It’s been a big week for Spurs with plenty of action, on and off the pitch, to talk about.
The week started well at the Lane with Spurs beating Middlesbrough (4-0) in a truly exceptional display, with clever passing, great wide play and good finishing.
Keane hit the net first within the 15 minutes of the kick-off, follwed by a flurry of goals from Pavlyuchenko and then Lennon before the half time break. Lennon who had an outstanding game, if at times slightly let down by his final ball, slotted home to make it 4.
Jamie O’Hara and Tom Huddlestone came on as second half substitutes and both put in a good performance, Huddlestone with some great passing (although his energy and work rate was dire) and O’Hara who was welcomed to the pitch with a standing ovation from the home fans, showed real grit and determination for further goals.
Middlesbrough looked tired and had a poor shape, they scored twice but both ruled out for offside.
Meanwhile the following night at the Lane are youth team lost in the FA Cup youth quarter-final to Arsenal 3-1. Spurs scored first within the opening minutes but half way through the second half Arsenal, who to be fair looked the better side throughout, drew level, only to snatch the victory with two late goals in the 87th and 90th minute respectively.
As for yesterday at Sunderland, Spurs looked likely to leave with nothing despite dominating the game. Spurs conceeded an early goal by Kieron Richardson but then dominated play and possession throughout. They couldn’t however penetrate until the dying minutes wwth a Robbie Keane strike which snatched a vital, although well deserved point away from home.
In terms of midfield play, which really sparked against ‘Boro on Tuesday, they looked somewhat disorganised yesterday and struggled to impose. They won only 43 per cent of their tackles at Sunderland, against the home side’s 73 per cent.
Although, Jenas and Palacios have only played together for a few games, Keane has only just slotted into the team,and the back four keeps changing (Chimbonda has barely played left back before, and when he has, he’s been terrible), Redknapp switches between Pavlyuchenko and Bent every game, Huddlestone and Zokora keep making sporadic cameos, etc. So it’s no wonder that the Spur’s midfield looks disjointed… perhaps it just needs time?
Meanwhile, Jermaine Defoe has denied a string of motoring offences, which includes allowing someone to drive his car without insurance.
