Thread: Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers

Originally Posted by woody08

btw, whats up with the ball?, i know it changes to the white one again but its a different design, is that a one off or whats happening???

Its a one off this weekend in the PL ,La Liga and Serie A in support of Aids etc.

it was a gr8 match another amazing preformance from Bale hes AMAZING best player we have this season ..n pav pav pav every match he gets two goals in wht a player am still waitin for his hatrk ..n he was going to get it but SAmba came in the waay DAM!!

Spurs on the Roman road to success!

Spurs’ former misfit Russian striker, preferred to England International Peter Crouch, today furthered his cause of winning over manager Harry Redknapp who has sidelined the striker for much of his tenancy in the manager’s seat at White Hart Lane. Pavlyuchenko had chances to put Spurs at least two more goals ahead before half-time, but his second half brace ensured three points for Spurs, which secured fourth place before their rivals even played. “Superpav” has now scored 8 goals in his last 6 games for Spurs since late January.

It wasn’t just about Pavlyuchenko though for Spurs, who fielded almost an unchanged side, with Jermain Defoe starting instead of Crouch. Jermain scored his 17th league goal of the season and is still chasing Rooney, Drogba and Darren Bent for the leading scorer accolade. Once again Benoit Assou-Ekotto played behind Gareth Bale and both excelled, with Bale making mincemeat of ageing Spanish right back Michel Salgado. Bale was all over the Spaniard like the proverbial rash, racing past to the bye-line on many occasions. Both Defoe and Bale can claim assists for Pavlyuchenko’s goals too.

Luka Modric was deployed in the centre of midfield again, making a number of penetrating passes, but also getting his tackles in too. However, the man next to him was the midfield star. Wilson Palacios is on the brink of a two game suspension for a tenth booking of the season, but not only did he evade Howard Webb’s yellow, but he was usually the one to save Spurs whenever a Blackburn shot ventured in too great a space left by the defence. Mind you, that was happening in the early stages, and as the game wore on, skipper Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong became more and more assured at the back, where it looked as if Spurs would gain another clean sheet, before an 80th minute blemish from a corner.

It looked as if Mr. Webb was going to have a good game too. He let the game flow, and allowed a few bruising challenges, perhaps most controversially one by Corluka in the Spurs area. However, he fell out with the Spurs fans big-time when Gareth Bale was surely tripped by Salgado as he raced into the Blackburn area after 67 minutes. I felt that everyone in the stadium, and I mean everyone, was convinced of the penalty, and it even looked as if the referee was making the obvious decision and pointing to the spot. But no, he was awarding a goal-kick. It’s easy for referees to refuse a team like Tottenham such decisions, as they don’t chase and harangue officials like a certain team and manager from Old Trafford!
Blackburn made a couple of early breaks deep into Spurs territory, well covered by Palacios. Spurs had a little pressure after a corner and both Bale and Defoe had cross/shots from either side of goal. Bale’s shot passed wide, whilst former Spurs favourite Paul Robinson held the Defoe effort. “Robbo” was heralded as “England’s Number One” by the Spurs fans, who were happy to start this chant on behalf of the threadbare travelling support.

Pavlyuchenko had a golden opportunity after 15 minutes at the end of a move started by one of Dawson’s trademark diagonal passes, collected by Bale, slipped to Ekotto who battled for the loose ball before crossing to Pavlyuchenko’s feet. Pav was a bit tight on the shot, and fired wide from the back post, where a goal looked easier. Bale and Ekotto gave Pavlyuchenko a second chance minutes later. This time he was at the near post, but again he fired wide.

Some chancy but successful defending by Ekotto led to a Spurs break led by Modric who passed to Palacios who was ahead of him on the left of midfield. Palacios should have taken a shot, but hesitated, tried a pass and failed. Shortly after this Paul Robinson rushed to clear a ball, then collapsed and had to hobble off to be replaced by Jason Brown. The Paxton Road stand was not to have the chance to welcome their former hero.
Gareth Bale collected another Dawson ball, and hit a shot that passed wide across Brown’s goal. Bale won a ball which he fed to Ekotto who crossed. Defoe tried to make contact but Givet had got enough of a touch to put the ball out for a Spurs corner. Pavlyuchenko was working hard, if not always successfully, but he was chasing back for the ball, and after a good interchange with Modric, Defoe had a chance from the left of the area, which Brown saved and saw cleared by his defence.

Spurs took a deserved lead on the brink of half-time, from a corner won by Modric. Kranjcar took the kick, and Corluka advanced to head down where Defoe finished from one yard out, firing the ball high into the net for his 23rd goal of the season for Spurs in all competitions.

