Tottenham's Crouch Celebrates With Defoe
Tottenham Hotspurs continue their winning ways in the Barclays Premier League 09/10. Thanks to a last minute goal in time added on from Tottenham’s speedy winger Aaron Lennon. Glory Glory Tottenham!
Wearing Tottenham’s white home kit, Spurs took control of the match from the get go. They were camped in Birmingham’s half of the field for the most part of the first half. Chance after chance was created. However, the two Spurs front men, Jermaine Defoe and Robbie Keane, failed to convert any of them.
Chances Were Plenty For Tottenham
The first half saw Spurs missing at least 5 – 6 clear cut chances to score. Even Lennon too had his shot blocked off the line by Steve Carr, an ex Tottenham defender. Try as they might, they just could not find the net.
Defoe probably had the best chance to score. Huddlestone sent him a wonderful defense splitting pass deep from within Spur’s half. Defoe found himself in a one on one situation with Birmingham’s keeper. However, with only the keeper to beat, Defoe failed to get his name on the score sheet. His attempt went inches wide with the keeper well beaten.
Birmingham’s Defense Stood Their Ground
As Tottenham took control of ball possession, Birmingham resorted to a full team defensive mode. They had 10 men behind the ball at all time. Spurs had to resort to a more patient style of play. They passed the ball around midfield. Luka Modric, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Wilson Palacios had the midfield area totally under their control.
Birmingham seldom made advances towards the Spurs’ goal. They, however, did create a couple of scoring chances as well. Larsson missed his best chance of the half when his strike went inches wide of the post as he broke free into Spurs’ box.
Two Injuries For Tottenham Within Minutes.
The first half ended with no goals from either team. In the second half, both teams started where they left off. Spurs continued to control the midfield as their stout 4 man midfield roamed free.
Tottenham suffered two setbacks in a spate of a few minutes, as both Ledley King and Luka Modric had to be substituted in the early stages of the second half. With Modric and King out of the match, Birmingham started to gain control of midfield. Modric’s absence was certainly missed in midfield.
Tottenham ‘s Newly Signed Aerial Threat
Tottenham's Defoe Spectacular Kick
Tottenham continued to pile in pressure on Birmingham’s defense. Spur’s new signing, Peter Crouch came in for L. Modric. Crouch added a new threat for Birmingham’s defenders. With Crouch now in play, Spurs took more to the air and took advantage of Crouch’s aerial prowess.
Crouch had three looks at goal from the air. Two of which was cleared off the line. Another header was sent crashing on the top bar. Peter Crouch proved his worth on his fourth attempt. Off a Huddlestone free kick, Crouch rose majestically at the far post to nod the ball into Birmingham’s goal. His first goal for Tottenham putting Spurs one up against Birmingham.
Birmingham’s Resolve Frustrates Tottenham
Th goal somehow raised Birmingham’s resolve to take at least a point back from White Hart Lane. They opened up their game and started pushing forward into Spurs territory. Their change in tactics caught the Spurs defense and midfield by surprise.
Tottenham defense was in disarray for a few minutes as they tried to adjust to Birmingham’s sudden change in tactics. Birmingham took full advantage of the Spurs disarray. In a confusion between Alan Hutton who came in for Ledley King and Carlo Cudicini, both players stumbled as they committed themselves for the ball in the penalty box.
As both Hutton and Cudicini stumbled to the ground, the ball fell directly at the feet of Birmingham’s Lee Bowyer. Bowyer had no problems, whatsoever, to guide the ball straight into Spur’s empty net.
At 1-1, Birmingham defense once again stood their ground. They mustered a solid defense which frustrated Tottenham’s strike force.
Tottenham’s Newly Found Winning Attitude
As the match began to reach full time, Tottenham’s players continued to pile in wave after wave of attacks. This is really a new attitude which can clearly be seen in the new Tottenham outfit under Harry Redknapp. The old Tottenham would have been totally demoralized after the mistake that gave Birmingham their equalizer.
This new Tottenham, however, didn’t seem fazed nor were they demoralized after Bowyer’s goal. Instead, they kept their patience and continued pushing for that winning goal. Their patience and positive attitude paid off brilliantly for them.
Deep into time added on, with less than a minute to play, Birmingham’s S. Carr slipped with Huddlestone on his heels at midfield. Huddlestone then played the ball to Roman Pavlyuchenko who sprinted forward and squared the ball into the path of an on rushing Aaron Lennon.
Lennon then came face to face with two Birmingham defenders. He twisted and turned. As he got in to the penalty box, Lennon managed turned inside and brought the ball on to his favorite right foot. He also found himself a small shooting lane and fired home a thunderous low shot that went past Hart’s outreached hands and straight into the bottom left corner for Tottenham’s winning goal.
Can Spurs Sustain This Winning Form?
Tottenham have collected full 12 points since the start of the season. Four wins out of four matches so far. This is certainly their best start since a long time. The question now – Does Tottenham have the wherewithal to continue this winning form?
Tottenham’s next match will be the first ultimate test for the team. They are up against Manchester United in White Hart Lane. The Birmingham match have cost them two influential players in the likes of Luka Modric and Ledley King.
Tottenham Hotspurs Shop. Home Shirt 09/10
Both were sorely missed in the game against Birmingham in the second half. Defense was slightly in disarray. This led to the confusion in defence which ended with Birmingham’s equalizer. In the midfield, Modric’s creativity was lost when he was substituted. Birmingham managed to gain control of the midfield after Modric went off.
With Modric out for months after the Lee Bowyer incident with Birmingham, Spurs will be needing another creative midfielder to take his place. The current group of Tottenham players, certainly lacks Modric’s cutting edge creativity in creating and opening up chances for the team.
It’s not that they are not good. They certainly have proven their worth for the team. However, to really be in the race for the title, a player with the foresight and creativity like Modric is certainly required.
Redknapp have about two weeks to prepare for the match against United. I’m pretty sure he will have a few surprises up his sleeves. Let’s all just enjoy this excellent form the team is in at the moment.
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