Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham
January 31, 2010
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.
But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.
The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.
The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.
Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.
However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.
Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.
Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.
There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.
But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.
And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.
Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.
Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.
It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.
And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.
Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Birmingham, CHELSEA, christian benitez, David Bentley, dressing room, Ecuador, England, far post, first premier, fulham, Gareth Bale, genuine chance, Harry Redknapp, heurelho gomes, impressive performance, James McFadden, jermain defoe, Joe Hart, last gasp, league goal, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, michael dawson, Portsmouth, premier league, russian international, st andrew, stamford bridgeRelated posts
Ridgewell´s late strike frustrates Tottenham
January 30, 2010
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell frustrated Tottenham’s push for the Champions League as his last-gasp equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe looked to have consolidated Tottenham’s position in fourth place with a 69th-minute strike — his first Premier League goal of 2010.
But Birmingham avoided a second successive defeat when defender Ridgewell stole in at the far post to volley home in the last minute.
The draw left Tottenham just one point ahead of Liverpool as the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hots up.
The only consolation for Harry Redknapp is the confirmation that defender Younes Kaboul will re-sign from Portsmouth in a five million pounds (5.8 million euros) deal that could save his former club from slipping into administration.
Birmingham’s recent form has been so impressive that Alex McLeish’s players, furious at losing for the first time in 16 games, reportedly confronted each other in the Stamford Bridge visitors’ dressing room in the aftermath of their 3-0 loss at Chelsea on Wednesday.
However, far from damaging the tremendous spirit that has made Birmingham a revelation this season, that defeat did not appear to have affected McLeish’s players.
Lee Bowyer almost gave the home side a fourth-minute lead when he was teed up by James McFadden but he shot straight at Heurelho Gomes.
Christian Benitez, the Ecuador international striker, bamboozled Michael Dawson on the edge of the area before sending a tame shot right into the arms of Tottenham’s keeper.
There was no Roman Pavyluchenko in the Spurs team for this encounter, with Birmingham’s second bid of nine million pounds for the Russian international reportedly having been turned down by Redknapp.
But David Bentley remained in the team after his impressive performance, and goal, against Fulham.
And the midfielder produced Spurs’ first genuine chance in the 34th minute when he cut inside and drove in a shot that was clawed around the post by Joe Hart.
Bentley also came close to shattering the boredom of a tedious game early in the second half when Gareth Bale’s cross eluded the Birmingham defence to find the England international, but his shot was kept out by Hart.
Spurs somehow failed to take the lead in the 57th minute. Defoe danced past a hesitant home defence and lost balance as he prepared to shoot, the ball rolling into the path of Peter Crouch who inexplicably placed his shot wide.
It did galvanise the visitors, however, and they forced a succession of corners as they battled for the opener.
And they finally secured the goal their steady pressure deserved when an unmarked Defoe lashed in Bale’s cross in the 69th minute.
Yet Birmingham pushed desperately for an equaliser and finally earned it through Ridgewell’s finish from Cameron Jerome’s flick.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)
Tags: alex mcleish, Birmingham, Cameron Jerome, CHELSEA, christian benitez, David Bentley, dressing room, Ecuador, England, far post, first premier, fulham, Gareth Bale, genuine chance, Harry Redknapp, heurelho gomes, impressive performance, James McFadden, jermain defoe, Joe Hart, last gasp, league goal, Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Liverpool, michael dawson, peter crouch, Portsmouth, premier league, russian international, st andrew, stamford bridgeRelated posts
Diouf could scupper Owen’s World Cup race against time
January 18, 2010
Michael Owen’s quest to find favour under England coach Fabio Capello ahead of June’s World Cup finals may have got a little harder with the arrival of Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf at Manchester United.
In only his second appearance since joining from Norwegian side Molde, Diouf opened his United account with a well-taken header in Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Burnley and has firmly installed himself as a rival for the precious substitute time Owen has so far enjoyed unchallenged this season.
The last time United went shopping at Molde they brought back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who turned out rather well with 126 goals in 366 appearances.
The excitement manager Alex Ferguson has shown over Diouf in recent weeks has been reflected in decisions to use him ahead of Danny Wellbeck and Owen in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City, and again against Burnley.
Owen, forever ingrained in the memory of England fans for his stunner against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, is desperate for playing time to have any chance of a seat on England’s plane to South Africa, but time and perhaps Diouf, are against him.
