Benoit Assou-Ekotto - Pure Class

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has developed into one of the best left backs in the Premier League.  From an uncertain start in his early days with Spurs he has become very assured defensively and is an increasing threat going forward having scored two goals in his last four games.

Benny - Mr Cool - Class 

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Benoit Asou-Ekotto is a player who has over time grown on the hearts of Spurs supporters with varying hair styles, odd boots, trademark drag back and his growing list of outstanding goals.  He has developed an excellent understanding with Gareth Bale doing the defensive work as Bale rampages around the pitch causing havoc.

Benny is becoming a greater threat going forward looking for the opportunity to create but also aware that he can contribute to the team with goals as well.

He has now scored three league goals, all of them memorable.

The first was against Liverpool in  the opening fixture of season 2009-10.  A free-kick on the edge of the area rebounded off the wall and with a wonderful strike he powered a shot into the net.

The second came against Everton in January when he made progress on the left and cut in towards goal to unleash a shot from thirty yards which the goalkeeper at full stretch could only wave at as it hit the back of the net.

The most recent was against Newcastle in the 5 - 0 success.  It was the opening goal and Benoit was on hand at the edge of the six yard box to meet Emmanuel Adebayor's cross and hammer it into the roof of the net.  That must have been the first time he has ever ventured into the opponents' six yard box - but he made it worthwhile.

He displayed all his composure and confidence as he defended a cross late in that game, controlling the ball with his chest, flicking it up on his knee and heading the ball back to Brad Friedel - a super moment from a game with many good things to remember.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has become a cult figure at White Hart Lane - heady days, indeed, which see him rival former player, Cyril Knowles, of 'Nice one Cyril' fame as the outstanding left back to have played for the club.

Tottenham 5 Newcastle United 0

A perfect end to the week for Harry Redknapp as Spurs, inspired by a re-energised Emmanuel Adebayor, scored five goals against Newcastle at White Hart Lane as the fans continually showed their support for the manager.

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What an End to Redknapp's Perfect Week

Tottenham Hotspur 5 Newcastle United 0

Scorers: Assou-Ekotto, Saha (2), Kranjcar, Adebayor

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

White Hart Lane was buzzing with the Spurs supporters constantly singing and chanting the name of Harry Redknapp as they showed their support for the manager.  The fans were up for the game and so were the players as Newcastle discovered very early on as Tottenham scored twice in the opening six minutes with Emmanuel Adebayor the creator and inspiration for the team.

 

Louis Saha made his home debut in place of Jake Livermore, with Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe fit enough to return to the substitutes bench.  With Newcastle in search of a top four finish a difficult game was expected but they were restricted due to injuries in midfield.  Spurs started very brightly and Adeboyor had created the first goal within four minutes.  Looking lively and more energetic than in  previous matches, he took a ball from Gareth Bale and made a forceful run and cross to where Benoit Assou-Ekotto was waiting, unmarked at the the corner of the six yard box and he gleefully hammered the ball into the net.  It was a perfect start for Spurs and answered the question as to whether the media speculation about Harry Redknapp and the England manager's position had been a distraction at the club.  The answer was clearly in the negative and after another two minutes it became a resounding, "No!"

Adebayor, again, made another strong run on the right and crossed for Louis Saha to score on his home debut against the team with whom he started his career in English football.  Two minutes later, Saha turned provider and set up Adebayor but the shot went out for a goal kick.  Two minutes on and Bale turned creator and set up Adebayor but he was unable to control the through ball and it ran on to the goalkeeper.

From a Newcastle corner, Adebayor, in trying to put in a tackle, slipped and the ball ran over his arm but the referee turned down any penalty appeals.  A Bale run and cross came out to Kranjcar but he blasted over on fifteen minutes.  it was all Spurs and they struck again when a Modric cross was laid back by Adebayor for Saha to score through the defenders legs.

The ease with which Spurs were playing encouraged the supporters and there was a constant tide of support for Harry Redknapp.  Bale continued to be dangerous and he crossed to Saha who passed to Adebayor but the shot went wide.

Brad Friedel made a finger tip save from a free-kick when Scott Parker was booked for a foul on the edge of the area.

After thirty four minutes Spurs scored their fourth as Saha broke from halfway and put in Adebayor with a lovely cross/pass - Adebayor's shot was saved but it came back to him and as he tried to regain control it fell to Kranjcar who scored - his first goal in a year.

