Armbands

Another game to remember – the recent run of rampant form hardly at an end, even if we only came away with a draw. Paul Robinson cheekily commented that he wouldn’t want to be a Spurs fan at the moment because “if you've got heart problems you're in trouble”. Indeed. Jermain Defoe nearly delivered a late winner which set this Spurs fan’s heart on an internal journey. The whole game had, of course, been conducted in a similar fashion. Flashes of brilliance alternating with comical mistakes, great football and never ever a sense that the game had been decided. Exciting football or excruciating nervousness – all depends on your vantage point.

Happy as I am that we did not lose and that, despite conceding three goals, the lads were the better side in a way which only a couple of months ago seemed impossible – the replay is still a bitter pill to swallow. This game could and should have been won by another goal or two in the first half, or perhaps by more organised defending towards the end. As it is the replay on Monday will be the sixth in two weeks, followed by a midweek Euro 2008 qualifier for some of the lads. I’m not of the opinion that replays should be scrapped in order to help teams who are busy in many competitions, quite the contrary, nor do I want to whinge about the fact that we are still in three competitions OR that my team comprises a fair few international stars. I just feel for the lads and worry about their physical health in a very womanish sort of way. Sorry. Can’t help it. Makes me tired just to think about it. The busy schedule make the injuries that we have a bigger problem than they would be otherwise. Horribly Berbatov had to be taken off with a renascent groin injury – we can only hope that he will be back soon. Very soon.

I still marvel at the central midfield action of Tainio and Zokora these days. Gone, it would seem, are the days (again, not that long ago...) when we seemed to be playing without a midfield at times. They were superb, aggressively winning balls and setting up a wall which the opposition had to try to break down. Ricardo Rocha had a great third game for us; if he keeps up this rate of development he should win a starting position soon. He was on Drogba like a leech and made many key clearances.

The significant armbands on the day were the captain’s armband on Michael Dawson, a sight which made me very happy. Captain, vice captain, and even third choice captain were out injured but it felt like a recognition of Michael’s hard work and ability that he was allowed to lead his team onto Stamford Bridge. I can only refer back to what I wrote last week – I’m really impressed with him and think that he would make a great captain someday. Hopefully for Spurs.

Dimitar Berbatov, who would probably be my first choice captain after Ledley King, also wears an armband – but for different reasons. It says “You are not alone” and refers to the international campaign of solidarity with the wrongfully convicted Bulgarian nurses who await a death sentence in Libya. Action has been taken by governments as well as organisations such as Amnesty and The Red Cross, the latter of which recently organised a demonstration in Bulgaria.

The official website of the campaign can be found at:

http://www.nestesami.bg/main/index.php

and more information on the Bulgarian Red Cross website:

http://www.redcross.bg/

FA Cup: Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham

The spring sun shone as Chelsea clashed with Tottenham in an exciting match which had both sides of fans disbelieving their eyes. A bright first half for Spurs, which ended 1-3, was followed by a tough second half which saw Chelsea come back and equalise to secure the replay neither team really wanted.

Tottenham started strong with superb moves from Aaron Lennon, employed for the day in a central free roles, and were rewarded with a goal just five minutes into the game. A succession of beautiful passes from Defoe, to Lennon to Berbatov ended with the Bulgarian elegantly firing past Chelsea keeper Cech. Spurs continued on the attack and Chelsea’s first chance came from a Frank Lampard free kick which Essien headed just over the goal. Didier Zokora and Teemu Tainio effectively closed down the midfield, Chelsea were getting nowhere. A second excellent chance for the visitors came when right back Paul Stalteri fed a ball to Berbatov who crossed from the right to Defoe, placed in the middle but unable to reach the ball in time.

Ricardo Rocha, on his third start for Spurs, did a good job in marking Chelsea top scorer Didier Drogba and perhaps it was inevitable that only a corner situation would allow the home team to equalise. A somewhat awkward shot by Michael Ballack was put straight into the goal by Chelsea vice captain Lampard who found himself unmarked in front of goal. Some minutes later it looked as if Chelsea’s worst fears had been realised when Drogba landed awkwardly on his foot and needed medical attention. He continued playing but looked somewhat uncomfortable throughout. Half an hour into the game Chelsea’s woes deepened as sturdy midfield action by Tainio and Ghaly fed a ball to Lennon. The young star crossed beautifully in towards Defoe and Berbatov, both waiting on the left hand side of the box, but the irresistible cross was put into the net by Essien before it got that far.

