Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull
Wednesday 19th August 2009, Kick Off 20:00
Premier League, Match 2
COMMENT:
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Hull City for their first away Premier League fixture of 2009-10 fresh from an impressive 2-1 win over Liverpool while Hull suffered an opening day 2-1 loss at Chelsea. Both teams met recently in the Barclays Asia Trophy Final, which Spurs won 3-0 with a brace from Robbie Keane and one from Aaron Lennon. The corresponding League fixture last season also resulted in a 2-1 Spurs win with Lennon & Woodgate grabbing the goals.
The two teams had very contrasting starts to last season, with Hull City riding high while Spurs were rock bottom. Eventually, Spurs recovered under Harry Redknapp to finish in 8th place while it was touch and go for Hull's Premier League survival right up until the last game of the season.
Spurs should be favorites for the win on Wednesday night and if they do manage to grab all three points, it will be the first time since season 2005-06 that they will have a 100% record after the opening two matches. Season 1994-95 was the only other time that Spurs had 6 out of 6 points in the Premier League.
Ledley King is very doubtful to start, so Sebastien Bassong will probably be partnered in central defence with Vedran Corluka with either Alan Hutton or Kyle Naughton as right back.
Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson remain injured and Jermain Jenas is still doubtful, meaning Tom Huddlestone will probably partner Wilson Palacios in central midfield.
Any two from Spurs four strikers could start, but I fancy Harry to give the nod to Peter Crouch with Robbie Keane as his initial partner.
SPURS TEAM NEWS:
Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Ledley King will miss Wednesday night's trip to Hull in the Barclays Premier League.
The central defender's continued knee problems means he cannot play three games a week but he will come back into contention for Sunday's derby at West Ham.
Otherwise, it's a case of 'as you were' for Harry as he prepares for the trip to Humberside.
Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) are both out although Woody is already running again.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jermaine Jenas (calf) is still doubtful after missing the opener against Liverpool.
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):
Hull know that against a side like Tottenham, who will be aiming for the top six, a point would be a good result.
They were a bit unlucky to concede so late against Chelsea and they troubled them when they were allowed to.
Tottenham struggled away from home last season, I expect that to improve with Sebastien Bassong looking good on his debut and I think they can come away with a point.
Verdict: Hull City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
12-Jan-1907 F.A. Cup 1 27,033 H D 0 - 0
17-Jan-07 F.A. Cup 1 Replay 18,000 A D 0 - 0 (Abandoned after 10 mins of Extra time, result stood)
21-Jan-07 F.A. Cup 1 2nd Replay 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Chapman
26-Sep-08 Division 2 12,000 A L 0 - 1
30-Jan-09 Division 2 21,000 H D 0 - 0
12-May-12 Tour - N L 0 - 2 (Match played in Brussels, Belgium)
25-Dec-19 Division 2 40,008 H W 4 - 0 Grimsdell (pen), Cantrell, Bliss (2)
26-Dec-19 Division 2 28,000 A W 3 - 1 Cantrell, Dimmock, Bell og
27-Mar-26 Friendly - A L 0 - 5
06-Oct-28 Division 2 28,737 H W 4 - 1 Scott, Osborne, Elkes (2)
15-Apr-29 Division 2 4,139 A D 1 - 1 Harper
21-Dec-29 Division 2 9,103 H D 2 - 2 Harper (2)
26-Apr-30 Division 2 6,396 A L 0 - 2
02-Sep-35 Division 2 25,603 H W 3 - 1 McCormick, Howe, Hunt DA
09-Sep-35 Division 2 9,616 A L 0 - 1
07-Apr-50 Division 2 66,889 H D 0 - 0
10-Apr-50 Division 2 38,345 A L 0 - 1
20-Feb-54 F.A. Cup 5 46,839 A D 1 - 1 Bennett
24-Feb-54 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 52,934 H W 2 - 0 Walters, Baily
04-Oct-77 Division 2 10,966 A L 0 - 2
26-Mar-78 Division 2 36,913 H W 1 - 0 Perryman
24-Jan-81 F.A. Cup 4 37,532 H W 2 - 0 Archibald, Brooke
15-Apr-88 Friendly - A L 1 - 2 Walsh
08-May-92 Friendly 9,994 A W 6 - 2 Barmby (2), Hendry (2), Turner, Samways
24-Jly-2004 Friendly 13,316 A D 2 - 2 Defoe (2)
05-Oct-08 FA Prem 36,062 H L 0 - 1
21-Feb-09 FA Prem 24,742 A W 2 - 1 Lennon, Woodgate
31-Jly-09 Asia Trophy Final N W 3 - 0 Keane (2, 1p), Lennon (Match played in Beijing, China)
19-Aug-09 FA Prem A
16-Jan-10 FA Prem H
LAST TIME WE MET...
Monday, 23 February 2009
Hull City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Jonathan Woodgate's 86th-minute header lifted Tottenham to 14th with a valuable victory at the KC Stadium.
They went ahead with a superb 20-yard effort from Aaron Lennon, who found space following a short corner.
But Hull looked dangerous in an entertaining first half and Michael Turner slid in to equalise after Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini fumbled a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork but when a draw looked certain, Woodgate rose to head in Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross.
A year ago, Woodgate headed the winner at Wembley as Spurs lifted the Carling Cup.
In his 50th appearance for the club, he scored a goal that while not quite as crucial, could be hugely important in their battle for survival.
Five years ago this weekend Hull were losing at home to Torquay in the fourth tier of the English leagues, but having been in the top half of the table for much of their debut season in the Premier League, they are now embroiled in a multi-team relegation scrap.
The warning signs were evident for Spurs in the opening moments when Andy Dawson's inswinging corner from the right caused anxiety in the six-yard box, and set pieces remained a constant problem for the visitors.
Dawson found himself in the book within the opening seven minutes for two crude challenges on the pacy Lennon, but though Hull looked the more dangerous it was Spurs who took the lead with the first moment of genuine quality.
Ironically it stemmed from a set play, as Luka Modric worked a short corner with Robbie Keane and found Lennon on the edge of the area.
The diminutive winger had time to line up a shot, but his curling effort into the narrow gap available to the left-hand corner was exquisite.
Hull came right back, however, and Cudicini had to be alert to rush out and block with his legs to deny the charging Kamil Zayatte.
But the Italian goalkeeper flapped badly at another inswinging corner from the right, and after the ball ricocheted off Wilson Palacios, Turner slid in ahead of Ledley King to apply the finishing touch.
Spurs looked the more comfortable in possession but Hull were the more purposeful, with Daniel Cousin's volley dipping just over and an unmarked Sam Ricketts glancing a header wide.
Harry Redknapp had looked increasingly agitated by his team's failings and they would no doubt have felt the force of his frustrations as they emerged with more intent after the break.
Keane broke down the left and crossed for Palacios to hit a fierce volley heading straight for the corner, only for former Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner to block with his head.
A Modric free-kick was headed against the top of the bar by his compatriot Vedran Corluka but much of the second half lacked fluency.
It was not until midway through it that Hull tested the Spurs goal, Zayatte breaking free to glance another inswinging corner from the right against the outside of the post.
Woodgate's superb leap settled it, he had to leave the field shortly before the end with blood streaming from above his eye, but that endeavour helped to end a run of four away defeats and gave Spurs a key win.
For Hull it was a 10th league match without a victory and only four points separate them from 17th-placed Stoke.
Hull manager Phil Brown:
"I'm not worried about relegation. That's the wrong word. It's always been in the back of our minds.
"We can't lose games like that. We've got to learn the little details we need to pick up on.
"But I believe we have enough ability and character in the camp to get through this poor spell."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"We've got to play Monday and Thursday and we've got a cup final on Sunday. It's ludicrous.
"It showed why I rested players. People should understand that is why I do my job and that is why they do their job.
"They made it difficult in the first half, they worked their socks off and were always a big threat at set plays.
"But in the second half we created the better chances and were the better team and it's a terrific result for us."
Hull:
Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Zayatte (Geovanni 87), Kilbane, Garcia (Manucho 79), Cousin (Mendy 67).
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Doyle, Barmby, Halmosi.
Booked: Dawson, Ashbee.
Goal: Turner 27.
Tottenham:
Cudicini, Corluka, Woodgate (Dawson 89), King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Zokora 87), Jenas, Palacios, Modric, Keane, Bent (Pavlyuchenko 72).
Subs Not Used: Gomes, Bentley, Huddlestone, Chimbonda.
Booked: Modric.
Goals: Lennon 17, Woodgate 86.
Att: 24,742
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater men of the match: Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Hull's Michael Turner
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Pre-Season 2009-10 Review & Liverpool Preview
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR PRE-SEASON REVIEW & LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW
Spurs have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window so far with Peter Crouch re-joining the club from Portsmouth for a reported £10 million, the Sheffield United pair of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker joining the club for an estimated combined total of £10 million and Arsenal youngster Anton Blackwood coming on a 'free'. Sebastien Bassong signed from Newcastle United for an estimated £8 million.
Didier Zokora and Chris Gunter left Spurs for an estimated combined total of £10.4 million with Ricardo Rocha released, Fraizer Campbell returning to Manchester United after his season-long loan spell. Around a dozen youngsters were released by the club. Darren Bent was sold to Sunderland for a total fee of £16.5 million.
The first three pre-season friendlies all resulted in Spurs wins: 3-0 away to Exeter City, 3-0 away to AFC Bournemouth and 4-0 away to Peterborough United giving Harry's squad a solid start to the new season.
Spurs compete in the inaugural Wembley Cup against Barcelona and Celtic. First up was the game against Barcelona which resulted in a very creditable 1-1 draw but the match against Celtic resulted in a 2-0 defeat for Tottenham.
Spurs continued their pre-season matches by winning the FA Premier League Asia Tournament in China beating West Ham United 1-0 in the semi-final and Hull City 3-0 in the Final. This was followed by a 2-0 friendly defeat against South China in Hong Kong on 2nd August.
The only home friendly Spurs played was on 9th August against Greek Champions Olympiakos, which resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Tottenham with goals from Pavlyuchenko, Corluka and Defoe.
The 2009-10 season gets underway for real with a rare opening Premier League home game against Liverpool followed by two away fixtures at Hull City and West Ham United - the two teams Spurs beat in China in July.
Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at White Hart Lane in the first Premier League match of season 2009-10 on Sunday 16th August 2009, Kick-off 16:00.
Spurs finished 2008-09 in 8th place, while Liverpool finished as runners-up to Manchester United who equalled Liverpool's English record of 18 League Titles.
The two teams met three times last season with Spurs winning their home League game 2-1 and beating Liverpool at White Hart Lane 4-2 in the League Cup. Liverpool won the reverse Premier League game at Anfield 3-1 in the last match of the season.
