Cup hero Defoe ‘up with the best’ says Redknapp

February 4, 2010

Harry Redknapp believes Jermain Defoe went a long way towards cementing his place in England’s World Cup squad after watching him score a hat-trick to take Tottenham Hotspur into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The 27-year-old England forward might have wasted several chances but he still managed to score a hat-trick at Elland Road to spare Tottenham’s blushes in a 3-1 win away to League One promotion-chasing Leeds here on Wednesday.

That took his tally for the season to 23 goals with his third hat-trick which helped secure Spurs a last 16 clash against Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers.

Defoe remains one of the leading goalscorers in England and Redknapp was full of praise for the impish striker who, barring injury, will surely be part of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad in South Africa later this year.

“It was well deserved in the end,” said Redknapp of Defoe’s treble.

“But it was a difficult game against a good Leeds team.”

Redknapp, who knows Defoe well, having first signed the front man back in 1999 when he was manager of West Ham before working with him again at Portsmouth, added: “He could have scored six tonight.

“He had some great opportunities. He showed three great finishes but missed three easier chances. But he’s always in the right place.

“Jermain has always scored goals ever since he was a little boy and he’s up there with the best.

“He’s a terrific finisher and his confidence is good at the moment. He got good service from wide positions and Peter Crouch can flick things on for him. There aren’t many better than him at the moment.”

Redknapp was also pleased by Wednesday’s return to form of former Arsenal and Blackburn winger David Bentley, which threatened to leave the Spurs manager with a welcome dilemma.

“David Bentley was outstanding. He’s a great player and I thought he did really well. It will be a nice problem to have when everyone is fit.

“Those who came in showed the right attitude and got on with it. This is one defeat in 13 games now and players are doing their jobs.

“We’ve got a chance (of winning the FA Cup), but we’ve got some tough games coming up,” insisted Redknapp, who took Pompey to FA Cup glory two years ago.

He also readily conceded Spurs had come through two tough encounters with Leeds, who belied their third division status to draw 2-2 at White Hart Lane after producing the shock of this season’s FA Cup by knocking out English champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round.

“This is a massive club,” Redknapp said of Leeds. “Their fans were incredible and it was a great atmosphere.

“People were hoping to come here and see an upset but it didn’t happen and now we have a big game with Aston Villa this weekend,” added Redknapp whose side are vying with Villa for a top four finish that would guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson said he was proud of his players and insisted their two games with Tottenham could inspire them to win promotion – they presently lie second three points behind leaders Norwich but with two games in hand.

“To win at Old Trafford and draw at White Hart Lane isn’t a bad effort for a team in League One,” Grayson said

“Nights like this motivate you even more and give you memories of when this club was in the Premier League and Champions League.

“Over the two games we have pushed them hard and the players have got to have that belief now that they can go on and play at a higher level.”

LEEDS, England (AFP)

Tags: blushes, bolton wanderers, David Bentley, Elland Road, England, fabio capello, front man, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, hat trick, leading goalscorers, league rivals, LEEDS, leeds england, Manchester, nice problem, Norwich, old england, peter crouch, Portsmouth, premier league, scored goals, Simon Grayson, South Africa, west ham, winger, world cup squad

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 bridge

Fears for Pompey mount as website closed down

January 29, 2010

Portsmouth’s official website was closed down on Thursday, intensifying fears that the cash-strapped club is on the verge of going into administration.

The website went offline after the club failed to maintain payments due to Juicy, the company that runs www.portsmouthfc.co.uk, a spokesman confirmed.

The announcement was greeted with dismay by the club’s supporters with Ken Malley, a spokesman for The Portsmouth Supporters Trust, admitting it was a very worrying sign.

“It’s hard to explain how you feel as a Portsmouth supporter when it becomes apparent the website is down simply because they haven’t paid the bills,” he said.

“On the scale of things one would have thought the rental on a website would cost peanuts when compared to other things that money has to be spent on.

“I’m really surprised Portsmouth’s financial problems are affecting items of this nature.”

