10 Man Tottenham Keep Up Title Challenge #2Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Lennon 57, Bale 81) Newcastle United 0

Ten-man Tottenham moved into the top four of the Premier League with victory over Newcastle in a feisty affair.

Aaron Lennon broke the deadlock in the second-half, cutting in from the right to drill an angled shot from just inside the area past keeper Tim Krul.

Spurs had Younes Kaboul sent off on 65 minutes for appearing to thrust his head at Newcastle's Cheik Tiote.

But Gareth Bale made sure of the points for the home side, surging down the left and firing in a rasping effort.

The scoreline was definitely a deserved one on the balance of play, although the Magpies did well to frustrate their usually free-flowing opponents for much of the match.

Aware of the home side's potency on the wings, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew packed the midfield and was forced to bring in full-back James Perch for the more assured Jose Enrique at left-back.

It was an ideal scenario for Tottenham right-winger Lennon. But, apart from the cross for Roman Pavlyuchenko's first-half header, brilliantly saved by Krul, and the goal, Lennon was given little space by former Nottingham Forest defender Perch.

In fact, the visitors' defence performed admirably with much of what Spurs threw at them in the opening 45 minutes. A marked difference to the opening five minutes against Manchester City.

Most of it was last ditch, however.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's side are a credit to the Premier League for staying true to their unofficial motto of "attack, attack, attack" and left-sided dynamo Bale has often led by example this season.

Midway through the first half he cut in from the left, eluded two Newcastle challenges and swept into the area before his attempt to shoot from little more than six yards was blocked by the biting Alan Smith.

Dutchman Rafael Van der Vaart, arguably this season's best signing so far, then tested Krul with a 25-yard free-kick which his compatriot had to tip over.

Van der Vaart then tried to create some room for himself inside the area but saw his shot blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.

And the closest the north Londoners came to scoring before the goal was right on the stroke of half-time when Krul produced an extraordinary save to deny Pavlyuchenko.

Perch had the right to claim he had Lennon "in his pocket" in the opening half, but he was all at sea for the opener when the England winger bore down on goal, after coming in from the right, before drilling a shot that deflected off the left-back and past Krul.

Tottenham were now looking to open up a Newcastle side who did well to keep the potent Londoners at bay.

But the home side suffered a setback in their quest when Kaboul was shown a straight red when he appeared to thrust his head at Tiote, who had forcefully, but cleanly, tackled him seconds earlier.

Instead of packing the defence and seeing out the match, Redknapp brought on forward Peter Crouch.

It was a bold move, although it was the slightly more defensive-minded Bale, who settled the match in typical fashion.

Wales international Bale was sent on his way down the left by Luka Modric before charging inside and rocketing an unstoppable shot with unerring accuracy past the reach of Krul.

That was essentially game, set and match.

The victory meant that Redknapp's side stepped up their Premier League challenge in what is one of the most open title races in recent years.

It was also the first time since the opening day of the season that Spurs kept a clean sheet - more of those and, come May, the men from White Hart Lane could be toasting an event that has not occurred since 1961.

LINE UPS

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 07-Lennon, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 11-Van der Vaart, 12-Palacios, 14-Modric, 20 Dawson, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 08-Jenas, 15-Crouch, 19-Bassong

NEWCASTLE UNITED: 26-Krul, 02-Coloccini, 07-Barton, 09-Carroll, 10-Routledge, 12-Simpson, 14-Perch, 17-Smith, 18-Gutierrez, 24-Tiote, 27-Taylor SUBS USED: 11-Lovenkrands, 30-Ranger

Todays Other Scores

Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United: BC-Bowyer; MU-Berbatov

Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa: MC-Balotelli (3), Lescott

Stoke City 0-2 Fulham: FU-Baird (2)

Sunderland 0-2 Blackpool: BP-Campbell (2)

West Brom 1-3 Blackburn Rovers: WB-Tamas; BR-Kalinic (2), M.Diouf

West Ham 1-1 Everton: WH-Hibbert (o.g); EV-Coleman

10 Man Tottenham Keep Up Title Challenge Aston Villa 1 (Albrighton 82) Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Van Der Vaart 23,67)

Tottenham's talismanic midfielder Rafael van der Vaart ensured manager Harry Redknapp maintained his hoodoo over Aston Villa after securing a 2-1 win.  Despite a 27th-minute straight red card for Jermain Defoe, the Dutch midfielder scored either side of that to take his tally to double figures for the season, with Spurs unbeaten in each of the eight games in which he has scored.

Although Marc Albrighton pulled one back eight minutes from time, it was not enough to spare the home side, with Redknapp unbeaten in his last ten Barclays Premier League games as a manager against Villa.

From the opening minute the suggestion was this was going to be an entertaining affair, as has often been the case between these two teams of late, and so it proved. After just 50 seconds Heurelho Gomes produced the first of a number of fine saves to deny Villa, initially from Albrighton who was then quick to pounce on the rebound, only for Gareth Bale to bravely block.

