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Jim Duggan's TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR site |
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Monday 20th August 2001, 8.00pm |
FA PREMIERSHIP, Goodison Park |
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EVERTON 1 (Ferguson pen, 64) |
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Gerrard - Watson, Wier, Stubbs,
Pistone - Alexandersson, Gravesen, Gemill, Pembridge - Campbell, Ferguson |
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Sheringham |
Iversen |
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Poyet |
Freund |
Anderton |
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Ziege |
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Taricco |
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King |
Bunjevcevic |
Doherty |
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Sullivan |
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (Anderton 44) |
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Referee:- |
Attendance:- |
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Subs: Keller, Davies, Perry, Thelwell |
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9 HEROES! A famous point at Goodison as 9 heroes hang on for a point against all the odds and preserve our unbeaten record this season.
Spurs shuffled the pack after injuries to both Ferdinand and Rebrov, but both Anderton and Sheringham returned to the stating line up. Spurs played a different formation to Saturday, with Bunje moving out of the sweeper role to play the left of the orthodox three central defenders, with King taking Ferguson in the middle. Anderton, Freund and Poyet manned the midfield, while Ted played the deep striker to Iversen up front.
Spurs, attacking the Park Stand nearly scored as early as the third minute when Poyet released Taricco down the right and his excellent cross was fumbled by the Everton goalkeeper, but Iversen was not alert enough to tap home. Everton attacking their own fans at the Gwladys End had a couple of long shots in the first ten minutes, but nothing to trouble Sully as Spurs looked comfortable in the match.
Iversen looked like the striker he has often promised to be when he raced on to an excellent through pass from Poyet, but after leaving the Everton defence for dead. He then reverted to the striker that he is & could only drag his shot across the box. Spurs nearly conceded when a set piece found its way to the unmarked Alexanderson in the box, and although the Swede hit a brilliant shot which gave Sully no chance, the ball smashed against the crossbar. Football has a habit of equalling out, and I suppose this was our return for the Doc’s late effort against Villa. Sully was called into action to pull off an excellent low save to his left, and looks to be in top form again this season, despite his wobbly match against Fiorentina.
Everton, as you would expect from a home side had considerable possession, but Spurs never looked that bothered and moved the ball well when they had it with Sheringham excellent in his role of deep striker. A bad foul from Pistone on Iversen’s dodgy ankles resulted in a yellow for the former Newcastle player – but only after the intervention of the lino – if only the linesman had been so efficient on Saturday.
Almost a carbon copy of his previous chance, but this time on the left hand side of goal, Iversen was put through by an excellent pass by Sheringham, but again drags the ball wide in attempting to hit the corner. Everton were having the majority of the ball, but Spurs were playing well at the back with King and the Doc getting blocks and tackles in when necessary.
After years of being the victim of bad tackles, notably against Everton last season when Gazza pulled him to the floor by his hair, Treacle showed he has a mean streak when leaving his studs up against Graveson. This resulted in the two bob Dane having to go off, although the hopeless ref did not even give a foul. Treacle got a bollocking at halftime from Hoddle for this challenge, and while there is no place for this type of thing on a regular basis, Treacle is not a dirty player and deserves the benefit of the doubt on this occasion.
The Spurs goal came just before half time and was a beauty. Spurs had been playing the ball around for a minute or so before Anderton picked the ball up just inside the Everton half, he played a return pass with Poyet before advancing to the edge of the area, where he fed Sheringham. Ted flicked the ball to where Anderton was running but Iversen seized upon the ball, before fluffing his shot, which rolled onto the path of Anderton who’d continued his run, and gleefully slid the ball home with his tongue out. Just like the old days, with Ted and Shaggy.
About a minute after we scored, Everton had the ball in the net in what looked like a perfectly reasonable goal, after a long ball had got beyond Bunje and Alexanderson had smashed home a good shot. There is no doubt we were lucky to get away with this, but considering the two penalties Jeffers conned at Tottenham a couple of years ago and our general lack of decisions going our way, it was only fair, especially considering the favours Everton were to get in the second half.
I am sure all Evertonians as well as Spurs fans would have rather seen a proper display of refereeing – even if it meant Treacle getting booked, Alexanderson’s goal counting and no sendings off or penalty in the second half (Poyet’s was related to the previous penalty/sending off incident) – as then we could have had the best team win the match.
At halftime Spurs looked comfortable, they had weathered Everton’s pressure and looked good on the break, and you felt a second goal would see us clear to a good victory
The second half started much as the first as an excellent Spurs move finally released Taricco down the right and his excellent cross was again fumbled by butter fingers in the Everton goal, but Iversen was asleep as the ball hit him and went for a corner. How much did Leeds/Milan want for him? Later, Sheringham won the ball in the Everton half, advanced towards the area, before hitting a lovely chip, which was just too close to Gerard, a star man, and a good comeback.
Taricco was again the provider as another Spurs move set him free down the Spurs right, but Poyet could not find the target from his cross. Weir clattered Sheringham on the halfway line to become Everton’s third booking as they began to get frustrated at the defence erected around Sully’s goal by Doc, Bunje and the main man King. All this was about to change as a result of a cheating ExGooner and another awful piece of refereeing.