Spurs continued to play free flowing football with Newcastle chasing shadows although Ba had a shot straight at Friedel.  The visitors defenders were finding Adebayor unplayable and he put in another cross to Kranjcar who shot over.  Then in the final minute of the half, Spurs were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box which Adebayor touched to Assou-Ekotto but with a clesar sight on goal, he blasted it over.


After half-time Spurs were content to maintain possession for long periods with Newcastle unable to take the ball from them and when they did get it, they just gave it straight back to Spurs.  After sixty four minutes, Bale played in Adebayor but he just failed to control the ball.  Spurs appeared to be satisfied with four goals but then a good ball went from Bale out to Assou-Ekotto on the left and his centre was headed back by Saha to Adebayor who hooked it into the net for a deserved goal and his tenth of the season.  Adebayor and Saha were showing an excellent understanding in their first game together.

Bale shot over from twenty five yards.  Lennon and Defoe replaced Bale and Saha as Spurs continued to play at will with little threat from Newcastle.  Ryan Nelsen made his debut as a replacement for Ledley King.  Kyle Walker had an excellent run on the right but his cross was just too high for Adebayor.  Then Newcastle created their first danger of the evening when Ba got a header on target from close range but Friedel reacted instinctively to save and the rebound was hit over.

Spurs produced a quick passing movement from Defoe to Adebayor to Kranjcar and back to Adebayor but the final shot passed wide.  Luka Modric had a shot saved and Adebayor again shot over after Parker and Defoe had created the chance for him.


Newcastle have now lost on their last three visits to White Hart Lane and this match was the perfect end to a hectic week for Harry Redknapp.  He was cleared of all charges in his court case, he is top candidate for the England manager's post, the fans showed their desire for him to stay and the players responded by producing one of their best displays of the season.  The only thing which could have improved Redknapp's week would have been Bale scoring with the late chance on Monday evening at Anfield.

Emmanuel Adebayor was revitalised throughout, involved in every goal, with four assists and a goal.  He linked well with Saha who scored two goals in twenty minutes for Spurs, having only managed that number in twenty games this season with Everton.


Spurs are now ten points ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea, five behind Manchester United who beat Liverpool to go a point ahead of City who play Aston Villa later today.  Spurs did all they could today to persuade Harry Redknapp to stay at White Hart Lane and bide his time before accepting his ultimate job, the England manager's role.

Just as the fans chanted, "We want you to stay Harry Redknapp, we want you to stay," so I reiterate their words of yesterday but in all likelihood such sentiments won't be enough to keep Harry at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham's Home Record against Newcastle United

Newcastle United have maintained their early season form and have moved into fifth place in the Premier League with 42 points.  Since the beginning of January they have won four out of five League matches, including a home success over Manchester United.  Their only defeat was in their last visit to London, going down 2 - 5 at Craven Cottage.

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Last Season's Match:
Dec. 2010  PL  Won 2 - 0  Lennon, Bale
Spurs had a relatively comfortable win last season in the final match of 2010, winning with second half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale, despite finishing the game with ten men, Younes Kaboul having been sent off a few minutes after the opening goal. 

2011 - 11: Spurs 5 Newcastle 0  Match Report

Home League Record against Newcastle United:

P  66  W  35  D  11  L  20  For  122  Ag  76

Home Record in Premier League:  

P  17  W  10  D  1  L  6  For  29  Ag  21

Recent Games against Newcastle at White Hart Lane:  

Apr. 2009  PL  Won 1 - 0  Bent

As Newcastle battled to avoid relegation, Darren Bent's goal midway through the first half didn't help their cause.  Spurs, kept their second successive clean sheet and after their early season problems had climbed to ninth. 

Mar. 2008  PL  Lost 1 - 4  Bent

The euphoria of the previous month's Carling Cup win was starting to wane as Spurs conceded four goals for the third time in six League games.  Bent gave Spurs the lead, midway through the half but once Newcastle equalised on the stroke of half-time, the visitors showed a greater desire to win.  

Jan. 2007  PL  Lost 2 - 3  Defoe, Berbatov 

Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead after fourteen minutes but Newcastle were level two minutes later.  Dimitar Berbatov restored Spurs lead in the second half but two goals in a minute gave Newcastle the points.  The visitors' second goal was a stunning strike from Martins. 

