Saturday 2nd March 2002, 3.00pm

FA PREMIERSHIP, WHITE HART LANE

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Poyet 33. Ferdinand 63)

Sullivan
King
Richards
Thatcher
Taricco (Gardner 89)
Davies
Sherwood
Ziege
Poyet
Sheringham
Ferdinand (Rebrov 76)

Subs not used: Kelly. Leonhardsen, Etherington

SUNDERLAND 1 (Mbomba 45)

Sorensen, Haas, Gray, Bjorklund, Craddock, McCartney, McAteer, Kilbane, Reyna, Phillips, Mboma

Referee: - Rob Styles (Hants)

Attendance: - 36,062

Back on track with the usual three points against Sunderland and our first season double. Spurs created enough chances to have won more comfortably but equally there have been many more nail biting last few minutes when you are 2-1 up than today. Onwards and upwards – this is now our 4th win in 5 – if only…… Although we played ok for much of the game after a difficult week on and off the pitch – we do not look as good as we did earlier in the season and this remains a worry with important matches coming up but you can do no more than win.

A quick pre-match pint at the Northumberland allowed me to meet a topspurs regulars Ben, Lee and John, Lynford, Chiefy, Mark and of course Jacob. The timing was spot on again allowing us to see Bill Nick getting out of his car on his way to the match. As ever he returned all of the Spurs supporters good wishes and I’m sure he would have be pleased with the result this evening after celebrating his 60th (Diamond) wedding anniversary yesterday.

Plenty of interesting stuff in the programme – which quite rightly has won an award for being the best in the Premiership – including Levy reporting on the trading account, Mabbutt in Afghanistan and Sheringham giving a frank and honest account of his Cup final. Spurs lined up with Richards back in place of Perry, who must have been injured/suspended as he was not on the bench and Davies in for Anderton who’d clearly not recovered from his injury last weekend. Sunderland had a load of faceless cloggers & journeymen but gave a debut to the excellent Patrick Mbomba.

There was a minute’s silence before the match for Glenn Hoddle’s father who passed away earlier in the week and with thanks to Lynford, the topspurs contingent showed our solidarity with the players black armbands. All credit to the Sunderland fans who observed the minute’s silence immaculately.

On a bright chilly afternoon at the world famous home of the Spurs, we kicked off attacking the Park Lane on a dreadful pitch – surely something Chelsea will whinge about when we do them next week! The match was quite an entertaining one without having too much quality for the connoisseur, with plenty of goalmouth action and chances being created.

Some sad man who sits in a room counting the chances reckoned that we had 17 attempts on goal – 7 on target and 10 off – which is a good effort by anyone’s standard but two goals from that is not enough and this is what is holding us back from being top 8 to top 4 and winning cup finals! Lest we forget how far we have come and so quickly – it was just over a year ago under the evil Goonersaurus that we had a run of 4 consecutive 0-0’s and did not manage an attempt on goal in two of them.

The first chance of the match fell to Sheringham who found some space on the left hand edge of the box, with defenders closing in he did not have much time, and his shot was straight at Sorensen who managed to grab it at the second attempt. Soon after as Spurs began to get into the swing of things, Davies sent over a ball from the right and Sir Les managed to swing and miss at it and after bobbling about Sunderland managed to clear. Ziege also had a sighter at goal with a 35 yard free kick which was not far over the top.

While Sunderland fans should be congratulated for the minute’s silence – they could not fill out their away end (so much for the hotbed of football in the North East crap that we have to listen to all the time) and they rather sadly sung the Andy Cole song. I was very surprised by this as Cole had played for their so called rivals Newcastle and I cannot imagine us singing about an ex-goon who’d scored a goal against another Premiership team to piss off their fans – possibly to Chelsea, but event then?? True to form the despicable ex-Gooner light-fingered git was being sent off in the Bolton-Blackburn game at the same time for violent conduct. Once a Gooner……….

Tottenham have come on so much since the Gooner Cull – but bad finishing (and hitting the woodwork) which has undoubtedly hindered our progress is getting to painful levels where the players appear to be inventing new and more sophisticated ways of not scoring when they should. Poyet was the first culprit today. A real Route 1 move from Sully, via a Ferdinand flick found him racing into the box beyond the last defender with only the keeper to beat, but he prodded his shot wide when he really really should have scored. Poyet had a much better game today – not only scoring and getting into good positions in the box, which we almost take for granted now, but he did his bit in midfield and can be pleased with his showing.

Sunderland had their moments, with Mbomba and Phillips looking lively. Phillips seems to be shrinking and cut a comical figure in his long shorts which made him look even shorter. Mbomba had the best early chance for Sunderland when he sent a header just wide of the post after about 15 minutes.