PREVIOUS MATCHES:
26-Dec-1894 Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Hunter, Payne jnr, Payne snr
12-Apr-95 Friendly - H W 6 - 0 Wilkinson, Laycock, Hunter (2), McElhaney (2)
13-Nov-1909 Division 1 22,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
26-Mar-10 Division 1 15,000 A L 0 - 2
29-Oct-10 Division 1 12,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Humphreys
04-Mar-11 Division 1 25,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
11-Nov-11 Division 1 23,000 H W 2 - 0 Minter, Middlemiss
16-Mar-12 Division 1 15,000 A W 2 - 1 Newman, Mason
02-Nov-12 Division 1 15,000 A L 1 - 4 Minter
08-Mar-13 Division 1 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
29-Nov-13 Division 1 21,000 A L 1 - 2 Cantrell
04-Apr-14 Division 1 19,800 H D 0 - 0
31-Oct-14 Division 1 12,000 A L 2 - 7 Clay (pen), Bliss
06-Mar-15 Division 1 12,000 H D 1 - 1 Minter
25-Mar-21 Division 1 40,000 A D 1 - 1 Blis
28-Mar-21 Division 1 35,000 H W 1 - 0 Smith
22-Oct-21 Division 1 31,593 H L 0 - 1
29-Oct-21 Division 1 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
04-Nov-22 Division 1 35,068 H L 2 - 4 Clay (pen), Grimsdell
11-Nov-22 Division 1 29,000 A D 0 - 0
29-Mar-24 Division 1 22,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Apr-24 Division 1 22,470 H D 1 - 1 Grimsdell
13-Dec-24 Division 1 25,604 H D 1 - 1 Hargreaves
18-Apr-25 Division 1 12,000 A L 0 - 1
24-Oct-25 Division 1 29,952 H W 3 - 1 Osborne (3)
06-Mar-26 Division 1 26,355 A D 0 - 0
11-Dec-26 Division 1 26,640 H L 1 - 2 Blair
30-Apr-27 Division 1 15,756 A L 0 - 1
17-Dec-27 Division 1 21,234 H W 3 - 1 Osborne, Elkes (2)
28-Apr-28 Division 1 31,780 A L 0 - 2
23-Sep-33 Division 1 33,080 H L 0 - 3
03-Feb-34 Division 1 30,809 A L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
15-Dec-34 Division 1 24,688 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
27-Apr-35 Division 1 15,613 H W 5 - 1 Bolan, Hunt DA, Evans W (3)
06-Sep-50 Division 1 39,015 A L 1 - 2 Medley
05-May-51 Division 1 49,072 H W 3 - 1 Walters, Murphy (2)
01-Dec-51 Division 1 51,342 H L 2 - 3 Walters, Bennett
19-Apr-52 Division 1 36,898 A D 1 - 1 Duquemin
10-Sep-52 Division 1 49,869 A L 1 - 2 Baily
15-Sep-52 Division 1 37,319 H W 3 - 1 Groves (2), Harmer
12-Sep-53 Division 1 47,535 H W 2 - 1 Ramsay, Walters
23-Jan-54 Division 1 43,592 A D 2 - 2 Walters, Lock og
12-Apr-63 Division 1 54,463 A L 2 - 5 Jones, Dyson
15-Apr-63 Division 1 53,727 H W 7 - 2 Jones (2), Saul, Greaves (4, 1pen)
27-Mar-64 Division 1 57,022 H L 1 - 3 Norman
30-Mar-64 Division 1 52,904 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
28-Nov-64 Division 1 41,198 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-65 Division 1 50,760 A L 0 - 1
09-Apr-65 Division 1 28,441 H W 3 - 0 Saul, Low, Gilzean
18-Sep-65 Division 1 46,925 H W 2 - 1 Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves (2)
01-Apr-67 Division 1 53,135 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
06-May-67 Division 1 40,845 A D 0 - 0
04-Nov-67 Division 1 47,682 H D 1 - 1 Jones
09-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 54,005 H D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 53,658 A L 1 - 2 Jones
29-Apr-68 Division 1 41,688 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
19-Oct-68 Division 1 44,122 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
21-Dec-68 Division 1 43,843 A L 0 - 1
16-Aug-69 Division 1 50,474 H L 0 - 2
07-Oct-69 Division 1 46,518 A D 0 - 0
10-Oct-70 Division 1 44,547 H W 1 - 0 Peters
06-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 54,731 A D 0 - 0
16-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 Replay 56,283 H L 0 - 1
17-Apr-71 Division 1 46,363 A D 0 - 0
04-Sep-71 Division 1 50,124 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Peters
18-Dec-71 Division 1 43,409 A D 0 - 0
25-Nov-72 Division 1 45,497 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
06-Dec-72 League Cup 5 Replay 34,565 H W 3 - 1 Pratt, Chivers (2)
25-Mar-73 UEFA SF (2L) 46,919 H W 2 - 1 Peters (2)
31-Mar-73 Division 1 48,477 A D 1 - 1 Gilzean
10-Apr-73 UEFA SF (1L) 42,174 A L 0 - 1
22-Sep-73 Division 1 42,901 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Peters
04-Dec-73 League Cup 5 48,677 A D 1 - 1 Peters
08-May-74 Division 1 24,618 H D 1 - 1 McGrath
07-Sep-74 Division 1 47,538 A L 2 - 5 Perryman, Chivers
22-Mar-75 Division 1 34,331 H L 0 - 2
23-Aug-75 Division 1 42,729 A L 2 - 3 Jones, Duncan
13-Dec-75 Division 1 29,891 H L 0 - 4
18-Sep-76 Division 1 47,421 A L 0 - 2
09-Mar-77 Division 1 32,098 H W 1 - 0 Coates
02-Sep-78 Division 1 50,705 A L 0 - 7
22-Nov-78 Division 1 50,393 H D 0 - 0
17-Nov-79 Division 1 51,092 A L 1 - 2 Jones
08-Mar-80 F.A. Cup 6 48,033 H L 0 - 1
29-Mar-80 Division 1 32,114 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Hoddle (pen)
06-Dec-80 Division 1 39,545 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
25-Apr-81 Division 1 35,334 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle
13-Mar-82 League Cup Final 100,000 Wem L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Archibald
03-May-82 Division 1 38,091 H D 2 - 2 Perryman, Archibald
15-May-82 Division 1 48,122 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
21-Aug-82 Charity Shield 82,500 Wem L 0 - 1
27-Nov-82 Division 1 40,691 A L 0 - 3
30-Apr-83 Division 1 44,907 H W 2 - 0 Archibald (2)
12-Nov-83 Division 1 44,348 H D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle (pen)
10-Mar-84 Division 1 36,718 A L 1 - 3 Stevens
02-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A L 2 - 5 Thomas, Falco (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
09-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A D 1 - 1 Brazil (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
12-Oct-84 Division 1 28,599 H W 1 - 0 Crooks
31-Oct-84 League Cup 3 38,690 H W 1 - 0 Allen C
27-Jan-85 F.A. Cup 4 27,905 A L 0 - 1
16-Mar-85 Division 1 43,852 A W 1 - 0 Crooks
28-Sep-85 Division 1 41,521 A L 1 - 4 Chiedozie
03-Dec-85 SSS Cup Gp. 14,855 A L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
14-Jan-86 SSS Cup Gp. 10,078 H L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
02-Mar-86 Division 1 16,436 H L 1 - 2 Waddle
11-Oct-86 Division 1 43,139 A W 1 - 0 Allen C
22-Mar-87 Division 1 32,763 H W 1 - 0 Waddle
28-Nov-87 Division 1 47,362 H L 0 - 2
23-Apr-88 Division 1 44,798 A L 0 - 1
17-Sep-88 Division 1 40,929 A D 1 - 1 Fenwick
26-Mar-89 Division 1 30,012 H L 1 - 2 Fenwick (pen)
29-Oct-89 Division 1 26,550 A L 0 - 1
21-Mar-90 Division 1 25,656 H W 1 - 0 Stewart
04-Nov-90 Division 1 35,003 H L 1 - 3 Lineker
11-May-91 Division 1 36,192 A L 0 - 2
18-Dec-91 Division 1 27,434 H L 1 - 2 Walsh
21-Mar-92 Division 1 39,968 A L 1 - 2 Stewart
31-Oct-92 FA Prem 32,917 H W 2 - 0 Nayim, Ruddock
08-May-93 FA Prem 43,385 A L 2 - 6 Sedgley, Sheringham
25-Aug-93 FA Prem 42,456 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham (2, 1pen)
18-Dec-93 FA Prem 31,394 H D 3 - 3 Samways, Hazard (pen), Caskey
26-Nov-94 FA Prem 35,007 A D 1 - 1 Ruddock og
11-Mar-95 F.A. Cup 6 39,582 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
22-Mar-95 FA Prem 31,988 H D 0 - 0
26-Aug-95 FA Prem 31,254 H L 1 - 3 Barnes og
03-Feb-96 FA Prem 40,628 A D 0 - 0
02-Dec-96 FA Prem 32,899 H L 0 - 2
03-May-97 FA Prem 40,003 A L 1 - 2 Anderton
08-Nov-97 FA Prem 38,006 A L 0 - 4
14-Mar-98 FA Prem 30,245 H D 3 - 3 Klinsmann, Ginola, Vega
10-Nov-98 League Cup 4 20,772 A W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
05-Dec-98 FA Prem 36,125 H W 2 - 1 Fox, Carragher o.g.
01-May-99 FA Prem 44,007 A L 2 - 3 Carragher o.g., Iversen
03-Jan-2000 FA Prem 36,044 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
09-Apr-00 FA Prem 44,536 A L 0 - 2
19-Nov-00 FA Prem 36,036 H W 2 - 1 Ferdinand, Sherwood
22-Apr-01 FA Prem 43,547 A L 1 - 3 Korsten
22-Sep-01 FA Prem 44,116 A L 0 - 1
27-Apr-02 FA Prem 36,017 H W 1 - 0 Poyet
26-Oct-02 FA Prem 44,084 A L 1 - 2 Richards
15-Mar-03 FA Prem 36,077 H L 2 - 3 Taricco, Sheringham
27-Aug-03 FA Prem 43,778 A D 0 - 0
17-Jan-04 FA Prem 36,104 H W 2 - 1 Keane (pen), Postiga
14-Aug-04 FA Prem 35,105 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
01-Dec-04 League Cup 5 36,100 H D 1 - 1 (a.e.t) Defoe (Spurs lost 4-3 on pens)
16-Apr-05 FA Prem 44,029 A D 2 - 2 Edman, Keane
10-Sep-05 FA Prem 36,148 H D 0 - 0
14-Jan-06 FA Prem 44,983 A L 0 - 1
23-Sep-06 FA Prem 44,330 A L 0 - 3
30-Dec-06 FA Prem 36,170 H L 0 - 1
07-Oct-07 FA Prem 43,986 A D 2 - 2 Keane (2)
11-May-08 FA Prem 36,063 H L 0 - 2
01-Nov-08 FA Prem 36,183 H W 2 - 1 Carragher o.g., Pavlyuchenko
12-Nov-08 League Cup 4 33,242 H W 4 - 2 Pavlyuchenko (2),Campbell (2)
24-May-09 FA Prem 43,937 A L 1 - 3 Keane
16-Aug-09 FA Prem H
09-Jan-10 FA Prem A
JERMAIN DEFOE ON LIVERPOOL:
Jermain Defoe quickly set his sights on Liverpool after one of the biggest nights of his life on the international stage.
The striker maintained his fine form in pre-season with both goals as a second half substitute as England came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Holland in Wednesday night's friendly at the Amsterdam Arena.
It was his biggest night for the Three Lions since grabbing a goal in a World Cup qualifier against Poland back in September, 2004 and means he's scored four of England's last five goals having bagged numbers four and five in the 6-0 win against Andorra in June.
But speaking after returning to England on Thursday, ‘JD' had already turned his attentions to our huge opening weekend fixture against the Reds at the Lane on Sunday.
"At that level every game is difficult anyway but when you play against top nations, the likes of Holland, Brasil, Argentina, it's always fantastic to get on the scoresheet and to get two goals was great for me," he said. "I was buzzing, as you could imagine.
"As soon as I woke up this morning I thought ‘yes, I'm ready for Liverpool' and I'm looking forward that game. All I want to do now is help us get off to a good start to the season.
"I always feel sharp in pre-season and that's been the one of the best parts of my game, working a yard of space and getting my shots off, so I've always had that even when I was younger but in terms of fitness and strength, I don't think I've ever felt this good.
"Maybe it's because I'm getting older and maturing as a player, I feel much stronger. I just want to keep that going and help the team get off to a positive start against Liverpool.
"It's such a big game for everyone, especially at this early stage of the season. The lads can't wait for it and we all feel it's game we can win.
"We're at home, we know the fans will be right behind us and it's all about our belief. We want to make a good start and we're after the three points."
HARRY LOOKS FORWARD TO LIVERPOOL
Harry Redknapp was impressed with the performance as we toppled Olympiacos 3-0 in Sunday's final pre-season friendly.
Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Jermain Defoe bagged the goals in the second half against the Greek champions at White Hart Lane.
Peter Crouch - who went close twice in the first half - and Sebastien Bassong made their Spurs debuts while Ledley King came through his first 45 minutes of the summer.