Dec. 2005  PL  Won 2 - 0  Tainio, Mido 

Spurs were fourth and making a concerted attempt to attain a Champions League place and another comfortable win kept them on target.  Teemu Tainio scored his first goal for Spurs, just before the interval, and Mido made victory secure midway through the second half.

Apr. 2005  PL  Won 1 - 0  Defoe 

Spurs won comfortably but had only a late first half goal from Defoe to show for their effort and had to withstand late pressure from Newcastle as they tried to snatch a point.

Mar. 2004  PL  Won 1 - 0  O'Brien o.g. 

The match which looked to be heading for a scoreless draw was settled in the final minutes when the Newcastle central defender, Andy O'Brien, put through his own goal. 

Prior to 2004 Spurs lost both home matches in January, 2002 (1 - 3) and 2003 (0 - 1).  Iversen scored the goal in 2002 and was also among the scorers in the 3 - 1 success in August, 1999 along with Ferdinand and Tim Sherwood.

Memorable Matches:

1st January, 2001  PL  Won 4 - 2  Doherty, Anderton (p), Rebrov, Ferdinand 

Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half but Spurs were level with a Gary Doherty header within five minutes.  Darren Anderton put them ahead with a penalty three minutes later but missed another within two as Newcastle were reduced to ten men.  Sergei Rebrov increased the lead five minutes later.  Shortly after half-time, Neil Sullivan was sent off, having conceded a penalty from which the visitors scored.  Newcastle were then reduced to nine men a few minutes later.  Les Ferdinand scored a fourth with over ten minutes remaining as Spurs secured their first win in seven games.

18th November, 1950  1st Div.  Won 7 - 0  Ramsey (p), Walters, Bennett, Baily, Medley (3)

Spurs had just returned to the 1st Division for the first time since before the 2nd World War and were on their way to winning their first League title.  Arthur Rowe's 'Push and Run' side were at their very best and completely overran Newcastle that day in what has been described as 'one of the finest displays ever put on by a Tottenham team.'

At the start of the day, Newcastle were second in the table with Spurs fourth but Tottenham had won their last seven League matches.  The visitors were three down at half-time,  Les Bennett, Eddie Baily and Les Medley having scored for Spurs.  Medley scored the fourth, Sonny Walters added a fifth, before Medley completed his hat-trick.  Alf Ramsey added to the visitors' misery with a penalty.

At the end of the season Spurs were League Champions for the first time and Newcastle won the FA Cup.

**In true Spurs fashion, however, they went out the next weekend and lost 2 - 3 at Huddersfield Town.

Spurs will be looking to return to winning ways as they proceeded through a tricky series of matches in February.  They saw victory snatched from them at Newcastle in October by a late goal but will hope to improve on what hasn't been a great home record against Newcastle in the past decade.

 They Played for Spurs and Newcastle: Here

Full details of Results can be found at www.topspurs.com 

with Match Reports on spursodyssey.comhttp://www.spursodyssey.com/

Spurs - Points Comparison with Last Season

Tottenham - Plus 14 Points

(Up-dated 7th February, 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.

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At present Tottenham are sitting in third position in the League with 50 points, five behind Manchester United and seven adrift of the leaders, Manchester City.  Spurs have a seven point advantage over Chelsea and are eight points ahead of Newcastle United.  Arsenal are ten points behind with last night's opponents, Liverpool, a further point down in seventh position.

At the same stage last season after twenty four games Spurs were fifth with 41 points following a 1 - 0 win at Blackburn.  They then won their next two games against Bolton and Sunderland before losing at Blackpool which was the point where their season ground to a halt with only one win in next nine games and six draws.
 
The comparison of fixtures played shows how Spurs have a 14 points advantage over last season, a very 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
Everton (h) +2
Wolves (h) -2
Manchester City (a) -
Wigan (h) + 3
Liverpool (a) -2 

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

This season's results show a positive score of 14 points but Spurs are facing difficult fixtures before the end of February - Newcastle United (h) (Win**), Arsenal (a) (Won**) and Manchester United (h) (Draw**).  

[** Last season's result]

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.  For this month they need to negotiate the next three difficult matches with as many points as possible and then assess their options with regard a push for the title when they need to regain the sort of form which saw them put together an unbeaten run from the beginning of August to mid-December when referee, Chris Foy, stepped in to assist Stoke City in bringing it to an end.  Spurs have lost four League games this season and only the two Manchester clubs having lost less.  Through January and into February, Spurs have continued to improve in comparison with last year's games even though they have had the disappointment of two wins turning into draws this year, especially the home game against Wolves, and the nature of the loss against Manchester City.