Despite selling players like Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch at the start of the season to reduce their debts, Portsmouth have been unable to pay their players on time three times this season.

Outstanding debts to other clubs resulted in the Premier League diverting seven million pounds of television revenues directly to creditors as well as imposing a transfer embargo which was only partially lifted last week.

The club is also subject to a winding up order from the tax authorities regarding an alleged unpaid bill of 7.5 million pounds and their former owner, Alexandre Gaydamak, claims he is owed 28 million pounds.

Things have not been going well on the field either with Portsmouth currently bottom of the league and looking virtually certain to be relegated from the top flight at the end of the season.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 5 million, alexandre gaydamak, creditors, dismay, embargo, glen johnson, Ken Malley, malley, outstanding debts, peanuts, peter crouch, Portsmouth, portsmouthfc, premier league, tax authorities, television revenues, top flight, verge, winding up order

Bentley shines as Spurs put Fulham to the sword

January 27, 2010

Tottenham strengthened their grip on fourth place in the Premier League after a 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham at White Hart Lane on Tuesday.

A first-half goal from England striker Peter Crouch and a second from the previously out-of favour David Bentley secured the win for Spurs, who remain on course for a Champions League spot after Liverpool’s draw at Wolves allowed the north Londoners to open up a three-point gap between the teams.

While the hosts will be glad to have ended a disappointing recent run, Roy Hodgson’s Fulham continue to struggle and have now lost four league games in a row after a strong start to the campaign.

The visitors’ preparation was disrupted by Manchester United’s announcement that they had agreed a fee for England Under-21 defender Chris Smalling, who has impressed since breaking into the team last September.

Despite the speculation, Hodgson felt that the centre-back was sufficiently focused and named him in the starting eleven.

But Tottenham’s started the game in electrifying fashion, creating two opportunities within the first two minutes.

With their first attack Jermain Defoe’s neat flick set up Tom Huddlestone on the edge of the area, but Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer dived full length to turn the former Derby man’s powerful drive wide of the post.

Fulham absorbed the early pressure and threatened themselves in the 12th minute, Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs net reacting quickly to smother the ball at Bobby Zamora’s feet after a smart through ball by Hungary’s Zoltan Gera.

Crouch broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 27th minute, but most of the credit will be laid at the feet of Luka Modric.

Two Fulham defenders were comfortably guiding the ball over the dead-ball line until the Croatia midfielder nipped in to pull the ball back and cross for Crouch, who threw out a leg and poked the ball past Schwarzer.

Spurs were guilty of throwing away the lead twice during Saturday’s FA Cup match with Leeds, so it was understandable that they curtailed their attacking instincts for a while after that.

However, Modric came within inches of doubling the lead on the stroke of half-time as he whipped a vicious shot over the bar after a jinking run down the left channel.

Fulham battled hard for an equaliser, but Spurs were always more likely to get the next goal.

Bentley, subject of much transfer speculation after falling out with boss Harry Redknapp, delivered a perfect cross into the area which Defoe headed just over the crossbar.

Former Arsenal man Bentley’s prospects of more first team football or a lucrative transfer were boosted when he made it 2-0 on the hour mark, albeit with a large slice of fortune.

Wales defender Gareth Bale won a free-kick on the left corner of the area after being hacked down.

Bentley stepped up and curled a shot towards goal which took a huge deflection of the defensive wall before looping over Schwarzer’s head.

The stroke of luck seemed to invigorate the former Blackburn man who had another long-range free-kick saved by Schwarzer before delivering a fine ball which defender Michael Dawson headed over the top.

Redknapp’s men showed they had learnt from Saturday’s draw, comfortably playing out time to give themselves breathing space in the coveted fourth spot.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Australia, bentley, bobby zamora, Chris Smalling, David Bentley, defoe, England, FA Cup, fulham, gap, Goalkeeper, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, Hungary, last september, league games, LEEDS, Liverpool, london, londoners, luka modric, manchester united, mark schwarzer, michael dawson, north Londoners, peter crouch, point gap, premier league, roy hodgson, tom huddlestone, Wales, white hart lane, zoltan gera

Leeds fight on as Wigan survive County scare

January 24, 2010

Leeds United’s thrilling FA Cup adventure goes on after a penalty equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time ensured Simon Grayson’s side took Tottenham to a fourth round replay.