A game which was characterised by marvellous attacking moves also became one of defensive disorder. Michael Dawson, Spurs skipper on the night, nearly repeated Essien's mistake when he went after a cross by Arjen Robben and just about headed the ball in over Radek Cerny’s attempts to save it. Fortunately for Spurs, Stalteri was there to clear it away. Mourinho responded with the first of a series of substitutions which seemed to suggest that attacking resolve is the best form of defence when one’s defence itself is in shambles and Paulo Ferreira was replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips. A few minutes later Hossam Ghaly finished off a great run from deep in midfield in style by coolly putting the ball past the advancing Cech, making it 1-3. At this stage the home defenders were simply nowhere to be found and the camera went to the harassed face of John Terry, watching in the crowd. The first half finished off with some near chances for Chelsea as Shevchenko shot over goal and another Essien header nearly found the net. A Drogba free kick straight into the arms of Spurs keeper Cerny closed proceedings before the break.

The second half began with the first of six yellow cards, an indication of the mounting aggression in the game. A free kick taken by Robben and met by Drogba gave the Spurs defence an immediate taste of action. Some minutes later Zokora initiated an attack which forced Cech to save twice as his initial block came back. Chelsea, who had been in curious disarray throughout, with an insecure defensive line, an ineffective midfield and a line of forwards not quite able to open up any space, made some more substitutions and placed Khalid Boulahrouz alongside Ricardo Carvalho. Salomon Kalou replaced Ashley Cole in the final signal that attacking and never say die was the only option left. The reward came on 70 minutes when another corner went via Ballack to Lampard, who thumped the ball into the net.

To this Jol’s only available response was an attempt at defending the advantage; Berbatov had been replaced by Mido due to a re-emerging groin injury and Lennon had been taken off to save his power for the remaining games in a busy week. Anthony Gardner came on as an extra defender, replacing Ghaly, but to no avail. With four minutes to go the champions hammered in the point that they simply will not be beaten at Stamford Bridge. Pretty or not, the team claws its way back, possibly in fear of Mourinho’s reaction to a home defeat. Carvalho cut the ball in to Drogba who headed it from the far post to Kalou. The Ivory Coast forward sharply volleyed it in. Despite fatigue starting to show, Tottenham nearly pulled off a third consecutive stoppage time winner, but Jermain Defoe’s powerful shot hit the bar and an even later attempt by Zokora was saved by Cech.

For both teams the added fixture is bad news, adding to an already busy schedule. Spurs now have to play Braga, Watford and Chelsea at White Hart Lane within a week, the FA-cup replay becoming the sixth game in two weeks, and have to rue the fact that this game could have been won by just one more well taken chance and some sturdier defending. Sheer exhaustion might force next game to be played at a slower pace, but spectators cannot be blamed for looking forward to another sparkling game of football between the two London clubs.


Chelsea

Cech, Ferreira (Wright-Phillips 34), Essien, Carvalho, Ashley Cole (Kalou 64), Diarra (Boulahrouz 57), Lampard, Robben, Ballack, Drogba, Shevchenko.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bridge.
Booked: Diarra, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Kalou.
Goals: Lampard 22, 71, Kalou 86.

Tottenham

Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee, Ghaly (Gardner 81), Tainio, Zokora, Lennon (Malbranque 76), Berbatov (Mido 66), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Burch, Huddlestone.
Booked: Ghaly, Zokora, Young-Pyo Lee, Stalteri, Cerny.
Goals: Berbatov 5, Essien 28 og, Ghaly 36.

Attendance: 41,517

Referee: M Riley

Europe matters

Tottenham's unbeaten run in the UEFA cup continues and coming up is the second leg of the last 16 - at White Hart Lane. Premiership colleagues Newcastle beat AZ Alkmaar 4-2 at St James Park and now have to go to Holland.

The full results ahead of next week's fixtures:

Wednesday, 14 March 2007

Bayer Leverkusen v Lens (agg 1-2)
Osasuna v Rangers (agg 1-1)
Tottenham v Braga (agg 3-2)
Werder Bremen v Celta Vigo (agg 1-0)

Thursday, 15 March 2007
AZ v Newcastle (agg 2-4)
Benfica v PSG (agg 1-2)
Espanyol v Maccabi Haifa (agg 0-0)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Sevilla (agg 2-2)

In the Champions League three of the Premiership sides made it to the quarter-finals; Liverpool knocked out Barcelona despite losing at Anfield, Manchester United scored another goal to secure a win against Lille and Chelsea beat Porto with two goals at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal were overcome by PSV Eindhoven due to a draw at the Emirates and the goalless games between Celtic and Milan finally ended with Milan scraping a goal in added time at the San Siro, kicking the Scottish side out of the competition.

