Tottenham Hotspur

[100%cypriot]

All my players are bloody injured

[100%cypriot]

MATCH REPORT: UNITED 1, SPURS 0

A key moment went against us again at Old Trafford as Nani's wonder strike won maximum points for Manchester United.


With 65 minutes on the clock, Dimitar Berbatov went through on goal, Van der Sar saved his initial effort but the ball landed at the striker's feet and his second attempt appeared to be blocked by Wes Brown's left arm, although replays proved inconclusive.

Ironically enough, it was at the same end of the ground that Pedro Mendes was denied a winning goal back in the 2004-05 season.

Moments earlier, Rio Ferdinand cleared off the line from Berbatov but it all counted for nothing when Nani pulled the trigger with 69 minutes on the clock and the ball arrowed into the top corner, clipping Carlos Tevez on the way.

Martin Jol was able to draft Berbatov back into attack alongside Robbie Keane in the absence of Darren Bent, who is struggling with a thigh problem. There was also a Premier League debut for Gareth Bale on the left flank, with Steed Malbranque switching to his more natural right sided territory.

Malbranque made an early impact last week against Derby and there was almost a quicker one this time as the Frenchman, via Berbatov, teed up Keane for a shot on goal, with the skipper curling a measured effort high beyond the reach of Edwin van der Sar that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Neither team really established a foothold in the game after the early possibility, with the contest becoming very chess-like in a vast arena with very little in the way of noise or atmosphere. A Nani cross that Ryan Giggs couldn't really latch on to provided a minor scare, but the chance at the other end from a Jermaine Jenas corner caused more than a spot of home concern due to Pascal Chimbonda making a decent connection and Anthony Gardner narrowly failing to slide in and convert at the far post.

On 15 minutes there was another opening from a Tom Huddlestone free-kick. Another Chimbonda header caused confusion that Keane was quick to pick up on and he laid the ball off for Ricardo Rocha in front of goal around 15 yards out, but the central defender blazed over.

United were rocking a little and Berbatov probably should have scored when he found himself through in the area following a spot of ball watching from Rio Ferdinand, but then United came to life and Paul Robinson had to be at his best to deny Ferdinand with a superb reaction save.

Paul Scholes was next in making an attempt to alter the scoreboard after being picked out by Carlos Tevez, with the former England man's clipped shot fizzing just over the bar. Nani later twisted and turned in the area before drilling a shot wide of Robinson's left-hand upright.

The tempo at the beginning of the second half was fairly sedate and the encounter remained cagey, with neither goalkeeper probably fearing the prospect of getting dirty. Huddlestone shot over in what was the first goal attempt of the half around five minutes in before Bale was crudely hacked down by Wes Brown in full flight on the counter attack.

Rocha should have scored when he planted his head on a precision free-kick from Bale on 55 minutes. He nodded wide, but the passage of play prompted United into change and Chris Eagles quickly replaced Michael Carrick afterwards.

The team in white and blue were definitely holding sway and you could almost feel the unease emanating from the home support.

It was nearly for very good reason on 63 minutes. Ferdinand gave the ball away to Bale and the young Welshman strode forward and prodded into the path of Berbatov, who appeared to be felled by Nemanja Vidic. Nothing doing according to referee Mr Webb, but the fallen Berbatov was also alert enough to stick out a leg and help the ball on towards goal, but Ferdinand scrambled clear off the line.

Berbatov was then on the charge again and was denied a clear penalty when Wes Brown used an arm to block his follow up after Van der Sar saved his initial effort. No was again the answer from the officials and frustrations mounted.

It almost seemed inevitable when Nani took aim and, from a deflection off Tevez, shot his team into the lead. An inevitable injustice perhaps.

Martin opted for double change with the introduction of both Jermain Defoe and Adel Taarabt for Lee Young-Pyo and Keane as the team set about attempting to right a couple of wrongs.

Berbatov came close to completing one with a quite brilliant attempt to find the top corner after spinning on the edge of the area but, again, it was a case of so near yet so far.

[100%cypriot]

Fucking cheats , we were all over them in the second half and won 2 clear cut penalty's but the ref refused to give them !

Very Proud to be a Tottenham Fan , We kept 70,000 Man Utd Fans quiet , their ground is as quiet as highbury the Library !!!

Best supporters in the country

[100%cypriot]

Left at 6 am got home past midnight but was worth the journey to follow the Yid army and silence the Man Utd Fans

[petethegreek]

Cheats?

Nobody cheated you. As for the penalties, to me one definitely was the other on Wes Brown still not clear but that could have been as well.

Best supporters?

Wont agree on that one.

You should have won the game.

The performance was encouraging. Board should leave Martin Jol alone as he is doing a good job.

Can see you finishing high up in the table again this season.

[100%cypriot]

Pete you only see what the cameras want you to see , i was there and it was a very different game watching it live , the ground is magnificent but the supporters are not worthy of such a stadium , more quiet than highbury , 3500 spurs supporters rocked the stadium for nearly 2 hours , we only heard them when they scored and that was for 2 mins , call that support ?

as for the game , well as we chanted " 1 - 0 to the referee , 1 - 0 to the referee "

We NEVER EVER get decisions at old trafford.