Ferguson for once beat King in the air, and his header sent Campbell into the box. The Doc was caught a little flat-footed, but after looking ungainly, regained his ground. Campbell slipped as he tried to turn inside and Spurs cleared, but the whistle had already gone for the non-existent foul. A disgusting decision, nearly as bad the penalty Arsenal got at Middlesborough on Saturday, where Cole flung himself to the ground two paces after being challenged. It’s in the gooners blood. Cheating bastards. That was bad enough!, but when that fucking muppet Elleray had the red card in his hand, I should imagine not even the Everton could believe it. What was that for? Campbell slipped, and was turning away from goal. Never a penalty, and even if you give a penalty, NEVER a sending off!
Ferguson slotted home with the minimum of fuss (answers on a postcard, last Spurs keeper to save a penalty, Phillips miss last season was a miss, not a save) although this is no slur on Sully. In the melee surrounding the penalty, Elleray waved his card at Sheringham, Poyet & Ziege. A minute after and Poyet, with his blood still boiling stuck out his leg to take down Watson. A stupid foul, which deserved a booking, but dipshit Elleray gave him a straight red, as he lost it completely.
It is difficult to be harsh on Poyet who has had a tremendous start at Spurs, but I’m sure he will be the first to apologise to his teammates for losing it and putting us down to 9 men. Apparently, Doherty’s face in the dressing room when Poyet walked in a minute after was a sight to see!
9 Men, 25 minutes to go, and if we could hang on, this would be the stuff of legend, and the legend that was developing was the “King of Goodison”, as Ledley rose to the challenge magnificently – beating Ferguson in the air, getting blocks in and being a giant at the back. The rest of the team worked their arse off, as Hoddle chose to keep a forward presence of Iversen and a deeper Sheringham. This is in stark contrast to two seasons ago when the Goonersaurus took Ginola off when we were leading 2-1 and decided to defend the last 30 minutes on our goal line.
Clemence replaced Freund and did a good saving header at the back post. Everton did not fully exploit their advantage and Spurs ran, tackled and supported at every opportunity. I was very proud to be Spurs fan as I watched wave after wave of Everton attacks resisted by heroic defending. Somehow the officials managed to find 4 minutes of injury time, but Spurs held on for a well-deserved point, in a game they might have taken all three from, if it was n’t for some poxy refereeing.
At the end of the match, all the players and management went to the Spurs supporters, who were excellent in their vocal support and played their part in the result.
THE WORD OF HOD
Hoddle on the sendings off “Not a cat in hell's chance. I can't see
for the life of me why we got two sendings off. Doherty's was a fantastic tackle and Poyet's was no more
than a yellow card, a stupid lazy foot that he put out. It wasn't malicious and
it cost us the three points. I said something politely, but we have to wait
half an hour before we can speak to the referee, which is probably a good
thing.
"They
have to look at the video evidence, surely. To get two reds like that is
punishing us when we don't need to be punished. The character side was good, we
have done a lot of things on the mental side over the summer, but today i think
we passed the ball very well. We need our key players fit and to stay fit.
"But
It was a magnificent show of character. The way we played - even with nine men
- we allowed ourselves to play. We have to take a lot from the game.
Sullivan (7/10) – Fine saves and when the pressure was on the hero keeper returned.
Taricco (7/10)
– A fine first half going forward and a good second half defending when the
pressure was on.
King (9/10) – A great display from the best young English centre back. Strong in the air against Ferguson, able to handle Campbell and deal with anything else Everton had to offer, as well as using the ball well when in possession. A Spurs hero in the making, and the topspurs man of the match.
Bunjevcevic (7/10)
– Played as the left centre back in a three centre back system, Bunje came
under more pressure than he did on Saturday.
Doherty (7/10)
– Scandalously sent off after cheatin ex-gooner Campbell conned the ref into
giving a penalty. Played another fine match for Spurs and must be disgusted at
having to miss a match becos of a wanker ref.
Ziege (7/10)
– Had a good match before the sendings off and was very solid after.
Anderton (7/10)
– It was like the old days to see him link up with Ted for the goal, and
although I have been critical of him (and remain sceptical of the actual
ability he retains, he played a fine match for Spurs today both before and
after the sendings off.
Freund (6/10)
– The odd man out in the classy midfield, but did his best and looked
disappointed to be taken off, but being the man he is still had time to
acknowledge the fans.
Poyet (7/10)
– Played well, but after an understandable booking for complaining at the
scandalous sending off, lost his rag and put Spurs under pressure when a
reckless tackle got him sent off soon after we lost Doherty and our lead.
Sheringham (8/10)
– A fantastic return for Ted, lots of excellent passes and was a wise owl when
we were up against it at the end of the match.
Iversen (6/10)
– Benefited from Sheringham’s intelligence up front and had a few
opportunities, but did not score and despite allowances for tiredness could
have held the ball better during the last 25 minutes.
Subs:
Clemence (7/10)
– Did ok when he came on in a difficult situation.
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