Tuesday
2nd January 20001 FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP
Doherty 27,
Solano 22
Anderton 30 (pen),
Dyer 49 (pen)
Rebrov 35,
Ferdinand 77
Attendance:- 34,500ish
Referee:- S Bennett
Tottenham Hotspur:- (3-5-2):- Sullivan, Campbell , King , Perry , Anderton (Young 83) , Sherwood , Leonhardsen (Walker 48) , Clemence , Rebrov , Doherty , Ferdinand
Subs not used:- Thelwell , Korsten ,
Davies
Bookings
Sherwood (Foul)
Newcastle (4-4-2):- Harper , Barton ,
Dyer , Griffin (Glass 69) , Goma , Hughes , Acuna , Bassedas ,
Solano , Speed , Ameobi (Lua Lua 69)
Subs not used:- Given , Caldwell ,
Cordone
Bookings
A great game and one that will live long
in the memory - Three sendings off, Three penalties, one of which
was saved and six goals - all this despite the Goonersaurus being
in charge.
The Goonersaurus restored Rebrov to the
starting line up after the baffling decision to drop him at
Ipswich and just as importantly welcomed back Ferdinand to lead
the attack. Spurs reverted back to the 3-5-2 formation with
Doherty fitting in very well as the right-hand centre back with
Sol on the left and Perry in the middle. Sherwood somehow
retained his place in a balanced midfield. It was also good to
see Young on the bench, but Graham proved he is the only person
on earth who could prefer Krapston to Armo on the bench.
Spurs started well, if a little
cautiously and dominated much of the early play without coming
too close to scoring attacking the Paxton in the first half for a
change (Sol must have lost the toss). Sherwood contrived to gift
Ameobi (a ringer for Paulo Wanchope) and he advanced toward to
Tottenham goal before cleverly squaring for Solano who shot past
the helpless Sullivan. The bad pass by Sherwood left the defence
completely exposed and it was one of a number of bad passes
Sherwood has given this season and he looks a shadow of the
player who led Blackburn to the Championship. Davies must be
close to getting the nod in the midfield
Les was encouraging everyone on at the
kick off and it was re-assuring to see the team react in a
positive fashion after conceding a goal against the run of play.
We did n’t have long to wait for the equalizer –
although most of the crowd seemed to miss it!! A right-hand side
corner was headed out to Rebrov on the edge of the box and his
low shot was deflected goalwards by Ferdinand for Harper to pull
off an excellent reflex save. While everyone watched the replay
on the Jumbotron (including the cameraman) – Clemence I
think swung in a cross from the left and Doherty rose
unchallenged to head powerfully into the corner from 15 yards out.
After missing the goal in real time – it was even more
annoying to realise that the cameraman missed it as well and we
were treated to home video standard glimpses of the goal. Poor
Doherty – it was his first Premiership goal.
Spurs were in front soon after Clemence
and King worked the ball to Anderton who was barged off the ball
by Speed in a crude challenge which gave the referee little
alternative that to point to the spot. Anderton grabbed the ball
and smashed home a powerful shot to the right of the keeper (similar
to the one he got at Villa 98/99).
Spurs were on the crest of a wave and
Newcastle had no answer. From the kick off Spurs won a corner,
and another great cross from the educated left foot of Clemence
was met by the impressive Doherty who headed powerfully goalwards,
and with the keeper nowhere goalscorer Solano stuck out his arm
to stop the ball. Campbell had his shot from the rebound blocked
but the referee was already reaching for his red card and Solano
was off.
Anderton again took the penalty, but this
time blasted it down the middle and it rebounded off Harper’s
knees to safety for Newcastle – scant justice for Tottenham
– although they were battering Newcastle with 11 vs. 11
– what would they do with an extra man? Batter them even
more – this was one of Tottenham’s best spells of the
season and a joy to watch, especially after the crap of the last
week on the road.
Doherty, who had a fine match at right
half again galloped forward and his run took him past a couple of
Newcastle defenders, and just as the goal opened up for him on
the right hand edge of the box, he slipped a little pass to
Rebrov. Rather than doing something simple, Rebrov chose to hit
the ball first time with the outside of his right boot (in
similar fashion to the attempt that hit the bar on the opening
day of the season) from a difficult angle and the ball curled
into the right-hand side of the goal for a truly fantastic goal.