Blackburn came after Spurs in the second half, but managed no direct shot on Gomes’ goal. It took Spurs a while to get going again, but after 10 minutes they increased their lead having defended a Blackburn free kick and a couple of corners. Again Modric led a lovely swift break which would have made that team from Old Trafford proud. Modric started in his own half then curled a ball down the middle to Defoe, who quickly fed Pavlyuchenko on his right and outside the defence. Pavlyuchenko beat Brown with a low shot that was close to the keeper’s body hitting the far corner of the Paxton Road goal.

Sam Allardyce replaced Emerton with Keith Andrews, who was subsequently called into the defence after Givet made way for Chelsea loanee Di Santo. Palacios became creator sending Modric away down the left channel with a beautiful pass, but Modric hit his shot wide. Bale’s “clear” penalty followed and was after a good ball by Defoe. Gareth had a second appeal, but on that occasion I didn’t think the alleged offence was inside the box, and I also think Bale went down a little too easily. It doesn’t take away the strength of the first appeal though.

Blackburn’s goal followed another couple of corners, one of which arguably should not have been conceded by Gomes. The ball was floated high across the area, and the height of Samba won the ball, which was headed into the net. This led to some jitters in the crowd, removed when Pavlyuchenko made it a comfortable 3-1 in the 85th minute. Spurs were hardly attacking their own free kick with only Crouch and Pavlyuchenko in the box. However, the ball did reach Pavlyuchenko who fluffed a chance. However, the ball was only half cleared and soon came back low across the area from Bale for Pavlyuchenko to finish from 6 yards.

Pavlyuchenko might have had a hat-trick following another free kick touched down by Crouch and chipped over the keeper, only to be cleared in front of the line by a Blackburn defender. Kalinic did get the ball in the Spurs net two minute from time, but the referee blew for a foul on Dawson.
One of our contenders for fourth place (Aston Villa) drew at Stoke today, where we face a daunting challenge next Saturday. Neither Man City or Liverpool can overtake us this week-end, even if they win.



Match report from "Spurs Odyssey".

Heurelho Gomes
Flapped at times 6

Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Got forward 7

Vedran Corluka
Rarely troubled 7

Gareth Bale
Ran Salgado ragged 8

Michael Dawson
Led by example 9

Sebastien Bassong
Solid enough 6

Niko Kranjcar
Decent deliveries 7

Luka Modric
Not at his best 6

Wilson Palacios
Combative display 7

Jermain Defoe
Broke the deadlock 7

Roman Pavlyuchenko
Bagged a brace 8








Paul Robinson
Injured early on 5

Christopher Samba
On target late on 6

Martin Olsson
Moved around 5

Pascal Chimbonda
Kept quiet 5

Michel Salgado
Torrid afternoon 4

Gael Givet
Decent blocks 5

Morten Gamst Pedersen
Tried his best 6

Brett Emerton
Not at the races 5

Steven N'Zonzi
Physical presence 6

David Dunn
Looked tired 6

Nikola Kalinic
Handful at times 7


Man of the match: Michael Dawson. Solid as a rock at the heart of the Tottenham back four.

Goal of the match: Roman Pavlyuchenko's first was well struck and squirmed under Jason Brown before he had chance to react.

Miss of the match: Moments before notching his second of the game, Pavlyuchenko missed his kick when presented with a gaping goal.

Moment of the match: Nikola Kalinic thought he had pulled a second back for Rovers late on, but was denied by a strange decision from Howard Webb.

Talking point: Are Spurs now favourites to secure the fourth UEFA Champions League place? Have Rovers got enough to avoid being dragged back into trouble?

I had an absolutley cracking day, with the result and performance an added bonus. WHL is a special, special place. Just felt like home and like I had been there 1,000 times. Weird.

I'll post a little more later with my experience!

A few more nice quality images from yesterday...

Just to say I had a great day, and loved it all, the Super Pav chant is triffic .

HARRY: SQUAD THE KEY



Harry Redknapp has seen the strength of the squad underlined in recent weeks.

We've been without the likes of Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Ledley King and David Bentley but results have been maintained - we're now on a run of two defeats in 19 matches - as we chase fourth place in the Barclays Premier League and a return to Wembley in the FA Cup.

Harry's reshuffle with central midfielders Tom and JJ both missing has seen Luka Modric play inside from the left, Gareth Bale excel in left midfield and fit-again Benoit Assou-Ekotto back at left-back.

"We've had injuries galore, a lot of players missing, but the lads who have come in have all done the job and that's great for us," said Harry after Saturday's 3-1 win against Blackburn.

"Luka's gone central with Wilson, Niko Kranjcar's ended up on the right when really he likes to play on the other side, but they are fantastic footballers.

"Suddenly, from having Niko and Luka fighting for the left, we've now got Gareth Bale playing there. You can't even dream of leaving him out the team at the moment.

"We've been without Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley and they are as good a central defensive pairing as anywhere, but Michael Dawson has been fantastic, a real leader. Sebastien Bassong has done a great job alongside him as well."