There has been much talk about Phillips coming to Tottenham and after being sure he would be a good buy earlier in the season, I’m not so sure now. I think he would be good player and score the goals for us which the current crop of players are managing to miss and he does a lot of work for the team but I think in terms of the balance of the team, I would much rather we have someone with genuine pace up front that can leave defenders standing. Dream on!

Ziege having his first league match back since he was injured against Ipswich in January was again having a good match. A special moment was reserved for us on the lower shelf when he combined with Poyet to save a ball going out of play with a couple of flicks and all the Tottenham style you could dream of. Ziege, and Poyet for that matter may have their weaknesses but in terms of being players in the Tottenham tradition with the Tottenham ethic, you cannot fault them and it is great credit to the Manager that he purchased these two. Ziege had an effort saved before another one of his quality crosses reached Poyet, who back heeled a flick toward the goal which Sorensen did well to save down to his right. Craddock did well to get a block in on Sir Les as he was about to shoot and Ledley hooked a shot over the bar from the edge of the area as Sunderland half cleared another Spurs attack in what was one way traffic.

Spurs scored on the half hour and again it was Ziege involved. His corner from the right (Park Lane/West Stand) to just outside the 6 yard box was met by a couple of on-rushing Spurs players and Poyet was on hand to smash home from a couple of yards. Before the corner I noticed Poyet lurking on the edge of the box and wondered initially whether they were going to try him with a “Sheringham corner” as you could tell he was up to something and he must have made great strides to get in the box to meet the corner. This makes it 11 goals in 31 appearances for Poyet – and while I might have a moan about him sometimes – you have to say that he has been an inspiration this season and has scored many vital goals.

With a goal, Tottenham looked to have the bit between their teeth and quick ball out to Ziege in acres of space on the left a minute after the goal was sent straight back across the penalty area as a diagonal cross shot but Ferdinand could not keep a difficult chance down and the ball flashed high into the Park Lane.

Earlier in the season, Sheringham had scored his 100th Spurs goal on the Sunday against Chelsea and made it 3 goals in 4 days when he netted the winner against Sunderland on the Wednesday. A sparkling performance of a man in form.

Unfortunately the goal and passing touch seem to have left the great man and he managed to miss another sitter before half time. Ferdinand who had a decent match, won the ball on the right and cut in. He was within his rights to have a shot, but squared the ball to Sheringham who was in a much better position with an open goal apart from someone on the line. Sheringham side footed the ball, but over the bar from 15 yards – and unbelievable miss for anyone, let alone someone of his quality.

Sheringham has a respectable goals return this season 8 from 30 but with at least 3 on the woodwork and several really soft misses like this you wonder whether the current footballer of the year would have been able to keep up the one goal in two game ratio of his first spell here.

Not content with having Poyet and Sheringham miss sitters, we made it hatrick of bad misses when Richards appeared on the end of another excellent Ziege cross, only to head the ball over the bar when unmarked from 8 yards out the ball passed on to your forehead, you really should score but in fairness to Richards he had a decent game today.

Some Sunderland player was down for a couple of minutes during the half and the ref, who I have to say refereed the game sensibly and did well, added 3 minutes of first half injury time – just long enough for us to start regretting all those missed chances! Burnt Arse sent an ordinary looking ball into the box from the right touchline. Richards dawdled as Mbomba pulled away from him, and it was left to King to come across to cover, but a good bit of movement by Mbomba allowed him to draw Ledley in before pulling away and firing home from 8 yards. A good strikers goal and while Ledley will be disappointed he did not cut it out he is gaining good experience against strikers like Mbomba and Ravinelli who have both done him for goals this year.

With some of our second half performances this season, you never really know who is going to emerge from the dressing room, fortunately it was the same team that went in and we quickly got back to dictating the match with Sheringham having the first attempt at goal with a 30 yard free kick which was well over. I never thought we would actually lose the match at any stage, but we needed a fine save by Sully from Mbomba soon after half time. The great goalkeeper is still there, although we have not always seen this type of quality this season.

As the hour approached Spurs were played well and it seemed like the goal was only a matter of time  - but with our finishing you never quite know. Ziege sent over a perfect cross which Sheringham met with a firm downward header which unfortunately went the wrong side of the post. Agony – but what should have been applause for both Ziege and Sheringham turned into a call for Rebrov! “There’s only one Sergei Rebrov”. I was Fucking Furious. What is wrong with these people? What about supporting all the players all the time?

It is fair to say that Sheringham had another disappointing match and had earlier missed a sitter but this is no way to treat any player let alone your captain and scorer of 106 goals for Spurs. We should be behind all of our players all of the time - no matter how out of form they are. Lets face it we have had some donkeys and pillocks play for us over the last few years – but anyone with a cockerel on his shirt should be supported. Sure Sheringham’s loss of form is frustrating. Sure he should be subbed more often or used more sparingly – but singing for Rebrov after he missed a chance was disgusting.