Owen’s Champions League hat-trick against VfL Wolfsburg this season made everyone sit up and take notice, with admirers only too keen to announce the boy was back in town and ready to make a first appearance since a 2008 friendly against France and a bid to add to his 40 international goals.
A place on the bench, tasked with the role of ‘supersub’ when England are yawning their way to a 0-0 draw with the United States, is a romantic prospect but there are 20-somethings such as Carlton Cole, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent who arguably have a better case for inclusion.
Like many, I am a great admirer of Owen, but Diouf’s arrival may just spell the end of the former Liverpool striker’s unlikely bid for a recall.
Is Capello right to overlook him? Let us know your thoughts.
Tags: alex ferguson, Argentina, biram, birmingham city, burnley, Carlton Cole, coach fabio capello, Danny Wellbeck, Darren Bent, Diouf, England, england coach, england fans, fabio capello, first appearance, France, Gunnar Solskjaer, international goals, jermain defoe, Liverpool, manager alex ferguson, Manchester, manchester united, michael owen, ole gunnar solskjaer, Owen, premier league, senegalese, South Africa, substitute time, supersub, vfl wolfsburg, world cup finalsRelated posts
Carlton Cole frustrated with his injury
December 21, 2009
Carlton Cole has sounded out his disappointment and frustration at being sidelined with injury. As Cole looks on from the stands, other English strikers, who hope to make it in England’s World Cup squad, have the chance to impress on the pitch.
The West Ham striker is currently battling a knee injury. Cole has been tipped to make Fabio Capello’s squad. However, there will be fierce competition for the 23-man list.
The likes of Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey are almost certain to feature in England’s squad, but Cole, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent and even Michael Owen can only hope to fly to South Africa with the rest of the team.
Cole was in good form for Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers, scoring 7 goals in 13 Premier League games before he suffered his injury.
“It doesn’t feel good to see these guys scoring all the time,” he said in the Daily Star.
“But they’re all top players and it’s what you expect. That’s why I was so disappointed when I got injured because I knew I would be overtaken in the goal rankings.
“I’ve been trying to keep up with the likes of Defoe, Bent, Rooney and others – and to make sure I stayed in the top ten all season.
“I think I was seventh before my injury – so I know I’ve got to work hard to get the problem out the way and come back strong in the second half of the season.
“It’s been my dream to play and score at a World Cup finals since I was little kid. Hopefully, I can keep that dream alive.”
Cole is an integral part of West Ham’s squad and the sooner he returns the better for his struggling team. The Hammers are keen to perform well again in order to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.
The English striker wants to come back from injury, focus on his club career, perform well again and earn a place in Capello’s 23-man squad in the process.
“I really want to focus on West Ham,” he added.
“But, if you’re going to be injured in World Cup year, I suppose the earlier in the season it happens, the better it is.”
Tags: Carlton Cole, Cole, daily star, Darren Bent, Emile Heskey, England, fabio capello, gianfranco zola, hammers, jermain defoe, knee injury, little kid, man squad, michael owen, peter crouch, premier league games, South Africa, strikers, wayne rooney, west ham, world cup finals, world cup squad, ZolaRelated posts
Crouch double puts Tottenham in party mood
December 19, 2009
Peter Crouch put Tottenham’s stars back in boss Harry Redknapp’s good books as his double secured a 2-0 win at Blackburn on Saturday.
Just a day after it was revealed that the majority of Redknapp’s squad had defied his ban on Christmas parties by jetting off to Dublin for a secret bash, Crouch put the focus back on the players’ on-field activities.
Redknapp has admitted he will read the riot act to his players on Monday for such a public flouting of his rules, but he may soften his punishment after a victory which kept the north London club on course for a top four finish.
Blackburn were the better team for long periods at Ewood Park, but Crouch put Spurs ahead on the stroke of half time. And the England forward, who only had two Premier League goals before Saturday, buried a late chance to wrap up the victory.
Blackburn’s winless run in the league is now extended to six matches, a spell that has seen them score just one goal.
Recalled South African striker Benni McCarthy immediately went close with a thumping free kick that went just wide.
Slack defending from former Spurs star Pascal Chimbonda almost let Tottenham in, but Crouch pulled the ball back behind an un-marked Tom Huddlestone, who would only have had to roll the ball into an empty net.
Franco Di Santo wasted a great opportunity when Michael Dawson failed to make decent contact to clear McCarthy’s cross, only for the on-loan Chelsea forward to drill well wide.
