UEFA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Getafe

[funster]

I am going to write this without having read anything about other goings on tonight. In time I will digest the fullness of events, but my job here is to write a match report, and that's what I'll be doing.

So, for the first time since West Ham away last season Patrick joined me at a game. Meeting up at Liverpool Street and heading for the ground, I was disappointed he was late as it meant I couldn't get a sneaky pint in before the match! No matter, we thought, have a drink in the ground. Only to be caught out by the fact that UEFA Cup nights mean no alcohol. Worse, kick-off delayed fifteen minutes. If only we'd known.

Getafe brought probably the smallest away following I've ever seen at the Lane. And frankly, none of their players were particularly recognisable.

I wish I could write in great depth about the first half, but I think I can largely summarise by saying it was the most 'nothing' half I've ever had the misfortune to watch. We were rubbish. They were rubbish. Having scored without really applying much pressure we then conceded a daft goal. Symptomatic of our defensive shambles. I doubt whether any of their players (or for that matter our players) touched the ball on the way through. Truly remarkable defending.

As Patrick and I decamped to the refreshments area at half time, we agreed - "The most nothing half ever seen". It couldn't get any worse?

It didn't. We created three really good opportunities in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Their keeper pulling off a good save - I bet if Robbo had done the same at the other end it would've fallen right at the feet of one of their players! - the follow-up, and then another good chance a few minutes later. The goal would surely come.

But it didn't.

As the game wore on I thought to myself - kiss of death to think this - "I can't see how they'll score". Then off went one of their mob (number eleven?) on a decent run, a ball across the touchline, what looked like a backheel (you must forgive me, I was at the other end of the ground!) and 2-1 to them. Oh no.

Even then we had the chances to get a point, even to win. One that hit the woodwork, a possible penalty shout - or two. But in the end, defeat. Only the second time we've lost a European tie at home - if memory serves. Must be something about Spanish sides. The other defeat was to Real Madrid.

In all honesty, Getafe were not that good. But a 2-1 defeat is about what you can expect if you only play for forty-five minutes. Of course, about seventy minutes in I found out what potentially caused that and the cheering in the second half to a man of Martin Jol's name.

Its not a disaster to lose this early on in the UEFA campaign. But it makes the job significantly harder. A trip to Tel Aviv can never be taken lightly. Defeat there could spell the end given the last game is away to Anderlecht - and they're no mugs. Plenty to do.

Player assessments..... (notable ones only):

Cerny - OK, but exposed that his distribution isn't necessarily all that great. Some shocking efforts to throw out.

Chimbonda - generally not 'with it'. Could've had a pen late on with a decent run.

Kaboul - bloody hell! He gave the ball away badly twice in the first half. He can play, but there's a time and a place.

Gardner - incredibly the best player on the pitch in the first twenty minutes before injury forced him off.

Lennon - recaptured some form, and even managed to swing a couple of dangerous crosses in. I would like to say he's been doing that on the training ground, but I suspect it was fluke!

Zokora - offered next to nothing tonight.

Berbatov - found some of his touch again, pulling the ball down at least a couple of times, flicking off from long balls, playing others in, but lacked that final killer instinct.

Hey ho. Blackburn on Sunday. See where we go from there.....

[dhalix]

Here's a pic of the South Stand at half time! :1:

[funster]

Here's a pic of the South Stand at half time! :1:

Blimey! Expensive seats for you! Did you see Levy and his cohorts sniggering in the second half?!

[dhalix]

Here's a pic of the South Stand at half time! :1:

Blimey! Expensive seats for you! Did you see Levy and his cohorts sniggering in the second half?!

well you know how it is, :2: lol. They weren't that bad for the view (£42) and had I known that those :30: c**ts were sniggering, I assure you I would have thrown a few verbal taunts their way! :19:

Hopefully they've made a good choice in Ramos, just have to sit tight and see on Wednesday. :29: Oh by the way, I've got the same seat for £25 this time! :1:

[lennon]

Good for you mates My dream is to come to White Hart Lane, And someday I`ll come :1: