TUESDAY 10TH APRIL, 2001
FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (1) BRADFORD CITY 1 (1)

Spurs scorers:-
Iversen, 26
Davies, 76

Bradford Scorer:-
Jess, 44

Referee:- Steve Bennett

Attendance:- 28,306

Teams:-
Spurs (3-5-2):- Sullivan; Doherty, Perry, Young; Carr, Davies, Sherwood (Capt.), Leonhardsen (sub Korsten, 82), Clemence; Rebrov, Iversen (sub Thelwell, 73)

Subs not used:- Walker; Gardner; Etherington

Booked:- Doherty (Dissent)

Bradford (4-4-2):- Walsh; Halle, Molenaar, Myers, Jacobs; Jess, McCall (Capt.), Whalley, Blake; Carbone, Ward

Subs not used:- Davison (GK); Grant, Kerr, McKinlay, Jones

Booked:- Molenaar (Foul on Iversen)

Bearing in mind this fixture could have been a celebration after the semi-final, it is disappointing to report that only 28,000 people attended the homecoming of Glenn Hoddle, who unlike his predecessor, did salute the fans before the start of the game, and did receive a rapturous welcome. It is also disappointing to report that in a game that should have been an easy home banker, Spurs did so nearly manage to make a mess of things, and after a timely equaliser just before the break, a game Bradford side must have caught a sniff of a chance of winning only their second away game of the season.

As it happened, this was a low key match, and no doubt there were many tired legs amongst the Spurs side, who had lost Campbell, King, and Ferdinand from Sunday's line-up. Simon Davies had a welcome start, and capped a decent performance with a goal set-up by the tireless Rebrov, who was always full of running, and often the only player to find space to pass into. Clemence had one of his poor games, and received cynical applause when late in the second half, he actually managed to loft a decent corner into the area, after consistently hitting poor low efforts.

Spurs should have had a lead after just 7 minutes, when Molenaar headed a cross into Rebrov's path. Sergei hit a powerful shot, but it was straight at Walsh, who was able to parry. It was by no means one-way traffic, as Bradford were eager in attack, testing each of the back three. Doherty, in particular was impressive tonight. Once again he tackled strongly, and when he moved up in the second half, Gary had many strong runs, and deserved a goal. Once again, Hoddle seemed to be trying new angles, as Stephen Carr would occasionally turn up in unknown territory such as the centre of midfield, and on the left flank to cover one of Clemence's forays. Carr would often be in advance of Doherty, and looked a little sharper than on Sunday. Stephen finished a decent passage of play for Spurs with a left foot shot, at the goalkeeper after 18 minutes. Molenaar got booked for a cynical block of Iversen about 35 yards out from goal.

Sergei Rebrov chased seemingly lost causes at times, and reaped his rewards. One time on the right he won the ball, and got a powerful cross over that evaded Iversen, and which nearly got converted by Doherty on a forward run. In a similar situation, after 26 minutes, Rebrov collected a poor clearance from the bye-line, and his cross to the back post was met by Iversen, who needed two touches to shoot, but managed to get the ball between Walsh's legs for only his second Premiership goal of this season. Soon after, Iversen cleverly put Clemence through, but the hapless midfielder let the ball get tangled under his feet, when he should have succeeded in a one-on-one with the keeper. Luke Young lead a counter attack, and fed a superb pass the Davies on the right of the area. Simon hit a powerful drive, which Walsh just managed to keep out. Davies did follow-up and try to convert the loose ball, and there was some excitement with his follow-up and that of Iversen, but the shots were blocked. Finally, Carr hit wide.

Spurs were caught on the hop with a well-taken route one goal just before the break. Ashley Ward won the long ball, and slid it into the path of Jess, with time to curl a right foot shot to Sullivan's left corner.

One hoped to see Spurs in a higher gear, and assert themselves in the second half, but for much of the first 20 minutes, Bradford played with a level of confidence and flair not associated with a side preparing themselves for the inevitable drop. Sherwood did have a double attempt from a Carr cross, and Iversen flicked a Doherty long ball to Rebrov, who showed super skill in close quarters to turn and get his shot on target, but Walsh saved again.

After 52 minutes, Bradford counter-attacked, and Perry over-committed himself in the middle of the pitch. Ward hit a super shot that had Sullivan beaten all ends up, but the ball rebounded off the post. Blake (I think) followed up and fired home, but by then the offside flag was up to save Spurs embarrassment. Steffen Iversen had to be stretchered off with a nasty looking injury, as he fell badly having won a high ball for Rebrov. They put him in a neck brace, but that is often done as a precaution these days, and we must await news of his injury. Alton Thelwell was drafted into the defence to allow Doherty forward.

Spurs finally scored the winner after 76 minutes, thanks to Leonhardsen harrying away on the right flank. The ball ran to Rebrov, whose shot was blocked, but he was quick enough to cut the ball back from the bye-line for the advancing Davies to score his first Premiership goal confidently with his right foot. Bradford did not give up, and their meagre away support must have been pleased with the performance. Neil Sullivan had to stretch to his left to save a Ward header from a Carbone cross with 3 minutes to go. Just before the end, Clemence finally got things right in the midfield and fed the ball to Doherty whose shot was saved.

Spurs have now reached 42 points, which must finally be enough to cast away any threats from below, but they will do well to get anything from their next three games. (Sunderland away, Chelsea home, and Liverpool away) Spurs Odyssey intends to report on each of these games, and the change in style under Glenn Hoddle.

The reserves fixture that was scheduled for tonight at The Lane will be played tomorrow. Kick off is at 7 pm, and admission is free.

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