After Gabriel Agbonlahor nodded a free header wide a minute later there was perhaps the sense it was not going to be Villa's night. That view was strengthened when Villa appealed for a penalty in the ninth minute when Emile Heskey was felled by Gomes, but it was such a tight call it was no wonder referee Martin Atkinson was unmoved.

It was a challenge which left Heskey needing treatment and ultimately led to his withdrawal six minutes from the break. It was a key departure as Heskey had also played his part in two incisive Villa moves that sandwiched another moment of controversy in the 18th minute.

A minute earlier Heskey and Agbonlahor had spread play from one wing to the other where Stewart Downing strode forward, cut inside and unleashed a low drive that was picked up by Gomes. Three minutes later it was Heskey who played a delightful one-two with Agbonlahor, the latter eventually unleashing a stinging drive that bounced off a diving Gomes' knee. The ball looped up for Agbonlahor to nod goalwards, but again Gomes was on hand to push the ball around the post.

In between a strike from Younes Kaboul was ruled out by an assistant referee as he deemed a pull back from Alan Hutton had crossed the deadball line, although replays suggested otherwise.

In the 23rd minute, however, Tottenham's frustration was forgotten as a sweeping move cut Villa apart, sparked by a raking cross-field ball from Bale into the path of Hutton down the right wing. James Collins, serving as Villa's fifth skipper of the season with Ashley Young out with a knee injury, failed to cut out the right-back's low centre and Van der Vaart was in behind the centre-back to stab home from ten yards.

The visitors' joy was shortlived because just four minutes later they were contentiously down to ten men for an elbow from Defoe in the face of Collins. It appeared to be harsh because although Defoe led with his arm in jumping for a high delivery, his eyes were focused on the ball at all times. 

It left Spurs facing the final 63 minutes a man short, and for the first 18 of those through to half-time they were rarely troubled. And they could have doubled their lead prior to the interval as Van der Vaart teed up Wilson Palacios for a 20-yard effort which Brad Friedel tipped into the sidenetting.

Apart from an early second-half strike from Heskey's replacement Nathan Delfouneso, which stung the fingers of Gomes, Spurs easily held until breaking with devastating effect in the 67th minute. It was sparked by an 80-yard run down the right from Bale, who found Aaron Lennon in space on the left.The winger played a simple pass into Van der Vaart's path for a first-time left-foot shot beyond Friedel.

After Gomes had produced his save of the game from Agbonlahor nine minutes later, an 82nd-minute cross from Albrighton floated past the Spurs goalkeeper, who was arguably distracted by a diving Collins in front of him. There was no late reprieve for Villa and manager Gerard Houllier, though, who departed the field to a chorus of boos from the home fans.

Line Ups:

Aston Villa: 01-Friedel, 03-Warnock, 06-Downing, 12-Albrighton, 11-Agbonlahor, 16-Delph, 18_Heskey, 24-Cuellar, 28-Hogg, 29-Collins, 30-Lichaj SUBS USED: 08-Pires, 14-Delfouneso, 19-Petrov

Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 07-Lennon, 11-Van der Vaart, 12-Palacios, 14-Modric, 18-Defoe, 20-Dawson, 32:Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 15-Crouch, 22-Corluka

Todays Other Scores:

Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Stoke City: SC-Huth, Wilson

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 West Brom: BW-Taylor, Elmander

Fulham 1-3 West Ham: FU-Hughes WH-Cole (2), Piquionne

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland: MU-Berbatov (2)

Newcastle United 1-3 Manchester City: NU-Carroll MC- Tevez (2), Barry

Wolves 1-2 Wigan Athletic: WW-Fletcher WA-Rodallega, Cleverley

Calamity Keeper Saves Spurs TitleTottenham Hotspur 1 (Pavlyuchenko 15) Chelsea 1 (Drogba 70)

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue a late penalty miss from Didier Drogba as Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes went from villain to hero in a dramatic 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Ancelotti's spluttering side were heading for a fifth defeat in nine games after Roman Pavlyuchenko's first-half strike put Spurs in front. But Gomes gifted Chelsea an equaliser with 20 minutes left when he allowed Drogba's shot to escape his grasp and loop into the net.
Drogba had a golden opportunity to steal the points for Chelsea when Gomes conceded a stoppage time penalty, but the striker saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by the Brazilian.
Chelsea were well below their best once again and Ancelotti, under increasing pressure in recent weeks, will be cursing Drogba's miss, which leaves the Blues one point behind Arsenal ahead of the leaders' trip to Manchester United tomorrow.
Although Drogba has struggled to recapture the form that made him the Premier League's top scorer last season, he remains Chelsea's most potent attacking option and his side were toothless without him in the first half.

If Drogba's absence played a part in Chelsea's slow start, they were hindered even more by a continued lack of security at the back. Once the cornerstone of Chelsea's success, Ancelotti's defence now gifts chances with alarming regularity and Pavlyuchenko took full advantage to open the scoring in the 15th minute.
When Jermain Defoe cut infield and found Pavlyuchenko in the penalty area, Chelsea captain John Terry should have closed down the Russian striker. Instead he and John Obi Mikel sat back and allowed Pavlyuchenko to drill a low shot past Cech at his near-post. Replays showed Defoe may have been just offside before crossing, but that was no excuse for Chelsea's poor defending.
Over 25 minutes passed before Gomes was seriously tested when Salomon Kalou's header from Nicolas Anelka's cross forced the Brazilian into action. Another Chelsea defensive lapse should have been punished with a second goal for Pavlyuchenko, but he couldn't keep his shot on target after running unmarked onto Gareth Bale's free-kick.
Only Florent Malouda was providing a sustained threat for Chelsea and he set up two chances for Kalou, who glanced his first header wide and then skied the next headed effort well over. Chelsea had plenty of possession as the half wore on but there was no cutting edge and it was no surprise when Ancelotti sent on Drogba for Mikel at the interval.
Drogba's arrival almost paid immediate dividends as his long-range shot was pushed away for a corner by Gomes, who had to make another acrobatic stop moments later to prevent Wilson Palacios heading a Drogba cross into his own net.
With Drogba up front, Chelsea at last had some focus to their attacks. They lacked composure at times, but that didn't matter as Gomes gifted Chelsea their equaliser in the 70th minute.
Drogba showed tremendous strength and skill to control a hopeful punt and flick it past Michael Dawson. However, his shot was straight at Gomes and should have been saved. Instead the Brazilian's weak attempted stop only managed to push the ball into his net to the delight of Ancelotti and his players.
Ancelotti sent on Frank Lampard for his first appearance in over three months with 12 minutes remaining and Chelsea pressed forward for a winner. It should have arrived in stoppage time when Gomes conceded a penalty by barging into Ramires, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself as he dived to keep out Drogba's spot-kick keeping the score at 1-1 and also means Tottenham remain as the "UNOFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE" CHAMPIONS


Next Title Match - 19/12/10 (a) v Blackpool


Line Ups


Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 07-Lennon, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 12-Palacios, 14-Modric, 18-Defoe, 19-Bassong, 20-Dawson, 32-Assou-Ekotto Subs Used: 10-Keane, 15-Crouch, 30-Sandro


Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic, 03-Cole, 05-Essien, 07-Ramires, 12-Obi Mikel, 15-Malouda, 19-Ferreira, 21-Kalou, 26-Terry, 39-Anelka Subs Used: 08-Lampard, 11-Drogba, 23-Sturridge


Todays Other Scores:


Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: BW-Muamba, Holden BR-M.Diouf
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Birmingham City: WW-Hunt

Spurs In Champions League Action

Spurs clinched top spot in UEFA Champions League Group A after a thrilling 3-3 draw with FC Twente.

Peter Wisgerhof put through his own goal after 12 minutes, but Denny Landzaat brought Twente back into the match from the penalty spot. Jermain Defoe restored his side's advantage two minutes into the second half, but Roberto Rosales levelled. Defoe struck again just before the hour mark, but Twente equalised for a third time through a fine free-kick from Nacer Chadli.

The home side threatened first, Heurelho Gomes having to fully extend himself to palm a long-range Wout Brama shot round the post minutes into the match. Yet it was the London outfit who broke the deadlock in cruel fashion. Wisgerhof played an innocuous back pass to goalkeeper Sander Boschker, but the ball bounced over the foot of the 40-year-old and rolled into the net.

However, it didn't take long for the Dutch champions to restore parity. Benoît Assou-Ekotto blocked a Rosales drive with his arm, and Landzaat stroked the penalty home at the second time of asking; his first effort being disallowed because of player encroachment. Marc Janko had a good opportunity to reward his team's subsequent superiority with a goal just before the break, but his left-footed shot on the turn went well wide.

They were made to pay for the missed chances when Harry Redknapp's men struck immediately after the restart. Aaron Lennon, a first-half substitute for the injured Jermaine Jenas, split the home defence with a reverse pass that Defoe confidently dispatched from inside the box. Once again Twente drew level. Theo Janssen put in a delightful cross from the left and Rosales rose to power a header beyond Gomes.

This time it took a mere three minutes for Spurs to forge ahead again. Janssen's slip let in Wilson Palacios, and although Boschker got down to save his low effort, Defoe was on hand to knock in the rebound. Still the joint Dutch league leaders wouldn't lie down; Chadli curled a sublime free-kick into the top corner on 64 minutes to peg back the visitors again with the game's final goal.

With Inter Milan losing 3-0 in Germany to Werder Bremen, the point was enough to see Spurs through as group winners. Before the group stages began all Spurs fans would've been pleased to secure second place so winning the group is an amazing achievement in their debut Champions League campaign

LINE UPS

FC Twente: 01-Boschker, 04-Wisgerhof, 06-Brama, 07-Landzaat, 08-Janssen, 09-de Jong, 15-Rosales, 19-Franco, 21-Janko, 22-Chadli, 33-Tiendalli Subs Used: 27-Vujicevic

Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 03-Bale, 08-Jenas, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 12-Palacios, 13-Gallas, 18-Defoe, 19-Bassong, 21-Kranjcar, 22-Corluka, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 07-Lennon, 10-Keane, 15-Crouch

Tottenham Remain Champs Despite Brum DrawBirmingham City 1 (Gardner 81) Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Bassong 19)

In his first Birmingham start since mid-November, Craig Gardner enjoyed a fine return to first team football by  scoring a late equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

A first-half goal from Sebastien Bassong put Spurs 1-0 up at the interval and they looked set to put five points between themselves and sixth-placed Bolton, who lost 1-0 at Manchester City, until Gardner's 81st-minute strike. The result means that Tottenham, who have won just once outside London all season, fall three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification, while Birmingham remain 14th.

Spurs, fresh from a last-gasp 2-1 win at home to Liverpool last weekend, began the game in sprightly fashion and twice threatened the Birmingham goal before taking the lead. Peter Crouch was the first player to threaten, chesting down an Aaron Lennon cross before testing Ben Foster with a low shot, before a fine tackle from Roger Johnson denied Crouch's strike partner Jermain Defoe.

The breakthrough came in the 19th minute and Gareth Bale was at its source. The Welsh winger won a free-kick wide on the right and swung the ensuing set-piece into the box, where the close attentions of Crouch forced Foster to palm the ball into the path of Bassong, who smashed home. Crouch then shot off target after Johnson miscued an attempted headed clearance, but Birmingham served notice of their intentions to get back into the game when Gardner fired fractionally wide from distance.

Gardner, back from an ankle injury, then headed straight at Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, before Blues boss Alex McCleish gambled by throwing on giant striker Nikola Zigic for winger Keith Fahey. Defoe was next to go close, drilling wide of the near post, but Zigic's introduction enabled Birmingham to establish an attacking foothold in the game and William Gallas had to produce a superb block to repel Cameron Jerome.

Bale served a reminder of Tottenham's threat with a rasping strike that Foster had to parry, with Sebastian Larsson then calling Gomes into action at the other end. Spurs were gradually pinned inside their own half and Jerome blazed off-target from the edge of the box after Johnson had picked him out in space. Gomes spread himself brilliantly to prevent Liam Ridgewell from equalising after a right-wing cross reached him at the back post but the hosts were knocking on the door and with nine minutes to play they levelled. McCleish's decision to send on Zigic bore fruit in timely fashion, as the Serbian international nodded Scott Dann's deep cross back across goal for Gardner to head home the equaliser.

Birmingham City: 26-Foster, 02-Carr, 04-Bowyer, 05-Johnson, 06-Ridgewell, 08-Gardner, 10-Jerome, 12-Ferguson, 15-Dann, 18-Fahey, 23-Beausejour, SUBS USED: 03-Murphy, 07-Larsson, 19-Zigic

Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 07-Lennon, 12-Palacios, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 15-Crouch, 18-Defoe, 19-Bassong, 32-Assou-Ekotto Subs Not Used: 09-Pavlyuchenko

Todays Other Scores:

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham - Ars-Nasri (2), FUL-Kamara

Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Wolves - BR-Dunn, Emerton, Nelsen

Blackpool P-P Manchester United

Chelsea 1-1 Everton - CH-Drogba (pen), EVE-Beckford

Manchester City 1-0 Bolton Wanderers - MC-Tevez

Wigan Athletic 2-2 Stoke City - WA-Collins (og), Cleverley SC-Huth, Etherington

FA Cup Third Draw

Today saw one of the highlights of the footballing season, the draw for the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Doing the draw today was Kasabian's Leicester City supporting Serge Pizzorno and Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher.  These two happened to pull out a tie between ... Leicester City and Manchester City, what were the odds on that one!!
The unofficial champions Tottenham Hotspur know they are at home in the third round but they have yet to find out who they will be facing as they will play the winner of the replay between Charlton Athletic and Luton Town.
Other draws that caught the eye was my own teams West Ham home tie against the mighty Barnsley, Stevenage Borough will host Premier League Newcastle United and the tie of the round see's Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford.


All ties will take place weekend commencing 8th January (come on, who said that in a Graham Kelly voice)

Late Lennon Strike Earns Tottenham The 3 Points

Aaron Lennon scored deep into stoppage time as Tottenham Hotspur completed another amazing comeback to beat Liverpool 2-1 and stay in the Premier League title hunt as well as keeping the more important "Unofficial Premier League Title".
An incident-packed game looked certain to end in a 1-1 draw after Martin Skrtel netted at both ends and substitute Jermain Defoe also missed a penalty. Several other clear-cut chances went begging for both sides before Lennon became the hero to move Spurs to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City and back to within six of top spot. It was the second time in eight days, and the fifth time this season, Tottenham had come from behind to win a Premier League game.
Spurs suffered a blow early on when they lost Rafael van der Vaart to injury in the 12th minute, the midfielder having been passed fit to play after an ankle injury had to go off with a pulled hamstring.  His replacement, Jermaine Defoe curled a left-foot volley at Jose Reina before the lively Maxi Rodriguez forced a fine fingertip stop from Heurelho Gomes, who then improvised a save to turn Dirk Kuyt's angled volley behind.

It was frantic stuff and David Ngog powered a header wide from Kuyt's cross before Spurs suffered another blow when Younes Kaboul hurt himself after being hit by a Fernando Torres shot. Sebastien Bassong came on for the final nine minutes of the half, which saw Gomes almost fumble Meireles' speculative shot into his own net and Carragher carded for tripping Modric in full flight.
Liverpool then snatched the lead when Spurs made a complete hash of trying to clear Meireles' flighted free-kick and Skrtel pounced to prod the ball past Gomes. Maxi and Torres could have doubled the deficit in stoppage time but the former fell over his own feet with only the goalkeeper to beat and the latter was thwarted by a brilliant last-ditch Bassong tackle.
Incredibly, Lucas Leiva sent Torres clean through again a minute after the restart and hesitated long enough to allow Bassong to challenge. But Spurs were unlucky not to level in the 52nd minute when Lennon's cross eventually dropped to Bale and his vicious shot somehow found the head of Meireles on the line.
Atkinson was not interested when Peter Crouch went down in the box but did penalise Carragher for a challenge on Defoe which led to a 61st-minute Tottenham penalty. In a repeat of the spot-kick they were awarded at Arsenal the previous weekend, Bale blasted a free-kick which Ngog inexplicably handled. Skrtel was booked for disputing the award but it did not matter as Defoe dragged the penalty wide, Spurs' fourth miss from the spot this season.
However, an inspirational run from Modric did see Spurs equalise four minutes later, the midfielder jinking his way into the box. Skrtel tried to cut out his cross but could only turn the ball past Reina. Kuyt was adamant he should have had a penalty following a strong challenge from Benoit Assou-Ekotto but Atkinson was unmoved. The visitors were forced to replace Ngog with Fabio Aurelio for the final 15 minutes.
Neither side were settling for the draw and Bale saw another effort blocked when his volley crashed into a crowd of Liverpool players. The impressive Meireles also sent a beautifully-struck left-foot shot inches wide from 25 yards before the Reds lost Carragher for the final four minutes to a shoulder injury.
With time running out the action was beginning to become frantic once again.  Glen Johnson was booked after leaving Bale in a heap, Defoe then netted what he thought was a brilliant last-minute winner but he was offside lashing the ball home. But, two minutes into stoppage-time, Lennon sealed another incredible Spurs fightback when he raced onto Crouch's flick and fired past Reina. Defoe was immediately withdrawn for Sandro and Lennon almost made it 3-1 with another barnstorming run.
Spurs clung on to win the game and retain their title.  The next title match for Tottenham will be next Sunday when they travel up to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City.


Line Ups:


Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 07-Lennon, 11-Van der Vaart, 12-Palacios, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 15-Crouch, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 18-Defoe, 19-Bassong, 30-Sandro


Liverpool: 25-Reina, 02-G.Johnson, 03-Konchesky, 04-Raul Meireles, 09-Torres, 17-Maxi Rodriguez, 18-Kuyt, 21-Lucas, 23-Carragher, 24-Ngog, 37-Skrtel SUBS USED: 06-Aurelio, 16-Kyrgiakos


Todays Other Score:


Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea: NU-Carroll, CH-Kalou

Spurs Ease Their Way Into The Knockout Stages Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Kaboul 6, Modric 45, Crouch 79) Werder Bremen 0

Spurs went marching on tonight into the UEFA Champions League knockout stage as their fairytale first season in the competition continued with a thumping win over Werder Bremen.

Spurs easily sealed qualification from Group A with a game to spare, a truly remarkable achievement for a side whose last campaign among Europe's elite came almost half a century earlier. In fact, it is arguable whether any team have made such a thrilling impact on their Champions League debut as Harry Redknapp's great entertainers, who have now added the scalp of an admittedly depleted Bremen to those of holders Inter Milan and Dutch champions FC Twente. 

They may be very much wild-cards when it comes to the knockout stage but no-one will want to come to White Hart Lane and face the likes of Gareth Bale, who picked up tonight where he left off against Inter three weeks earlier.  North London derby match-winner Younes Kaboul opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Luka Modric made it 2-0 and Bale missed a penalty before Peter Crouch wrapped up the points, while there was a welcome clean sheet after 17 matches without one.

Tottenham could have been forgiven for starting cautiously in the absence of injured Rafael van der Vaart but they were on their way after barely five minutes, a succession of corners eventually seeing the ball worked to Aaron Lennon. The winger beat Dominik Schmidt all too easily before crossing for the unmarked Kaboul to fire home first time.

Schmidt, one of two debutants in an injury-ravaged Bremen team, tried to make amends when he glanced Aaron Hunt's corner over the crossbar. The visitors enjoyed a boost when Jermaine Jenas limped out of the action to be replaced by Wilson Palacios in the 20th minute. But they should have been 2-0 down two minutes later, Bale crossing for the recalled Crouch, whose knockdown was sliced horribly high and wide by Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Spurs provided a hint as to why they had not kept a clean sheet for three months when last man Lennon presented the ball to the dangerous Marko Marin, who scuffed wide from 20 yards. Lennon quickly returned to the day job, skinning Sebastian Prodl and crossing for Pavlyuchenko, who should have finished first time but took a touch that allowed Per Mertesacker to block.

Clemens Fritz's frustration at his Bale torment boiled over when the Bremen right-back was booked for hauling the latter back. Kaboul nodded over Bale's corner before Spurs doubled their lead in stoppage-time, Alan Hutton crossing and Crouch causing enough mayhem to allow Modric to nip in with a brilliant piece of control and ice-cool finish.

Having scored four, four and three in their three previous Champions League home games, it appeared a matter of how many Spurs would rack up in the second half. Their first chance came when Prodl was cautioned for felling the flying Lennon and Bale sent a 51st-minute free-kick against the bar. The winger then produced a sensational cross for Crouch, whose point-blank header somehow hit Prodl and ricocheted behind.

Moments later, Tottenham were awarded the softest of penalties when debutant Felix Kroos was adjudged to have tripped Modric. Tim Wiese guessed the right way to save Bale's 53rd-minute spot-kick and Prodl was on hand to clear the rebound. Bremen immediately withdrew Kroos - who had been booked - for Onur Ayek, while Spurs soon followed with Jermain Defoe for Pavyluchenko.

Defoe quickly showed his two-month injury lay-off had cost him none of his pace, the England striker racing onto Modric's ball and firing a fierce shot Wiese did well to parry. And if new captain William Gallas had any doubt his north London derby performance had won over his doubters among the Spurs fans, it was dispelled when he was treated to an affectionate chant after thwarting a Marin attack.

Tottenham showed no sign of sitting back, with several crosses going begging and Bale drilling inches wide after being found by Defoe. They finally got the third goal their dominance deserved 11 minutes from time when Bale's cross hit the bar and Lennon cut back the rebound for Crouch to steer home. Bale was soon withdrawn for Niko Kranjcar to a deserved standing ovation and a rest ahead of bigger tests to come.

Harry's boys won't have much time to rest their limbs.  In 4 days time Spurs put their "unofficial" title on the line when they host Liverpool in what will be a very close game.

Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 07-Lennon, 08-Jenas, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 15-Crouch, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 12-Palacios, 18-Defoe, 21-Kranjcar

Werder Bremen: 01-Wiese, 08-Fritz, 10-Marin, 14-Hunt, 15-Prodl, 18-Felix Kroos, 19-Wagner, 20-Jensen, 29-Mertesacker, 41-Schmidt, 44-Bargfrede SUBS USED: 03-Pasanen, 36-Lennart Thy, 46-Onur Ayik

Tottenham's Hot Spurs Make Remarkable Comeback Arsenal 2 (Nasri 9, Chamakh 27) Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Bale 50 Van der Vaart 67pen, Kaboul 85

For the first time in 17 years Tottenham Hotspur have taken 3 points from Arsenal away from home but at half time even the most ardent Spurs follower must've thought there was no chance of even nicking one point.
Before the match most of the talk had been about Samir Nasri and William Gallas and whether Nasri would do a "Wayne Bridge" and refuse to shake the hand of the veteran defender.  The reason for this argument stems from the French team bus and Samir Nasri apparently sitting on Thierry Henry's seat so as the teams lined up and the Arsenal team walked down the line to shake the opposition hands everyone wanted to see if Nasri and Gallas shake hands,which they didn't
When kick off arrived and Arsenal looked like they are ready to lead the Premiership, in the opening couple of minutes Nasri had a chance which he wasted but in the 9th minute he got one up on his old teammate.
A pin point pass from Fabregas released Nasri who moved in on goal, although his first touch was a poor one he managed to get his foot in before the despairing Gomes and while 99% of The Emirates thought the ball was going out of play the Frenchman managed to cut the ball across the goal from an almost impossible angle and the spin carried the ball over the line.  The Gunners were one up.
Fabregas was in instrumental form, hardly wasting a pass so when he spread the ball to Arshavin the little Russian crossed the ball and Marouane Chamakh got in ahead of Kaboul to tap home.
Arsenal deserved their lead as Tottenham hadn't done anything in the first half and on this display it was looking like Arsenal were going to rack up an easy three points.
I have no idea what Harry Redknapp said to his players at half time but with that and the arrival of Jermaine Defoe, a replacement for Aaron Lennon seemed to change the way Tottenham played and five minutes after the break Defoe won a header and flicked the ball on to Van der Vaart who in turn found Gareth Bale and while his first touch was great the flick of the outside of his boot was even better and although his shot lacked power it was enough to go past Fabianski and Spurs were back in the game.
From here Tottenham raised there game and in the 66th minute Tottenham were awarded a free kick just outside the area.  Van der Vaart's free kick struck Cesc Fabregas' hand inside the area and the referee Phil Dowd had no option but to award a penalty which Van der Vaart slotted home.  The away fans were delirious.  They were back in the game and if anyone was looking like winning today it was them.  They had the invention and ideas and it was Spurs who completed the comeback four minutes from time when a Van der Vaart free kick found Younes Kaboul and his header found the bottom corner.  Spurs were winning 3-2 and there was hardly anytime for Arsenal to get back into it.  After five minutes of injury time Phil Dowd blew the full time whistle and Tottenham went away with the three points to the delight of the travelling support.


Line Ups:


Arsenal: 21-Fabianski, 03-Sagna, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 15-Denilson, 17-A Song, 18-Squillaci, 22-Clichy 23-Arshavin, 29-Chamakh Subs Used: 07-Rosicky, 10-Van Persie, 14-Walcott
Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 07-Lennon, 08-Jenas, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 11-Van der Vaart, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 32-Assou-Ekotto Subs Used: 12-Palacios, 15-Crouch, 18-Defoe


Todays Other Scores:
Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea: BC-Bowyer
Blackpool 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: BP-Varney, Harewood WW-Doyle
Bolton Wanderers 5-1 Newcastle United: BW-Davies (2), Elmander (2), Lee NU-Carroll
Liverpool 3-0 West Ham: LI-Johnson, Kuyt, Maxi
Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic: MU-Evra, Hernandez
West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Stoke City: Walters (2), Etherington

Arsenal v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Title Defence Number 1

Tottenham's first defence of the title see's them go up against their fiercest rivals Arsenal.  This is the third time a North London derby has also had the unofficial title on the line.  The previous two times the victor was Arsenal and in both matches the score was 3-1 but that was back in the 1998/99 and 2007/08 seasons.  In 2010/11 Tottenham are a completely different outfit.
Harry Redknapp joined Spurs when they were rooted at the bottom of the table and now they are in the Champions League and looking like qualifying for the knockout stages.
With Rafael Van der Vaart in the ranks Tottenham have a player capable of winning matches on his own but they don't want to become to reliant on him but he will be chomping at the bit to get started on Saturday and he will be Tottenhams key player.
Arsenal may have found a gem in Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh.  He cost Arsenal absolutely nothing and he has settled in at The Emirates and has scored 5 goals in 13 appearances and this season Arsenal seem to have found that little bit extra to make them serious title contenders.
This game will be a close one and I can see it being one of the games of the season, not as good the 4-4 draw but close.
My tip for this game, Tottenham to walk away with the title and a point.


Verdict: Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Last Meeting (at The Emirates): 31/10/09 Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 42,60 Fabregas 43) Tottenham Hotspur 0
Head 2 Head: Arsenal 60 wins, 40 draws, Tottenham Hotspur 46 wins
Best Odds: Arsenal 4/6, Draw 16/5, Tottenham Hotspur 9/2
For more Odds: CLICK HERE

Tottenham Hotspur's International Break Round Up

Croatia

Stipe Pletikosa didn't play for Croatia but the other 3 Spurs player (Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka) played the full 90 minutes in their Group F Euro Qualifier against Malta which they won 3-0 and no-one would've been happier than Kranjcar who managed to bag a brace taking his tally to 4 goals in 4 Euro Qualifying appearances for the midfielder.  With this kind of form in International football Kranjcar will be hoping club manager Harry Redknapp will give him more starts otherwise his future could lie elsewhere.

England

Peter Crouch was only given 6 minutes in England 1-2 friendly defeat to France but it was enough time for him to grab another goal to add to his impressive tally.  The striker only came on due to an injury to Steven Gerrard but he managed to get a toe to the ball to score past Lloris to make the final score look closer than it really was.  France totally dominated and maybe could've won by a bigger margain.

Holland
The final Spurs player in international action this week was Rafael van der Vaart.  The 27 year old midfielder played 80 minutes for the Dutch in their 1-0 victory over Turkey in Amsterdam before being replaced by debutant Royston Drenthe.  Van der Vaart won his 88th cap making him the 5th most capped player in Dutch football history.

Tottenham Hotspur Players In International Action

It's literally business as usual for Harry Redknapp this week as only 8 players will be representing their countries this week.  Out of the eight players four will be representing Croatia in the only qualifying match of the week.
Exactly who is where this week, well we have the information.

Brazil
Tottenham's only Brazilian representative might not see much action when they take on arch rivals Argentina in a friendly match in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday.  Midfielder Sandro has made 3 appearances for Brazil, starting one game and is seen as a bit part player for the Brazilians.  With such a strong midfield Sandro could well find his international career is just to make up the numbers.


17/11/10 - Doha - Brazil v Argentina (Friendly)

Croatia
Half of Tottenham's players that find themselves in international action this week could all represent Croatia on Wednesday.  Niko Kranjcar could use this match as a way out of White Hart Lane, the midfielder has revealed he isn't happy being a squad player and might find a team that can guarantee him first team action when the transfer window reopens in January.  The others representing Croatia this week are Luka Modric, Vedran Corluka and on-loan goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa


17/11/10 - Zagreb - Croatia v Malta (Euro Qualifier)

England
Peter Crouch doesn't get the credit he deserves when it comes to international football.  So far he has managed to score an amazing 21 goals in 41 appearances for England but it his overall contribution that deserves the credit.  He doesn't moan when starting on the bench but he always manages to get his name on the score sheet.  His first goals for England came against lesser opposition but now he seems to find the net against anyone he plays against and I think he deserves more starts for England but whether he will get the chance against the French remains to be seen.