Hopefully, this year, having negotiated the games in February, Spurs will be able to build on that and mount a sustained challenge on City's and United's position at the top of the Premier League, to make a good season even more enjoyable.

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.

They Played for Spurs and Liverpool

Robbie Keane is the last to join the collection of players who have played for both Spurs and Liverpool but he added another twist by returning to Tottenham within six months.  Technically, Jamie Redknapp, the son of the Spurs manager, also did a 'Keane' as he started as a schoolboy with Spurs before going to Bournemouth, was transferred to Liverpool and finally joined Spurs at the end of his career.

Ray Clemence

Surprisingly, the first player transfer between Tottenham and Liverpool took place only thirty years ago.  Spurs signed Ray Clemence in the summer of 1981 after twelve successful years at Anfield.  The England international goalkeeper helped Spurs to retain the FA Cup in 1982 but missed out on the UEFA Cup Final two years later due to injury.  On his retirement he took up a coaching role with the club and during the Terry Venables 'reign' was joint First team coach with Doug Livermore in season 1992-93.  Clemence was 33 years old when he joined Spurs who had been looking for a top class goalkeeper since the departure of Pat Jennings four years earlier when at the age of thirty two, Keith Burkinshaw deemed him to be past his best.  While Clemence had a successful time at White Hart Lane he will always be remembered, first and foremost, as a Liverpool player.

Prior to the Clemence transfer, only one player had played for both clubs.  Joe Brough, a half-back, had joined Spurs from Stoke City in July, 1908 following their election to the Football League.  Ill-health during his time with Spurs meant he only made three appearances before returning to his former club, Burslem Port Vale.

From Anfield to White Hart Lane

Paul Walsh had four years with Liverpool in the mid-eighties before joining Spurs in February, 1988 for £500,000 as Terry Venables first major signing.  He spent four seasons at White Hart Lane and made an appearance as a substitute in the 1991 FA Cup Final.  He made over 150 League and Cup appearances, scoring 21 goals.  In his final season at White Hart Lane he had a period on loan with QPR before joining Portsmouth for £500,000 in May, 1992 as part of the transfer agreement which brought Darren Anderton to Spurs.

Ronnie Rosenthal joined Spurs in January, 1994 for £250,000.  He had joined Liverpool, initially on loan, from Standard Liege in March, 1990.  He made 100 League and Cup appearances for Spurs, scoring 11 goals.  He is fondly remembered for his hat-trick in an FA Cup replay against Southampton in 1995 when his goals inspired a second half fightback from two goals down to win 6 - 2.  He joined Watford in August, 1997.

John Scales joined Spurs in 1996 after two seasons at Liverpool.  His career at Tottenham was hindered by injury so that he only made 33 appearances before joining Ipswich Town in 2000.  His only goal for Spurs was against Liverpool in a League Cup win at Anfield in 1998.

Oyvind Leonaardsen was signed by George Graham in the summer of 1999.  His career in England has started with Wimbledon where he spent four years before joining Liverpool for a season.  He spent three years with Spurs and made 54 League appearances but in 2002 he signed for Aston Villa.

Christian Ziege joined Liverpool from Middlesbrough in 2000.  The following year he joined Spurs and was a member of their losing Worthington Cup team in 2002, scoring Spurs only goal against Blackburn Rovers.  Injury restricted him to 47 League appearances and he returned to Germany in June, 2004 to play for Borussia Monchengladbach.

From Tottenham to Liverpool
Paul Stewart was the first player to move from Spurs to Liverpool.  He had joined Spurs from Manchester City as a striker but turned into quite a useful midfield player who helped scored the equalising goal in the 1991 FA Cup Final and went on to win three England caps.  He made 131 League appearances for Spurs but for family reasons asked to move back north and Liverpool signed hm in July, 1992 for £2.3 million.  Injuries hindered him during his time at Anfield and he only made 32 League appearances in four seasons, spending time out on loan.

Neil Ruddock had two spells with Spurs, signing for a second time in 1992 from Southampton.  At the end of the season, Ruddock demanded a transfer in the aftermath of the Terry Venables/Alan Sugar saga.  He was sold to Liverpool where he remained for five seasons but was rarely far away from controversy.