In the draw the English sides managed to avoid each other, creating the possibility of an all-English final.

Quarter-final draw
AC Milan v Bayern Munich
(First leg 3 April, second leg 11 April)
PSV Eindhoven v LIVERPOOL
(First leg 3 April, second leg 11 April)
Roma v MANCHESTER UNITED
(First leg 4 April, second leg 10 April)
CHELSEA v Valencia
(First leg 4 April, second leg 10 April)

Semi-final draw
Roma or MANCHESTER UNITED v AC Milan or Bayern Munich
(First leg 24 April, second leg 2 May)
CHELSEA or Valencia v PSV Eindhoven or LIVERPOOL
(First leg 25 April, second leg 1 May)

Braga 2 - 3 Tottenham

What a result! Three away goals, a win, a great performance against a very good side... wonderful. Marvellous goals, Lennon absolutely on fire, showing why premiership defenders of all teams generally opt to take him down. Great ball work by Keane and very quick thinking and reacting by Malbranque.

Because I was unable to see the game I was left with reading the BBC text (and seeing highlights afterwards) - a slightly surreal experience. Events sound very clinical - allowing for a very statistical and dry analysis of the action. Dimitar Berbatov terrorised the Braga goal quite a bit, even if he, sadly, did not end up on the score sheet. And according to the accounts we had one central defender. Michael Dawson cleared everything - while Anthony Gardner committed a foul and gave away a penalty... The man needs to work on elegant tackling, methinks. Especially with people who are light on the feet.

We go into the second leg happily and with an advantage, even if we are back to a busy fixture list which will be hard work. The moment of revival came, according to Martin Jol, after finally getting a few days off from cup competitions (courtesy of the Feyenoord fans) - now we have five games in two weeks, of which tomorrow is number three. Chelsea away, a fixture which at the best of times is daunting, but our recent form inspires a budding confidence that the inevitable defeat at fortress Stamford Bridge perhaps isn't, indeed, inevitable. Dimitar Berbatov repeated his philosophy from last time we played (and beat) Chelsea - they are only a football team. It’s 11 against 11. And they don't have three legs. Naive? Well, possibly not.

Jol has some difficult choices to make in selecting his teams for the remaining three games, and I will try to not make it my headache as well. The gaffer knows what he is doing. Surely? And we can only hope that our good spell does not end, in true Spurs fashion, with a home defeat to Watford. It wouldn’t surprise me. But I also know I wouldn’t find it in my heart blame the lads.

Braga
Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez, Carlos Fernandes, Joao Amaral, Joao Pinto (Maciel 80), Castanheira, Bruno Gama (Cesinha 69), Ze Carlos, Wender (Diego 69).
Subs Not Used: Dani Mallo, Nem, Paito, Ricardo Chaves.
Goals: Paulo Jorge 76, Ze Carlos 81.

Tottenham
Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Tainio (Huddlestone 74), Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Stalteri, Ghaly, Defoe, Taarabt, Charlie Lee.
Booked: Berbatov, Chimbonda.
Goals: Keane 57, Malbranque 72, Keane 90.

Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Yuri Baskakov (Russia)

Springing

Today felt like the first day of spring. The sun was shining for the first time in what seemed like months (time is a highly relative concept) and there were smells! My nose went mad with excitement. So I took the bike and cycled the 25 kilometres or so to the pub, the sun shining in my face all the way. I couldn't help smiling at the beauty of the world, and at anyone unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity. Before the game I had a little picnic on a bench in a park, eating a runny kebab with increasingly cold hands. It was lovely. By the time I couldn't feel my feet anymore it was time to go to the game anyway.

I had had daydreams about this game, in which West Ham were going to play just as badly as they did a week ago and my boys were going to play just as well as they did a week ago. In my dream the final score was something like 10-0, with Berbatov scoring at least a hat trick. I also had nightmares, in which this was the game where West Ham finally picked up their form and arose, transformer-style, suddenly becoming the team they could be and hammered (pun almost not intended) us. Reality was somewhere between the two, and the outcome was nerve-racking.

