FA BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL, 2006
EVERTON 0 (0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (1)
Scorer:-
Keane (pen), 33
Attendance:- 39,856
Referee: - Howard Webb
Assistants: - Mr. D. Babski and Mr D.G Kellett
Fourth Official: - Mr. G. Salisbury
Teams:-
Everton (4-4-2):- Wright; Neville (Capt.), Yobo, Stubbs (sub Ferrari, 58), Naysmith (sub Kilbane, 84); Davies (sub Ferguson, 65), Cahill, Carsley, Osman; McFadden, Beattie
Subs not used: - Turner; Weir
Booked: - Carsley, Neville
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Stalteri, King (Capt.) (sub Davids, 90), Gardner, Lee; Lennon (sub Davenport, 81), Jenas, Carrick, Tainio (sub Murphy, 46); Defoe, Keane
Subs not used: - Cerny; Barnard
Booked: - Gardner
Spurs’ dream of Champions League football is not only on, but is coming nearer to fruition, thanks to a convincing 1-0 win at Goodison Park today. Their sixth away win of a season in which they will finish in their highest Premiership place, with their highest Premiership points tally came courtesy of Robbie Keane’s third penalty and fifteenth goal of a season in which he has started 12 games on the bench. Spurs could easily have won by a two or three goal margin. Their closest miss came when Jermain Defoe’s shot crashed down from the underside of the bar, and was cleared from danger.
Martin Jol chose to shore up the defence in the latter stages when he replaced young star Aaron Lennon with Calum Davenport, to assist King and Gardner with the awkward threat of Everton’s substitute – Duncan Ferguson. In my view, Spurs never looked like conceding today, and whilst we eagerly await our next two big games, it was frustrating not to have extended our lead.
Spurs made just one change from last Saturday’s starting line-up. That was the surprise exclusion of Mido – who had a late injury – allowing Defoe and Keane to make a rare start together. It was pleasing to see Jol start with Lennon and not err on the side of caution. In the last week or so, Big Marty seems to have become more bullish about Spurs chances, and he has also been signing Lennon’s praises, suggesting him as a possible England World Cup squad member above Sean Wright-Phillips, who hardly gets a game for Chelsea. Sven Goran Eriksson was at Goodison to see the evidence for himself. Beside him was Sir Alex Ferguson – sizing up the opposition for Monday’s game at White Hart Lane.
Whilst Spurs enjoyed good possession from the outset, their attacks seemed to concentrate down the left, and they failed to get Lennon into the game for quite a while. Carsley got an early booking for a tackle on Gardner near the half way line, and it was around this time that Lennon got into the game to excellent effect. Spurs won several corners, and some were taken by Defoe today, rather than Carrick (who still took most from the right hand side) Following a cleared kick, Carrick fed Lennon who got to the bye-line and chipped a ball to the back post where Gardner headed across the 6-yard box, rather than towards the target. Following a further corner, won by Lee, Carrick hit a powerful drive that was blocked by Beattie.
After 27 minutes, Jenas picked out Lennon, whose low cross to the near post was met by a brave diving header by Tainio, and somehow saved by Wright. Five minutes later, Lee turned inside the defence and crossed into the area for Keane, who was brought down by Stubbs, just as he was about to pull the trigger. Referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot, and did not allow any advantage, which meant that Jenas’s “goal” did not count. Robbie stepped up, and fired confidently past Richard Wright.
Both Neville and Gardner got booked just before half time for a midfield spat, but Spurs went to the interval, having faced little threat from the home side in front of a full house. Everton did win plenty of corners, but these were dealt with easily by a firm defence.
Teemu Tainio was replaced by Murphy at half-time, playing with plenty of control and accuracy. Jenas and Carrick combined well in the middle. Carrick was sweeping up at the back as always, and Jenas has a knack of winning great tackles and coming out of them with the ball ready to start a move. Spurs displayed several flowing attacks, and it is a great shame they failed to increase their lead, even if only for the sake of the nerves of the travelling fans! After 63 minutes, Murphy set up a move, by passing to Lee, who passed inside to Keane. Robbie got past Neville, playing at right back today, and fired a shot more or less at Wright, who made a comfortable save.
Ex-Spur Simon Davies was replaced by Ferguson with 25 minutes to go. Davies had been greeted warmly by his former admirers, but he seems to have a bit-part role these days. A lovely move started from the back by Jenas, ended with a slick pass from Keane to Defoe, who was block-tackled just as he was about to shoot. Spurs really were in control, but they made a passing move that filtered back to Robinson, whose long ball was well fielded by Keane, and then fed to Defoe. Defoe’s cracking right foot shot beat the keeper, but came crashing down off the underside of the bar, and out.
Effectively that was the signal for confident defence, and Spurs saw the time out comfortably. The only sad sight at the end of the game was to see Ledley King limping badly (he was replaced by Davids just before the final whistle), and he must be a doubt for Monday lunch-time’s game. It’s just as well that Michael Dawson will be available to face Rooney and Van Nistelrooy!
Mathematically, Spurs now need 9 points from their last 4 games to be certain of fourth place. The dream would be back to back wins against Man United and Arsenal – in which case the target would be achieved early! Bolton’s defeat at home to Chelsea today leaves Spurs needing just 3 points to be certain of UEFA Cup football. The away fans sang at the end of today’s game with gusto – “We’re all going on a European Tour” – and so we are!
· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
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