From White Hart Lane and Back
Robbie Keane has spent six years with Spurs and made almost two hundred League appearances, scoring 82 goals for the club as well as helping them win the 2008 Carling Cup Final when he was transferred to Liverpool for £20.3 million the following summer.  His stay at Anfield was brief and not a success, so Harry Redknapp resigned him the following January.  He played another 41 League games and scored 11 goals before joining La Galaxy in the summer of 2011.  His second spell with Tottenham was not as successful with him spending time on loan at Celtic and West Ham United.

Nineteen years earlier, Jamie Redknapp had made the similar journey, via Bournemouth.
Redknapp started as a youth player with Spurs but turned down their offer and decided to go to Bournemouth where his father was manager.  He later joined Liverpool where he made over 300 appearances, winning five major trophies.  Glenn Hoddle brought him to Spurs in 2002 but injury plagued his time in London.  He made only 48 League appearances before joined his father at Southampton in January, 2005.

They played for Tottenham and Liverpool

Nicky Barmby left Spurs for Middlesbrough in 1995 and joined Liverpool in 2000 after four seasons with Everton.  Barmby is one of only a few players to move directly across Stanley Park.

Danny Murphy spent seven years with Liverpool before joining Charlton Athletic.  He moved to Spurs in January, 2006 after two years at The Valley.  He made 23 League appearances for Spurs and eighteen months later signed for Fulham.

Graeme Souness made only one appearance for Spurs as a substitute in a UEFA Cup tie in Iceland in 1971.  Anxious to get into into first team football, he requested a move and reluctantly was allowed to sign for Middlesbrough.  He later joined Liverpool where he played our a very successful career.  Souness had been the 'new Dave Mackay' for whom Bill Nicholson had been searching but the with the impatience of youth, Souness was not prepared to wait for his time at Tottenham.

Brad Friedel started his career in England with Liverpool where he made 25 League appearances in three seasons.  He joined Blackburn Rovers and then Aston Villa and then signed for Spurs last summer.

Spurs' Record against Liverpool at Anfield

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

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

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

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

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

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

Premier League Record at Anfield

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

Last Season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spurs' Penalty Record - Hit or Miss

In the days of Jimmy Greaves Spurs never seemed to miss a penalty but in recent times Tottenham have struggled to find a consistent penalty taker since Robbie Keane had a fairly successful period up to 2005.  Since then various players have had the opportunity from the spot but their success rate has been rather 'hit and miss'.

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Jimmy Greaves

Most Spurs fans hide behind their hands when Spurs are awarded a penalty, convinced that they're going to miss.  This is Tottenham's penalty record since 2005 to see if it's really as bad as we all think and to see if the missed penalty has had an effect on the subsequent result of the match.

Note: Penalty scored is in bold/ in blue italics for a miss 
Score at time of penalty award is in brackets after the result with the home team's score first 
Penalty shoot-outs have been omitted: Tottenham's Penalty Shoot-out Record

2011 - 12
*Dec.  2011  PL v Stoke City (a)  Adebayor  Lost 1 - 2  
                                        (Score at time of penalty award 0 - 2)  Report
*Nov. 2011  EL  v PAOK Salonika (h)  Modric  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 2)    Report
Nov. 2011  PL  v West Bromwich Albion (a)   Adebayor  Won 3 - 1  (0 - 1)  
                                                [Penalty saved but Adebayor scored from rebound]   Report
*Oct. 2011  PL  v Newcastle United (a)  Van der Vaart  Draw 2 - 2  (0 - 0)    Report
Aug. 2011  EL  v Hearts (h)  Kane  Draw 0 - 0  [Saved]   Report

2010 - 11
*May, 2011  PL  v Liverpool (a)  Modric  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 1)
Feb. 2011  PL  v Bolton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0) 
[Missed with re-take having scored with first attempt and from the first penalty awarded a minute earlier] 
*Feb. 2011  PL  v Bolton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 2 - 1  (0 - 0)
Nov. 2010  PL  v Liverpool (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (0 - 1)  (Missed)
Nov. 2010  CL  v Werder Bremen (h)  Bale  Won  3 - 0  (2 - 0)  [Saved] 
*Nov. 2010  PL  v Arsenal (a)  Van der Vaart  Won 3 - 2  (2 - 1)
Nov. 2010  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (h)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 2  (1 - 0)  [Missed]
*Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 1  (2 - 1)
*Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 1  (1 - 0) 
Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Van der Vaart  Won 4 - 1  (0 - 0)  [Saved] 
*Sept. 2010  PL  v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 3 - 1  (0 - 1)
*Aug. 2010  CL  v Young Boys Berne (h)  Crouch  Won 4 - 0  (3 - 0)