"It was another step up and I was well pleased with how we played," said Harry.
"It was a good performance and result against a good side who had a big result in the Champions League (beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on aggregate) last week.
"I was particularly pleased with how we moved the ball around, our movement and all the strikers are looking sharp, so that's ideal for us.
"We have four strikers and they are all top players. Jermain scored, Pav scored, Crouchy was terrific for us in the first half and we all know what Robbie's about."
So the build-up to next Sunday's mouth-watering opener against Liverpool at home in the Barclays Premier League now starts in earnest.
"It's a tough one to start with but a great game to look forward to," added Harry. "Liverpool are a fantastic team but we're in good form as well. I'm sure it will be a terrific game."
SEBASTEIN BASSONG:
Sebastien Bassong will be available for selection for our Premier League season opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
The defender was handed a two-match suspension after being sent off whilst playing for Newcastle United against Fulham last May.
However, given he served the first game of his ban against Aston Villa on the final day of the previous campaign as a Newcastle United player, it meant the suspension continued to apply to Newcastle United games and was therefore satisfied when his former club visited West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the Championship season on Saturday.
PETER CROUCH:
Peter Crouch says he feels sharp and ready for the big kick-off after a promising debut on Sunday.
The striker played the first half of our final pre-season friendly against Olympiacos at the Lane and now has Liverpool in his sights on Sunday.
Although he was left frustrated in front of goal by a couple of near misses, Crouchy impressed with his all-round play and, naturally, his aerial ability.
"It was one of those days in front of goal I suppose but I was pleased with my performance," he said.
"It was my first 45 minutes of pre-season and it was good to get it out of the way. It's all about fitness and I feel sharp and ready for the season."
Crouchy started up front with Robbie Keane in a goalless first half before Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko took over in the second half and bagged a goal each in the 3-0 win, Vedran Corluka the other scorer.
"I've played with Roman, Robbie and Jermain in training and they are all fantastic players," added Peter. "We've four strikers battling it out for two spots, healthy competition and that has to be good for the club."
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS:
Jamie Carragher looks set to be fit for Liverpool's opening Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
The centre-half sparked fears that he would miss the start of the season when he limped out of Liverpool's pre-season friendly with a twisted ankle, but local media reports suggest that Carragher will be fit to face Spurs.
He will be partnered by either Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger, who have suffered with hanstring and back problems respectively. The Liverpool Echo claims that 'Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs'.
Carragher's return will banish nightmares of youngsters Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala or Mikel San Jose being forced to line up against Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.
Unsurprisingly, Steven Gerrard is also expected to be fit despite pulling out of England's friendly international with Holland.
TEAM NEWS
Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Liverpool with a groin injury but both Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) should feature.
New signing Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to play before September as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery while fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.
Sebastien Bassong could make his debut following an £8m move from Newcastle.
Tottenham
Suspended: None
Injured/unavailable: Bale (knee), Dawson (Achilles), Woodgate (groin)
Liverpool
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Carragher (ankle), Gerrard (groin), Skrtel (hamstring) Injured: Agger (back), Aquilani (ankle), Aurelio (knee), El Zhar (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Liverpool face an early test of their title credentials with a trip to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League since last November.
The Reds suffered only two league defeats last season, the first a 2-1 reverse at Spurs that lifted Harry Redknapp's side off the bottom of the table.
Though Liverpool gained revenge on the final day, the damage had already been done, with a first league title since 1990 eluding the Reds despite 10 wins from their last 11 games.
Nine years after leaving White Hart Lane without a first team appearance to his name, Peter Crouch could make his Tottenham debut following his move from Portsmouth.
Like team-mate Robbie Keane, he will be hoping to prove a point to Rafael Benitez after being deemed surplus to requirements during a spell at Anfield.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Last season's 2-1 defeat is Liverpool's only loss in their last 10 league games against Tottenham.
• Spurs also beat the Reds in the fourth round of the League Cup on 12 November 2008.
Tottenham
• Spurs are chasing a seventh successive home league win. They are unbeaten in their last 11 top flight games at White Hart Lane. Everton were the last side to take maximum points at Spurs, winning 1-0 on 30 November 2008.
• Spurs made their worst start to a top flight season last year. When Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane at the end of October, Spurs were bottom of the table with two points from eight games. They picked up 49 points from the remaining 30 matches to finish eighth.
• Tottenham's last hat-trick against the Reds was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who scored four at White Hart Lane in a 7-2 win in 1963.
Liverpool
• The Reds have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 league games.
• Liverpool's tally of 77 league goals last season was their best since 1990/91.
• A win would make Liverpool the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football.
• Jamie Carragher has scored only three Premier League goals since making his debut 11 years ago. He has also scored three own goals against Tottenham (two at White Hart Lane).
LEADING GOALSCORERS LAST SEASON
Darren Bent: 17 goals (12 league), Roman Pavlyuchenko: 14 goals (5 league)
Steven Gerrard: 24 goals (16 league), Fernando Torres: 17 goals (14 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey, Simon Beck
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
LAST TIME WE MET...
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool ended their campaign with a comfortable win in which Sami Hyypia appeared as a substitute late on in his final appearance for the Anfield club.
Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross for the opener in the first half.
Alan Hutton unluckily deflected a shot from Kuyt to make it 2-0 before Robbie Keane briefly silenced the home crowd when Liverpool's offside trap failed.
Yossi Benayoun made sure of the win, however, as Liverpool finished second and Spurs had to settle for eighth.
There was almost a fairytale ending for Finnish defender Hyypia, when - after a decade of service for Liverpool - he nearly scored a 36th goal for the club in his 454th appearance.
Rising majestically to fire a header at the Spurs goal, the Bayer Leverkusen-bound 35-year-old forced Heurelho Gomes into a scrambling save.
Liverpool started and finished the game strongly, while Spurs were generally outclassed and never looked like getting the victory they needed to give them a chance of scraping into the Europa League.
Benayoun was the most industrious player early on for the Reds and he fired over from close in after Kuyt had headed down a corner from Fabio Aurelio.
Torres was quiet initially but sparked into life after 27 minutes when he surged through from midfield and found himself clear just outside the box, only to see his attempt to steer a shot wide of Gomes thwarted by a challenge from Jermaine Jenas.
In making the tackle, Jenas injured himself and was unable to see out the half in his 150th appearance for Spurs. David Bentley eventually came on for him, but by then Spurs were a goal behind.
An error by Benoit Assou-Ekotto allowed Steven Gerrard to Dirk Kuyt down the right, and the Dutch international had time to switch to his left foot to pick out Torres at the far post.
The blond striker rose with perfect timing to elude his marker Hutton and powered in a header which rattled off the underside of the crossbar and into Gomes's net.
It was Torres's 50th Liverpool goal, and he has reached the landmark in fewer matches than some high-profile Liverpool strikers of yesteryear, such as Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.
Spurs did carve out one half-chance just before the break as Jermain Defoe beat the offside trap to race clear but Pepe Reina managed to block him on the right-hand edge of the penalty area.
The early part of the second half saw Tottenham continue to make the Liverpool defence work, with Luka Modric brought down by Daniel Agger, giving the visitors a tasty free-kick from the edge of the D.
Gareth Bale took it from a central position but Reina palmed his strike down in front of him, with no Spurs players able to get to the rebound in time.
Liverpool woke suddenly from their siesta and turned on the heat once again. Gerrard, twisting and turning in the Tottenham box, unsuccessfully claimed a penalty when his cross struck Vedran Corluka's outstretched arm.
Martin Skrtel's deflected shot went narrowly wide but soon it was 2-0 as the energetic Kuyt exchanged passes with Benayoun before rifling in a shot which would have gone wide of the post - but deflected in off the unlucky Hutton.
Xabi Alonso forced a save from Gomes and shots from Gerrard and the newly-introduced Albert Riera flew wide as Liverpool continued to press.
Unexpectedly, Keane gave Spurs brief respite by springing the offside trap and shooting past Reina.
However there was to be no twist in the tale, as Benayoun shrugged off the attentions of Ledley King to grab Liverpool's third. Moments later, Hyypia was sent on to a mass standing ovation for the final few minutes.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"I was trying to keep Sami [Hyppia] on the bench until the last minute but I couldn't because the fans were pushing me. Working with Sami for five years I know he is a fantastic professional and hopefully he will do the same in Germany and then come back to us.
"Clearly he will have a position with us in two or three years if we're still here. But it's a little bit emotional and a little bit sad today.
"We knew it was important for the fans that we finished the season really well. When it's the last game it's difficult to keep working hard but I was impressed with [Javier] Mascherano who just kept running."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"It's been a hard season but it's terrific for us to finish where we have. Today we conceded some sloppy goals but it was a typical end-of season game.
"Our away form hasn't been good enough this season but you look at today, we brought in a couple of lads who don't play regularly and it shows us what we need next year if we're going to push up and close the gap on teams like Liverpool.
"It was nice to see Sami Hyypia come on. He got an unbelievable ovation from a fantastic club and its supporters."
Liverpool:
Reina, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Riera 66), Gerrard (Hyypia 84), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog 78).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, Degen.
Goals: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Zokora, Jenas (Bentley 40), Bale (Bent 78), Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 70), Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Gunter, Campbell, Chimbonda.
Booked: Corluka.
Goals: Keane 77.
Att: 43,937
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Liverpool's Sami Hyppia
Spurs have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window so far with Peter Crouch re-joining the club from Portsmouth for a reported £10 million, the Sheffield United pair of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker joining the club for an estimated combined total of £10 million and Arsenal youngster Anton Blackwood coming on a 'free'. Sebastien Bassong signed from Newcastle United for an estimated £8 million.
Didier Zokora and Chris Gunter left Spurs for an estimated combined total of £10.4 million with Ricardo Rocha released, Fraizer Campbell returning to Manchester United after his season-long loan spell. Around a dozen youngsters were released by the club. Darren Bent was sold to Sunderland for a total fee of £16.5 million.
The first three pre-season friendlies all resulted in Spurs wins: 3-0 away to Exeter City, 3-0 away to AFC Bournemouth and 4-0 away to Peterborough United giving Harry's squad a solid start to the new season.
Spurs compete in the inaugural Wembley Cup against Barcelona and Celtic. First up was the game against Barcelona which resulted in a very creditable 1-1 draw but the match against Celtic resulted in a 2-0 defeat for Tottenham.
Spurs continued their pre-season matches by winning the FA Premier League Asia Tournament in China beating West Ham United 1-0 in the semi-final and Hull City 3-0 in the Final. This was followed by a 2-0 friendly defeat against South China in Hong Kong on 2nd August.
The only home friendly Spurs played was on 9th August against Greek Champions Olympiakos, which resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Tottenham with goals from Pavlyuchenko, Corluka and Defoe.
The 2009-10 season gets underway for real with a rare opening Premier League home game against Liverpool followed by two away fixtures at Hull City and West Ham United - the two teams Spurs beat in China in July.
Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at White Hart Lane in the first Premier League match of season 2009-10 on Sunday 16th August 2009, Kick-off 16:00.
Spurs finished 2008-09 in 8th place, while Liverpool finished as runners-up to Manchester United who equalled Liverpool's English record of 18 League Titles.
The two teams met three times last season with Spurs winning their home League game 2-1 and beating Liverpool at White Hart Lane 4-2 in the League Cup. Liverpool won the reverse Premier League game at Anfield 3-1 in the last match of the season.
