Manchester United vs Tottenham Preview

A clash of the titans would be an understatement when it comes to this fixture.  Although the hosts have registered more wins against their opponents in recent times, it could be argued that United have never faced a more stronger Spurs side and more so at a time when Alex Ferguson’s men are suffering from their worst run of form since before I care to remember. In light of scandals and injuries both of which have robbed them of their precious Rooney who, if you pay attention to most quarters, may not be missed. Chicharito, the little Mexican, is fast becoming a fan favourite among the Old Trafford faithful and with two goals at Stoke last weekend, in him, they possess an inform striker. Rooney however, has always been on hand to punish the defensive shortcomings of Tottenham in recent years and he would have relished the opportunity to exploit Harry Redknapp’s 18^th different centre back pairing since the season started which has resulted in only two cleansheets so far. Tottenham export, Dimitar Berbatov is looking more and more mortal, a mere shadow of the class he once possessed and this will indeed please those who were sorry to see him leave.

In Van der Vaart, Spurs have finally found a Berbatov replacement, a player who has the ability to pick the option marked ‘Genius’ when lesser players would cave under the pressure. With Defoe and the entire defense still huddled up in the treatment room, Redknapp will be forced to play the same formation that he used in the Everton game employing a 4-5-1 approach. Gallas and Kaboul may again be called upon at the back with Hutton and Ekotto in support. Tom Huddlestone who missed out at Everton, should start in midfield supporting Modric and Van der Vaart, a combination which is sure to provide a brilliant passing game. Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon are hitting the form of their lives and no doubt United fullbacks will be caving in their boots at the possibility. The lone structure of the gangly one, Peter Crouch should be seen at the front scaring the bejesus out of Vidic and Ferdinand.

All in all, United have been reenergized by the news that Wayne Rooney has committed himself to the club, at least for the time being and with home advantage and on the back of a good win at Stoke, they will be hard to break down. On the other hand, Tottenham will be looking to take all three points from possibly the weakest United side they have faced so far and end a history of dismal performances against the side from Manchester.

Spurs 1 Everton 1

With four of our starting defensive options still huddled up in the treatment room, Harry Redknapp opted to make his 18th different central defensive pairing this season. The results of this gamble have been evident in the fact that Tottenham have only kept two cleansheets in all games played so far this season. Kaboul who just recovered from an injury was given the nod ahead of Bassong to pair William Gallas in defence following our recent midweek 'great' loss at Milan in the Champions league. Huddlestone was also missing from the llineup, perhaps recovering from fatigue after an almost forgettable trip to Italy and this meant that Palacios would make his first start for Spurs in the league this season. Harry opted for a 4-5-1 play with Modric and Vaart playing just behind the gangly one Crouch. Bale and Lennon would provide our width with Ekotto and Hutton in support.

At the outset, Redknapp's tactics were clear, to concede as little as possible without being too overzealous in our attack thus allowing the possibility of a narrow win against an ever resurgent Everton, confident on the back of a derby victory against Liverpool. With no European committments, Everton looked the fitter side strengthened by the return of Piennar and Saha to the squad. The burly frame of Yakubu was given the nod in attack with Cahill in support no doubt with the clear aim of exploiting our defensive shortcomings. 

White Hart Lane is always happy hunting ground for the hosts but the first few minutes of this exchange were dominated by the visitors but with Palacios' prescence, there was no clear threat on Heurelho Gomes' domain. 

However, when it came time for Tottenham to attack, the visitors were clearly under constant threat from Lennon or Vaart at any point they had the ball at their feet. some vibrant attacking football at White Hart Lane.

The visitors took a 17th-minute lead against the run of play thanks to Leighton Baines's brilliant free-kick.

But Spurs levelled three minutes later as Everton keeper Tim Howard flapped at a cross which Peter Crouch bundled back for Rafael Van der Vaart to crash home.

The hosts went for a winner but were unable to break Everton down in a second half which ended in frustration.

Ultimately, Spurs continued to enhance the reputation they are fast building as one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League as their posse of creative midfielders lit up a riveting first half.

Van Der Vaart Magic

Having bossed games in recent weeks, a relatively mundane showing from Van der Vaart is often sprinkled with magnificence. And so it was that VDV’s quiet day at Fulham still brought about the game’s best piece of skill and a game-changing moment. One-on-one with the ‘keeper from 12 yards out, most mere mortals would have closed their eyes and thumped the thing towards the corner. VDV, naturally, instead took the option marked “Genius” with a chip so impertinent it ought not to have been legal. Pav was a touch shameless in celebrating the goal that was all of VDV’s making, but credit to the Russian for being on his toes while the Fulham defenders were standing around picking their noses.