Jermaine Beckford, Leeds’ match-winner in their third round victory over Manchester United, was the hero again, coolly converting the spot-kick to earn the League One (third division) side a 2-2 draw and a second chance of reaching the last 16.

Notts County also lived to fight another day after coming within seven minutes of a classic giant-killing act before being forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Premier League club Wigan.

Holders Chelsea eased into the fifth round at the expense of Preston while Reading followed up their elimination of Liverpool in the last round by accounting for another Premier League side, Burnley.

But there was no doubt that the biggest drama of the day came at White Hart Lane, where Leeds looked dead and buried until Michael Dawson was adjudged to have brought down Beckford deep into injury time.

The striker had cancelled out Peter Crouch’s opener for Spurs early in the second half but Leeds had appeared to be on their way out after Roman Pavlyuchenko came off the bench to restore the hosts’ lead a quarter of an hour from the end.

In the end though Spurs were left to rue their failure to capitalise on their dominance in an opening spell in which Jermain Defoe failed to convert a penalty of his own.

Notts County, who are threatened with bankruptcy because of an unpaid tax bill, were on track for a famous win over Wigan after opening up a two-goal first-half lead through former West Brom striker Lee Hughes and Ben Davies.

But the League Two (fourth division) side allowed Wigan back into the contest through Jason Scotland and Ben Watson’s 83rd-minute equaliser sent the tie to a replay.

County’s caretaker manager, Dave Kevan, said: “I thought the lads were fantastic, but when we look at it again in the cold light of day, we’ll have mixed feelings. They know they’ve had a great opportunity to cause an upset, and sadly that hasn’t quite developed.”

County’s League Two counterparts Accrington Stanley, the lowest-ranked club left in the tournament, went down to a 3-1 defeat by Fulham after having Darran Kempson sent off just before half-time.

At that stage, the tiny Lancashire club were matching their Premier League guests with Michael Symes having cancelled out Erik Nevland’s opener for Fulham.

But the home side tired after the break and Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera sent the Londoners through.

“They made life very difficult for us,” Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admitted. “But in the second half we showed them more of our qualities and ended up winning the game relatively comfortably.”

Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge struck either side of half-time as Chelsea advanced to the last 16 with a 2-0 win over struggling Championship side Preston North End.

Reading ensured they joined them in Sunday’s fifth round draw when Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored an 87th-minute winner against Burnley.

Birmingham extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches with a 2-1 win at Everton. Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson gave Alex McLeish’s on-form side a first-half lead and despite pulling a goal back through Leon Osman, Everton were unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Portsmouth gained some relief from their on and off-the-field woes by coming from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1.

Darren Bent had given Sunderland the lead and the match was briefly interrupted by protesting fans running on to the pitch.

But a double from Nigerian striker John Utaka ensured the Pompey supporters departed Fratton Park in better spirits.

Aston Villa followed up their advance to the League Cup final with a 3-2 defeat of Gus Poyet’s Brighton. Nathan Delfouneso, Ashley Young and Fabian Delph were on the scoresheet for Martin O’Neill’s men.

Bolton registered their first win under Owen Coyle by beating Sheffield United 2-0 at the Reebok.

But Wolves must replay with Crystal Palace after being held to 2-2 draw at home to the on-form Championship side.

West Brom beat Championship promotion rivals Newcastle 4-2 in an entertaining clash at the Hawthorns while Cardiff City beat Leicester by the same scoreline.

Derby edged Doncaster 1-0 and Roy Keane’s Ipswich went down to a 2-1 defeat at League One Southampton.

Arsenal face a potentially awkward fourth round tie at Stoke on Sunday, which also sees Manchester City travel to Scunthorpe.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: burnley, caretaker manager, cold light of day, equaliser, FA Cup, grayson, injury time, kevan, lee hughes, leeds united, michael dawson, mixed feelings, no doubt, Notts County, peter crouch, second chance, west brom, white hart lane, Wigan

Kuyt at double as Liverpool down Spurs

January 21, 2010

Dirk Kuyt scored twice as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Anfield here on Wednesday to move within a point of fourth-placed Spurs in the English Premier League.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has come in for heavy criticism while the Reds’ Champions League hopes have suffered blow after blow and they went into this match with star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing because of injury.

But despite once again fielding a team that was far from full strength, they took the lead through Kuyt’s early strike.

The Dutchman added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time to secure a significant victory that helped justify Benitez’s claim of “guaranteeing” a top four finish that would secure Champions League football next season.

Tottenham improved after the break but failed to end a miserable run of winless games away to ‘Big Four’ (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool) opposition that has now reached 66 games.

Liverpool had a minor scare just five in as Pepe Reina took three attempts to gather a cross from Gareth Bale.

But the goalkeeper came up with a long clearance that was flicked on by Kuyt to Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian just managed to tap the ball back to the Dutchman and Kuyt squeezed a shot past Heurelho Gomes into the corner to give the home side an ideal start.

Tottenham were struggling to put together any sustained spell of possession but Aquilani almost let them in.

His loose pass flew straight to Bale and his swerving drive only just missed Reina’s goal.

After Javier Mascherano had tripped Peter Crouch, Tottenham had a free-kick in a good area.

But from Bale’s lofted delivery, Crouch was ruled to have fouled Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Albert Riera’s whipped free-kick from the right was desperately punched away by Gomes, but with the Brazilian stranded, Martin Skrtel failed to make contact with the follow up.

Tottenham finally threatened when Wilson Palacios swapped passes with Jermaine Jenas and then slid through for Luka Modric, whose low effort was blocked by Reina.

Just after the restart, Jermain Defoe thought he had brought Tottenham level after a mix-up between Kyrgiakos and Reina but referee Howard Webb ruled out the striker’s effort for obstruction.

Then a Riera free-kick flew at goal with a bit more pace than Gomes had expected and landed on the roof of the net.

The game was far more open in the second period and Defoe laid off for Modric but the Croatian’s low effort was held by Reina.

Tottenham were far more of a threat after the break and quick passes from Palacios and Defoe created room for Jermaine Jenas to hit a powerful drive that Reina did well to get a hand to.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp tried to apply even more pressure on the hosts with striker Robbie Keane coming on to support Crouch and Defoe.

Kuyt was growing more and more isolated and when Liverpool did manage a break away the Dutchman fed Philipp Degen, who chose to attempt to return the pass and the rare opportunity was gone.

With 20 minutes remaining, Aquilani’s whipped free-kick was flicked on by Degen but Kuyt failed to get his volley on target at the far post.

Riera also went close with a thumping drive from long range before Spurs’ Alan Hutton drilled wide from Bale’s cross at the other end.

But in added time, Sebastien Bassong clipped David Ngog in the area and Kuyt converted a twice-taken penalty to seal Liverpool’s much-needed victory.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: Alan Hutton, albert riera, alberto aquilani, anfield, arsenal, CHELSEA, chelsea arsenal, dirk kuyt, dutchman, English Premier League, Fernando Torres, free kick, Gareth Bale, Howard Webb, Javier Mascherano, jenas, Liverpool, liverpool manager rafael benitez, manchester united, martin skrtel, mascherano, pepe reina, peter crouch, premier league, rafael benitez, Robbie Keane, star players, Steven Gerrard, stoppage time, Wilson

Hodgson dazzled by Bobby’s form

December 25, 2009

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes Bobby Zamora’s dazzling goal-scoring form has been instrumental in the Cottagers’ push into the top half of the English Premier League as well as into Europe.

The 28-year-old striker scored his 10th goal of the season in Saturday’s 3-0 shock win over Manchester United, justifying his decision to turn down a move to Hull in the summer.