PREVIOUS MATCHES:
26-Dec-1894 Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Hunter, Payne jnr, Payne snr
12-Apr-95 Friendly - H W 6 - 0 Wilkinson, Laycock, Hunter (2), McElhaney (2)
13-Nov-1909 Division 1 22,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
26-Mar-10 Division 1 15,000 A L 0 - 2
29-Oct-10 Division 1 12,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Humphreys
04-Mar-11 Division 1 25,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
11-Nov-11 Division 1 23,000 H W 2 - 0 Minter, Middlemiss
16-Mar-12 Division 1 15,000 A W 2 - 1 Newman, Mason
02-Nov-12 Division 1 15,000 A L 1 - 4 Minter
08-Mar-13 Division 1 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
29-Nov-13 Division 1 21,000 A L 1 - 2 Cantrell
04-Apr-14 Division 1 19,800 H D 0 - 0
31-Oct-14 Division 1 12,000 A L 2 - 7 Clay (pen), Bliss
06-Mar-15 Division 1 12,000 H D 1 - 1 Minter
25-Mar-21 Division 1 40,000 A D 1 - 1 Blis
28-Mar-21 Division 1 35,000 H W 1 - 0 Smith
22-Oct-21 Division 1 31,593 H L 0 - 1
29-Oct-21 Division 1 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
04-Nov-22 Division 1 35,068 H L 2 - 4 Clay (pen), Grimsdell
11-Nov-22 Division 1 29,000 A D 0 - 0
29-Mar-24 Division 1 22,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Apr-24 Division 1 22,470 H D 1 - 1 Grimsdell
13-Dec-24 Division 1 25,604 H D 1 - 1 Hargreaves
18-Apr-25 Division 1 12,000 A L 0 - 1
24-Oct-25 Division 1 29,952 H W 3 - 1 Osborne (3)
06-Mar-26 Division 1 26,355 A D 0 - 0
11-Dec-26 Division 1 26,640 H L 1 - 2 Blair
30-Apr-27 Division 1 15,756 A L 0 - 1
17-Dec-27 Division 1 21,234 H W 3 - 1 Osborne, Elkes (2)
28-Apr-28 Division 1 31,780 A L 0 - 2
23-Sep-33 Division 1 33,080 H L 0 - 3
03-Feb-34 Division 1 30,809 A L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
15-Dec-34 Division 1 24,688 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
27-Apr-35 Division 1 15,613 H W 5 - 1 Bolan, Hunt DA, Evans W (3)
06-Sep-50 Division 1 39,015 A L 1 - 2 Medley
05-May-51 Division 1 49,072 H W 3 - 1 Walters, Murphy (2)
01-Dec-51 Division 1 51,342 H L 2 - 3 Walters, Bennett
19-Apr-52 Division 1 36,898 A D 1 - 1 Duquemin
10-Sep-52 Division 1 49,869 A L 1 - 2 Baily
15-Sep-52 Division 1 37,319 H W 3 - 1 Groves (2), Harmer
12-Sep-53 Division 1 47,535 H W 2 - 1 Ramsay, Walters
23-Jan-54 Division 1 43,592 A D 2 - 2 Walters, Lock og
12-Apr-63 Division 1 54,463 A L 2 - 5 Jones, Dyson
15-Apr-63 Division 1 53,727 H W 7 - 2 Jones (2), Saul, Greaves (4, 1pen)
27-Mar-64 Division 1 57,022 H L 1 - 3 Norman
30-Mar-64 Division 1 52,904 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
28-Nov-64 Division 1 41,198 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-65 Division 1 50,760 A L 0 - 1
09-Apr-65 Division 1 28,441 H W 3 - 0 Saul, Low, Gilzean
18-Sep-65 Division 1 46,925 H W 2 - 1 Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves (2)
01-Apr-67 Division 1 53,135 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
06-May-67 Division 1 40,845 A D 0 - 0
04-Nov-67 Division 1 47,682 H D 1 - 1 Jones
09-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 54,005 H D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 53,658 A L 1 - 2 Jones
29-Apr-68 Division 1 41,688 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
19-Oct-68 Division 1 44,122 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
21-Dec-68 Division 1 43,843 A L 0 - 1
16-Aug-69 Division 1 50,474 H L 0 - 2
07-Oct-69 Division 1 46,518 A D 0 - 0
10-Oct-70 Division 1 44,547 H W 1 - 0 Peters
06-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 54,731 A D 0 - 0
16-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 Replay 56,283 H L 0 - 1
17-Apr-71 Division 1 46,363 A D 0 - 0
04-Sep-71 Division 1 50,124 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Peters
18-Dec-71 Division 1 43,409 A D 0 - 0
25-Nov-72 Division 1 45,497 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
06-Dec-72 League Cup 5 Replay 34,565 H W 3 - 1 Pratt, Chivers (2)
25-Mar-73 UEFA SF (2L) 46,919 H W 2 - 1 Peters (2)
31-Mar-73 Division 1 48,477 A D 1 - 1 Gilzean
10-Apr-73 UEFA SF (1L) 42,174 A L 0 - 1
22-Sep-73 Division 1 42,901 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Peters
04-Dec-73 League Cup 5 48,677 A D 1 - 1 Peters
08-May-74 Division 1 24,618 H D 1 - 1 McGrath
07-Sep-74 Division 1 47,538 A L 2 - 5 Perryman, Chivers
22-Mar-75 Division 1 34,331 H L 0 - 2
23-Aug-75 Division 1 42,729 A L 2 - 3 Jones, Duncan
13-Dec-75 Division 1 29,891 H L 0 - 4
18-Sep-76 Division 1 47,421 A L 0 - 2
09-Mar-77 Division 1 32,098 H W 1 - 0 Coates
02-Sep-78 Division 1 50,705 A L 0 - 7
22-Nov-78 Division 1 50,393 H D 0 - 0
17-Nov-79 Division 1 51,092 A L 1 - 2 Jones
08-Mar-80 F.A. Cup 6 48,033 H L 0 - 1
29-Mar-80 Division 1 32,114 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Hoddle (pen)
06-Dec-80 Division 1 39,545 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
25-Apr-81 Division 1 35,334 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle
13-Mar-82 League Cup Final 100,000 Wem L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Archibald
03-May-82 Division 1 38,091 H D 2 - 2 Perryman, Archibald
15-May-82 Division 1 48,122 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
21-Aug-82 Charity Shield 82,500 Wem L 0 - 1
27-Nov-82 Division 1 40,691 A L 0 - 3
30-Apr-83 Division 1 44,907 H W 2 - 0 Archibald (2)
12-Nov-83 Division 1 44,348 H D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle (pen)
10-Mar-84 Division 1 36,718 A L 1 - 3 Stevens
02-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A L 2 - 5 Thomas, Falco (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
09-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A D 1 - 1 Brazil (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
12-Oct-84 Division 1 28,599 H W 1 - 0 Crooks
31-Oct-84 League Cup 3 38,690 H W 1 - 0 Allen C
27-Jan-85 F.A. Cup 4 27,905 A L 0 - 1
16-Mar-85 Division 1 43,852 A W 1 - 0 Crooks
28-Sep-85 Division 1 41,521 A L 1 - 4 Chiedozie
03-Dec-85 SSS Cup Gp. 14,855 A L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
14-Jan-86 SSS Cup Gp. 10,078 H L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
02-Mar-86 Division 1 16,436 H L 1 - 2 Waddle
11-Oct-86 Division 1 43,139 A W 1 - 0 Allen C
22-Mar-87 Division 1 32,763 H W 1 - 0 Waddle
28-Nov-87 Division 1 47,362 H L 0 - 2
23-Apr-88 Division 1 44,798 A L 0 - 1
17-Sep-88 Division 1 40,929 A D 1 - 1 Fenwick
26-Mar-89 Division 1 30,012 H L 1 - 2 Fenwick (pen)
29-Oct-89 Division 1 26,550 A L 0 - 1
21-Mar-90 Division 1 25,656 H W 1 - 0 Stewart
04-Nov-90 Division 1 35,003 H L 1 - 3 Lineker
11-May-91 Division 1 36,192 A L 0 - 2
18-Dec-91 Division 1 27,434 H L 1 - 2 Walsh
21-Mar-92 Division 1 39,968 A L 1 - 2 Stewart
31-Oct-92 FA Prem 32,917 H W 2 - 0 Nayim, Ruddock
08-May-93 FA Prem 43,385 A L 2 - 6 Sedgley, Sheringham
25-Aug-93 FA Prem 42,456 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham (2, 1pen)
18-Dec-93 FA Prem 31,394 H D 3 - 3 Samways, Hazard (pen), Caskey
26-Nov-94 FA Prem 35,007 A D 1 - 1 Ruddock og
11-Mar-95 F.A. Cup 6 39,582 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
22-Mar-95 FA Prem 31,988 H D 0 - 0
26-Aug-95 FA Prem 31,254 H L 1 - 3 Barnes og
03-Feb-96 FA Prem 40,628 A D 0 - 0
02-Dec-96 FA Prem 32,899 H L 0 - 2
03-May-97 FA Prem 40,003 A L 1 - 2 Anderton
08-Nov-97 FA Prem 38,006 A L 0 - 4
14-Mar-98 FA Prem 30,245 H D 3 - 3 Klinsmann, Ginola, Vega
10-Nov-98 League Cup 4 20,772 A W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
05-Dec-98 FA Prem 36,125 H W 2 - 1 Fox, Carragher o.g.
01-May-99 FA Prem 44,007 A L 2 - 3 Carragher o.g., Iversen
03-Jan-2000 FA Prem 36,044 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
09-Apr-00 FA Prem 44,536 A L 0 - 2
19-Nov-00 FA Prem 36,036 H W 2 - 1 Ferdinand, Sherwood
22-Apr-01 FA Prem 43,547 A L 1 - 3 Korsten
22-Sep-01 FA Prem 44,116 A L 0 - 1
27-Apr-02 FA Prem 36,017 H W 1 - 0 Poyet
26-Oct-02 FA Prem 44,084 A L 1 - 2 Richards
15-Mar-03 FA Prem 36,077 H L 2 - 3 Taricco, Sheringham
27-Aug-03 FA Prem 43,778 A D 0 - 0
17-Jan-04 FA Prem 36,104 H W 2 - 1 Keane (pen), Postiga
14-Aug-04 FA Prem 35,105 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
01-Dec-04 League Cup 5 36,100 H D 1 - 1 (a.e.t) Defoe (Spurs lost 4-3 on pens)
16-Apr-05 FA Prem 44,029 A D 2 - 2 Edman, Keane
10-Sep-05 FA Prem 36,148 H D 0 - 0
14-Jan-06 FA Prem 44,983 A L 0 - 1
23-Sep-06 FA Prem 44,330 A L 0 - 3
30-Dec-06 FA Prem 36,170 H L 0 - 1
07-Oct-07 FA Prem 43,986 A D 2 - 2 Keane (2)
11-May-08 FA Prem 36,063 H L 0 - 2
01-Nov-08 FA Prem 36,183 H W 2 - 1 Carragher o.g., Pavlyuchenko
12-Nov-08 League Cup 4 33,242 H W 4 - 2 Pavlyuchenko (2),Campbell (2)
24-May-09 FA Prem 43,937 A L 1 - 3 Keane
16-Aug-09 FA Prem H
09-Jan-10 FA Prem A
JERMAIN DEFOE ON LIVERPOOL:
Jermain Defoe quickly set his sights on Liverpool after one of the biggest nights of his life on the international stage.
The striker maintained his fine form in pre-season with both goals as a second half substitute as England came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Holland in Wednesday night's friendly at the Amsterdam Arena.
It was his biggest night for the Three Lions since grabbing a goal in a World Cup qualifier against Poland back in September, 2004 and means he's scored four of England's last five goals having bagged numbers four and five in the 6-0 win against Andorra in June.
But speaking after returning to England on Thursday, ‘JD' had already turned his attentions to our huge opening weekend fixture against the Reds at the Lane on Sunday.
"At that level every game is difficult anyway but when you play against top nations, the likes of Holland, Brasil, Argentina, it's always fantastic to get on the scoresheet and to get two goals was great for me," he said. "I was buzzing, as you could imagine.
"As soon as I woke up this morning I thought ‘yes, I'm ready for Liverpool' and I'm looking forward that game. All I want to do now is help us get off to a good start to the season.
"I always feel sharp in pre-season and that's been the one of the best parts of my game, working a yard of space and getting my shots off, so I've always had that even when I was younger but in terms of fitness and strength, I don't think I've ever felt this good.