Just before the quarter of an hour, McCarthy’s whipped free kick looped up off Aaron Lennon and bounced off the cross bar and over.
Midway through the opening period, Jermain Defoe passed up a good opening when he was picked out by Niko Kranjcar and burst into the Blackburn area only to fire wide of Paul Robinson’s goal.
After Huddlestone robbed Australian midfielder Vince Grella he tore into the Blackburn half but, frustrated at the lack of options ahead of him, hit well over from distance.
Gomes was worked once again when McCarthy lobbed in a cross from the right and Di Santo controlled the ball on his chest only to be denied by the Spurs goalkeeper.
As the interval approached, McCarthy just missed the target with a dipping shot from 25 yards.
But in first-half added time, Spurs took the lead when Huddlestone’s wild shot almost went out for a throw, but Kranjcar crossed in from the right and Crouch headed in off the bar at the near post.
Blackburn’s poor luck continued when Grella crossed into the area and McCarthy took the ball on his chest and beat Gomes with a low shot that hit the post and ran across the goal line before being hacked clear.
Di Santo also cut in from the right and had a drilled effort held by Gomes as the pressure continued from Blackburn.
Gomes then denied Steven Nzonzi, just managing to block the French midfielder’s stinging drive.
But after the frenzy of the early stages of the second period, the hosts were growing more and more frustrated and substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen illustrated that by slicing wide from 25 yards.
Tottenham made Rovers pay as they ruthlessly doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining.
Substitute Robbie Keane, the alleged ringleader of Tottenham’s Christmas party plot, clipped the ball down the line and Jermaine Jenas just managed to flick it into the path of Crouch, who fired into the corner of the net.
BLACKBURN, England (AFP)
Tags: Aaron Lennon, benni mccarthy, christmas parties, cross bar, Di Santo, dublin, England, Ewood Park, flouting, franco di santo, free kick, Harry Redknapp, jermain defoe, kranjcar, long periods, michael dawson, Morten Gamst, Niko Kranjcar, north London, north london club, Pascal Chimbonda, paul robinson, peter crouch, premier league, premier league goals, riot act, Robbie Keane, south african striker, Steven Nzonzi, tom huddlestone, vince grellaRelated posts
Barry urges City for a response
December 18, 2009
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has insisted that City will improve against Sunderland on the weekend, after a disastrous 3-0 mid-week defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
While, City were beaten 3-0 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday against Spurs, they still have the chance to hit back immediately when the Black Cats travel to Eastlands on Saturday.
Two goals from Niko Kranjcar and an effort from Jermain Defoe swept Mark Hughes’ team aside at the Lane, and Barry admits it was a poor performance.
However, the England international expects the team to right the wrongs they committed against Spurs.
“We’ve only got a couple of days to put it right, but we want to repay the fans that came down to Spurs and put a good performance in for them,” he said.
“It’s obviously very disappointing, because I thought in the first half an hour we played some really good football and there was nothing in the game.
“But once they scored we really did not create anything until the last 20 minutes.
“We are very disappointed and we are really hurting in the changing room, and the best thing we can do is try to put it right on Saturday.
“We knew that the first goal would be important, with them being at home their confidence was bound to grow.
“They had looked a bit nervous early on and if we had gone in front it could have been a different story.
“Shay (Given) had not had too many saves to make, we played some good stuff at times and got some shots away.
“We were also a bit unlucky with a couple of offsides, but there are not too many positives to take and plenty of things to put right.”
Following the defeat, City go four points behind Spurs with a game in hand as the race for a much-coveted UEFA Champions League place hots up.
Tags: Barry, black cats, changing room, different story, England, england international, four points, Gareth Barry, half an hour, Hart Lane, hots, Hotspur, jermain defoe, kranjcar, manchester city, Mark Hughes, midfielder, Niko Kranjcar, offsides, poor performance, shay, spurs, Sunderland, uefa, UEFA Champions League, white hart laneRelated posts
Spurs claim bragging rights over City
December 17, 2009
Tottenham maintained the pressure on the top four as two goals from Niko Kranjcar and Jermain Defoe’s 13th league goal of the season completed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Manchester City.
But City manager Mark Hughes was left facing growing problems after his side failed to improve on a run that has now brought just one win in ten league games.
While Spurs sit fifth, just two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, City have slumped to eighth, a further four points adrift of the Champions League places.
For Spurs manager Harry Redknapp this win marked a return to form after the uninspired performance in the weekend home defeat to struggling Wolves had raised questions about their ability to sustain their challenge at the head of the table.
