This game may not live long in the memory for the football, but lets hope it’s the first step in the path back to greatness under Glenn Hoddle. An injury hit Spurs shuffled the pack and went back to a 3-5-2 (why oh why did we not stick to that on Sunday!), with Young dropping back to the back three, and Clemence moving across to left wing back, with Leo and Davies getting starts in the middle alongside captain for the night, Sherwood.

On a calm evening in N17, Hoddle received a good cheer as he took his place in the dugout at the start of the match and Spurs attacked the Park Lane in the first half. The game was played initially in a strange atmosphere, with only around 150 Bradford fans bothering to make the journey down from West Yorkshire and plenty of empty spaces around the stadium.

Spurs started quite well moving the ball about fairly well and looking well in control. The first chance came from a terrible defensive header by Molenaar, who only succeeded in heading the ball to an unmarked Rebrov on the edge of the penalty area. With plenty of time, Sergei chose to smash a half volley, which was well saved by Walsh, but he should really have scored.

Spurs were rarely troubled by Bradford in the opening exchanges and it looked a matter of when and how many, despite not looking like world-beaters. The best move of the next period involved Doherty, Sherwood and Rebrov, who released Carr on the edge of the box. Carr chose to cut in, and hit a left footed curling shot, which Walsh managed to save.

As ever when Carr is playing, much of our attacking threat comes down the right and soon after Bradford were stretched again as this time Rebrov got free and hit a cross which narrowly evaded both Iversen and Doherty who’d stayed up from the previous attack. Bradford were restricted to a few speculative efforts, the best of which being a second 25 yard free kick from Carbone which went just wide.

Spurs took a deserved lead when Davies and Carr closed down the Bradford defence and the ball came to Rebrov. This time his cross from the right reached Iversen who controlled a difficult bounce, before hitting a decent shot that went in through the keeper’s legs. A good moment for Iversen who’d looked a bit out of sorts before the goal, but played much better after the goal.

It was nearly two minutes later when a good flick from Iversen released Clemence through the middle as Bradford pushed up. Clemence had difficulty getting the ball in front of him as the initial pass bounced off his backside, and by the time he’d got himself in a position to shoot, Walsh had come out to smother his effort.

Spurs were playing ok, but not brilliant and noticeably eased off a little which they could not afford to do. The increasingly hopeless Sherwood lost the ball to Carbone, but was saved by a great covering tackle from Perry. He’s really got to go.

Young who continues to impress wherever he plays in the side had another good match, the best part of which was a good run up the left, before beating his man cutting in and releasing a perfect pass over the Bradford defence to Davies. Davies hit the ball first time with his left foot and forced Walsh into a good save, and was also first to the rebound, but Walsh recovered to block his shot, the rebound of which fell to Carr who hit his shot wide.

Just before halftime, and innocuous long ball forward was won by Ward on the edge of the area and he worked the ball to Jess who hit a fine shot into the corner.  Spurs should have been out of sight at half time and it was their own fault that they’d let a dogged Bradford side back into the match.

Spurs started the second half with a couple of chances. First a long cross from Carr found Sherwood and Iversen getting in behind the Bradford defence, but Walsh did well to save at Sherwood’s feet. Rebrov showed all his class a minute later when latching on to an Iversen flick in the box, flicking the ball over Myers before hitting a powerful shot which Walsh blocked.

Bradford had been steadily getting back into the match as the Spurs passing regressed and Blake was unlucky when his shot hit the post. Ward tapped home the rebound but fortunately he was deemed offside. This should have been a wake up call for Tottenham, but still Bradford looked the better side as the hour mark approached and Myers should have done better with a free header from a Carbone free kick.

Things looked bad for Spurs when Iversen was stretchered off in a neck brace after a heavy collision with Molenaar. Fortunately, Hoddle chose to give Thelwell a go, and move Doherty forward rather than inflict Korsten on us.

The winner arrived 15 minutes from time when Rebrov won the ball on the right touchline just inside the Bradford half. He ran at goal but was forced wide in the penalty area. He got to the by-line and pulled back a cross, which was deflected into the path of Davies by the penalty spot. The young Welshman scored his first league goal with a left footed shot into the right-hand side of the net.

There was still time for a great run with the ball by Doherty, who powered into the box and sent over a cross which was intercepted by Halle under his own crossbar, with Leo lurking ready to tap home. We were treated to an 8-minute cameo from the awful Korsten, and needed Sully to produce one of his excellent saves from a goal bound Ward header at the end of the match to secure the win.

Not a great performance, but it was a win and a good start for Hoddle (esp. considering the injuries), but we all know that more is required and their target of “continued success” is someway off.

Sullivan (7/10) – Another good display with a fine save near the end from Ward

Doherty (7/10) – Continues to impress in both attack and defence

Perry (6/10) – Played ok against the awkward Ward

Young (7/10) – Played a good match, solid at the back and generally used the ball well.

Carr (6/10) – A solid match, providing good attacking width

Sherwood (5/10) – Lots of bad passes as ever from his deeper position

Davies (6/10) – Scored the winner, but had a mixed game overall with good and bad moments, but still looks a good prospect for the future considering this was only his second start

Leo (6/10) – Managed some good positive runs from midfield and played ok

Clemence (5/10) – Not a good match for Clem in his less favoured left wing back role

Iversen (6/10) – Played well after he scored the opener

Rebrov (7/10) – A lively performance and again our best attacking option.