Spurs 3 - Wigan 1…

By: Drew | January 2nd, 2009

Tonight saw Tottenham go head to head with Steve Bruce’s side in a 3rd round FA cup tie. White Hart Lane seemed to be buzzing as it was a start to a new year and hopefully a fresh start for our team. Thankfully enough, it was. As a 2 goal lead saw Harry Redknapp’s men make it through…

Our starting 11:
Gomes
Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Bale
Bently, Zokora, Modric, O’hara
Pavlyuchenko, Bent

Redknapp decided to diversify a little bit tonight as we saw a 4-4-2 set up as opposed to the 4-5-1 that we usually play. We also saw O’hara and Bale both starting against Wigan, which was nice because I think they have a lot to offer Spurs in the future, and they deserve the playing time. Ben Alnwick was listed as possible substitution tonight which was also out of the ordinary, as Cesar Sanchez is usually listed as back up GK. This is also a good sign as I hope to see Harry try to nurture the young GK instead of going out and spending big on one during this months transfer window.

The game started of quickly as the first chance at WHL fell to the visitors only 4 minutes into the game. Valencia swung a cross into the Spurs box that was met by Henri Camara but was headed a few inches too wide.

Just 2 minutes Later Modric was played in by Bent, he then fed to Pavlyuchenko and who sent it back to him just in time for an opening but was denied from about 20 yards. After about 10 minutes back and forth Pavlyuchenko was brought down about 25 yards out to set up a free kick. Bale then stepped up to angle it over the defensive wall but was only able to get the ball a few yards wide.

Then in the 26th minute Darren Bent went down with what only looked to be th right side of his groin that was irritating him. Just fantastic, the last thing we need is for him to be out for our next stretch of games. As it seemed he would not be able to continue so Harry brought Campbell in as a substitution.

Less than a minute later the sub would make a little trouble for the visitors, as Campbell was able to sneak under the radar and into Wigan’s box. Pavlyuchenko fed the ball wonderfully to Bently who whipped it into the box targeting a header from Campbell but was denied by Bramble.

The First half came to an end after a wonderful save by Gomes from a Wigan free kick, and close chances by both Luka Modric and David Bently. Sadly Both chances were denied and the half ended scoreless.

The second half saw 2 yellow cards for the visiting team within the first 5 minutes. One by Wilson Palacios, but the more costly of the two came from Goalkeeper Richard Kingson who brought down Fraizer Campbell in the box, leaving the Referee no choice but to award the penalty. Roman Pavlyuchenko stepped up and slotted it home comfortably in the lower left corner. making it 1-0 to Spurs.

Kingson would make up for it a few minutes later as Campbell met with a cross from Pavlyuchenko to shoot a lightening fast header in, but was denied as the GK made a good save…jerk. The save was followed by two shots by Paul Scharner , the first being blocked by Dawson, then the next being booted over the goal. Needless to say, it wasn’t pretty.

Pavlyuchenko would beat the offside trap in the 65th minute with a cheeky little chip attempt but the ball sadly went over the crossbar. Good stuff anyways from the Russian international as he seemed to be the shining star throughout the match. He would add even another chance in the 74th minute when he poked the ball past Kingson but sent the ball rolling just wide.

Finally the second Spurs goal came when Jamie O’hara whipped in a cannon-like shot that rebounded off the inside of the right post. Only to find Luka Modric already on the ground, dove to meet the ball and send it into the back of the net. 2-0 to Spurs.

Wigan wouldn’t go down too easily and would continue to pressure Tottenham. Forcing two saves from Gomes denying both Camara and Kapo. Finally in the 88th minute Valencia chipped a cross in and the ball fell to Camara who sent the ball into the net from 6 yards out. 2-1 with 3 minutes of stoppage time left

Finally deep into stoppage time super striker Roman Pavlyuchenko recieved a through ball from Zokora only to hit a screamer from 20 yards out. Apparently wanting to prove to Harry that he wasn’t willing to give up his role as striker now that January has come. 3-1 to Spurs at full time. You can find the highlights from the game here.

Lets all just hope that we can carry this momentum and pull a double victory over Wigan on the 11th when we travel to the JJB for our league clash with them. We were able to pull the double over on Liverpool, so Wigan should not be too much trouble. This was a great start to the new year for us, and exactly the boost of confidence that we needed. Hopefully January will be filled with good fortunes for us, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Until then COYS!!!!!