Spurs Beat Pirates

2-1, Goals from Bent (12 mins) & Routledge (84 Mins) they scored 3 mins later from a penalty that the ref made them take 3 times


http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport240707.html

MATCH REPORT: PIRATES 1, SPURS 2

Our Vodacom Challenge campaign continued in Cape Town with a 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates.

It was a reverse of the scoreline on our last visit in 2003 and goals from Darren Bent and Wayne Routledge made the difference, although Pirates did reduce the deficit with a three-times taken penalty five minutes from time.

Just three players who started our opening game against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday were on duty at the beginning of the encounter with Orlando Pirates - Younes Kaboul, although he only lasted a few minutes in Durban, Jermaine Jenas and Wayne Routledge were retained. Paul Stalteri and Pascal Chimbonda got their first action of the pre-season period, while the strike pairing was Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent.

Like in Durban, there was a sizzling atmosphere inside the Newlands Stadium with even the players warming up signalling an increase in the volume.

The game was lively from the off on a cool evening after a day of torrential rain and it took just 12 minutes for Bent to add to his pre-season account. Tom Huddlestone pulled the strings with a flighted throughball that found the striker in the clear and our close season recruit calmly lofted the ball over Francis Chansa in the Pirates' goal and it was quickly nestling in the back of the net.

Pirates responded by forcing Radek Cerny into his first save of the game when Josephy Kamwendo tried his luck from distance before a Routledge cross just evaded the lunge of Defoe at the far post.

On 25 minutes though it looked like an equaliser was about to arrive when Lebohang Mokoena sprinted clear with just Cerny to beat. The goalkeeper saved, but the ball ran loose and the striker was offered a second bite, this time blasting high and wide.

Just after the half hour mark, Kaboul, who was impressing with defensive solidity, showed that he has a mean shot on him too. A Huddlestone free-kick was rolled in his direction and the central defender blasted in a shot that rattled the outside of the right hand upright with Chansa beaten all ends up.

Taarabt then took aim from a little further out and forced the chest of Chansa into a vital block before Bent turned provider for Huddlestone, who could not find the target from around ten yards.

Mokoena blasted a cross into the path of Joseph Makhanya in the opening moments of the second half, causing a degree of confusion with no ultimate danger.

Captain for the night Jenas - very much the conductor in midfield - teed up Huddlestone for a shot that Chansa did well to field and then the pass-master Huddlestone picked out a sublime defence dissecting throughball to set Bent on the run again. He beat the keeper once more, but on this occasion Destin Makita dropped deep to clear off the line.

There was a sweet passage of passing and movement on 69 minutes when Taarabt and Jenas combined to pick out Routledge inside the area and the winger applied an instant touch into the path of the advanced Taarabt, who blasted goalwards, but didn't quite find the target.

It marked the end of Taarabt's night as he was replaced by Jamie O'Hara, with Jenas making way for Steed Malbranque. A further goal was probably deserved but was proving to be elusive as the clock ticked towards full-time.

Cerny produced a fine save to preserve our advantage ten minutes from time, palming out a free-kick from Ralph Matema. Bennet Chenane headed back across goal presenting Rudzani Ramudzuli with an opportunity in front of goal that was blazed over.

Cerny saved again in spectacular fashion before Malbranque strode forward and crossed low for Routledge to drill home and double the advantage.

There followed big drama at the other end when Chimbonda fouled inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Matema's spot-kick was saved by Cerny but a re-take was ordered and this time Josephy Kamwendo stepped up and Cerny saved again.

Another re-take was ordered and Kamwendo did manage to find the net with ten minutes remaining, but victory was banked and it is now on to the final in Johannesburg.

Pirates: Francis Chansa, 14 Lucky Lekgwathi, 28 Destin Makita, 17 Lehlohonolo Seema, 19 Innocent Mdledle, Mlingisi Gumbi, 7 Josephy Kamwendo, 24 Joseph Makhanya (20 Ramudzuli, 62), 11 Bennet Chenene, 23 Lebohang Mokoena (Teferra, 69), 36 Ralph Matema (Walaza, 80). Subs: Senzo Meyiwa, Tonic Chabalala, Linda Mkhwanazi, Luntu Mazana, Bheki Mlambo, Jorry Merahe, Tlou Segolela, Tebogo Mashaba, Manuel Bucuane.

Spurs: Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Kaboul, Gardner, Routledge, Jenas (O'Hara, 69), Huddlestone, Taarabt (Malbranque, 69), Bent, Defoe. Subs: Robinson, Dawson, Rocha, Daniels, Maghoma, Zokora, Keane.