17/11/10 - Wembley - England v France (Friendly)

France
Up against England on Wednesday could well be Younes Kaboul.  He was a late call up after Philippe Mexes was declared as a possible withdrawal.  Kaboul has yet to play for his nation and will be hoping if Mexes is out with an injury he will get his chance to show Laurent Blanc what he is capable off and make the number 4 shirt his own.


17/11/10 - Wembley - England v France (Friendly)

Holland
Rafael Van Der Vaart has proved there are bargains to be found in the transfer market.  When he joined Spurs from Real Madrid for £8m everyone thought it was a bargain but 5 goals in 9 appearances have proved just how much of a bargain it really is.  The midfield maestro is a regular for the Dutch and Van der Vaart will be hoping to take his form into the friendly against Turkey whereas manager Harry Redknapp will just hope the dutchman returns without injury as the title holders head off to The Emirates and a showdown against North London rivals Arsenal.


17/11/10 - Amsterdam - Holland v Turkey (Friendly)

Blackburn's Reign Turns Into A Drizzlle, Spurs New Champions Tottenham Hotspur 4 (Bale 16,75 Pavlyuchenko 42 Crouch 69) Blackburn Rovers 2 (Nelsen 80 Givet 90)

Tottenham recorded their first league win in five games thanks to another impressive performance from Gareth Bale, who scored two goals today in their 4-2 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Bale put Spurs in front with a header in the 16th minute.  Roman Pavlyuchenko then missed a penalty but made amends by heading the second four minutes before the interval, Peter Crouch added a third in the 68th minute and seven minutes later Bale scored his second of the game from a cross by Alan Hutton. Blackburn rallied too late with goals from captain Ryan Nelsen in the 79th minute and a Gael Givet effort in the closing stages. then missed a penalty but made amends by heading the second four minutes before the interval.

The home side dominated the early stages of the game and took the lead with their first real chance. A corner on the right from Rafael Van Der Vaart in the 16th minute was firmly headed home at the near post by man of the moment Bale. The header, into the roof of the net, gave former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson little chance. Blackburn responded in the 22nd minute with a curling shot from Brett Emerton which was tipped around the post by Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes.

In the 28th minute, Tottenham should have increased their lead but after latching on to a bad backpass by Phil Jones, Pavlyuchenko sent his shot over the bar with only Robinson to beat. Spurs were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute when Robinson was adjudged to have brought down Crouch but Pavlyuchenko's afternoon got worse when he sent his spot-kick wide of Robinson's right-hand post.

Gomes pulled off a smart double save in the 38th minute to deny Nikola Kalinic and then Emerton, before Pavlyuchenko - a constant threat to Rovers - forced Robinson into another good save before making it 2-0 in the 41st minute. A typical Bale run down the left was followed by a cross to the far post, where Pavlyuchenko rose unmarked to head home. Blackburn replaced Kalinic with Jason Roberts at half-time but Tottenham continued to dominate the game, although their first real chance of the second half came on the hour when Bale's cross fell on to the bar.

Moments later, Robinson foiled Modric when the Spurs midfielder tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area. But Spurs had William Gallas to thank in the 61st minute when he cleared a shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen off the line. It was the Blackburn striker's last act of the game as he was replaced seconds later to be replaced by Dunn.

Gomes saved Spurs again in the 66th minute when he produced a fine stop to deny first-half substitute El Hadji Diouf. However, Spurs made it three in the 68th minute after Robinson had saved Pavlyuchenko's shot; Givet dithered on the ball and Crouch seized the chance to send a shot into the roof of the net. Bale grabbed his second of the game in the 76th minute when he slipped the ball home from a cross by Alan Hutton, before Blackburn substitute Dunn fired a 79th-minute goal for Rovers with a 20-yard drive.

Spurs defender Younes Kaboul then cleared off the line when Diouf's shot had beaten Gomes in the 83rd minute, before Givet got Blackburn's second with a thunderous 18-yard shot in the 89th minute.

Line Ups:

Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 04-Kaboul, 08-Jenas, 09-Pavlyuchenko, 11-Van Der Vaart, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 15-Crouch, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 12-Palacios, 30-Sandro

Blackburn Rovers: 01-Robinson, 04-Samba, 05-Givet, 06-Nelsen, 07-Emerton, 09-Kalinic, 12-Pedersen, 23-Hoilett, 27-Salgado, 28-Jones, 39-ChimbondaSUBS USED: 08-Dunn, 30-Roberts, 41-Diouf

Todays Other Scores:

Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United: AV-Young(pen), Albrighton; MU-Macheda, Vidic

Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City

Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham

Stoke City 2-0 Liverpool: SC-Fuller, Jones

West Ham United 0-0 Blackpool

Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Bromwich Albion: WA-Moses

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Bolton Wanderers: WW-Foley, Fletcher; BW-Stearman(o.g), Elmander, Holden