SATURDAY 30TH
SEPTEMBER, 2000 FA CARLING
PREMIERSHIP
Viduka, 52,53
Rebrov, 37, 74
Smith, 59,64
Perry, 60
Attendance:-
37,562, Referee:- N. Barry
Leeds (4-4-2):-
Martyn; Kelly, Radabe (Capt. sub Hay, 45), Mills, Harte; Bowyer,
Bakke, Dacourt (sub McPhail, 35), Matteo; Viduka (sub Bridges, 80),
Smith
Subs not
used:- Robinson (GK); Huckerby
No bookings
Spurs (4-3-3/4-4-2):-
Sullivan; Carr, Perry, Vega, Thatcher; Freund, Sherwood (Capt.),
Leonhardsen; Iversen, Ferdinand (sub Anderton, 30), Rebrov
Subs not
used:- Walker; Thelwell, Clemence, Dominguez Booked:- Iversen,
Vega
Just got back from Leeds - a top trip and
an away game to remember (for a change) despite not coming away
with anything. The day began on the 8.10 from Kings Cross and
after giving Scumbury the wanker sign as we passed (to the
bemusement of an old woman) we descended into a foggy gloom as
soon as we left London. I even managed to win at Pool before
having the usual run from the Armley gyratory to the ground. A
good view for a change, and I always love looking around at away
games to see all the usual faces - the bloke who looks like Dylan
from the Magic Roundabout, The bloke with the golden mullet, the
Gary Flitcroft look-alikes and of course the NASA cap. The spurs
crowd, as ever filling every seat, was excellent giving almost
non-stop support
The game started cautiously. Spurs played
the same team and formation as recent weeks with Les at the helm
of a three-man attack, which included Iversen on the right, and
Rebrov on the left, which I'm sure is not to Rebrov's liking.
Leeds had a couple of long range efforts including a deflected
free kick while Spurs first chance fell to Leo who's shot was
blocked at the back post. Ferdinand was playing poorly - not
competing very well and generally looking our of sorts and a
collision with Radabe led to him being stretchered off. Anderton
replaced and Spurs switched back to 4-4-2 and immediately looked
a better side with some lovely pass and move stuff, especially
involving Anderton and Rebrov. I have always thought Anderton's
great strength was the way he involves other players in the game.
There seemed to be a lot of stoppages for injuries with Radebe
following Dacourt off the pitch.
Spurs took the lead after 37 minutes with
a good passing move involving Anderton, Carr, Rebrov and Iversen
culminating in Iversen setting Carr free on the right. As two
Spurs forward attacked the 6yard box, Rebrov hung back unmarked
and swept home Carr's intelligent pull back. Spurs continued to
play well for the rest of the half and at half time I was
confident we could increase our lead and go on and win the game
Leeds equalizer was a disaster for
Sullivan, who suddenly seemed to struggling for a chipped cross
on his goal line and in attempting to palm it behind, knocked it
on to the post for former Spurs target Viduka to beat Smith and
Vega to the rebound and smash it home. While I was annoyed we'd
conceded such a soft goal, I still thought the game was still
there for us to win. The second arrived soon after. A messy bit
of play just outside the right-hand side of our box where Vega
was at fault in not getting the ball clear (a point Carr in
particular made very strongly after the goal - I get the
impression he's not too chuffed about having Mr. Cockup in his
defensive unit) eventually found its way to Kelly who hit a weak
shot which was going nowhere until Viduka deflected it in the
other corner, leaving Sullivan stranded. A balls of a goal - and
from my loft perch I could see what was about to happen before it
did, which was very frustrating - but all credit to Viduka for
some quick thinking
Leeds continued to press and my mind
flashed back to our recent 4-0 and 3-2 defeats at Anfield where a
combination of poor defending and the other team scoring
everytime they attacked in the second wiped out good first half
performances. These fears were confirmed when a third Leeds goal
followed soon after. Nightmarish marking allowed Smith to steal
in and head home from a debatable free kick given against Carr
Spurs replied soon after with Anderton sending over a brilliant
free kick from the left which Perry bravely headed home at the
far post. In between the first and second Leeds goals Spurs were
all at sea, but returned to playing well going forward after the
second goal and at 3-2 a point looked very much on the cards as
long as we did n't do anything stupid at the back - which is
exactly what we did as Carr was trailing behind Smith as he
directed his free header in the corner.