Initially, when West Ham looked very good and Spurs looked a little disorganised I thought for a while that my worst fears had in fact been realised. Two down at half-time... away from home... when was the last time we crawled out of that kind of mess and lived to tell the tale? An injured Steed had left us with an erratic Ghaly and it was reassuring when Tom Huddlestone came on at half time. Tom immediately made an impact with his calm directing of the ball and suddenly the midfield looked like a midfield again. Tainio had been good throughout, working at his tackling best. Jenas, not at his sparkling best, had to be replaced as well (due to injury feelings?) and the combination of Chimbonda and Stalteri on the right was surprisingly effective. The response to falling behind which the team displayed was admirable, and just what we have been missing for a while. Rather than falling to pieces, the team regrouped, adjusted and played on.

Lennon was mesmerising and even if his runs became predictable to the point where four West Ham players started marking him whenever he touched the ball they still found that the only way to stop him was to take him down. 3 bookings, a few free kicks and a penalty were all the result of fouls on Lennon. The second goal was poetry in motion. Berbatov again dazzled with his sublime ball control, collecting it and sending it over the penalty area right at Lennon's feet. Lennon's clever little flick - no idea how he managed it - then found Tainio's feet and Teemu fired his lethal shot straight into the goal. Just amazing.

I also feel a need to praise Michael Dawson a little... Perhaps a game in which the team conceded three goals is not the best time to praise the defenders, but then again, perhaps it is. (One goal was a free kick and the other two were well executed by the opposition, not due to defensive errors.) I don't praise Dawson enough, nor do others. And I think the reason is that it is easy to forget how good he is, or, rather, take his efforts for granted. He has been building a great partnership with the older and more experienced Ledley King, which was attracting attention and praise before Ledley got injured. Ledley out, all of the sudden Michael was expected to step into his captain's shoes and be the stable man alongside Davenport, Gardner and new recruit Rocha. We trusted to him to sort it all out somehow. And Michael, who is after all just 23, has done just that, with increasing confidence in his own ability to marshal the defensive line. It is an impressive and hope-inspiring sight. The way he has handled things in Ledley's absence has been so good that we forget about it. Well, I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten. Well done, Michael.
(Incidentally he was mentioned on Fighting Talk when, in response to the question - who, when John Terry is out, is the best central defender in England - one contestant said: "you know that lad at Spurs... what's his name... Dawson - he's very good isn't he?")

Ok, back to the game, where Dimitar Berbatov, who of course had dazzled throughout with an unsurpassed elegance, scored from a free kick. And showed that he does that just as skilfully as he does everything else, making it look easy... It was so pretty and I cried a little, as did a West Ham fan sitting next to me, though for opposite reasons. Her sobbing continued until, with 5 minutes of ordinary time and my nerves frayed like a silk scarf run through a blender, I watched in horrified amazement as West Ham scored again! The girl's scream of joy was deafening. Surely that was it - the most hard come by draw of the season. But no, time for more action and again the team responded beautifully to every opportunity. Four minutes into injury time, just after a free kick for West Ham, and with practically all players in the Spurs half, Defoe gets the ball. And makes a run for it, followed by a clean line of team mates. It was timed and positioned like a military operation. They charged across the field and when Green blocked Defoe's shot (which he had also taken past the only defender in place) Stalteri was there to kick in the rebound. The West Ham fan left, in tears, as did the West Ham players on the field. And in the midst of my own ecstatic joy and pride I still felt immensely sorry for them.

West Ham 3 - 4 Tottenham

This was always going to be a battle. West Ham, desperate to improve from last week's disaster and in equal desperate need for a home win to comfort the fans and try to crawl out of the relegation swamp; Tottenham, eager to prove that their reignited form is here to stay, looking for another away win and points to start climbing the table again. And what a battle it was.

West Ham started strong, forcing Robinson to a save almost immediately, and showed all the determination and skill which had been so sorely lacking from their previous Premiership encounter. Curbishley had made quite a few changes to his side, even if Matthew Upson had to be replaced by Calum Davenport after only 11 minutes. Creative attacking from Spurs forced a couple of brilliant saves from Robert Green, but the first goal fell to West Ham as a cross from Konchesky was forcefully put past Dawson and Robinson by Mark Noble after 15 minutes. Spurs attacking attempts yielded little result as the West Ham players seemes determined to win every ball. Their aggression showed in the six bookings as well. On 38 minutes a West Ham free kick was superbly taken by Carlos Tevez, who had a very good game. His extravagant celebration in the crowd promptly got him booked, but he must be forgiven for the need to celebrate - and West Ham fans were ecstatic.