Nice one Ian, did you watch it and, if so, how did we play?

By the sound of it, Huddlestone was pulling the strings in midfield. I think this boy is class although he has to build on his aggression and pace

I'm not convinced by Huddlestone. He is young enough to improve but must do so quick.

Courtesy of alex-young on Glory Glory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVhQ76shifc

I can see why the first penalty was called back but the second save looked like a clean one without any prior movement. And the guy was faking as he stepped forward to take each one anyway, does that not qualify as ungentlemanly conduct?

Great ball by Thudd to Bent for the first goal, beautifully controlled and lifted over the keeper a la Number 10

Lovely goal from Bent, clever run and great composure. And what a hit from Kaboul on the free-kick, I think he nearly broke the goal! I've read elsewhere that he was a little suspect with his positioning last night, but I suppose that will come with experience.

I love Huddlestone as a footballer, he has great skill and has a wide range of passes. However, I agree that he has to grow up as a player and become more mobile and put more tackles in. A couple of games last season (Arsenal at home in the League Cup Semi and Man Utd at home in the league spring to mind) he looked like a massive totem pole in the middle of the pitch which the opposition were dancing around!

Rumours on other sites that we might be signing Petrov from Athletico madrid for GBP6m at the weekend.

Cerny made 2 penalty saves ... + a couple of other crucial ones.

Quality keeper really, we're lucky to have him...

Thinking of Ian Walker just makes me

Ian "you'll be larfing on the other side of your face in a minute" Wanker - who's that?

Cerny has certainly shown that he is a capable back-up, yet understands that that is his sole role (I did think he looked shaky vs Chelsea last season though) - problem with that it seems to make Robbo a little complacent about his position as his starting position is not going to be threatening by Cerny.

Tottingham wrote:

Ian "you'll be larfing on the other side of your face in a minute" Wanker - who's that?

Cerny has certainly shown that he is a capable back-up, yet understands that that is his sole role (I did think he looked shaky vs Chelsea last season though) - problem with that it seems to make Robbo a little complacent about his position as his starting position is not going to be threatening by Cerny.

I'd love to see Cerny start more games for us next season.

Robbo's performances have sadly, but surely slipped in my estimation, despite a couple of memorable great saves against Citeh at the end of the season.

How often was he caught "flapping" at swinging crosses with dangerous consequences ?

The confidence he gave the supporters and (I guess) his team mates has sadly waned. Even my Mum & Dad were highlighting this to me at the very begining of last season.

Complacency, why not ? He is human after all.

I think the problem with resting Robbo alo lies with his role as EN1. If he gets dropped by Spurs, will McClaren double guess also ? If that happend, Robbo will go ape shit and we find ourselves looking for a new N1. It's a fine line to be managed.

Seems like Ben Alnwick is not going to make it at Spurs then.

Hairy wrote:

Tottingham wrote:

Ian "you'll be larfing on the other side of your face in a minute" Wanker - who's that?

Cerny has certainly shown that he is a capable back-up, yet understands that that is his sole role (I did think he looked shaky vs Chelsea last season though) - problem with that it seems to make Robbo a little complacent about his position as his starting position is not going to be threatening by Cerny.

I'd love to see Cerny start more games for us next season.

Robbo's performances have sadly, but surely slipped in my estimation, despite a couple of memorable great saves against Citeh at the end of the season.

How often was he caught "flapping" at swinging crosses with dangerous consequences ?

The confidence he gave the supporters and (I guess) his team mates has sadly waned. Even my Mum & Dad were highlighting this to me at the very begining of last season.

Complacency, why not ? He is human after all.

I think the problem with resting Robbo alo lies with his role as EN1. If he gets dropped by Spurs, will McClaren double guess also ? If that happend, Robbo will go ape shit and we find ourselves looking for a new N1. It's a fine line to be managed.

Very true - however, he did show some of his 05'06 form in the last 8 games. I'm prepared to give him the benefit of doubt for the start of the 07'08 campaign.

James wrote:

Seems like Ben Alnwick is not going to make it at Spurs then.

Not unless he get's sentenced for rape 1st ..

If anyone, Robbo would be the one blocking Alnwick for future Spurs No.1.. not Cerny, who is already over 30. Think Alnwcik knows that too, hence why he would have decided to sign for us.

spur'don wrote:

Hairy wrote:

Tottingham wrote:

Ian "you'll be larfing on the other side of your face in a minute" Wanker - who's that?

Cerny has certainly shown that he is a capable back-up, yet understands that that is his sole role (I did think he looked shaky vs Chelsea last season though) - problem with that it seems to make Robbo a little complacent about his position as his starting position is not going to be threatening by Cerny.