Hughes, though, is still looking for a winning formula after a summer of heavy investment and this result places greater pressure on the weekend meeting with Sunderland.
The City manager was forced into changes following the weekend dismissal of Craig Bellamy that paved the way for Robinho to return.
But the City manager?s plan suffered another unexpected blow in the build-up to this clash when England centre-back Joleon Lescott was ruled out for up to five weeks with a knee problem.
Nedum Onuoha came in but Lescott’s absence meant City lost height in the backline.
And with the towering Peter Crouch restored to the Tottenham attack following Robbie Keane?s ineffective showing against Wolves, the visitors were clearly more vulnerable to Spurs? greater aerial threat.
There was little evidence of any threat from either side during a frantic opening half hour that was interspersed by a series of snatched, long-range efforts directed at either goal but precious few clear chances.
Carlos Tevez fired in two hopeful efforts that flew tamely wide while Robinho forced Heurelho Gomes into his only real save of the first half when a dipping shot that the Tottenham keeper easily tipped over.
At the opposite end Kranjcar should have done much better when Aaron Lennon pulled the ball back from the byline and Defoe was later slow to react when he found himself on the end of a similar move.
The balance of play was tipped in Tottenham?s favour though, largely because of Lennon?s ability to get past City left-back Sylvinho.
The England winger had been successfully bottled up by Wolves when it was noticeable that Spurs lacked an alternative source of quality service.
But this time Lennon benefited from the extra space he was given by his opponents and it quickly became clear that Spurs best opportunities were likely to come from the right.
And they owed their 37th minute opening goal to another darting run by Lennon, who sent in a deep cross towards Crouch at the far post.
The striker out-jumped his marker and powered in a downward header that was blocked initially by City midfielder Stephen Ireland on the line only for Kranjcar to follow up and stab the ball home from close range.
The goal injected life into the home side and Crouch should have made it two a minute later when Defoe played him in only for the striker hesitate and City keeper Shay Given smothered the danger.
City’s front three of Robinho, Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor had laboured during the opening half with only Tevez showing any signs of urgency.
And that pattern continued after the interval when Tottenham continued to press before claiming a second nine minutes into the second period.
Crouch was again involved, but this time Gomes was the unexpected provider with the Spurs keeper sending a long punt that the striker flicked on into Defoe?s path and the in-form forward finished with ease.
Robinho was quickly withdrawn in favour of Roque Santa Cruz and was clearly unhappy at the decision, heading straight down the tunnel.
City finally started applying some pressure in the Brazilian’s absence but were unable to gain a foothold in the match before Kranjcar completed a comfortable win for Spurs with a close range effort in added time.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: backline, champions league, craig bellamy, four points, gomes, half hour, Harry Redknapp, jermain defoe, league games, league goal, manchester city, Niko Kranjcar, peter crouch, Robbie Keane, Robinho, spurs, tottenham, wolvesRelated posts
Tottenham wary of Wolves trap
December 12, 2009
Harry Redknapp knows Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to match their last home performance but is equally aware anything less than a win over Wolves will be regarded as a failure.
Spurs produced their most emphatic display for years when they thrashed Wigan 9-1 at White Hart Lane last month.
That bolstered the growing belief this can be the season when they at last break into the ‘closed shop’ that is the Premier League’s top four and claim a place in next season’s Champions League.
Consistency, however, is the key to that ambition being realised and manager Redknapp knows three points against Mick McCarthy’s side on Saturday are vital if they are to succeed in that aim.
Redknapp though will also be aware that an encounter against a newly-promoted side does not guarantee three points, as last season Hull were fresh to the top-flight when they recorded a 1-0 win in north London.
This time around Spurs are in far better shape as they welcome one of the Premier League’s lesser lights, and the significance of maintaining good form ahead of Christmas is not lost on the manager.
“The four clubs (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool) have had a monopoly on the top four places, and to get in there is hard,” Redknapp admitted.
“But we have got a chance. If we sit here and say we will never get there, then we never will.”
Last weekend Tottenham led Everton by two goals at Goodison Park, but threw away the lead and travelled home with just the one point.
It would have been a different story if England international striker Jermain Defoe had netted a late penalty kick, but his effort was kept out by United States goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The miss was a rare blot on Defoe’s record from this term, as he is the division’s top scorer with 12 goals, including five against Wigan.