"Maybe it's because I'm getting older and maturing as a player, I feel much stronger. I just want to keep that going and help the team get off to a positive start against Liverpool.
"It's such a big game for everyone, especially at this early stage of the season. The lads can't wait for it and we all feel it's game we can win.
"We're at home, we know the fans will be right behind us and it's all about our belief. We want to make a good start and we're after the three points."
HARRY LOOKS FORWARD TO LIVERPOOL
Harry Redknapp was impressed with the performance as we toppled Olympiacos 3-0 in Sunday's final pre-season friendly.
Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Jermain Defoe bagged the goals in the second half against the Greek champions at White Hart Lane.
Peter Crouch - who went close twice in the first half - and Sebastien Bassong made their Spurs debuts while Ledley King came through his first 45 minutes of the summer.
"It was another step up and I was well pleased with how we played," said Harry.
"It was a good performance and result against a good side who had a big result in the Champions League (beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on aggregate) last week.
"I was particularly pleased with how we moved the ball around, our movement and all the strikers are looking sharp, so that's ideal for us.
"We have four strikers and they are all top players. Jermain scored, Pav scored, Crouchy was terrific for us in the first half and we all know what Robbie's about."
So the build-up to next Sunday's mouth-watering opener against Liverpool at home in the Barclays Premier League now starts in earnest.
"It's a tough one to start with but a great game to look forward to," added Harry. "Liverpool are a fantastic team but we're in good form as well. I'm sure it will be a terrific game."
SEBASTEIN BASSONG:
Sebastien Bassong will be available for selection for our Premier League season opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
The defender was handed a two-match suspension after being sent off whilst playing for Newcastle United against Fulham last May.
However, given he served the first game of his ban against Aston Villa on the final day of the previous campaign as a Newcastle United player, it meant the suspension continued to apply to Newcastle United games and was therefore satisfied when his former club visited West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the Championship season on Saturday.
PETER CROUCH:
Peter Crouch says he feels sharp and ready for the big kick-off after a promising debut on Sunday.
The striker played the first half of our final pre-season friendly against Olympiacos at the Lane and now has Liverpool in his sights on Sunday.
Although he was left frustrated in front of goal by a couple of near misses, Crouchy impressed with his all-round play and, naturally, his aerial ability.
"It was one of those days in front of goal I suppose but I was pleased with my performance," he said.
"It was my first 45 minutes of pre-season and it was good to get it out of the way. It's all about fitness and I feel sharp and ready for the season."
Crouchy started up front with Robbie Keane in a goalless first half before Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko took over in the second half and bagged a goal each in the 3-0 win, Vedran Corluka the other scorer.
"I've played with Roman, Robbie and Jermain in training and they are all fantastic players," added Peter. "We've four strikers battling it out for two spots, healthy competition and that has to be good for the club."
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS:
Jamie Carragher looks set to be fit for Liverpool's opening Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday.
The centre-half sparked fears that he would miss the start of the season when he limped out of Liverpool's pre-season friendly with a twisted ankle, but local media reports suggest that Carragher will be fit to face Spurs.
He will be partnered by either Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger, who have suffered with hanstring and back problems respectively. The Liverpool Echo claims that 'Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs'.
Carragher's return will banish nightmares of youngsters Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala or Mikel San Jose being forced to line up against Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.
Unsurprisingly, Steven Gerrard is also expected to be fit despite pulling out of England's friendly international with Holland.
TEAM NEWS
Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Liverpool with a groin injury but both Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) should feature.
New signing Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to play before September as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery while fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.
Sebastien Bassong could make his debut following an £8m move from Newcastle.
Tottenham
Suspended: None
Injured/unavailable: Bale (knee), Dawson (Achilles), Woodgate (groin)
Liverpool
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Carragher (ankle), Gerrard (groin), Skrtel (hamstring) Injured: Agger (back), Aquilani (ankle), Aurelio (knee), El Zhar (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Liverpool face an early test of their title credentials with a trip to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League since last November.
The Reds suffered only two league defeats last season, the first a 2-1 reverse at Spurs that lifted Harry Redknapp's side off the bottom of the table.
Though Liverpool gained revenge on the final day, the damage had already been done, with a first league title since 1990 eluding the Reds despite 10 wins from their last 11 games.
Nine years after leaving White Hart Lane without a first team appearance to his name, Peter Crouch could make his Tottenham debut following his move from Portsmouth.
Like team-mate Robbie Keane, he will be hoping to prove a point to Rafael Benitez after being deemed surplus to requirements during a spell at Anfield.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Last season's 2-1 defeat is Liverpool's only loss in their last 10 league games against Tottenham.
• Spurs also beat the Reds in the fourth round of the League Cup on 12 November 2008.
Tottenham
• Spurs are chasing a seventh successive home league win. They are unbeaten in their last 11 top flight games at White Hart Lane. Everton were the last side to take maximum points at Spurs, winning 1-0 on 30 November 2008.
• Spurs made their worst start to a top flight season last year. When Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane at the end of October, Spurs were bottom of the table with two points from eight games. They picked up 49 points from the remaining 30 matches to finish eighth.
• Tottenham's last hat-trick against the Reds was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who scored four at White Hart Lane in a 7-2 win in 1963.
Liverpool
• The Reds have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 league games.
• Liverpool's tally of 77 league goals last season was their best since 1990/91.
• A win would make Liverpool the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football.
• Jamie Carragher has scored only three Premier League goals since making his debut 11 years ago. He has also scored three own goals against Tottenham (two at White Hart Lane).
LEADING GOALSCORERS LAST SEASON
Darren Bent: 17 goals (12 league), Roman Pavlyuchenko: 14 goals (5 league)
Steven Gerrard: 24 goals (16 league), Fernando Torres: 17 goals (14 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey, Simon Beck
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
LAST TIME WE MET...
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool ended their campaign with a comfortable win in which Sami Hyypia appeared as a substitute late on in his final appearance for the Anfield club.
Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross for the opener in the first half.
Alan Hutton unluckily deflected a shot from Kuyt to make it 2-0 before Robbie Keane briefly silenced the home crowd when Liverpool's offside trap failed.
Yossi Benayoun made sure of the win, however, as Liverpool finished second and Spurs had to settle for eighth.
There was almost a fairytale ending for Finnish defender Hyypia, when - after a decade of service for Liverpool - he nearly scored a 36th goal for the club in his 454th appearance.
Rising majestically to fire a header at the Spurs goal, the Bayer Leverkusen-bound 35-year-old forced Heurelho Gomes into a scrambling save.
Liverpool started and finished the game strongly, while Spurs were generally outclassed and never looked like getting the victory they needed to give them a chance of scraping into the Europa League.
Benayoun was the most industrious player early on for the Reds and he fired over from close in after Kuyt had headed down a corner from Fabio Aurelio.
Torres was quiet initially but sparked into life after 27 minutes when he surged through from midfield and found himself clear just outside the box, only to see his attempt to steer a shot wide of Gomes thwarted by a challenge from Jermaine Jenas.
In making the tackle, Jenas injured himself and was unable to see out the half in his 150th appearance for Spurs. David Bentley eventually came on for him, but by then Spurs were a goal behind.
An error by Benoit Assou-Ekotto allowed Steven Gerrard to Dirk Kuyt down the right, and the Dutch international had time to switch to his left foot to pick out Torres at the far post.
The blond striker rose with perfect timing to elude his marker Hutton and powered in a header which rattled off the underside of the crossbar and into Gomes's net.
It was Torres's 50th Liverpool goal, and he has reached the landmark in fewer matches than some high-profile Liverpool strikers of yesteryear, such as Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.
Spurs did carve out one half-chance just before the break as Jermain Defoe beat the offside trap to race clear but Pepe Reina managed to block him on the right-hand edge of the penalty area.
The early part of the second half saw Tottenham continue to make the Liverpool defence work, with Luka Modric brought down by Daniel Agger, giving the visitors a tasty free-kick from the edge of the D.
Gareth Bale took it from a central position but Reina palmed his strike down in front of him, with no Spurs players able to get to the rebound in time.
Liverpool woke suddenly from their siesta and turned on the heat once again. Gerrard, twisting and turning in the Tottenham box, unsuccessfully claimed a penalty when his cross struck Vedran Corluka's outstretched arm.
Martin Skrtel's deflected shot went narrowly wide but soon it was 2-0 as the energetic Kuyt exchanged passes with Benayoun before rifling in a shot which would have gone wide of the post - but deflected in off the unlucky Hutton.
Xabi Alonso forced a save from Gomes and shots from Gerrard and the newly-introduced Albert Riera flew wide as Liverpool continued to press.
Unexpectedly, Keane gave Spurs brief respite by springing the offside trap and shooting past Reina.
However there was to be no twist in the tale, as Benayoun shrugged off the attentions of Ledley King to grab Liverpool's third. Moments later, Hyypia was sent on to a mass standing ovation for the final few minutes.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"I was trying to keep Sami [Hyppia] on the bench until the last minute but I couldn't because the fans were pushing me. Working with Sami for five years I know he is a fantastic professional and hopefully he will do the same in Germany and then come back to us.
"Clearly he will have a position with us in two or three years if we're still here. But it's a little bit emotional and a little bit sad today.
"We knew it was important for the fans that we finished the season really well. When it's the last game it's difficult to keep working hard but I was impressed with [Javier] Mascherano who just kept running."
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"It's been a hard season but it's terrific for us to finish where we have. Today we conceded some sloppy goals but it was a typical end-of season game.
"Our away form hasn't been good enough this season but you look at today, we brought in a couple of lads who don't play regularly and it shows us what we need next year if we're going to push up and close the gap on teams like Liverpool.
"It was nice to see Sami Hyypia come on. He got an unbelievable ovation from a fantastic club and its supporters."
Liverpool:
Reina, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Riera 66), Gerrard (Hyypia 84), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog 78).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, Degen.
Goals: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Zokora, Jenas (Bentley 40), Bale (Bent 78), Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 70), Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Gunter, Campbell, Chimbonda.
Booked: Corluka.
Goals: Keane 77.
Att: 43,937
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Liverpool's Sami Hyppia
Monday, May 18, 2009
PREVIEW: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Anfield, Liverpool
Sunday 24th May 2009, Kick Off 16:00
Premier League, Match 38
REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
COMMENT:
Spurs travel to Anfield on Sunday still in with an outside chance of grabbing 7th place in the Premier League and thus qualifying for the inaugural season of the UEFA Europa League in 2009-10.
The fact that this is so, given our absolutely appauling start to the season, speaks volumes for the way Harry Redknapp has turned our fortunes around and the effort put-in by the entire playing squad.
Liverpool lost out to Manchester United in the title race but will still be keen to give a good account of themselves, especially with Chelsea breathing down their necks for the runners-up spot.
Strangly enough, Spurs are in the happy position of already having beaten Liverpool twice this season and an unlikely third win at Anfield would be Tottenham's third "Double" of the League season to go with the scalps of West Ham United and Manchester City. We survived the entire League season without any club doing the "Double" over us.
The first match against Liverpool came at White Hart Lane in the League on 1st November with an own goal being the decisive strike in a 2-1 win.
It was rather more comfortable in the home League Cup fourth round fixture just 11 days later with Spurs playing perhaps some of their best football of the season to finish 4-2 winners with double braces from Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Spurs will be without the services of Tom Huddlestone (knee operation), Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt on Sunday and I expect Harry to go all-out to win this one (a draw would be of no benefit to us) and field an attacking line-up with three strikers in use once again - To Dare Is To Do!
It's certainly been a funny old season! Tipped to be the best of the rest by most of the Media, Spurs found themselves rock bottom with just two points from their first eight Premier League matches. Adios Ramos, Hello Harry. We were still deep in relegation trouble at Christmas/New Year but a good run of results saw us gradually creep-up the League table.
Then there was the League Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley (who had already knocked us out of the FA Cup) and an honourable draw after extra time, only to lose-out on penalty kicks. The UEFA Cup was a distraction for Harry and a very young team did well against the Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk but not well enough to progress in the competition.
