FA CUP 4TH ROUND
SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY, 2010
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (1) LEEDS UNITED 2 (0)
Spurs scorers:-
Crouch, 42
Pavlyuchenko, 75
Leeds scorer:-
Beckford (2) (1 pen), 52, 90
Attendance:- 35,750
Referee:- Mr. A. Wiley
Assistants:- Mr. D. Cann & Mr. J. Colin
Fourth Official:- Mr. P. Dowd
Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Gomes; Hutton, Dawson (Capt.), Bassong, Bale; Kranjcar (sub Keane, 71), Jenas, Modric, Rose (sub Palacios, 56); Crouch (sub Pavlyuchenko, 71), Defoe
Subs not used:- Alnwick; Naughton, Dervite; O’Hara
Booked:- Hutton
Leeds (4-5-1):- Ankergren; Crowe, Bromby, Kisnorbo, Hughes; Howson (Capt.), Kilkenny, Snodgrass, Doyle (sub Becchio, 80), Johnson (sub White, 88); Beckford
Subs not used:- Martin; Michalik; Prutton, Robinson; Grella
Booked:- Bromby, Crowe, Kisnorbo, Kilkenny, Johnson
Beckford the Cup Hero for Leeds again
Just when it looked as if Spurs were going to hold on(Yes, hold on) to their slender lead against League One side Leeds, up popped their Third Round goal-scoring hero Jermaine Beckford to force a desperate tackle by Spurs skipper Michael Dawson to win an almost last second penalty, after referee Alan Wiley took his time to point to the spot. Dawson had made a similar tackle minutes earlier, clearly winning the ball, but this time replays showed that the referee just about called it right for the penalty which Beckford confidently fired high above Gomes to earn Leeds a replay, and to show Jermain Defoe how to take a penalty.
Defoe had been guilty of failing again from the spot after just 8 minutes after former Leeds trainee Danny Rose had been up-ended in the area. Defoe had fired weakly to the left of Danish goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, who comfortably saved in the midst of an early spell in which he looked like being Boaz Myhill all over again for Spurs fans.
Leeds had brought their full contingent of 4,500 fans, and they helped to create a terrific cup atmosphere, urging their team on incessantly. When they spotted Robbie Keane warming up, they greeted him affectionately with “You’re Leeds, and you know you are”, but on the other hand, when Danny Rose was substituted, he was roundly booed, and clearly castigated for deserting their beloved ship. Rose made his first senior start for Spurs, but apart from winning the penalty, he did not make much headway against the determined Leeds midfield and defence.
Leeds played a five man midfield, with the impressive Snodgrass the play-maker for front runner Beckford. The visitors did manage to forge some decent chances too, and could easily have had a goal or two in the first half. Once again, Spurs struggled to really dominate a five man packed midfield, and to be honest, Harry Redknapp’s initial selection lacked balance, with Modric partnering Jenas in the middle, and Kranjcar and Rose on the flanks. Spurs’ resources were somewhat limited because of injuries, but in my view, since his return from injury, Luka Modric has rarely been used to his optimum effect – which he can do operating initially from the left side.
It was Leeds who had the first threat after 2 minutes, when Gomes was out well to a Snodgrass ball, with Beckford almost taking advantage of the rebound off the keeper. Defoe had a great effort with a dipping hooked shot that Ankergren had to tip over the bar three minutes later. The goalkeeper then saved from the ensuing corner. However, two minutes later Rose made his run into the box to win the penalty, which Defoe failed to convert. Spurs soon had a corner from the south-west flag, which was re-taken and then brought another near post save from the busy Leeds keeper.
After 10 minutes Defoe collected a header from Peter Crouch, and continued his run to hit a shot that was deflected for another Spurs corner. Bale took a free kick after 14 minutes which Ankergren punched clear for yet another corner. After a foul on Crouch, Kranjcar took a free kick and forced another save, with Crouch dipping out on the follow-up. Defoe beat the offside trap for once and carried the ball into the area, only to lose out to a tackle that must have been well-timed because Mr. Wiley gave no penalty! Ankergren punched clear another Bale free kick after a foul on Defoe outside the area.
At the other end, Danny Rose was a bit slow to react to the loss of a midfield ball, which allowed Snodgrass to test Gomes with a decent effort. Gomes pushed the ball away. Dawson made a bad mistake to give Beckford a chance from which he should have scored with his left foot shot flying across the goal and wide. Beckford soon had another chance, and Gomes had to make a good save diving to his left.
Spurs’ first goal came after Leeds had been opening up a little, forcing those chances. The goal was a bit scrappy and followed a cross by the excellent Bale, and a shot by Kranjcar that Ankergren failed to hold, with Crouch scoring from the follow-up.
Leeds heads did not go down though, and Beckford laid up a ball for Snodgrass, who hit a weak shot. In added time, Jenas missed a good chance from close range, hitting a left footed shot over the bar.
Beckford was presented with another chance soon after the break, and he had more time than he thought, hitting his effort far too wide. Leeds took a few second half bookings and the first of these was for Bromby, trying to stop Bale in his tracks. Dawson lost out again in a challenge on Beckford, who this time tried to present a chance to Johnson, whose shot was well off target. Leeds got an equaliser in front of their own fans after a corner and a close range prod by that man Beckford, somehow getting the ball under Gomes for an equaliser that you could see coming. Gomes had to make a punched save from a long shot by Kilkenny soon after that as well.
Rose was replaced by Palacios, and suddenly Spurs looked more balanced, with Wilson partnering Jenas, and Modric moving to the left side. It took a while for Spurs to force a threat though, but it came after a corner won on the back of a Bale run, taken by Kranjcar and headed by Bassong. Ankergren made a comfortable save. After 67 minutes Defoe made a good run to meet Crouch’s header, following which Jenas pushed a short pass back to Jermain, whose shot was saved.
Now Harry Redknapp made two more substitutions, with Crouch replaced by Pavlyuchenko and Kranjcar by Keane. Pavlyuchenko was warmly greeted by the Spurs fans, and having been starved of domestic football for much of this season, was clearly determined to make an impression, which he achieved with credit. Pav scored only his second Spurs goal of the season in the 75th minute. Palacios was to the fore carrying the ball down the left channel, feeding Bale, whose cross was dummied by Pavlyuchenko who then made his way behind the defence to receive Defoe’s excellent quick ball. The Russian then scored with a deft finish across Ankergren’s left hand into the corner, before throwing his gloves into the crowd as part of his celebration. It was after all his first goal at White Hart Lane since April last year.
Pavlyuchenko’s contribution was more than just the goal though, as he shielded the ball well, when playing with his back to goal, and played a full part in several flowing moves. After 83 minutes, Jenas made a good run down the middle, and having won a corner, then made the extra inch of effort to win a ball at full stretch that went to Bale. Bale’s cross was almost turned into the net by a defender, but cleared off the line. Keane had a shot saved after a Bale corner, when Hutton had made the final pass.
Somehow in an injury free second half, the officials found five minutes of added time, and it was in the dying seconds of that period that Dawson made the fatal tackle; Wiley made his considered decision, and Beckford scored his decisive spot kick to send the Leeds fans home in raptures. It was nearly a full house at The Lane and there will be a great crowd and atmosphere at Elland Road for a replay that Leeds will believe they can win. This is a League One side that deservedly beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, and it is hard to begrudge them their draw yesterday. Spurs should still come up trumps on Tuesday February 2nd though!
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