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