This is not about Rebrov – it is about Sheringham. His programme notes reveal how gutted he was about last week and came clean about how bad he played - we need to stick by him - the goals and touch will not come back if he is waiting for the crowd to get on his back every time he cocks up.

 

Fortunately only a minute or so had passed before Sheringham redeemed himself but putting a fantastic pass through to Ziege which put in him in a position similar to the Southampton and Derby goals he has scored at the Lane this season. Ziege drew the keeper before passing the ball across the goal to give Sir Les a simple tap in to get him back in the swing after his nightmares from last weekend.

 

Soon after Sheringham had another chance to give the detractors the finger, but his 20 yard free kick was comfortably saved by Sorensen. At the other end, Sunderland were hampered by a couple of injuries and Mbomba thought he should have had a penalty when he and Richards tangled in the box after chasing a long ball. Penalty my arse, even though he beat the ground several times at the decision. Treacle, approaching the 100 appearances and still no goal raced onto a through ball into the box, but unlike recent weeks when he has been keen to have a shot, he crossed, but too deep for Sir Les at the far post.

 

A couple of clapped out ex goons came on for them and the only other real threat we had was when Phillips turned in the box, but scuffed his shot wide. The Spurs crowd sang “yido” and “there’s only one Kevin Phillips” at him, much to his embarrassment and soon after this the Park Lane asked Sully the score so you knew it was all over.

 

A win was what was needed and it arrived with a fairly decent performance keeping us clear in 8th and closing in on Leeds, Chelsea and Villa immediately above us.

The Word of Hod

On the match “I thought the performance was wonderful, We created chance after chance and there were a few what we would call easier chances but we didn't put them away. Then they score just before half-time and you are thinking 'will it be our day?' but the lads performance and workrate was excellent. We kept persisting and persisting.

"Teddy had a couple of chances but that's the strength of him, you knew he wasn't having the best of games but you knew he could turn the game. He hit an exquisite ball to Christian, he drew the keeper, kept his head and Les had a tap in. Les missed the chances last week but he was there to miss them. I thought he was one of better performers last week, he could have been the hero and it was just rewards that he had a tap in this time. It was all doom and gloom after the cup final and this is a big week for us.

"We said this was a massive game. Personally, I had to set aside my thing but on the football front it was a big game for the club. It's stepping stone. We've now got Manchester United away, always a tough game but we're capable of going there and getting a good result. Then we've Chelsea in the quarter-final. There will be a spring in the step and let's see where it takes us this week."

On the minute’s silence "My dad would have wanted me here, I know that, He was a Spurs fan through and through. He saw me play at 11 for the club. It was a special day for me and the club was fantastic with what it did, the minute's silence. I've got thank all the supporters for their numerous faxes and messages, it's taken my family aback a little. The minute's silence was a lovely gesture and I've got to thank the Sunderland supporters as well, they respected it 100 per cent. My mum and family thought it was a wonderful touch."

Sullivan (7/10) – Did what was asked of him with a fine save in the second half of what was otherwise a fairly quiet afternoon

Thatcher (6/10) – Another decent performance from Thatcher on the back of his good display in the League Cup final. Will not be first choice when we have the Doc and Gardner back to full fitness but has done his best and is becoming a capable if expensive squad member

Richards (7/10) – Pleased to report Richards did ok today against a pair of decent strikers in Phillips and Mbomba. Missed a chance late in the first half but after a rocky couple of months seems to be settling into an ok if not brilliant rhythm.

King (6/10) – Had a decent match and helped the Spurs attack but bringing the ball out of defence. Got done, but not badly for the goal, but is still learning and continues to improve.

Taricco (6/10) – A better match than the final and he came more into his own in the second period.

Ziege (7/10) – Another great match for Ziege where his use of the ball was excellent and claimed assists for both goals

Sherwood (6/10) – Another solid bread and butter game which has characterised his last couple of performances – not the brilliance of the Chelsea semi’s but doing enough to allow the other two midfielders licence to roam.

Davies (6/10) – In what will be his best position – Davies had a decent match. Not everything he tried came off but he showed enough quality and was always a threat when running forward with the ball.

Poyet (7/10) – A goal and a good match for Poyet who along with Ziege was our best player on the pitch

Sheringham (6/10) – Oh Ted! Missed a couple of chances that he really should have scored from and even his passing looks a bit off colour. Set up the winning goal and it was not a total disaster but the crowd appear to be getting on his back and I hope he regains his touch soon

Ferdinand (6/10) – A decent match for Sir Les – scored the winner and should have claimed an assist when Sheringham missed

Subs:

Gardner (6/10) – Solid for his two minutes at the end

Rebrov (6/10) – Got 4 times his usual 4 minutes

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