The two-goal deficit looked too much to
overcome, and could easily have been three as Smith slid in
challenged by Vega and hit the bar from close range. We were all
given some hope soon after when Iversen won an important header
from a corner and Rebrov acrobatically hooked the ball goalwards
for a Leeds player to head to the ball off the line. A vigilant
lino started waving his flag and in the confusion that followed,
Spurs emerged with a goal.
Leeds looked to hang on and after what
looked a blatant push on Leo in the area, our last two chances
were created by good work on the right. The first released Carr
who set up a good chance for Sherwood who could n't force the
ball home from close range and with virtually the last kick, Leo
could n't reach an Anderton cross - an equalizer would have been
a fitting and deserved climax to a memorable match. While the
scoreline accurately reflected our defending, our overall play
deserved more and it was an encouraging performance against one
of the better teams in the league - although as our beloved Goon
is at pains to point out when we scrape wins with poor
performances, its the winning that matters
Sullivan 5/10 - I thought we would stop shipping soft goals like the first Leeds goal with the arrival of Sully, but the fact is that he has produced two errors (Newcastle was the other) that have made a significant contribution to a Tottenham away defeat. If Walker has a good game at Coventry when Sullivan is banned, the decision (based upon GG's ascertain that he pick the best goalkeeper whether it be Sully or Walker) will be a difficult one for Gooner George, but I have a feeling that Sullivan will return for the Derby match no matter what as he was signed by Graham, and I must admit despite his variable start, I would prefer Sullivan to be our permanent keeper.
Carr 6/10 - like a few games in recent weeks, Carr has played well but below the outstanding almost faultless level of previous season, with misplaced passes and was at fault for one of Smith's headers - although he did provide the cross at the end of the move that culminated in Rebrov's first goal.
Thatcher 5/10 - again, someway off what is expected of a competent fullback defensively and offers little in attack. Taricco must return when fully fit
Vega - 6/10 - played a reasonable game but must take some of the blame for the defensive awfulness of the second period and was at fault for not getting the ball away for the second goal
Perry - 6/10 played fairly well and scored a good header from an excellent Anderton cross, but must take some of the blame for the poor performance of the defence.
Leo - 6/10 - had his usual decent game giving 100% as ever
Sherwood 6/10 - a much improved performance from Sherwood, especially after the introduction of Anderton and had a late chance that could have squared the game 4-4 Freund - 6/10 - another solid and competitive performance.
Rebrov 7/10 - capped another good display with a couple of goals – a sweeping half volley for the first and an overhead kick - looked very much at home with Anderton's pass and move game and hopefully they will develop the same sort of partnership as Anderton did with Barmby (all we need now is a Sheringham up front to finish it all off !!)
Ferdinand 5/10 - was having a very poor match before getting a head injury. His removal was the catalyst for Tottenham to step up their performance, and while I have nothing against Les, he is looking less and less able to be effective in the premiership, which is n't aided by the new tactics
Iversen - 6/10 - played a better match and set Carr up for Rebrov's first before winning a header for Rebrov's second, but one away goal in 23 games away from the Lane this season and last is not good enough.
Anderton 8/10 - back to his best with the
best display he has put on for a while. Excellent passing, esp.
with Rebrov and had a hand in the move for the first goal and
provided the crosses for the other goals. More please!! - I hope
this was not a reaction to not getting in the England squad, but
with Dyer's injury, Keegan should be giving him a bell for the
Germany game