“It’s part and parcel of football and you have to be brave to step up and take a penalty at that stage,” explained Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond. “Players are going to miss them occasionally and it happens to the best.
“You can’t worry about it and you have to move on.
“Jermain’s got a terrific goalscoring record, he’s scored some goals that maybe he should never have scored and he’s just got to move on. I’m sure he’ll do that.”
The last time these sides met at White Hart Lane was in December 2003, when Spurs ran out 5-2 winners.
It is not the only statistic that does not make pleasurable reading for Wolves supporters, as the club have also recorded only four victories from 42 visits to Tottenham.
Nevertheless, manager McCarthy has found a cause for optimism in the way Stoke City won at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.
“If you play and attack like they do then you will leave holes at the back,” McCarthy, whose side are in the relegation zone, said.
“So then it’s whether you can exploit them or not.
“Stoke beat them at White Hart Lane but they got absolutely ‘mullered’. James Beattie hooked one off the line from under the bar and so did someone else.
“That result struck me as a real travesty, but they beat them and that’s what it says in the record books.”
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios has a rib injury, while Croatia playmaker Luka Modric lacks match fitness as he edges towards a long awaited return from a fractured fibula.
Michael Kightly, the Wolves midfielder, misses the trip from the Midlands with an ankle injury while striker Chris Iwelumo is also set to be sidelined as he has still to recover fully from a broken foot.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: arsenal, champions league, chelsea arsenal, chris iwelumo, croatia, different story, England, england international, Goalkeeper, Goodison Park, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, home performance, HULL, James Beattie, jermain defoe, Kevin Bond, manchester united, Michael Kightly, mick mccarthy, Midlands, north London, penalty kick, premier league, Stoke City, striker, tim howard, top flight, top scorer, tottenham hotspur, United States, white hart lane, wolvesRelated posts
Aussie star Cahill enjoys birthday to remember
December 7, 2009
Tim Cahill enjoyed a birthday to remember as the Australia midfielder’s late equaliser helped Everton rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Cahill turned 30 on Sunday and the Socceroos star won’t forget the milestone in a hurry after heading the crucial 86th minute goal that capped Everton’s fightback from two down at Goodison Park.
After three successive league defeats, David Moyes’ side desperately needed to stop the rot, but they looked dead and buried when second half goals from Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson put Tottenham on control.
Louis Saha sparked injury-hit Everton’s revival when he scored with 12 minutes remaining, then captain Cahill turned in Leighton Baines’ cross for his third goal of the season – and his first in the league since September.
There was still time for more drama as Everton defender Tony Hibbert conceded a stoppage time penalty with a clumsy barge into Wilson Palacios, but American goalkeeper Tim Howard ensured Cahill’s birthday celebrations would go with a swing as he saved Defoe’s spot-kick with his legs.
“We tried our hardest. We went down, picked ourselves up and Tim Howard produced a great save and I guess there’s a bit of justice,” Cahill said.
Howard was given some advice by Saha during a lengthy delay between Palacios being fouled for the spot-kick and Defoe finally taken the penalty after the Tottenham midfielder was stretchered off.
The instructions appeared to have been relayed from the home dugout and Howard said: “He gave me a word of advice. I kind of knew what to expect.
“There’s so much video now that there’s not one penalty taken that’s not there to see. You try your best not to leave any stone unturned.”
Moyes admitted Howard’s penalty save was the kind of good fortune that Everton deserved for such a gutsy display.
“It was a vital save. We work hard to do what we can (on penalties) but he is a good goalkeeper, he is lively and he should make penalty saves because he is very agile,” Moyes said.
“I thought we deserved a bit of luck and the goalkeeper helped it. It was important because the players had worked incredibly hard and had got stuck in.
“We tried to get something and because of that we earned a bit of good fortune when it came around.”
Injuries continue to be a problem for Everton, who lost centre-back Joseph Yobo to a recurrence of a hamstring strain after just 15 minutes but that actually turned into a positive for the Toffees.
Moyes had to send on Seamus Coleman for only his second Premier League appearance and the 21-year-old had a hand in both goals, earning him the man-of-the-match award.
“He was fantastic. He played really well, he got forward and made a difference for us at times. Good on the youngster,” Moyes added.
While Moyes breathed a sigh of relief at Everton’s escape, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was frustrated at the careless way his side squandered two points which would have taken them third in the table.
“There looked to be only one winner. It was game over as we looked to be in control and I couldn’t see any way we weren’t going to go on and win,” he said.