And so on to Anfield to wrap-up what has been in many ways an eventful yet ultimately disappointing season for Spurs fans. Oh well... there's always next season to look forward to!
TEAM NEWS:
Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jonathan Woodgate are doubts ahead of Sunday's final game of the season at Liverpool.
Left-back Benoit will undergo an assessment on a swollen knee, while fellow defender ‘Woody' is still struggling with the groin problem that forced him off in last weekend's victory over Manchester City.
Tom Huddlestone is recovering well after his knee operation earlier this week, but remains out along with Michael Dawson (ankle), Aaron Lennon (groin), Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt (both knee).
On a brighter note, Darren Bent returned to training today following the knee injury he picked up in last month's defeat at Manchester United.
In other news, Heurelho Gomes has been called up to the Brazil squad for their up-coming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, which kicks off on June 14 in South Africa.
The goalkeeper, who has been in fine recent form for Harry Redknapp's side, earned the last of his nine international caps in October 2006.
After his first season of Premier League football, Gomes is back in coach Carlos Dunga's plans alongside the likes of Kaka, Robinho and Anderson.
A Seleção will take on Uruguay in Montevideo on 6 June, before hosting group leaders Paraguay four days later in Recife.
Then, one day later, they will travel to South Africa ahead of the defence of their FIFA Confederations Cup crown. Brazil have been drawn in Group B alongside USA, Italy and Egypt.
BIG MATCH FACTS:
If Liverpool avoid defeat here, they will make Premier League history by being the first club to lose as few as two Premier League matches and not end up with the title. A draw would guarantee runners-up spot for the second time in the Premier League; the first was in 2001-02.
Tottenham must win to stand any chance of overhauling Fulham to finish seventh and land Europa League football next season.
Spurs ended last season's Premier League campaign with defeat to Liverpool at White Hart Lane.
It's six years since Liverpool ended a top-flight season with defeat; they are yet to lose a final day Premier League fixture at Anfield; Spurs have lost three of their last four last day away league fixtures.
Tottenham have already played Liverpool twice this season and have won them both; 2-1 in the reverse league fixture and 4-2 11 days later in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on 12 November at White Hart Lane. Roman Pavlychenko has scored a total of three goals in those two games.
Tottenham have only achieved one Premier League victory at Anfield. They prevailed 1-2 on 25 August 1993, when Teddy Sheringham scored both their goals - one from the penalty spot. Since then, the Londoners have drawn five and lost nine of 14 visits.
Distance between the clubs: 214 miles (344 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
LIVERPOOL
2nd 83 points
Highest achievable: 2nd (Merit payment: £14,440,000)
Lowest could fall: 3rd (£13,680,000)
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Missed out on a first Premier League title, despite boasting the sharpest attack in the division. More details
2. The current tally of 83 points is already their record total for a Premier League season; victory would give them 25 wins for the second time, and first since 2005-06 when a third placed finish was procured.
3. Unbeaten in 10 Premier League games; won nine and drawn one (28 points out of 30) since losing 2-0, away to Middlesbrough on 28 February; their only loss in 26 league games.
4. Chasing their 1,300th win in post-war league football.
5. Defeat in the reverse fixture is their only loss in nine league games against London clubs this season; defeat would mean Tottenham had become the only club to do the double over them this term.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
8th 51 points
Highest achievable: 7th (Merit payment: £10,640,000)
Lowest could fall: 9th (£9,120,000)
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Guaranteed a fourth top-half finish in five years.
2. Won four of the last six league games, kept clean sheets in four of six and failed to score in one of the last 12.
3. Lost for the first time in seven fixtures against 'Big Four' clubs this season when Manchester United came from behind to win 5-2 at Old Trafford on 25 April, but not recorded an away win against the elite quartet.
4. Won only four times on the road in this top-flight campaign, and four goals short of conceding 500 away from home all-time in the Premier League.
5. Already beaten West Ham and Manchester City home and away, and could also do the double over Liverpool.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
LIVERPOOL
Pepe REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.
Jamie CARRAGHER is the only other player to have started all of Liverpool's Premier League games this term.
Steven GERRARD is the club's top Premier League scorer, with 16 goals, a quarter of which were penalties.
Fernando TORRES and Andrei VORONIN have both made two Premier League appearances against Tottenham and have both scored on each occasion.
If he scores:-
TORRES will reach the milestone of 50 goals for Liverpool.
If selected:-
Martin SKRTEL will be making his 50th appearance for the Reds.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Robbie KEANE has scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances for Tottenham against Liverpool.
Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.
BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).
If selected:-
BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance, and 300th in all club competitions.
Jermain DEFOE will be making his 300th career league appearance (Charlton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Tottenham and Portsmouth).
Jermaine JENAS will be making his 150th appearance in a Tottenham shirt.
KEANE faces Liverpool, where he spent just seven months from July last year, before returning to White Hart Lane in February for £12m. He made just 28 appearances (19 Premier League) for the Merseysiders, scoring seven goals (five league).
HEAD TO HEAD
Tottenham's league loss at the Lane on 1 November ended Liverpool's eight-match unbeaten sequence against Tottenham in the Premier League.
The Londoners have not done the double over the Reds since 1986-87.
Spurs need to score three times to total 150 league goals against Liverpool.
Liverpool inflicted on Spurs their club record league defeat; 7-0 at Anfield on 2 September 1978.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Liverpool 61 wins, Spurs 36, Draws 34
Prem: Liverpool 15 wins, Spurs 8, Draws 10
at Liverpool only
League (inc PL): Liverpool 41 wins, Spurs 5, Draws 19
Prem: Liverpool 10 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 5
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
7 October 2007 - Ref: Mark Halsey
Liverpool scorers: Voronin 12, Torres 90
Spurs scorers: Keane 45, 47
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool
1 November 2008 - Ref: Phil Dowd
Spurs scorers: Carragher 70 og, Pavlyuchenko 90
Liverpool scorer: Kuyt 3
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:
Liverpool are at home and they'll want to sign of with a victory and run Manchester United as close as possible so I think they'll beat Tottenham. But it should be an open and entertaining affair
Harry Redknapp has done a fantastic job at Tottenham when you consider where they were when he took over.
I think they'll be a huge threat next season because they will add to their squad and those players will be of the highest quality.
Verdict: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Sunday's final League game of season 2008-09 will be the 155th meeting between Liverpool and Spurs. The two clubs contested the 1982 League Cup Final at Wembley and the subsequent Charity Shield that August.
Here are the results of the previous 154 matches with Spurs' score shown first:
26-Dec-1894 Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Hunter, Payne jnr, Payne snr
12-Apr-1895 Friendly - H W 6 - 0 Wilkinson, Laycock, Hunter (2), McElhaney (2)
13-Nov-09 Division 1 22,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
26-Mar-10 Division 1 15,000 A L 0 - 2
29-Oct-10 Division 1 12,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Humphreys
04-Mar-11 Division 1 25,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
11-Nov-11 Division 1 23,000 H W 2 - 0 Minter, Middlemiss
16-Mar-12 Division 1 15,000 A W 2 - 1 Newman, Mason
02-Nov-12 Division 1 15,000 A L 1 - 4 Minter
08-Mar-13 Division 1 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
29-Nov-13 Division 1 21,000 A L 1 - 2 Cantrell
04-Apr-14 Division 1 19,800 H D 0 - 0
31-Oct-14 Division 1 12,000 A L 2 - 7 Clay (pen), Bliss
06-Mar-15 Division 1 12,000 H D 1 - 1 Minter
25-Mar-21 Division 1 40,000 A D 1 - 1 Blis
28-Mar-21 Division 1 35,000 H W 1 - 0 Smith
22-Oct-21 Division 1 31,593 H L 0 - 1
29-Oct-21 Division 1 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
04-Nov-22 Division 1 35,068 H L 2 - 4 Clay (pen), Grimsdell
11-Nov-22 Division 1 29,000 A D 0 - 0
29-Mar-24 Division 1 22,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Apr-24 Division 1 22,470 H D 1 - 1 Grimsdell
13-Dec-24 Division 1 25,604 H D 1 - 1 Hargreaves
18-Apr-25 Division 1 12,000 A L 0 - 1
24-Oct-25 Division 1 29,952 H W 3 - 1 Osborne (3)
06-Mar-26 Division 1 26,355 A D 0 - 0
11-Dec-26 Division 1 26,640 H L 1 - 2 Blair
30-Apr-27 Division 1 15,756 A L 0 - 1
17-Dec-27 Division 1 21,234 H W 3 - 1 Osborne, Elkes (2)
28-Apr-28 Division 1 31,780 A L 0 - 2
23-Sep-33 Division 1 33,080 H L 0 - 3
03-Feb-34 Division 1 30,809 A L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
15-Dec-34 Division 1 24,688 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
27-Apr-35 Division 1 15,613 H W 5 - 1 Bolan, Hunt DA, Evans W (3)
06-Sep-50 Division 1 39,015 A L 1 - 2 Medley
05-May-51 Division 1 49,072 H W 3 - 1 Walters, Murphy (2)
01-Dec-51 Division 1 51,342 H L 2 - 3 Walters, Bennett
19-Apr-52 Division 1 36,898 A D 1 - 1 Duquemin
10-Sep-52 Division 1 49,869 A L 1 - 2 Baily
15-Sep-52 Division 1 37,319 H W 3 - 1 Groves (2), Harmer
12-Sep-53 Division 1 47,535 H W 2 - 1 Ramsay, Walters
23-Jan-54 Division 1 43,592 A D 2 - 2 Walters, Lock og
12-Apr-63 Division 1 54,463 A L 2 - 5 Jones, Dyson
15-Apr-63 Division 1 53,727 H W 7 - 2 Jones (2), Saul, Greaves (4, 1pen)
27-Mar-64 Division 1 57,022 H L 1 - 3 Norman
30-Mar-64 Division 1 52,904 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
28-Nov-64 Division 1 41,198 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-65 Division 1 50,760 A L 0 - 1
09-Apr-65 Division 1 28,441 H W 3 - 0 Saul, Low, Gilzean
18-Sep-65 Division 1 46,925 H W 2 - 1 Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves (2)
01-Apr-67 Division 1 53,135 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
06-May-67 Division 1 40,845 A D 0 - 0
04-Nov-67 Division 1 47,682 H D 1 - 1 Jones
09-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 54,005 H D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 53,658 A L 1 - 2 Jones
29-Apr-68 Division 1 41,688 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
19-Oct-68 Division 1 44,122 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
21-Dec-68 Division 1 43,843 A L 0 - 1
16-Aug-69 Division 1 50,474 H L 0 - 2
07-Oct-69 Division 1 46,518 A D 0 - 0
10-Oct-70 Division 1 44,547 H W 1 - 0 Peters
06-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 54,731 A D 0 - 0
16-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 Replay 56,283 H L 0 - 1
17-Apr-71 Division 1 46,363 A D 0 - 0
04-Sep-71 Division 1 50,124 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Peters
18-Dec-71 Division 1 43,409 A D 0 - 0
25-Nov-72 Division 1 45,497 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
06-Dec-72 League Cup 5 Replay 34,565 H W 3 - 1 Pratt, Chivers (2)
