Bad Week For Tottenham Champions League Hopes

January 22, 2010

Over the weekend Spurs took on Hull but were denied by Tigers keeper Myhill, who had one incredible night. Spurs created numerous shots on goal, but just couldn’t slip one past the keeper. Harry summed it up by saying, “We couldn’t have done more. The keeper’s had an unbelievable day, he may never play like that again in his life. He made some miraculous saves.”…

“I go home disappointed but I couldn’t have asked for more,” he re-stated. “It’s not as if we didn’t create chances or there was lack of effort. We gave it everything and you sit there waiting for the first goal and it’s game over, we walk off with three points.”

“We just couldn’t get that goal – the keeper looked unbeatable,” he finished.

It was then off to Anfield to play the previously postponed match with Liverpool. Liverpool were without some key players such as Torres, Benayoun, Gerrard, and Johnson. For Spurs, King returned to the back line, and Jenas in mid for the injured Huddlestone. A very early goal through Kuyt gave Liverpool the lead and gave them a boost from their dreary state. At the start of the second half Spurs had a good spell and some decent opportunities.

After being plagued with “offsides” calls the entire match, Defoe saw an opportunity and halted his run to come back from the offside position and after a Liverpool defender and their keeper had gotten a touch on the ball, Defoe struck and scored. Referee Howard Webb, however, still found it to be offsides and ruled out what many felt should have been a Spurs equalizer. Jenas got off a wonderful shot soon after but Reina just got a hand to it.

In the closing stages of the game, Liverpool substitute N’gog took a fall over Spurs substitute Bassong and, ironically, Webb awarded Liverpool a penalty kick. After a short re-take, Kuyt converted from the spot and sealed the game for the Reds.

It was a missed opportunity, but hopes for a fourth place finish remain high a Tottenham. Harry Redknapp expressed it by saying, “We have to pick ourselves up now because we have a lot of big games coming up and we’re still in the race. The top four is very open. It’s all to play for. We’ve been on a good run and just because we lost one doesn’t mean we’re out of it.”

“We’ve made massive strides,” he continued. “This time last year we were fourth from bottom and only out of the bottom three on goal difference. We’ve come a long way since then.”

As for the “almost goal”, in agreement with everyone else he said, “I’m not sure why it was disallowed.”

Nevertheless, Spurs still hold 4th on the table and are even with City on points, however, Spurs are up by 6 on goal difference. Next up on the agenda is Leeds in the FA Cup fourth round this Saturday. Then they host Fulham at the Lane on Tuesday.

Jill Guthrie

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