2009 - 10
*Apr. 2010  PL  v Chelsea (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 0)
Feb. 2010  FAC  v Bolton Wanderers (a)  Huddlestone  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 1)  [Saved]
Jan. 2010  FAC  v Leeds United (h) Defoe  Draw 2 - 2  (0 - 0)  [Saved]
*Jan. 2010 FAC  v Peterborough United (h)  Keane  Won 4 - 0  (3 - 0) (Last minute penalty)
Dec. 2009  PL  v Everton (a)  Defoe Draw 2 - 2  (2 - 2)  [Saved]  (Last minute penalty)
Oct. 2009  CC  v Everton (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 0  (1 - 0)  [Saved]
                                              [Penalty saved but Keane scored following a goalmouth scramble]
*Sept. 2009  PL  v Burnley (h)  Keane  Won 5 - 0  (0 - 0)                           

2008 - 09
*May, 2009  PL  v Manchester City (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 1)  (86th minute penalty)
*Apr. 2009  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 0)
*Jan. 2009  FAC  v Wigan Athletic (h)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 3 - 1  (1 - 0)
*Dec. 2008  CC  v Watford (a)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0)

2007 - 08
*Feb. 2008  CC Final  v Chelsea (Wembley)  Berbatov  Won 2 - 1 (aet)  (0 - 1)   Report

*Feb. 2008  PL  v Derby County (a)  Berbatov  Won 3 - 0  (2 - 0)
*Jan. 2008  FAC  v Reading (h)  Berbatov  Draw 2 - 2  (1 - 1)
Dec. 2007  PL  v Reading (h)  Keane  Won 6 - 4  (4 - 4)  [Saved]
                                                                         [Penalty saved but Defoe scored from rebound]
Dec. 2007  PL  v Arsenal (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (1 - 1)  [Saved]
*Dec. 2007  UEFA Cup  v Anderlecht (a)  Berbatov  Draw 1 - 1  (0 - 1)
*Dec. 2007  PL  v Birmingham City (h)  Keane  Lost 2 - 3   (0 - 0)  (1st minute penalty)
Dec. 2007  PL  v West Ham United (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 1)[Saved]  (Last minute penalty) 
*Oct. 2007  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (h)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 0)
*Oct. 2007  PL  v Aston Villa (h)  Keane  Draw 4 - 4  (2 - 4)

2006 - 07
May, 2007  PL  v Manchester City (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (2 - 1)  [Saved]
*Apr. 2007  PL  v Wigan Athletic (a)  Keane  Draw 3 - 3  (2 - 1)
*Apr. 2007  PL  v Reading (h)  Keane  Won 1 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Mar. 2007  FAC  v Chelsea (h)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 2)
*Mar. 2007 PL  v West Ham United (a)  Defoe  Won 4 - 3  (2 - 0)
*Nov. 2006  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 0)
*Nov. 2006  PL  v Reading (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 3  (0 - 0)
*Oct. 2006  PL  v Portsmouth (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0)

2005 - 06
*Apr. 2006  PL  v Everton (a)  Keane  Won 1 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Mar. 2006  PL  v West Bromwich Albion (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 1)  [89th minute penalty] 
*Dec. 2005  PL  v Birmingham City (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Dec. 2005  PL  v Portsmouth (h)  Mido  Won 3 - 1  (1 - 1)  [85th minute penalty]
Dec.  2005  Pl  v Sunderland (h) Keane  Won 3 - 2  (2 - 2)  [Saved]
Sept. 2005  PL  v Aston Villa (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 0)  [Saved]

Statistics:
Over the past seven and a half seasons, Spurs have been awarded 52 penalties.  They have scored from 35 of them which is a success rate of 67.3%.

Over the past thirty months, however, that level of success has dropped to 54.2% with thirteen scored from 24 attempts.

Of the seventeen missed penalties, 14 have been saved by the goalkeeper with only three being off target.

