Spurs scorers:-
Keane, 9, 42
Mido, 70

Blackburn scorers:-
Pongolle, 44
Bellamy, 67

Referee: - Howard Webb

Attendance: - 36,080

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Stalteri, Dawson, King (Capt.), Lee; Jenas, Carrick, Davids (sub Lennon, 58), Tainio (sub Murphy, 76); Mido, Keane

Subs not used: - Cerny; Davenport; Defoe

Booked: - Lee, Mido

Blackburn (4-4-2):- Friedel; Neill, Todd (Capt.), Nelsen, Gray; Emerton (sub Kuqi, 83)Savage, Reid, Bentley; Bellamy, Pongolle

Subs not used: - Enckelman; Mokoena, Peter; Dickov

Booked: - Gray, Reid, Todd

In what was easily the most entertaining and nerve-jangling game of the season so far, Spurs held out against a second half onslaught from Mark Hughes’ Blackburn Rovers to take the three points and to open up a precious five-point gap over our closest rivals in every sense in the ongoing fight for fourth place. Spurs had gone two up through goals by Robbie Keane who capped a great week, in which he captained his National side, signed a new deal, and set us on the road to success against a team that had won 7 of its previous ten matches. It says everything about Rovers that they had us pinned in our own half for much of the time, particularly in the second half.

The first of Robbie’s goals had been a sensational solo effort, and when he put us two up, minutes before the interval, it looked as if Spurs might be on their way to a convincing win. Sinama Pongolle (on loan from Liverpool) put paid to that thought, with a simple header from Bellamy’s cross, just before the break, and Rovers came out to play with such tempo that Spurs were rocking virtually all the time until the inevitable equaliser in the 67th minute. Pongolle had been the thorn in our sides in December, 2004, when he scored for an under-strength Liverpool side that eventually kicked us out of the Carling up on penalties. The Frenchman became supplier for his strike partner for Rovers’ equaliser, and it took a Lennon- Mido combination for Spurs to regain the lead they just managed to hold in an exciting finish that must have pleased the Sky audience.

Aaron Lennon was one of those who had to stay on the bench till the second half, as Martin Jol, with plenty to choose from for the midfield, declined width and pace, and went for the strength of the returning Tainio, who started on the left, with Davids playing inside with Carrick. Jenas was on the right, but to be honest was one who was surely lucky to play the full 90 minutes, as I saw little contribution from him.

Rovers were missing Pedersen, but Bellamy and Pongolle proved only too effective, supported by a flexible and energetic midfield of Emerton, Savage, Reid and Bentley The game consisted by and large of a battle for supremacy in the middle, with plenty of energy and pace, but little in the way of shots on goal for much of the first half. Friedel had had to deal with a hefty back pass, and Bellamy had a header saved after Emerton’s cross from the right, but it was a bit of a surprise when Spurs took an early lead following a quickly taken throw-in on the right by Mido. Mark Hughes contested vehemently that the throw should have gone the other way, but Keane collected (near the corner flag) ran towards goal, firstly flicking the ball over Savage, then rounding Rovers’ skipper Andy Todd, before firing past Friedel for a quite beautiful goal.

Spurs had a close escape after 32 minutes, when, after a cross from the left, Nelson’s header fell at the feet of Pongolle at the Spurs back post, but he managed to get hardly a touch on the ball, which ran out of play. Spurs were awarded a free kick just outside the box after 41 minutes. Mido hit a powerful free kick, which Friedel could only parry and Keane was on hand to collect the rebound and whack it home for a two-goal lead! That didn’t last long, as Bellamy crossed from the right and Pongolle was unmarked to head home with power from close range.

Spurs were really under the cosh in the second half, as they played like an away side, defending deep, hoofing anywhere to try and clear, but with little to aim at, often saw the ball back in the pressure zone in no time at all. None of the Spurs players looked comfortable on the ball, and you have to give credit to Blackburn for not allowing us to play any better. Davids was replaced by Lennon before an hour had passed, and at last it looked like we would use the right flank. Paul Robinson had to make a great save after 62 minutes, when a free kick was touched onto David Bentley who hit a rising shot to the left of the keeper, who flew and turned the ball round for a corner.

The inevitable equaliser came following a poor back-header (not to the keeper, but just into the area), which was snatched by Pongolle, crossing for Bellamy to fire home. Spurs responded quickly, and I thought it was Robbie Keane (not Carrick as credited in some quarters) who released Lennon who rounded the defence in style, before crossing low for Mido to finish from close range.

Spurs had a penalty denied them, when Tainio found Keane who got into the area, and tried to chip the ball up, which seemed to be handled by Nelsen. Mr Webb was having none of it, and also turned down similar appeals by Rovers against Stalteri. Murphy replaced Tainio, and played well. At last he brought an element of control to Spurs midfield play, although the pressure remained. Carrick found Keane with a great ball, and Robbie chipped Friedel, only to see the ball land over the bar in front of the Paxton Road crowd. As injury time loomed, Gray had a header that landed on top of the Spurs bar, before Lennon (now playing on the left) raced into the area, might have gone down and won a penalty, passing to Mido who should have scored, but paused and saw the opportunity diminish.

There is no question that when the final whistle came, it was a relief to Spurs, who must welcome the five point cushion before next Saturday’s tough visit to Stamford Bridge.

· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.

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