The crowd sung “Walking in a Rebrov
Wonderland” and the little fellow responded by cracking
another powerful shot from the edge of the area, which Harper did
brilliantly to tip on to the bar. Spurs were unstoppable and we
just did n't want half time to come and stop the fun.
Half time had its own treat as Ricardo
Villa was introduced to the crowd to a tremendous reception
– everyone singing his name before breaking out into Spurs
are on their way to Wembley. Ricky, slightly balding and graying,
looked genuinely chuffed and made his way to the centre of the
pitch to bow to the crowd.
Things were going really well and I
wanted us to batter Newcastle for six or seven (or more if
possible) to make up for the 6-1 and 7-1 defeats we have suffered
up there in recent years, and despite Leo going close at the
start of the second half, things took a turn for the worse as
Newcastle broke quickly from a Tottenham corner. With Perry
caught out by Dyer’s pace, Sullivan came from his goal and
as he dived at Dyer’s feet – Dyer went over – lots
of people around me said they thought Sully got the ball,
although I knew as soon as he went over it was a penalty and the
only debate about the sending off was whether Perry had got
beyond Sully, therefore being the last man. The ref probably got
it right in giving the penalty and the sending off.
Leo was sacrificed for Walker. I can’t
remember Walker ever saving a penalty, and this was no exception
as Dyer blasted the ball home. Spurs, as only Spurs can, went
from looking like Brazil to the Keystone Cops and things looked
very close at 3-2 with 10-10. Soon after Dyer again got into the
box and went down although it looked a bit dodgy the ref waved
play on and as Spurs cleared their lines, the lower shelf started
having a go at Dyer who took a long time to get up and then raced
over to the Linesman and fired a verbal volley. The lino raised
his flag and the ref was summoned and offered no alternative but
to award Dyer a straight red for foul and abusive language. The
curse of the Newcastle scorers – both sent off. A bit of a
shame as Dyer looks a fine prospect for both Newcastle and
England and was their most impressive player.
With the man advantage restored things
looked better for Tottenham, but Newcastle played with great
spirit, committing many players forward and playing a very risky
one-on-one offside defense – which Tottenham and in
particular Ferdinand lacked the guile to beat, much to the crowd’s
frustration.
All uncertainty was ended in the 77th
minute. A Campbell gallop forward was brutally upended about 40
yards from goal. Anderton took an excellent free kick, and it
what looked a well-rehearsed manoeuvre Ferdinand was in at the
far post to head home from about six yards.
A great game – which Newcastle
played their full part.
Sullivan 6/10 – no chance with
the goal and did all he could with the one-on-one with Dyer,
especially if he did get his hand to the ball. I hope he’s
not suspended for a crucial match.(Walker – did a couple of
good saves and its nice to know we have someone like him in
reserve)
Doherty – 8/10 – a fine
match for Doherty making his full home debut – strong in the
tackle (although with a slight tendency to dive in), some fine
runs with the ball and after scoring his first ever premiership
goal, had another “goal” saved by Solano to win a
penalty and then set up Rebrov
Perry – 5/10 – not at his
best again, but still a decent player who gets more stick than he
deserves
Campbell – 7/10 – Excellent
in defence and offered plenty of powerful runs down the left
Clemence – 7/10 – Provided
some quality crosses for the goals and again played well wide on
the left
Anderton – 7/10 – Had a
spirited match in the middle and was at the centre of much of the
excellent creative stuff we played in the first half
Sherwood – 4/10 – piss poor
– again it was the usual ensemble of hospital balls, arm
waving, pointing and loss of possession. He needs a rest to
rediscover the player he once was. Maybe a sports psychiatrist?
King 6/10 – another solid game
from Ledley, who continues to delight me in the middle
Leo – 5/10 – not much came
off for Leo, but in typical fashion he battled on before he was
sacrificed for Walker.
Rebrov – 7/10 – You still
feel he has so much more to offer, but he still managed a good
match, plenty of shot hitting the bar after scoring a great goal
Ferdinand – 7/10 – A goal
capped another fine match for Les who led the line really well
and its almost like having a new player the way he has
rediscovered his goalscoring touch to go with his good all round
play