During this period Spurs have been awarded more than one penalty in a game on two occasions:

Feb. 2011 v Bolton (h) PL (2) - 1 success

Sept. 2010 v FC Twente (h) (CL) (3) - 2 successes

Sometimes penalties seem to be awarded in batches -

• in November, 2010 Spurs were awarded penalties in four successive matches and only scored one, at the Emirates, but won all four games.
• in December, 2005 Spurs had three penalties in four games - scored two but again won all three games

The most vital penalty was probably scored by Dimitar Berbatov against Chelsea in the 2008 Carling Cup Final which levelled the score and took the game to extra time.

Late penalties (in last five minutes) to win the game: Spurs have had five chances to win a game through a late penalty - they have accepted the offer on three occasions.  Keane (twice) and Mido have been successful but Defoe has failed on two occasions in away games at Everton and West Ham United.

Three penalties have been missed but Spurs have managed to score from the rebound or in the ensuing scramble: Adebayor (at WBA), Keane (against Everton in Carling Cup) and Defoe saved Keane when he scored against Reading.

The longest successful strike rate from the penalty spot was from December, 2005 to April, 2007 when 11 successes were recorded - Mido (1), Defoe (3) and Keane (7).

Some of Jermaine Defoe's penalty misses occurred when he had come on as a substitute for Robbie Keane or Keane had already been taken off.

The longest unsuccessful run is two which has occurred on a number of occasions.

Dimitar Berbatov (4), Modric (2), Mido (1) and Peter Crouch (1) are the only players with a 100% record from the penalty spot.

Tom Huddlestone, Gareth Bale and Harry Kane failed to score in their only penalty attempt.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is the only player who has scored two penalties in one game.

[Thanks to Ossiebale on COYS who provided the details of the penalty misses and to SpursOdyssey match reports where I was able to check details and goal times.]

[As far as I am aware the information is accurate]

Tottenham 3 Wigan Athletic 1

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

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Tottenham Hotspur 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Scorers: Bale (2), Modric               McArthur       

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

Gareth Bale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They Played for Spurs and Wigan

Wigan Athletic are currently the youngest club in the Premier League having been formed in 1932.  They were elected in to the Football League in the summer of 1978, replacing Southport and over the years eventually gained promotion to the top flight of English football in 2005.  With such a short history, not surprisingly, there have been only two transfers negotiated between the two clubs and both have been from Wigan's Premier League era.

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Pascal Chimbonda

Pascal Chimbonda played in Wigan's successful debut season in the Premier League and was included in the PFA 'Team of the Season' for 2005-06.  He had joined the club from Bastia for £500,000 the previous summer and after just one season he joined Spurs in August, 2006 for a fee of £4.5 million.  He made his debut against Manchester United the next month and was a regular at right back and played in the Carling Cup winning team against Chelsea in 2008.  He made 65 League appearances for Spurs and scored three goals.

He was transferred to Sunderland in July, 2008 for an undisclosed fee but returned to Spurs the following January for a fee in the region of £3 million having only made 13 appearances at the Stadium of Light.  His second Tottenham debut was at Bolton Wanderers at the end of January when he made an appearance as a substitute.  He made another substitute appearance in the next match and the only League match he started in his second period with the club was in a 1 - 1 draw at Sunderland in March.  He started both UEFA Cup matches against Shakhtar Donetsk when Harry Redknapp fielded understrength teams.

In August, 2009 he moved to Blackburn Rovers for a fee thought to be around £2.5 million where he stayed for eighteen months.  Since then he has had short spells with QPR and is now with Doncaster Rovers.

Wilson Palacios

Wilson Palacios joined Spurs in January, 2009 for £12 million having joined Wigan the previous January after spending six months on loan with Birmingham City.  He made his debut in the 3 - 2 defeat at Bolton and worked hard to strengthen the Tottenham midfield as they battled to ensure Premier League survival in Harry Redknapp's first season as manager.  The following August Palacios scored his first goal in Premier League football against Hull City.  That season he helped Spurs qualify for the Champions League and played his part in the Spurs success in that competiton the following season.  His controlled midfield display in Italy against AC Milan alongside Sandro where Spurs secured a single goal victory was one of the highlights of his time with the club.  His opportunity to play regularly was being restricted with the development of Sandro and last summer he moved to Stoke City for a fee of around £6 million.  He made 86 League and Cup appearances for Spurs, scoring once.