FA BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
MONDAY 17TH APRIL, 2006
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (0) MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (2)
Spurs scorer:-
Jenas, 53
Man Utd scorer:-
Rooney, 8, 36
Referee: - Mark Halsey
Assistants: - Mr A. Garratt & Mr. P. Norman
4th Official: - Mr A. Bates
Attendance: - 36,141
Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Stalteri, Dawson, Davenport, Lee; Lennon (sub Barnard, 77), Jenas, Carrick, Davids (sub Murphy, 70); Keane (Capt.), Defoe
Subs not used: - Cerny; Kelly, Naybet
Booked: - Stalteri
Man Utd (4-4-2):- Van Der Sar; Neville (Capt.), Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre; Park, Giggs, O’Shea, Ronaldo (sub Brown, 89); Van Nistelrooy, Rooney
Subs not used: - Howard; Evra, Heinze; Saha
Booked: - Vidic
The first thing to say is that this was a terrific game of football, played in the tradition of the fixture going back to the Fifties and Sixties. Both teams sought to attack at every opportunity; gave no quarter, but on the whole played the game in a fair and sporting manner.
Spurs dominated possession, and had four or five good chances to score in the first twenty minutes. Sadly, the opposition was more clinical, scoring classically on the break as early as the 8th minute, and taking advantage of Young-Pyo Lee’s disastrous error in the 36th minute. Both United’s goals were scored by Wayne Rooney. Jermaine Jenas got one back for Spurs in the second half, which was a just reward for the pressure we had enjoyed, but it was not enough, and once again, Spurs’ Champions League hopes are in the balance, whilst United have forced Chelsea to wait at least a week before formally claiming the Premiership title.
Spurs had to make two changes to their central defence, losing not only Ledley King, but also Anthony Gardner to injury. Calum Davenport was a capable deputy, whilst Michael Dawson performed heroics in the second half to rescue what had looked like a certain goal for Van Nistelrooy. With Mido also injured, Lee Barnard was not only named on the bench, but made a debut appearance when he replaced fans’ favourite Aaron Lennon after 77 minutes. Barnard put himself about a bit, as he can, giving Nemanja Vidic plenty to think about, but Spurs could not break down a tough defence. Sir Alex Ferguson had given Spurs due respect though mid-way through the second half, when Wayne Rooney was drawn back to assist the midfield, and play from that deeper position.
In the glorious Easter Monday sunshine, Spurs could and should have taken a 2nd minute lead at the Park Lane end, when Lennon got past Silvestre and crossed from the right. Defoe got a slight touch and the ball rolled agonisingly wide of Van Der Sar’s back post, with Robbie Keane just unable to make the extra half-yard to touch the ball into the net. Five minutes later, Carrick’s free kick was hit by Dawson from close range, but saved by the keeper. Sadly, having had the early domination, Spurs paid the penalty as United broke from their own half, and Ronaldo sent Van Nistelrooy away down the left flank, then got ahead of the striker to receive the ball inside, with Davids struggling to match the pace. Ronaldo’s cross beat Lee, and Rooney was at the back post to finish from close quarters.
Spurs remained adventurous and “dared to do”. In the 12th minute, they made an incisive break courtesy of a Davenport header to Defoe, who passed to Keane down the right channel. Keane returned the pass, and Defoe should have scored but hit the shot wide of the back post. Two minutes later, Davids carried the ball past Neville, and Defoe had another shot saved by Van Der Sar. Another half-chance came after a Lennon run and cross, Defoe’s ball across the area for Keane who could not get his shot in before the ball went too wide. Jenas and Lennon worked the ball down the right, before Keane and Davids found Carrick, whose shot was also wide.
Vidic was penalised for a foul on Defoe, and Dawson’s header was half cleared, before Dawson again had a close range shot go above the goal from an angled position. Thus Spurs should have been in the lead on merit, but United were always a threat in our half. Lee blocked a shot by his countryman Ji-Sung Park, before Neville returned a ball in, which Ronaldo headed over. Lee’s disaster followed soon after that, when he was challenged by Park in his own corner. Lee had plenty of time to clear, but tried to carry the ball inside, allowing Park to get a foot between his legs, and gift the ball to Rooney, who makes no mistake with such presentations. Lee hung his head, and when he next got a touch, a shameful section of the home fans started booing him for his one mistake in an otherwise industrious and effective game. The boo-boys were soon out-done by the majority of the home crowd who urged Lee on. For a moment I was ashamed of some of my so-called fellow fans.
Spurs came out fighting after the break (during which the Reserves were presented to the home crowd, with their southern section trophy). After a period of pressure, Carrick made a great run through the middle and was brought down on the very edge of the box by Vidic, who got a yellow card for his troubles. After more pressure, Defoe had a chipped shot deflected just over the bar for another corner. In the 53rd minute, Robbie Keane took a corner from the left, and after the ball rebounded off a couple of United players, it was Jenas who was at hand close-in to finish for his seventh goal of the season.
A few minutes later, Van Nistelrooy looked as if he was offside, but he was away from Dawson looking certain to score. Van Nistelrooy’s touch deserted him and the ball was running wide, allowing Dawson to make a brilliant recovery and saving tackle. Another example of the United threat from their own half was given when Giggs broke down the left, and Rooney had another chance via Ronaldo.
With five minutes left, Keane had a shot saved, and United broke brilliantly again, with the final act played out by Neville, and Van Nistelrooy, whose low shot beat Robinson but rebounded off the foot of the post. Stalteri’s late booking was for a cynical tug on Rooney, as he was getting away from the Canadian near the half-way line.
Both sides left the field to deserved rousing cheers. We had certainly been entertained, but Spurs fans have to endure a continuing nervous end of season. It could be glory or bust at Highbury on Saturday. IF we could win there, we would need just three points from our last two games to hold fourth place. I can’t wait to witness history being made!
· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
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