I'd love to see Cerny start more games for us next season.

Robbo's performances have sadly, but surely slipped in my estimation, despite a couple of memorable great saves against Citeh at the end of the season.

How often was he caught "flapping" at swinging crosses with dangerous consequences ?

The confidence he gave the supporters and (I guess) his team mates has sadly waned. Even my Mum & Dad were highlighting this to me at the very begining of last season.

Complacency, why not ? He is human after all.

I think the problem with resting Robbo alo lies with his role as EN1. If he gets dropped by Spurs, will McClaren double guess also ? If that happend, Robbo will go ape shit and we find ourselves looking for a new N1. It's a fine line to be managed.

Very true - however, he did show some of his 05'06 form in the last 8 games. I'm prepared to give him the benefit of doubt for the start of the 07'08 campaign.

Without doubt Robbo should start... and I sincerely iwsh him all the best and even give him the benefit of the doubt more often than not.

But I think that with a bit of a kick up the arse, Robbo would be back to his fantastic best therefater....

Well done Tom

Some good positive comments put in here concerning the SA tour.
http://www.sportingo.com/football/berbatov_keane_look_hot_so/1001,4140

Two warm-up games, two wins, and Martin Jol is happy with his team building so far. Arsenal and Liverpool take note.
If Spurs were looking for some indication of the kind of season that might be ahead of them, they will have been mighty pleased with their pre-season safari to South Africa.


Will the £16m invested in Darren Bent prove sound? An emphatic yes. Have Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane maintained their goal-scoring prowess from last season? Another emphatic yes. And is the French connection - aka Adel Taarabt, Younes Kaboul and Pascal Chimbonda - going to work effectively? A third emphatic yes.

As warm-up games and preparatory work go, this must have pleased manager Martin Jol. Spurs fans will see the 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in Cape Town as the signal to snap up a bit of that 66/1 available for the Premiership title. Hugely optimistic, that one, but there might have been a few hints in regard to the big question: Can they squeeze their way into the top four? It's early days, but the signs are there.

The Pirates tested them by coming out with all guns blazing. Pity they forgot the bullets! If they were looking to repeat their winning 2-1 scoreline from four years ago they were to be disappointed. Jol selected what might well turn out to be his best eleven, as he had done against the Kaiser Chiefs on Saturday in Durban.

It took Bent only 11 minutes to open the scoring, running on to a high ball from Kaboul to lob the goalkeeper quite neatly. But the real star for Spurs was Taarabt, who had the Pirate defenders chasing shadows all night with his dazzling skills and ball control. Unquestioned candidate for the Man of the Match award.

Giant £7m defender Kaboul was rock-like when the Pirates tried to counter and he showed enough to prove that he will be a much-needed asset at the back. And he's not afraid to venture forward, as the crowd were quick to appreciate when he thumped a 30-yard free-kick that rattled the crossbar.

Thanks to some eye-catching approach work by Joseph Makanya and Lebohang Mokoena, Orlando kept the home crowd buzzing with hope and they couild have equalised when Makanya found himself one on one with the Spurs keeper, but the chance was lost through lack of composure. At the other end Tom Huddlestone wasted a chance for Spurs, side-footing wide after Bent had created the opening.

The home side gave the Spurs back four a thorough going over before a swift counter attack produced a second goal for the visitors. Bent and Jermain Defoe combined for Steed Malbranque to cross and Wayne Routledge to score, but it has to be said it was one of the few contributions that Defoe made to the game. With Bent. Berbatov and Keane as the main spearhead, I fear Defoe is destined to spend most of the season warming the bench.

Pirates did manage to pull one back near the end through a thrice-taken penalty after Chimbonda had pulled down Excellent Walaza. Cerny saved the first spot kick from Walaza down to his left and the re-taken one by the same player down to his right, before Kamwendo slotted home, but Spurs held on.


This was a good follow up to the first game in the Vodacom Challenge which resulted in a 2-1 victory over Kaiser Chiefs, notable for an incident in which Bent's former mate at Charlton, Shaun Bartlett, collided with Kaboul as he tried to head clear a low ball and put him out of the game with a few lost teeth.

The pleasing thing from Spurs' point of view was that Berbatov and Keane found the back of the net, reinforcing the view that they will be Jol's No 1 pairing in the Premiership. Now the two South African team will meet in a play-off to meet Spurs in the final on Saturday.
Perhaps we have seen enough in two game to suggest that Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez will not dismiss Tottenham's chances of reaching the top four too hastily.