P.S how is the reffing going ?

[petethegreek]

I'm kinda agreeing with you.

At least one incident looked like a penalty and possibly two.

Hardly anyone gets penalties at Old Trafford.

As for the noise, there was 70,000 Londoners in the ground. (think about it)

Reffing going ok.

[100%cypriot]

70,000 londoners who support man utd , but 3500 spurs supporters kept them silent .

good to hear the reffing going well.

when you get to ref prem games see if you can be unbiased when spurs play man utd at old trafford

[petethegreek]

[100%cypriot]

BRAVO re , good luck , cant wait to see you in the Premiership

[stavrizatz]

Totenam is playing Anorthosis Ammochostou (famagusta) in the third qualifying round of UEFA cup.

I hope the refugee club wins the roosters just like won Transospor 3 years ago.

[100%cypriot]

FULHAM 3, SPURS 3


TEAM NEWS...

Younes Kaboul returned from a hamstring injury and came straight in for Anthony Gardner (groin) while Michael Dawson was on the bench after his ankle problem. Kaboul for Gardner the only change from Old Trafford.

THE KEY ACTION..FULHAM 3, SPURS 3...

Full-time: Fulham 3, Spurs 3

89.52: GOAL - FULHAM. Long throw from Baird flicked on by Dempsey, Kamara overhead kick looped into top corner.
Fulham 3, Spurs 3

88.32: Robinson good leap to punch away Fulham corner.

87.27: CHANCE - SPURS. Short corner, Chimbonda broke into box, laid back for Defoe who hammered high and wide.

84.07: SUB - SPURS. Dawson for Malbranque.

82.48: YELLOW CARD. Bocanegra for foul on Berbatov.

81.26: Defoe charged down Niemi's attempted clearance, luckily for keeper, no-one around to capitalise.

81.03: Robinson safely gathered inswinging Davies free-kick.

78.52: SUB - FULHAM. John for Smertin.

76.55: GOAL - FULHAM. Unlucky. Smertin tried his luck from 20 yards, big deflection off Rocha looped over Robinson, who had no chance.
Fulham 2, Spurs 3

74.46: Dempsey received ball down the left, turned inside onto his right foot, blasted just over.

72.31: Davis looked to play one-two with Healy, bursting into box, Lee read it and made tackle.

69.30: SUB - FULHAM. Healy for Bouazza.

68.01: SUB - SPURS. Defoe for Keane.

66.25: OFF LINE - BAIRD. Ball over the top had Niemi and Bocanegra go for the same ball, fell to Berbatov, 30 yards out, hit back towards empty net but somehow Baird got back to clear.

64.34: Davies cut onto his left foot, shot well wide from edge of box.

62.44: CHANCE - SPURS. Malbranque played in Jenas, ran past two defenders who daren't bring him down, tight-ish angle but opted to square for Keane, Bocanegra back to intercept and clear.

60.30: GOAL - SPURS. Kaboul won towering header at back, Huddlestone helped it on to Keane who sent Bale away down the left, miles clear of defence, ran 20 yards into box and cool finish, side-foot into corner.
Fulham 1, Spurs 3

58.12: Attendance just in - 24,007.

55.35: Kaboul up from defence, beat Konchesky down the right, Niemi did well to gather it diving out.

55.01: WOODWORK - SPURS. Bale left Baird standing down the left, whipped in cross that Keane fed back to Malbranque, great chance, 14 yards out, struck left post.

53.24: SAVE - NIEMI. Berbatov down the right, won corner off Jenas. Corner half-cleared, Keane rolled back for Jenas to strike well from 20 yards, Niemi fingertipped over diving to his left.

50.57: Smertin went for another spectacular effort, volley deflected over for corner. Corner cleared.

49.33: Huddlestone bal over the top looking for Jenas, just too far in front of him and Niemi collected.

46.45: SAVE - NIEMI. Berbatov let fly a volley from 25 yards, tipped over by Niemi, although not all that convincing. Corner cleared.

46.01: Smertin lashed shot high and wide.

2ND HALF KICKS-OFF...

Teams out for second half...

Half-time: Fulham 1, Spurs 2

44.20: Robinson out to save at feet of Kamara.

42.40: SAVE - NIEMI. Berbatov beat offside flag, quick exchange of passes set up Bale for shot from edge of box, Niemi got down well to save.

41.05: GOAL - FULHAM. Davies corner met by Dempsey, powerful header home from 10 yards.
Fulham 1, Spurs 2

38.03: Kaboul, still up from corner, left Bocanegra for dead, defender got back to clear.

37.20: Rocha great flick from Jenas corner, no-one there on second ball, cleared for another corner.

36.34: Quick break from Fulham attack, Malbranque in space down the right, cross to far post aiming for Berbatov until Baird flicked away.

35.45: Chimbonda lovely pass inside to Huddlestone, tried to slip in Keane but overhit pass.