25-Mar-73 UEFA SF (2L) 46,919 H W 2 - 1 Peters (2)
31-Mar-73 Division 1 48,477 A D 1 - 1 Gilzean
10-Apr-73 UEFA SF (1L) 42,174 A L 0 - 1
22-Sep-73 Division 1 42,901 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Peters
04-Dec-73 League Cup 5 48,677 A D 1 - 1 Peters
08-May-74 Division 1 24,618 H D 1 - 1 McGrath
07-Sep-74 Division 1 47,538 A L 2 - 5 Perryman, Chivers
22-Mar-75 Division 1 34,331 H L 0 - 2
23-Aug-75 Division 1 42,729 A L 2 - 3 Jones, Duncan
13-Dec-75 Division 1 29,891 H L 0 - 4
18-Sep-76 Division 1 47,421 A L 0 - 2
09-Mar-77 Division 1 32,098 H W 1 - 0 Coates
02-Sep-78 Division 1 50,705 A L 0 - 7
22-Nov-78 Division 1 50,393 H D 0 - 0
17-Nov-79 Division 1 51,092 A L 1 - 2 Jones
08-Mar-80 F.A. Cup 6 48,033 H L 0 - 1
29-Mar-80 Division 1 32,114 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Hoddle (pen)
06-Dec-80 Division 1 39,545 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
25-Apr-81 Division 1 35,334 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle
13-Mar-82 League Cup Final 100,000 W L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Archibald
03-May-82 Division 1 38,091 H D 2 - 2 Perryman, Archibald
15-May-82 Division 1 48,122 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
21-Aug-82 Charity Shield 82,500 W L 0 - 1
27-Nov-82 Division 1 40,691 A L 0 - 3
30-Apr-83 Division 1 44,907 H W 2 - 0 Archibald (2)
12-Nov-83 Division 1 44,348 H D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle (pen)
10-Mar-84 Division 1 36,718 A L 1 - 3 Stevens
02-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A L 2 - 5 Thomas, Falco
09-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A D 1 - 1 Brazil
12-Oct-84 Division 1 28,599 H W 1 - 0 Crooks
31-Oct-84 League Cup 3 38,690 H W 1 - 0 Allen C
27-Jan-85 F.A. Cup 4 27,905 A L 0 - 1
16-Mar-85 Division 1 43,852 A W 1 - 0 Crooks
28-Sep-85 Division 1 41,521 A L 1 - 4 Chiedozie
03-Dec-85 SSS Cup Gp. 14,855 A L 0 - 2
14-Jan-86 SSS Cup Gp. 10,078 H L 0 - 2
02-Mar-86 Division 1 16,436 H L 1 - 2 Waddle
11-Oct-86 Division 1 43,139 A W 1 - 0 Allen C
22-Mar-87 Division 1 32,763 H W 1 - 0 Waddle
28-Nov-87 Division 1 47,362 H L 0 - 2
23-Apr-88 Division 1 44,798 A L 0 - 1
17-Sep-88 Division 1 40,929 A D 1 - 1 Fenwick
26-Mar-89 Division 1 30,012 H L 1 - 2 Fenwick (pen)
29-Oct-89 Division 1 26,550 A L 0 - 1
21-Mar-90 Division 1 25,656 H W 1 - 0 Stewart
04-Nov-90 Division 1 35,003 H L 1 - 3 Lineker
11-May-91 Division 1 36,192 A L 0 - 2
18-Dec-91 Division 1 27,434 H L 1 - 2 Walsh
21-Mar-92 Division 1 39,968 A L 1 - 2 Stewart
31-Oct-92 FA Prem 32,917 H W 2 - 0 Nayim, Ruddock
08-May-93 FA Prem 43,385 A L 2 - 6 Sedgley, Sheringham
25-Aug-93 FA Prem 42,456 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham (2, 1pen)
18-Dec-93 FA Prem 31,394 H D 3 - 3 Samways, Hazard (pen), Caskey
26-Nov-94 FA Prem 35,007 A D 1 - 1 Ruddock og
11-Mar-95 F.A. Cup 6 39,582 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
22-Mar-95 FA Prem 31,988 H D 0 - 0
26-Aug-95 FA Prem 31,254 H L 1 - 3 Barnes og
03-Feb-96 FA Prem 40,628 A D 0 - 0
02-Dec-96 FA Prem 32,899 H L 0 - 2
03-May-97 FA Prem 40,003 A L 1 - 2 Anderton
08-Nov-97 FA Prem 38,006 A L 0 - 4
14-Mar-98 FA Prem 30,245 H D 3 - 3 Klinsmann, Ginola, Vega
10-Nov-98 League Cup 4 20,772 A W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
05-Dec-98 FA Prem 36,125 H W 2 - 1 Fox, Carragher o.g.
01-May-99 FA Prem 44,007 A L 2 - 3 Carragher o.g., Iversen
03-Jan-00 FA Prem 36,044 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
09-Apr-00 FA Prem 44,536 A L 0 - 2
19-Nov-00 FA Prem 36,036 H W 2 - 1 Ferdinand, Sherwood
22-Apr-01 FA Prem 43,547 A L 1 - 3 Korsten
22-Sep-01 FA Prem 44,116 A L 0 - 1
27-Apr-02 FA Prem 36,017 H W 1 - 0 Poyet
26-Oct-02 FA Prem 44,084 A L 1 - 2 Richards
15-Mar-03 FA Prem 36,077 H L 2 - 3 Taricco, Sheringham
27-Aug-03 FA Prem 43,778 A D 0 - 0
17-Jan-04 FA Prem 36,104 H W 2 - 1 Keane (pen), Postiga
14-Aug-04 FA Prem 35,105 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
01-Dec-04 League Cup 5 36,100 H D 1 - 1 (a.e.t) Defoe (Spurs lost 4-3 on pens)
16-Apr-05 FA Prem 44,029 A D 2 - 2 Edman, Keane
10-Sep-05 FA Prem 36,148 H D 0 - 0
14-Jan-06 FA Prem 44,983 A L 0 - 1
23-Sep-06 FA Prem 44,330 A L 0 - 3
30-Dec-06 FA Prem 36,170 H L 0 - 1
07-Oct-07 FA Prem 43,986 A D 2 - 2 Keane (2)
11-May-08 FA Prem 36,063 H L 0 - 2
01-Nov-08 FA Prem 36,183 H W 2 - 1 Carragher o.g., Pavlyuchenko
12-Nov-08 League Cup 4 33,242 H W 4 - 2 Pavlyuchenko (2),Campbell (2)
24-May-09 FA Prem A
LAST TIME WE MET...
Tottenham 4-2 Liverpool
League Cup Round Four, Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Carling Cup holders Tottenham strode into the quarter-finals with a clinical win over Liverpool in a thrilling tie.
Three goals in six first-half minutes put the hosts in control, Roman Pavlyuchenko drilling in the opener.
Fraizer Campbell then got his first goals in a Spurs shirt when he clipped home before heading in from 12 yards.
Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia headed in replies for Liverpool after Heurelho Gomes errors, but Pavlyuchenko tapped in his second in between to wrap it up.
It was an excellent performance from a home side that have been rejuvenated almost beyond recognition under Harry Redknapp, and only three matches now stand between the north Londoners and a return to Wembley where they won the trophy last season.
Liverpool, with some justification, may point to the fact that their side featured 10 changes to the side that beat West Brom at the weekend - but then Spurs themselves had made seven changes to the team that overcame Manchester City on Sunday.
Still, from the off only one side appeared to be in it.
Spurs were effervescent, closing Liverpool down at every opportunity and stringing passes together with a confidence that was so absent under Juande Ramos's reign this season.
Ryan Babel was a bright spark for Liverpool, epitomised by an excellent run into the home box, dribbling past three players, before the attack petered out.
But that was it, with Fernando Torres ineffective on his return from injury, and Spurs took full advantage in a stunning six-minute spell to end the half.
Lennon had come closest to rewarding Tottenham's dominance in the first half hour when he cut inside and saw his shot blocked well by Daniel Agger - but few expected what was to come.
Pavlyuchenko and Campbell had also gone close early in the match and it was that combination that broke the deadlock, the latter latching onto Gareth Bale's pass, out-muscling Sami Hyypia and laying the ball back for the Russian to hammer home.
Three minutes later and it was 2-0 as Campbell made the most of a collision between Reds keeper Diego Cavalieri and Andrea Dossena to collect Jamie O'Hara's pass and roll home.
When Campbell headed in Lennon's far-post cross on the stroke of half time, Spurs fans were in dreamland, but Liverpool were thrown a lifeline at the start of the second 45 when Plessis caught Spurs keeper Gomes in no man's land and headed in Babel's corner.
Liverpool's renaissance lasted precisely four minutes, though, as Pavlyuchenko tapped into after Didier Zokora's shot had been deflected.
If Tottenham thought they could relax, they reckoned without another woeful spot of keeping from Gomes, Hyypia the one to benefit this time as the defender nodded in Babel's corner with the Brazilian flapping.
And the mood at White Hart Lane was further dampened minutes later when Gomes went down heavily under Phillipp Degen's challenge and had to be stretchered off after over seven minutes of treatment.
Liverpool sensed an opportunity to get back into the match but, despite Nabil El Zhar causing problems, the visitors' best hope appeared to be when Degen went down under Bale's challenge in the box late on - but replays showed the defender clearly got the ball.
As it was, Spurs saw out a deserved win - their second over Rafael Benitez's side in a fortnight - to make it five victories and a draw for the hosts under Redknapp so far.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"It was a good win and a good performance - even if we could have done better on corners!
"That's 18 goals we've scored in my five matches in charge - we're bringing in Les Ferdinand as a striking coach and I've told him if we stop scoring it's his fault!
"In all seriousness, though, I've been so pleased with the players. They have tremendous quality and want to win every game - the desire is brilliant.
"Winning's a great habit and we have three strikers who are firing on all cylinders. I'm happy."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"We did not play well, we did not defend well, and we did not deserve anything from the game.
"In the second half we were a little better, in commitment and in our quality, but after the first half it was impossible.
"I'm happy with my selection - the side was good, we just didn't perform. The only bonus from the match is that Fernando Torres played some minutes, which is good."
Tottenham:
Gomes (Cesar 74), Hutton, Dawson, Corluka, Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko (Boateng 90), Campbell (Bent 90).
Subs Not Used: Bentley, Modric, Gunter, Rocha.
Booked: Pavlyuchenko, Campbell.
Goals: Pavlyuchenko 38, Campbell 42, 45, Pavlyuchenko 52.
Liverpool:
Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Degen (Darby 84), Babel, Leiva Lucas, Ngog, Plessis (Alonso 66), Torres (Insua 56), El Zhar.
Subs Not Used: Gulacsi, Riera, Benayoun, Carragher.
Booked: Plessis, Torres, Babel, Leiva Lucas.
Goals: Plessis 49, Hyypia 63.
Att: 33,242
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
Monday, May 11, 2009
PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 16th May, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 37
REFEREE: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
COMMENT:
Tottenham entertain Manchester City in the last home match of season 2008-09 fresh from a hard-earned point at Goodison Park against a very good Everton side, while City lost to United 0-2 in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Spurs are in touching distance of their best defensive home record in League history with just 9 goals conceded in the previous 18 home matches this season. The current record lowest number of goals conceded was 11 in the old Second Division way back in 1919-20.
That season was the first to be played after World War One and it saw our bitter rivals Arsenal steal our Top Flight position due to some very underhand means. Spurs bounced straight back up to the First Division as Champions of Division Two.
Indeed, Spurs have kept a clean sheet in each of the last six home Premier League matches and have only conceded a total of four goals at White Hart Lane in the 14 matches Harry Redknapp has been in charge of Spurs for...
We have already beaten Manchester City away 2-1 this season in November, thanks to a Darren Bent brace and a win on Saturday would be our second "Double" of the season to add to the one achieved over West Ham United.
Our record against City has generally been pretty good with 16 Premier League wins to our credit, four draws and just the three defeats in the 23 matches played between the two clubs so far.
Spurs have won nine of the last ten meetings against City.
Spurs are currently in 8th place and still pushing for the remaining UEFA Europa League place, although Fulham look to be firm favourites at the moment.
TEAM NEWS:
Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Didier Zokora are both fit again after injury to face Manchester City on Saturday.
Left-back Benoit sat out last weekend's game at Everton with a foot injury, and midfielder Didier missed the trip with a groin problem.
However, Aaron Lennon (groin), Darren Bent (knee), and Michael Dawson (ankle) remain sidelined. Giovani Dos Santos, meanwhile, will sit out due to illness.
Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt have both undergone knee operations and will not feature again this season.
And Wilson Palacios is currently back home in Honduras with his family due to personal reasons.