“We had chances to go 3-0 up and then they pulled a goal back. It was poor defending, we got sucked in and then suddenly the crowd get a lift.
“When you get it back to 2-1 you are going to throw the kitchen sink at the opposition and that is what they did.
“Then we get a great chance to win it with a penalty with the last kick of the game.
“Robbie Keane is our penalty taker but you’d fancy the little man (Defoe) to score with the form he is in but it wasn’t to be.”
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
Tags: american goalkeeper, Australia, birthday celebrations, captain Cahill, David Moyes, England, fightback, good fortune, Goodison Park, Harry Redknapp, home dugout, jermain defoe, joseph yobo, leighton baines, lengthy delay, Liverpool, Louis, louis saha, minute goal, Robbie Keane, Seamus Coleman, socceroos, stoppage time, tim cahill, tim howard, time penalty, Tony Hibbert, Wilson, wilson palacios, word of adviceRelated posts
Cahill and Howard help Everton frustrate Spurs
December 7, 2009
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill scored a late equaliser and Tim Howard saved Jermain Defoe’s stoppage time penalty as Everton came from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Sunday.
David Moyes’ injury-ravaged side looked dead and buried with 12 minutes to go at Goodison Park after second half strikes from Defoe and Michael Dawson put Spurs firmly in control.
But Louis Saha came off the bench to reduce the deficit and Cahill headed home four minutes from full time.
Defoe had a chance to win it from the penalty spot but the England striker’s kick was kept out by American goalkeeper Howard.
After three successive league defeats, Everton’s great escape will feel like a victory, although the Toffees are still just three points and three places above the relegation zone.
Tottenham would have gone third with a win but stay fourth after a meltdown that capped a dispiriting week which also included a League Cup exit at Manchester United.
Everton’s lengthy injury list had deprived Moyes of nine potential first-team regulars including defenders Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, so right-back Tony Hibbert had to play at centre-back alongside Joseph Yobo.
It wasn’t long before Tottenham began to turn the screw on Everton’s under-manned defence. Peter Crouch fired over after Aaron Lennon’s pass cut open the home back-four, then Defoe completely wrong-footed Hibbert and brought a fine stop from Howard.
Nigeria international Yobo had been passed fit after a hamstring injury but he lasted just 15 minutes before limping off with a recurrence of the problem as Moyes’ injury woes continued.
The lack of options at Moyes’ disposal became clear as he sent on Seamus Coleman, 21, for only his second Premier League appearance in place of Yobo.
Defoe always looked capable of tormenting the Everton defence and he took Niko Kranjcar’s clever pass in stride before poking his shot narrowly wide.
Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was lucky to escape with a yellow card after appearing to scrape his boot down the back of Cahill’s head as the pair lay on the floor and then pushing the Australian and Marouane Fellaini.
Fellaini was also cautioned in the same incident and the Belgium midfielder could have been sent off seconds later for elbowing Crouch.
Defoe gave Tottenham the perfect start to the second half as he opened the scoring in the 47th minute.
Lennon whipped in a cross from the right and Defoe got ahead of Hibbert at the near post to turn in his 13th goal of the season.
Dawson made it 2-0 as he escaped Lucas Neill’s attentions to meet Kranjcar’s 59th minute corner with a diving header that flashed past Howard for his second goal in successive games.
But substitute striker Saha set up a dramatic finish when he volleyed in Coleman’s cross at the near post in the 78th minute.
Everton had been given a lifeline and Cahill equalised in the 86th minute with a low header from Leighton Baines’ cross.
That wasn’t the end of the drama. In the second minute of stoppage time, Crouch headed down to Wilson Palacios and Hibbert conceded a penalty with a clumsy barge on the midfielder.
A lengthy delay followed while Palacios received treatment and when Defoe finally stepped up to take the spot-kick his low strike was pushed away by Howard’s legs to cap a remarkable finale.
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
Tags: Aaron Lennon, american goalkeeper, Australia, Belgium, Benoit Assou-, David Moyes, distin, England, equaliser, Goodison Park, injury woes, jermain defoe, lengthy injury, Liverpool, Louis, louis saha, Lucas Neill, Manchester, michael dawson, nigeria, Niko Kranjcar, peter crouch, Phil Jagielka, premier league, relegation zone, Seamus Coleman, stoppage time, tim cahill, tim howard, time penalty, Tony Hibbert, Wilson, yellow cardRelated posts
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