A list of injuries had limited Jol's choices somewhat and made for some creative re-shuffling as the game progressed. The erratic Hossam Ghaly was replaced by Tom Huddlestone at half time and ten minutes later Paul Stalteri came on to replace Jermaine Jenas, who looked as though he was having trouble. Chimbonda moved up to midfield. The second half opened with some dazzling runs by Aaron Lennon, the second of which was stopped by a Bowyer foul. The penalty was coolly taken by Jermain Defoe, making the score 2-1 and opening for a second half which looked like it was going to be all about Spurs. 10 minutes of great attacking football from Spurs finally rewarded an equalising goal. An amazingly accurate cross from Berbatov on the right hand side found Lennon who cleverly flicked it into the middle where Teemu Tainio was ready to fire it past Green.

West Ham, however, did not give up but created a few chances and Nigel Quashie had a shot at goal before getting injured and helped off the field by Robinson and a West Ham physio. Subsitute Kepa Blanco was dangerous in the following corner. It was to be a game of fouls and free kicks. West Ham took the lead again with a well taken header by Zamora as the result of a free kick on 85 minutes. Two minutes later it was Spurs turn. Adel Taarabt, making his Spurs debut in replacing Chimbonda with 6 minutes to go, was brought down just outside the penalty area and the ensuing free kick was beautifully taken by Dimitar Berbatov to equalise yet again.

The last minutes of this exciting game were a display of frenzied action. West Ham had a great chance when a shot by Tevez went inches outside of goal. A free kick in injury time could not change West Ham's fortunes, as Konchesky misfired. The ball finally fell to Defoe who made a run, accompanied by 3 team mates, to the other side. His great shot was well blocked by Green, but Stalteri was there to fire in the return and draw the curtains on the scoring and West Ham's evening. It was impossible not to feel for the disconsolate West Ham players, who had put on a brave fight for their fans.

West Ham
Green, Neill, Upson (Davenport 11), Ferdinand, Konchesky, Bowyer, Noble, Quashie (Blanco 80), Etherington (Zamora 83), Tevez, Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Spector.
Booked: Noble, Tevez, Bowyer, Neill, Konchesky, Quashie.
Goals: Noble 16, Tevez 41, Zamora 85.

Tottenham
Robinson, Chimbonda (Taarabt 87), Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Jenas (Stalteri 57), Tainio, Ghaly (Huddlestone 46), Defoe, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Rocha.
Booked: Chimbonda.
Goals: Defoe 51 pen, Tainio 63, Berbatov 89, Stalteri 90.

Attendance: 34,966
Referee: M Dean

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d49VGZtgNKY

Misfiring

Great comedy moments of the weekend, which simply must be mentioned...

Cesc Fabregas, in what one must assume was an attempt at showing Mark Hughes once and for all just how to play Barcelona football, elegantly scoring an own goal in such a clever fashion that not even Lehmann managed to block it.

John O'Shea, Manchester United's second choice goal keeper, perfecting the art of finishing off games in style. Nothing really funny about the goal except for the fact that he was the one to score it. In Ireland "a few pints will be sunk over that" ventured John. As if the Irish needed another excuse.

Then there was the fabulous Scholes controversy. No, not the sending off, nor the violent conduct which preceded it. Not even the fact that he had, as so often, gotten away with fouls earlier on and had this one coming. No the comedy and indeed the controversy arises from the revelation that this seasoned midfielder has a right hook as powerful and accurate as that belonging to a little old lady on her third gin and tonic. Shocking.

Carlos Tevez got an ecstatic response from his fans upon scoring a stunning free kick. He then ruined the aesthetic beauty of the event by taking his shirt off and charging into the crowd. Anyone but a loyal West Ham fan would have recoiled in horror at the sight, but the Upton Park faithfuls embraced him. For so long, in fact, that it looked as though he had been lost in the crowd, never to emerge again.

And finally, my own lads supplied a true comedy moment as a throw-in near the opposition goal took longer than the three last goals of the game put together. It took three players (no names shall be mentioned...) four attempts at passing the ball to each other before it finally ended up at its destination and was thrown in. Thankfully, the passing skills improved once the ball was in play again...