Spurs scorers:-
Defoe, 45
Pavlyuchenko, 55,85

Blackburn scorer:-
Samba, 80

Attendance:- 35, 474

Referee:- Howard Webb
Assistants:- Mr. D. Cann & Mr. M. Mullarkey
Fourth official:- Mr. A. Hall

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Gomes; Corluka, Dawson (Capt.), Bassong, Ekotto; Kranjcar, Palacios, Modric (sub Gudjohnsen, 89), Bale; Defoe (sub Crouch, 82), Pavlyuchenko

Subs not used:- Alnwick; Kaboul, Walker; Livermore, Rose

No bookings

Blackburn (4-1-4-1):- Robinson (sub Brown, 25); Salgado, Samba (Capt.), Givet (sub Di Santo, 74), Chimbonda; Nzonzi; Emerton (sub Andrews, 62), Dunn, Pedersen, Olsson; Kalinic

Subs not used:- Basturk; Roberts, Diouf, Hoilett

No bookings

Spurs on the Roman road to success!

Spurs’ former misfit Russian striker, preferred to England International Peter Crouch, today furthered his cause of winning over manager Harry Redknapp who has sidelined the striker for much of his tenancy in the manager’s seat at White Hart Lane. Pavlyuchenko had chances to put Spurs at least two more goals ahead before half-time, but his second half brace ensured three points for Spurs, which secured fourth place before their rivals even played. “Superpav” has now scored 8 goals in his last 6 games for Spurs since late January.

It wasn’t just about Pavlyuchenko though for Spurs, who fielded almost an unchanged side, with Jermain Defoe starting instead of Crouch. Jermain scored his 17th league goal of the season and is still chasing Rooney, Drogba and Darren Bent for the leading scorer accolade. Once again Benoit Assou-Ekotto played behind Gareth Bale and both excelled, with Bale making mincemeat of ageing Spanish right back Michel Salgado. Bale was all over the Spaniard like the proverbial rash, racing past to the bye-line on many occasions. Both Defoe and Bale can claim assists for Pavlyuchenko’s goals too.

Luka Modric was deployed in the centre of midfield again, making a number of penetrating passes, but also getting his tackles in too. However, the man next to him was the midfield star. Wilson Palacios is on the brink of a two game suspension for a tenth booking of the season, but not only did he evade Howard Webb’s yellow, but he was usually the one to save Spurs whenever a Blackburn shot ventured in too great a space left by the defence. Mind you, that was happening in the early stages, and as the game wore on, skipper Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong became more and more assured at the back, where it looked as if Spurs would gain another clean sheet, before an 80th minute blemish from a corner.

It looked as if Mr. Webb was going to have a good game too. He let the game flow, and allowed a few bruising challenges, perhaps most controversially one by Corluka in the Spurs area. However, he fell out with the Spurs fans big-time when Gareth Bale was surely tripped by Salgado as he raced into the Blackburn area after 67 minutes. I felt that everyone in the stadium, and I mean everyone, was convinced of the penalty, and it even looked as if the referee was making the obvious decision and pointing to the spot. But no, he was awarding a goal-kick. It’s easy for referees to refuse a team like Tottenham such decisions, as they don’t chase and harangue officials like a certain team and manager from Old Trafford!

Blackburn made a couple of early breaks deep into Spurs territory, well covered by Palacios. Spurs had a little pressure after a corner and both Bale and Defoe had cross/shots from either side of goal. Bale’s shot passed wide, whilst former Spurs favourite Paul Robinson held the Defoe effort. “Robbo” was heralded as “England’s Number One” by the Spurs fans, who were happy to start this chant on behalf of the threadbare travelling support.

Pavlyuchenko had a golden opportunity after 15 minutes at the end of a move started by one of Dawson’s trademark diagonal passes, collected by Bale, slipped to Ekotto who battled for the loose ball before crossing to Pavlyuchenko’s feet. Pav was a bit tight on the shot, and fired wide from the back post, where a goal looked easier. Bale and Ekotto gave Pavlyuchenko a second chance minutes later. This time he was at the near post, but again he fired wide.

Some chancy but successful defending by Ekotto led to a Spurs break led by Modric who passed to Palacios who was ahead of him on the left of midfield. Palacios should have taken a shot, but hesitated, tried a pass and failed. Shortly after this Paul Robinson rushed to clear a ball, then collapsed and had to hobble off to be replaced by Jason Brown. The Paxton Road stand was not to have the chance to welcome their former hero.

Gareth Bale collected another Dawson ball, and hit a shot that passed wide across Brown’s goal. Bale won a ball which he fed to Ekotto who crossed. Defoe tried to make contact but Givet had got a touch, and Brown had to make the save from his own player to put the ball out for a Spurs corner. Pavlyuchenko was working hard, if not always successfully, but he was chasing back for the ball, and after a good interchange with Modric, Defoe had a chance from the left of the area, which Brown saved and saw cleared by his defence.

Spurs took a deserved lead on the brink of half-time, from a corner won and taken by Kranjcar. Corluka advanced to head down where Defoe finished from one yard out, firing the ball high into the net for his 23rd goal of the season for Spurs in all competitions.

Blackburn came after Spurs in the second half, but managed no direct shot on Gomes’ goal. It took Spurs a while to get going again, but after 10 minutes they increased their lead having defended a Blackburn free kick and a couple of corners. Again Modric led a lovely swift break which would have made that team from Old Trafford proud. Modric started in his own half then curled a ball down the middle to Defoe, who quickly fed Pavlyuchenko on his right and outside the defence. Pavlyuchenko beat Brown with a low shot that was close to the keeper’s body hitting the far corner of the Paxton Road goal.

Sam Allardyce replaced Emerton with Keith Andrews, who was subsequently called into the defence after Givet made way for Chelsea loanee Di Santo. Palacios became creator sending Modric away down the left channel with a beautiful pass, but Modric hit his shot wide. Bale’s “clear” penalty followed and was after a good ball by Defoe. Gareth had a second appeal, but on that occasion I didn’t think the alleged offence was inside the box, and I also think Bale went down a little too easily. It doesn’t take away the strength of the first appeal though.

Blackburn’s goal followed another couple of corners, one of which arguably should not have been conceded by Gomes. The ball was floated high across the area, and the height of Samba won the ball, which was headed into the net. This led to some jitters in the crowd, removed when Pavlyuchenko made it a comfortable 3-1 in the 85th minute. Spurs were hardly attacking their own free kick with only Crouch and Pavlyuchenko in the box. However, the ball did reach Pavlyuchenko who fluffed a chance. However, the ball was only half cleared and soon came back low across the area from Bale for Pavlyuchenko to finish from 6 yards.

Pavlyuchenko might have had a hat-trick following another free kick touched down by Crouch and chipped over the keeper, only to be cleared in front of the line by Samba. Kalinic did get the ball in the Spurs net two minute from time, but the referee blew for handball.

One of our contenders for fourth place (Aston Villa) drew at Stoke today, where we face a daunting challenge next Saturday. Neither Man City or Liverpool can overtake us this week-end, even if they win. Formula 1 is not the only sport to have a race in the next couple of months. Let’s hope Spurs can win theirs!

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