Van der Vaart actually reminds me of Dimitar Berbatov. Not for his sulky, dastardly personality you realise, nor physical appearance nor playing position; but in terms of being an addition to the ranks who is so clearly head and shoulders above his peers. Not since the days of Berba have we had a player whose technique is simply a class above, a player who does the outrageously difficult and makes it seem like second-nature. The sort of things you or I occasionally tried (and failed) when no-one was watching. VDV, like Berba before him, instinctively does those things in the middle of a high-octance, competitive game, and makes them look easy. As with the goal against Twente, there was plenty of room for error. 

The goal against Aston Villa was beautiful, awkward height, awkward angle, onrushing defender; but not a problem for a blinking football genius.

Inter 4 Spurs 3

Now, given the stage of the Champions League, it is a rather cheery thought that all across Europe a whole new audience rub their eyes in disbelief at the madness that is Tottenham Hotspur. I must admit that the thought of an in-form Inter meeting a mediocre Hotspur is very scary. However, after the first few minutes, I was convinced that we would be going down hammer and tongs and end up at the wrong side of a nine goal thriller. The worst start of any Spurs match I have ever seen. In just under two minutes, the scoreline had already changed against us and not too long after, the unthinkable, Gomes gets sent off for an innocuous foul on Jonathan Biabiany. Eto'o converts the penalty and its 2-0. Now, at this point, if I had been any less of a fan, I would have called it a night and waited for the worst in the morning, but it takes a lot of heart to be a Spurtan, so I persevered. Before long, 14 minutes to be precise, I was on the verge of tears as Stankovic slotted a third past Cudicini. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong as we sank 4-0 by half-time.

Our brilliant Welshman's second half hat-trick gave the final scoreline of this group match more than a touch of respectability after we had looked dead and buried in 15 minutes. Bale took over the San Siro in the last few minutes beating Zanetti and firing past Maicon and Julio Cesar for what looked like our consolation. With just five minutes left, Bale scored another in the same fashion to make the score 4-2. Finally, in the dying minutes, Lennon teed up Bale who completed his hat trick but time was over as we went down heroically to a 4-3 scoreline.

Fulham 1 Tottenham 2

Tottenham produced a marvelous comeback at Craven Cottage to end Fulham's unbeaten streak and seal a third successive win in all competitions. The homeside drew first blood when Clint Dempsey moved neatly past a couple of our defenders to then slide it into the path of an oncoming Kamara for an easy finish. However, the equaliser came straight from kick off. Huddlestone sent the ball to Bale who crossed to Van der Vaart who then produced two neat left footed touches, turning Aaron Hughes followed up by a shot past and over the keeper which found the post, the rebound fell for Pav who tapped in the equaliser.

Second half was hard fought but the winning goal came from a corner that found Huddlestone who drilled the winner from the middle of the park, past Schwarzer albeit controversially as Gallas who was running offside tried to get a foot in thus putting off the keeper.

The win sees Spurs retain fifth spot but drawing level on points with Arsenal and United.

Our next fixtures see us travel to Italy to face Champions league holders Inter and then a visit from Everton followed by a visit to troubled United.

Spurs 2 Villa 1

I love it when Spurs wins and even more so against Aston Villa. Gone are the days when the boys from Birmingham would have ran amok at The Lane and left with all three points in the bag. Now, on the back of a fantastic Champions league midweek win, Spurs were looking to get back on form after a dismal League camapign thus far. A win would go a long way in cementing our place among the big boys a void left by the ever dissapointing Liverpool who lie 18th a relegation in the offing and with City registering some massive wins, the field was set. Prior to the match, Aston Villa were in 5th position with the Spurtans placed 8th after a dissapointing loss to West Ham. Villa boss Gerard Houllier remained unbeaten since taking charge of the side and last season has seen all points shared in both legs. 

The first half saw a defensive error by Bassong punished when Allbright stole the ball on the wing to cross it for Heskey to bundle it in for the opening goal. The score remained 1-0 by halftime and in the second half a Peter Crouch headed pass was headed in by an inspired Van der Vaart to draw level. In the 75th minute another Crouch Van der Vaart combination saw the latter produce a fantastic finish to seal the win and claim his fifth goal for Tottenham in just five matches having scored two in our Champions league midweek fixture.