His form has also left Hodgson unconcerned about his failed nine-million-pound bid to buy England striker Peter Crouch from Portsmouth before the season got underway.

“Crouch had the chance to join Fulham or Tottenham and he chose them. That meant we were able to keep Bobby. With Bobby playing well it’s not something we’ve missed,” said Hodgson.

“When Bobby was on his way to Hull, as was being mooted at the time, it would have been much more problematic for us. Peter made his decision and we’re pleased he’s doing well but we’ve survived with the players we have.”

Zamora will lead the Fulham attack against Tottenham on Saturday and at league leaders Chelsea on Monday.

Fulham will renew their Europa League campaign in February against Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: CHELSEA, England, English Premier League, Europe, fulham, HULL, league campaign, league leaders, london, Manchester, manchester united, Peter, peter crouch, Portsmouth, premier league, roy hodgson, shakhtar donetsk, striker, ukraine

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, Zola

Redknapp impressed as Tottenham get back in party spirit

December 20, 2009

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp praised his team’s new-found grit as they kept up their push for the Champions League places with a 2-0 win at Blackburn.

Redknapp has had a difficult week after discovering his players had defied his orders by holding a secret Christmas party in Dublin and then learning that he has been charged by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax.

But Redknapp was pleased with the response of his team to a difficult game at Ewood Park on Saturday and he insisted their performance had nothing to do with wanting to do well after their trip to Ireland.

And the Spurs boss feels that the game would have been one his team might have lost in the past, which is a measure of the progress his team is making.

“It was not a pretty game of football, but it was the type of game that Tottenham may have lost in the past,” Redknapp said.

“This wasn’t a response because they provided that against Man City in midweek.

“The going out was the Tuesday before and we didn’t lose to Wolves because they went out, it was because we couldn’t break them down.

“It’s history now. We keep moving forward and they’re a good group of lads and I haven’t got any problems with them.”

Redknapp was also pleased with the performance of striker Peter Crouch, who has not played regularly this season but scored twice to double his Premier League tally for the campaign.

“Two good goals from Crouchy. It was nice for him to get on the score-sheet. He deserves it and works hard for the team,” Redknapp added.

Redknapp will have to deal with the charges from HMRC in the new year and a statement from his solicitors, BCL Burton Copeland, insisted the charges are “totally misconceived”.

The statement said: “Harry Redknapp is extremely surprised and disappointed to have been informed that HMRC intend to institute proceedings against him in the week commencing January 11 2010.

“We believe that the decision to commence proceedings will, in due course, be shown to have been totally misconceived.”

Blackburn have dropped to within three points of the relegation zone and manager Sam Allardyce feels that his lack of a striker of Crouch’s quality is costing his team.

Allardyce’s strike-force of Benni McCarthy, Franco Di Santo, Jason Roberts and Nikola Kalinic have failed to fire in recent weeks, with Rovers only managing one league goal in their last six matches.

And Allardyce was full of praise for the striking instincts of England striker Crouch.

“You pay that extra money for the extra quality when you need it. Crouchy?s finishing was the difference between the sides – nothing else,” Allardyce said.

“He had three chances. He scored two and one got disallowed for offside but he still stuck that in the back of the net.

“The first one’s a foul on Ryan Nelsen 90 seconds into injury time and only one minute went up on the board.

“It’s blatant. You can see two arms round him and he wrestles him to the floor. The referee’s in a good position but doesn’t give it.

“You can’t control these decisions and instead of being comfortable in the first-half and coming in at 0-0, we’ve been let down by the referee as far as I’m concerned yet again.

“Nobody else on their side has had a chance on goal and that’s the disappointing thing from our point of view.”

BLACKBURN, England (AFP)

Tags: Burton, Burton Copeland, champions league, christmas party, copeland, dublin, England, Ewood Park, franco di santo, game of football, Harry Redknapp, hmrc, Ireland, jason roberts, lads, majesty, man city, midweek, Nikola Kalinic, peter crouch, premier league, ryan nelsen, Sam, score sheet, solicitors, spurs, striker, tally, trip to ireland, wolves

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)