34.34: Malbranque shot looked good until clipping Bocanegra and out for corner. Corner cleared.

31.55: CHANCE - SPURS. Jenas played in Keane who twisted and turned in the box, looked to have shooting chance at one point but crowded out by Konchesky and Bocanegra.

30.45: CHANCE - SPURS. Jenas robbed Bocanegra, through on goal, pressure from Stefanovic, opted to cut inside - could have squared to Keane, did neither, ball cleared.

29.25: Bouazza cross controlled by Dempsey, weak shot straight at Robinson.

27.55: GOAL - SPURS. Started with throw-in down the right, two Fulham players went for it and headed into air, Keane onto loose ball and instant lofted volley pass over the top for Berbatov, outpaced Stefanovic and lashed volley past Niemi.
Fulham 0, Spurs 2

25.28: Berbatov won flick from Baird, got ball back from Keane, looked to feed in Bale who unfortunately stopped his run.

25.09: Hold up play from Kamara, Davies struck well wide from edge of box.

23.10: Bale put pressure on Baird chasing ball over top from Kaboul, Niemi hesitated, Baird gave away corner. Kenae met Jenas' corner at near post, flicked over.

22.46: Bouazza let fly from 25 yards, high and wide.

22.18: Bouazza pace to run at Chimbonda down the left, won corner, Berbatov headed away at near post.

18.18: MISS - FULHAM. Kamara piledriver blocked by Kaboul, ball went out to Bouazza who drilled in low cross that Robinson spilled diving low to catch, Davis first to loose ball amongst Robinson and Kaboul but shot over from six yards.

15.25: Lee sent Berbatov clear down the left, cut ball back for Huddlestone to hit full volley into crowd, difficult chance though.

13.55: Kaboul clipped free-kick into path of Berbatv, Fulham forced to rush clearance, move petered out.

12.30: Robinson out to confidently collect cross from Davies.

10.08: GOAL - SPURS. Niemi could only punch Bale's pacy inswinging corner into Kaboul, who tapped into empty net from three yards.
Fulham 0, Spurs 1

9.40: Niemi made hash of Keane's inswinging corner, no-one there to apply finish, cleared for another corner.

9.09: Keanr turned Stefanovic centrally, played wide to Bale, could have shot but weighed up options, eventually effort blocked by Stefanovic for corner.

7.45: Konchesky won a throw off Malbranque, who is getting plenty of stick at his old club, as expected.

5.59: Berbatov quick feet down the left an fed Bale, he passed inside to Keane, decent position on the edge of the box but opted to flick onto Malbranque, Niemi out to gather.

4.24: Early pressure from Fulham, this time Davies cross blocked by Rocha.

2.30: Baird long throw headed clear by Rocha, another throw flicked on by Dempsey for Kamara, waved offside - very close.

1.35: Robinson slid out tocollect ball at feet of Dempsey.

29secs: Huddlestone poked through to Berbatov, flagged offside.

1ST HALF KICKS-OFF

3pm: Robbie Keane and Carlos Bocanegra to centre-circle for toss, we'll kick-off attacking home end.

2.57pm: Teams on theit way out.

2.30pm: Welcome to Craven Cottage. A warm day, overcast, both teams out warming up.

[100%cypriot]

What the hell went wrong today ?

[100%cypriot]

Again the support from the Fans was unbelievable

[100%cypriot]

More on the game here ;

Lawrie Sanchez admitted Tottenham allowed Fulham off the hook as the Cottagers came back to snatch an unlikely point.



Spurs led 2-0 and 3-1 and were causing the home defence countless problems but Sanchez's men refused to lie down and grabbed a share of the spoils thanks to Diomansy Kamara's last-gasp overhead kick.


And Sanchez told Sky Sports News: "We kept going and kept going, and Tottenham didn't put us away.


"You watch James Bond and you think, 'why don't they just kill him when they've got the upper hand?'


"But they never do and ultimately James Bond always comes back to bite them, and we did that."


Younes Kaboul opened the scoring for Spurs and Dimitar Berbatov doubled their advantage before Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back before the break.


Gareth Bale restored Spurs' cushion only for Alexei Smertin's deflected effort and Kamara's late effort to stun the visitors.



Better team


Sanchez saluted his side for continuing to press and was delighted to be going into the two-week international break on something of a high.


He added: "Until they scored I thought we were the better team. Then they scored and became the better team. Then they scored two and became an even better team.


"Credit to us, a set play and a great header from Clint Dempsey got us back into it and gave us a toe-hold back into the game.


"Everybody thought the third goal would decide it. They got it and they looked as though they would run away with it at that stage.


"I've seen some of the results that have gone against the smaller teams, 6-0 and 3-0, and you don't want to be on the end of those results.


"Not only is it three points lost but it takes you into the next game coming off the back of a bad result and you're a little bit tentative.


"But we kept going. There was a deflected shot from Smertin and a great overhead kick from Diomansy in the 90th minute, so don't leave before the 90th minute if you're a Fulham fan."