London in February, 1958 and became a Tottenham 'Legend' in his ten years with the club.  He was a member of the 'Double' winning team and the success that followed in 1962 and 1963.  He was an unused substitute for the 1967 FA Cup Final and was still a member of the team when he was transferred to Fulham in October, 1968.  A quick winger who could create and score goals and was fearless when diving in to score goals with his head against players of much greater height and build.  He made 378 League and Cup appearances, scoring 159 goals.

Ron Burgess captained the 'Push and Run' team of the late 1940s and early 1950s, leading them to promotion in 1950 as 2nd Division Champions and then securing the 1st Division title the following year.  He was one of Spurs greatest players and had arrived from Wales in 1939, an immense half-back he eventually moved to Swansea as player-manager in 1954 and ten years later as manager of Watford sold a young Northern Ireland goalkeeper to Tottenham - Pat Jennings was his name.  He made 301 Football League appearances for the club but like so many players of that era, the total would have been so much greater but for losing six years of his footballing career to the Second World War.

Ernie Jones was another winger to move from Swansea to Spurs. He was an amateur with Swansea before the War but joined Bolton in the early 1940s and turned professional.  He returned to Swansea and played for them in the war-time football and had a year in the Football League with the Welsh club before joining Spurs in June, 1947.  He made his debut a few days later on 7th June, 1947 - the latest date on which Spurs has ever played their final game of a season.  He spent two seasons with the club before joining Southampton in May, 1949 as part of the deal which brought Alf Ramsey to White Hart Lane.

Arthur Willis was a full back in the 'Push and Run' team which won the 1st Division title in 1951.  He had joined Spurs in 1938 as an amateur and made 145 League appearances before moving to Swansea in 1954.  He played for them for four seasons and helped them to the Welsh Cup Final in 1956.  He later joined their coaching staff.

In more recent times, Paul Price who played in the 1982 FA Cup Final spent three seasons with Spurs, having joined from Luton Town in 1981.  Price, a Welsh international central defender, joined Swansea in 1984 and spent two years at the Vetch Field.

Mark Kendall was a reserve goalkeeper with Spurs in the late 1970s, making 36 appearances during his time at White Hart Lane.  He left Spurs in 1980 but later in his career he had two seasons with Swansea, helping then win the Welsh Cup.  He also played for them in European competition but was back-up during his time there.  Sadly, Kendall passed away suddenly in 2008, aged 49.

John Hendry who had five seasons with Spurs joined Swansea on loan for a period in 1994.  He later joined Motherwell.  He scored on his Spurs debut at Norwich and scored twice at Highbury as Spurs beat Arsenal 3 - 1 in the last game of 1992 - 93.  He scored five League goals for Spurs in 17 League appearances.

Paul Miller who was such a vital member of the Spurs central defence in the successful team of the 1980s made 12 appearances for Swansea in 1990.  At Tottenham, he formed a great partnership with Graham Roberts and scored the goal in the first leg of the 1984 UEFA Cup Final against Anderlecht in Belgium.

Mark Gower and Wayne Routledge who are currently with Swansea spent time with Spurs earlier in their careers, while Steven Caulker is on loan at Swansea from Spurs for this season to gain Premier league experience.

Terry Yorath played for both clubs as did Mick Stead, Alan Woods, Derek King, Joe Meek, Percy Hooper, Jack Illingworth, Charlie Handley and Wilie Davies.

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.

Norwich City 0 Tottenham 2

Spurs, thanks to two second half Gareth Bale goals, reduce the gap at the top to seven points, with a game in hand, and four points ahead of Chelsea.  Tottenham dominated the match at Carrow Road and could have added to the scoreline but will feel satisified with a job well done.

     Norwich City 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Scorers:                              Bale (2)

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

Tottenham started the game with only one change to the team, as expected, Ledley King, having played two matches in four days last week, sat this one out.  Norwich were without Tottenham's Kyle Naughton who was suspended and ineligible while on loan at CarrowRoad.  Spurs dominated possession and should have been ahead by half-time but Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor spurned good chances as John Ruddy made a number of crucial saves.  Norwich worked hard and often had eight men back on the edge of their area to prevent Spurs from applying their intricate passing movements in search of a goal.

In the second half, Norwich saw a free-kick pass narrowly wide of Brad Friedel's goal, although the keeper appeared to have it covered.  So dominant were Spurs that after 77 minutes when Norwich earned their first corner, Spurs had had ten but more importantly two goals.

The first goal came after 55 minutes, only seconds after the Norwich free-kick.  Scott Parker played the ball across the edge of the area to Rafael Van der Vaart whose pass to Adebayor gave him time with quick control to make a short pass to Bale in front of goal who shot with power under the diving goalkeeper.

Bale was playing a more central role and getting into the box to support Adebayor more often.  His second goal came twelve minutes later as he picked up a pass from Luka Modric and ran with pace through the centre of the home side's defence to shoot past Ruddy.

Spurs with an excellent team performance had done enough to earn the three points and played out time without their usual scary moments.

This is Spurs third consecutive 2 - 0 win at Carrow Road and at the end of the previous two seasons, Norwich were relegated - they'll be hoping this doesn't happen to them in May, 2012.

Some Interesting Facts:

The match was a local 'derby' for Norwich as the 110 miles to White Hart Lane makes Tottenham their closest rivals this year.

Spurs have taken more points in their last 15 matches (38) than either of the Manchester clubs.

That was Spurs sixth clean sheet of the season.

Tottenham have won the last ten Premier League games in which Gareth Bale has scored - changed days from his early record at Spurs.

So Gareth Bale having conquered the east (Norwich) goes out west on New Year's Eve to his homeland, Wales, hoping for another performance against Swansea to bring Spurs three points and victory over teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales this year.