Two moments in particular from last season gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling reminiscent of the first time Uncle Arsene played the 'touching game' with me. The first of these was Lennon wheeling away in delight and being mobbed by players and fans alike, his 94th minute strike making it 4-4 away at the scum. The memory of Arsene Wenger stamping and cursing in the dug-out like a petulant child will never fail to bring a smile to my face. The second was closer to home, 1-1 with an unbeaten Liverpool at the Lane, backs against the wall and we're being played off the park. Just as the ninety minutes rolls up and it seems we are going to hold out for a memorable draw, there is a little spark of magic. Some bloke who used to play for us called Bentley, cuts inside and hits the ball with all the swerve he has perfected behind the wheel of his Porsche 911. Reina pulls off a fantastic save but the ball drops to Bent. With possibly the best touch he ever made in a Tottenham shirt, he trickles it 3 yards back for Pav to bang home from close range. It was one of those moments where the crowd noise was so intense that the camera was unable to focus. In the words of Football Manager he sent 'the fans into raptures, the stewards struggle to hold them back'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac4AATxMCSo Watch from 1:40 to feel those shivers all over again.
And who would have thought that next season we would do it all over again. Paddy Power and Betfair certainly didn't, and to be honest neither did I, but in the end it was so effortless we let two of our defenders score. Lets not get this out of context here, Liverpool looked jaded and this is the first step in a marathon season but there was much to take from it. For a start we have finally seen what 'Arry has always told us, that Benoit has “some triffic power in that left boot of 'is”. In fact, it was second only to Danielle Llyod in the list of screamers nailed by Tottenham players. That said, I thought BAE was the only one of our defenders to look shaky on the back foot. Having traded his tribute to Afroman for some more cultured corn-rows, it seemed he allowed poor decision making to slip back into his football. Let us hope this was just minor stage fright from the youngster who was in impressive form last season and kept Ronaldo in his pocket.
The defence in general was fantastic and King in particular was impeccable. He was strong in the air and on the ground, was always talking, and most importantly of all, he showed he has not lost his pace. Indeed, Torres was kept out of the game so well by the big man that chants of “Who are ya, who are ya” echoed around the Lane every time he touched the ball. King needs to play, no matter what it takes. Send him out there with a drip, with a prosthetic leg, anything!! When he plays Tottenham are a different side, simple as that. Corluka put in another solid performance with his casual, loping style of play and Bassong looks like a real prospect. Early days but I certainly smelt the distinct whiff of a young Ledley on him (and no I don't mean Jack Daniels), one to watch for sure.
In midfield, the stand out performer was undoubtedly Palacios, the guy is an animal and exactly what we have been missing for so long. With the absence of Alonso, he bossed and hounded Liverpool's soft squidgy centre and broke up every attack with one of his fearsome lunges. Gerrard, the pool's proudest talisman, was kept quieter than a nightclub with an unconscious DJ. Huddlestone was ok and hit some nice balls as ever but was never closed down. The guy is class when he has all the time in the world to push dainty passes around, whether this season he can step up and play under pressure remains to be seen. Modric didn't have his best game but still demonstrated his exceptional vision and creativity. Some of his passes showed a touch so gentle, so tender and yet so penetrating, it could only be rivalled by the late Michael Jackson. Lennon was double marked out of the game but provided a useful outlet and remains invaluable on the counter. I shall leave any discussion of our strike force for another post but safe to say I have my concerns. I know the Premiership is about versatility and strength in depth but in a season where we have no European football and where the World Cup beckons, not one of those lads is going to be content bench warming.
In the end we looked good for the win and for once we conceded against the run of play (oh Gomes you joker you!) but didn't go to pieces. Instead it was Liverpool who started to lose the plot. First came the misplaced passes, then the cynical tackles and hissy fits, and finally an irate Sammy Lee was sent off (although appeared to wander into a broom closet at the entrance to the tunnel). At times they looked in such turmoil I almost expected Bellamy to run on with a golf club searching for his old Scandinavian pal. Liverpool were bad, dreadful at times, but forget that and forget the dubious penalty shouts. Tottenham weathered pressure, played sensible and at times delightful football and came away with a result they thoroughly deserved.
In 'Arry We Trust
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