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November 2007

Spurs 2 Liverpool 1

Who would have dreamt that Spurs could gain seven points from the three games since the appointment of Harry Redknapp? Who would have dreamt that we could beat the league leaders, thus ending their unbeaten record for the season? Who would have dreamt that we would take 4 points from the two games away to Arsenal and at home to Liverpool? Who would have dreamt that instead of being victims to late goals, we would be the beneficiaries, both at The Emirates and at home last night? Who would have dreamt that one week after being rooted at the bottom of the Premier league with a pathetic two points, we would have clawed our way off the bottom of the pile, in touch with our competitors and ready to challenge for the next step – the climb up the table?

Spurs 4 Dinamo Zagreb 0

The Harry Redknapp inspired Spurs revival continued apace, as Spurs gave their best team performance of the season to date, and for a long while to totally dominate the Croatian League Champions and current league leaders. It was a dynamic performance featuring only Darren Bent’s second career hat-trick, and an inspired performance from Tom Huddlestone who scored a goal to rank alongside David Bentley’s goal at The Emirates, both of which will live in the memory for a long time.

Man City 1 Spurs 2

The Harry Redknapp inspired renaissance at Tottenham just keeps rolling along. Unbeaten in his reign of five games, Harry’s Spurs have won three out of four league games, drawn at Arsenal, and convincingly won their one UEFA Cup game in his command. Darren Bent made it 7 goals in those four games, with a fine brace today that puts him in the top echelon of Premier League goal-scorers for the season so far. City will rue the early dismissal of midfielder Gelson Fernandes, but skipper Richard Dunne continued his nightmare season, with the error that let in Bent for his first goal, and also a professional foul that got him a red card with 7 minutes of normal time remaining. Yet, with only 9 opponents left on the pitch, Spurs made heavy weather of securing the three points, when they should have had the game by the throat.

Spurs 4 Liverpool 2

Spurs marched on in style to the Carling Cup quarter-finals despite fielding a team which featured seven changes to the starting line-up after Sunday’s win at Manchester City. A lot of fuss was made about the strength of Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool side, but three of their back four play first team football regularly, and Lucas, Babel and Torres were also in the team. The fact is though that the Liverpool side was there for the beating, and Spurs side that convincingly thanks to two goals apiece from Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Three of those goals came in a dazzling spell in the run-up to half-time, and it was Fraizer Campbell who made the first and scored the second and third, who has to be named as man of the match.

Fulham 2 Spurs 1

Down the years, Spurs fans have labelled various players as scapegoats. The name of John Pratt comes to mind, who was hated by many, respected by some, but most importantly by Bill Nicholson, who picked him so often. Recently, the post has been held principally by Jermaine Jenas, but he gave a stirring performance yesterday, unlike so many of his colleagues. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has always been the butt of media pressure and fan pressure, but yesterday at Craven Cottage, he cemented his position by spooning into his own net Simon Davies’ innocuous cross/shot from the left side of midfield. Never mind the fact that Jonathan Woodgate got a glancing header to take Gomes by surprise. Many fans chose not to see that, and those who did state (fairly) that Gomes should still have prevented the goal that ultimately lost Harry Redknapp his first game as Spurs manager.

Spurs 1 Blackburn 0

This game was memorable for a number of reasons. Firstly there was Aaron Lennon’s match-winning scintillating performance down the right wing, where he tormented Swedish left back Martin Olsson so much that the Blackburn player got a second yellow in the 38th minute for chopping Lennon in full flight. Secondly there was the rapturous and emotional reception for Paul Robinson who fully acknowledged the Spurs fans, and rewarded a lucky fan or two in the Park Lane stand with his gloves at the end of the game. Thirdly, of course, there was the vital win that took Spurs out of the bottom three at last, and up to their highest position of the season so far – 15th!

N.E.C. 0 Spurs 1

Harry Redknapp does not seem to enthuse about the UEFA Cup, and has been quoted as saying that it’s “Hard not qualify” from this phase of the competition. Nijmegen might not be too happy with that comment, as they will find it very hard to negotiate a way past their next two opponents, Spartak Moscow (subsequently they did win this one!)and unbeaten Udinese. Udinese had a night off, enabling Spurs to go top of the group after their two wins. This win was deserved and justice after some disparaging remarks about Redknapp’s “long ball tactics”.

Spurs 0 Everton 1

Amidst all the tension and frustration of watching Spurs try desperately and fail to equalise Steven Pienaar’s 51st minute goal, my over-riding emotion was one of anger at referee Steve Bennett. Mr. Bennett used to be one of my favourite officials, but on this occasion I felt he gave one of the lamest refereeing performances I have seen all season. Throughout the game he had consistently INSISTED on every free kick being played to his command – i.e. to the whistle. Now, I know that it is up the defending team to be alert to the danger of a quick free kick, but inexplicably, Mr. Bennett allowed Mikel Arteta to slide a quick free kick to the left where Pienaar was un-marked and allowed a free shot on goal. Corluka got in the way, but only enough to deflect the shot past the helpless Gomes for what turned out to be the deciding goal.

Don't forget to check out the cumulative appearances and grades for the squad below.

...if you want to remind yourself of the matches played during this month, then See the Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over the last 8 years!

* less errors equals a higher mark

The Spursometer was brought to you by Spurs Odyssey in association with My Eyes Have Seen The Glory.