At Friday's press conference, manager Harry Redknapp said: "Wilson's still back home with his family. When he's ready to return, he will, I'll leave that decision to him.
"His family is the most important thing and he has to make sure he is at home taking care of them at the moment."
Tottenham (from):
Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Huddlestone, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto, Zokora, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Keane, Campbell, Chimbonda, Corluka, Defoe, King, Woodgate, Bostock, Parrett, Gilberto.
Man City's Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been struggling with a knee problem, has returned to training and could be on the bench.
Robinho is out with a groin injury, so Martin Petrov is in line to start.
Man City (from):
Given, Hart, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Fernandes, Ireland, De Jong, Kompany, Petrov, Bojinov, Caicedo, Evans, Berti.
BIG MATCH FACTS:
Two of the four clubs involved in the race for seventh spot and Europa League football clash at White Hart Lane. Indeed victory for Tottenham would extinguish the hopes of Manchester City.
City have won one more Premier League game than Spurs, yet find themselves two places below them in the table.
While Premier League matches involving the Citizens have yielded more goals than any other club (104 - 56 for, 48 against), top-flight games at White Hart Lane have produced fewer goals than any other ground (28 - 19 for, nine against).
Tottenham are vying for a fifth successive Premier League win over Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Another victory here would secure their sixth double over the Citizens in this league, and first since 2006-07.
Distance between the clubs: 202 miles (325 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
8th 48 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.
2. Won three of five Premier League games, losing one of them; 5-2, away to Manchester United on 25 April.
3. The goalless draw, away to Everton, in their last outing was the first time they had failed to score in 11 top-flight matches.
4. Their last four league victories have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
5. Five points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing. Already accumulated two more points that their total last season.
6. Dropped just eight points from winning positions, drawing one and losing two. Only Chelsea has dropped fewer (seven).
7. Gained twice as many points at home than away; 32 at the Lane, 16 on the road.
8. Won their last five home league games, and not conceded in six. This is their best sequence at the Lane since seven successive victories between 1 October and Boxing Day 2006.
9. Not beaten a North-West club in seven attempts in this league, since the 1-0 home victory over Blackburn on 23 November. Picked up just two of the 21 subsequent available points.
10. Already beaten West Ham, and could also do the double over Manchester City and Liverpool, who they visit on the last day.
Fixtures
MANCHESTER CITY
10th 47 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Victory would mean they had totalled 50 Premier League points under Mark Hughes.
2. Never finished higher than eighth (2004-05) in their 11 Premier League seasons.
3. The current total of 47 points from 36 games is eight points down on this stage last season, but maximum points from the last two games will mean they finish the campaign two points down on their total last season.
4. Won all nine league games in which clean sheets have been kept; lost all 10 top-flight games in which they have failed to score, and the only club not to have registered a goalless draw in this Premier League season.
5. One of four clubs not to have won a Premier League game in which the opening goal has been conceded, and only recouped three Premier League points from losing positions, courtesy of three draws.
6. Lost four of last five away league games, and won one of 16; 1-2 against Everton at Goodison Park on 25 April. Sunderland is the only other club they have beaten on their league travels.
7. Failed to score in six of their eight top-flight matches on the road in 2009, scoring just three goals.
8. Only picked up only 11 points away from the City of Manchester Stadium, as opposed to 36 at Eastlands.
9. Lost their last three away league games against London clubs, and gained one point out of 12 on the road against clubs from the capital, without scoring in the last three.
10. Already lost home and away to Manchester United and Chelsea. Tottenham, and Bolton, who they entertain on the last day, could still do the double over them.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.
BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).
If selected:-
BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance, and 300th in all club competitions.
Vedran CORLUKA will be facing a former club. The 23 year old Croatia international made 47 appearances (38 in the league) and scored one league goal for Manchester City between August 2007 and his £8.5m move to White Hart Lane in September last year.
MANCHESTER CITY
ROBINHO is the club's top Premier League scorer with 14 goals.
If he scores:-
Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will reach the milestone of 50 club career goals (Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea).
If selected:-
Danny MILLS will be playing two days before his 32nd birthday.
If on the field from the outset:-
WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will be making his 200th career league start (Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea).
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester City's only victory in 11 Premier League visits to Tottenham was 0-2 on 18 April 2003, with goals from David Sommeil and Joey Barton.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 44 wins, Man City 45, Draws 30
Prem: Spurs 16 wins, Man City 3, Draws 4
at Spurs only
League (inc PL): Spurs 29 wins, Man City 14, Draws 16
Prem: Spurs 8 wins, Man City 1, Draws 2
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester City
9 December 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Spurs scorers: Keane 10, Berbatov 32
Man City scorer: Mpenza 40
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
9 November 2008 - Ref: Mike Dean
Man City scorer: Robinho 16
Spurs scorers: Bent 29, 64
Sent Off: Fernandes 26, Dunne 83 (Man City), Assou-Ekotto (Spurs) 89
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):
Spurs are pushing for Europe. They got a good point at Everton and their home form is very, very good.
City are iffy, at best, on the road, although they looked OK at times against Manchester United.
This match is one for neutrals - it'll be a good game of football.
Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Manchester City
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Saturday's game will be the 138th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
The two clubs contested the 1981 FA Cup Final in a replayed match at Wembley which will go down as one of the competition's greatest-ever matches.
Here are the results of all the previous 137 games with Spurs' score shown first:
16-Jan-09 F.A. Cup 1 20,000 A W 4 - 3 Morris (pen), Minter (2), Steel R
27-Dec-10 Division 1 28,000 H D 1 - 1 Tull
03-Jan-11 Division 1 10,000 A L 1 - 2 Kennedy
05-Apr-12 Division 1 39,800 A L 1 - 2 Newman
08-Apr-12 Division 1 20,000 H L 0 - 2
25-Dec-12 Division 1 30,000 A D 2 - 2 Cantrell, Middlemiss
26-Dec-12 Division 1 20,000 H W 4 - 0 Minter, Cantrell (3)
27-Sep-13 Division 1 30,513 H W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Cantrell
24-Jan-14 Division 1 30,000 A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
31-Jan-14 F.A. Cup 2 36,256 A L 1 - 2 Bliss
26-Sep-14 Division 1 13,000 A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
15-Mar-15 Division 1 6,000 H D 2 - 2 Minter, Sparrow
12-Feb-21 Division 1 32,000 H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock
09-Mar-21 Division 1 30,000 A L 0 - 2
04-Feb-22 Division 1 20,000 A D 3 - 3 Wilson, Bliss (2)
11-Feb-22 Division 1 43,000 H W 3 - 1 Grimsdell, Bliss, Dimmock
18-Feb-22 F.A. Cup 3 53,810 H W 2 - 1 Wilson, Bliss
03-Mar-23 Division 1 27,963 H W 3 - 1 Walden, Seed, Handley
14-Mar-23 Division 1 25,000 A L 0 - 3
01-Jan-24 Division 1 24,000 A L 0 - 1
21-Apr-24 Division 1 11,739 H W 4 - 1 Elkes, Lindsay, Hargreaves (2)
10-Nov-24 Division 1 10,781 H D 1 - 1 Smith
02-May-25 Division 1 10,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Sep-25 Division 1 35,594 H W 1 - 0 Seed
16-Jan-26 Division 1 25,244 A D 0 - 0
11-Jan-30 F.A. Cup 3 37,000 H D 2 - 2 Osborne, Cook
14-Jan-30 F.A. Cup 3 Replay 37,716 A L 1 - 4 Thompson
02-Dec-33 Division 1 38,021 A L 0 - 2
14-Apr-34 Division 1 24,576 H W 5 - 1 O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2), Evans W
03-Nov-34 Division 1 28,802 A L 1 - 3 Evans W
12-Jan-35 F.A. Cup 3 48,983 H W 1 - 0 Evans W
16-Mar-35 Division 1 43,572 H D 0 - 0
05-Nov-38 Division 2 47,998 A L 0 - 2
11-Mar-39 Division 2 27,426 H L 2 - 3 Hitchens, Hall GW
28-Sep-46 Division 2 55,253 H D 0 - 0
01-Feb-47 Division 2 41,645 A L 0 - 1
06-Oct-51 Division 1 58,163 H L 1 - 2 Bennett
16-Feb-52 Division 1 39,080 A D 1 - 1 Walters
27-Aug-52 Division 1 33,621 A W 1 - 0 Duquemin
01-Sep-52 Division 1 41,113 H D 3 - 3 Ramsey (pen), McClellan, Robb
24-Oct-53 Division 1 37,577 H W 3 - 0 Duquemin, Robb (2)
30-Jan-54 F.A. Cup 4 51,182 A W 1 - 0 Bennett
17-Mar-54 Division 1 9,984 A L 1 - 4 Marchi
11-Dec-54 Division 1 27,052 A D 0 - 0
05-Mar-55 Division 1 35,358 H D 2 - 2 Duquemin (2)
12-Nov-55 Division 1 24,094 A W 2 - 1 McClellan, Dunmore
17-Mar-56 F.A. Cup SF 69,788 SF L 0 - 1
24-Mar-56 Division 1 31,622 H W 2 - 1 Brooks (pen), Smith R
22-Aug-56 Division 1 32,718 A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Brooks
29-Aug-56 Division 1 33,443 H W 3 - 2 Medwin, Harmer (pen), Smith R
28-Sep-57 Division 1 22,497 A L 1 - 5 Brannigan og
08-Feb-58 Division 1 37,539 H W 5 - 1 Smith R (3), Brooks, Robb
01-Nov-58 Division 1 30,601 A L 1 - 5 Smith R
21-Mar-59 Division 1 34,493 H W 3 - 1 Medwin, Smith R, Jones (pen)
31-Oct-59 Division 1 45,506 A W 2 - 1 Mackay, Jones
16-Apr-60 Division 1 49,767 H L 0 - 1
10-Oct-60 Division 1 58,916 H D 1 - 1 Smith R
25-Feb-61 Division 1 40,278 A W 1 - 0 Medwin
14-Oct-61 Division 1 40,561 H W 2 - 0 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones
03-Mar-62 Division 1 31,706 A L 2 - 6 Greaves (2)
01-Sep-62 Division 1 48,758 H W 4 - 2 Blanchflower (pen), Medwin, Greaves, Jones
11-May-63 Division 1 27,784 A L 0 - 1
08-Oct-66 Division 1 32,551 A W 2 - 1 Gilzean (2)
25-Feb-67 Division 1 33,832 H D 1 - 1 Robertson
09-Dec-67 Division 1 35,792 A L 1 - 4 Greaves
04-May-68 Division 1 51,242 H L 1 - 3 Greaves (pen)
12-Oct-68 Division 1 38,019 A L 0 - 4
14-Dec-68 Division 1 28,462 H D 1 - 1 England
01-Mar-69 F.A. Cup 6 48,872 A L 0 - 1
13-Sep-69 Division 1 41,644 H L 0 - 3
13-Dec-69 Division 1 29,216 A D 1 - 1 Johnson
26-Sep-70 Division 1 42,490 H W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers
01-May-71 Division 1 19,761 A W 1 - 0 Perryman
28-Aug-71 Division 1 33,683 A L 0 - 4
08-Jan-72 Division 1 36,470 H D 1 - 1 Peters
16-Sep-72 Division 1 31,755 A L 1 - 2 Peters
10-Feb-73 Division 1 30,944 H L 2 - 3 Chivers (2)
15-Dec-73 Division 1 17,066 H L 0 - 2
02-Feb-74 Division 1 24,652 A D 0 - 0
21-Aug-74 Division 1 31,549 A L 0 - 1
28-Aug-74 Division 1 20,079 H L 1 - 2 Peters
18-Oct-75 Division 1 30,554 H D 2 - 2 Jones (2)
22-Nov-75 Division 1 31,457 A L 1 - 2 Osgood
11-Dec-76 Division 1 24,608 H D 2 - 2 Taylor (2)
07-May-77 Division 1 37,919 A L 0 - 5
23-Sep-78 Division 1 43,471 A L 0 - 2
03-Feb-79 Division 1 32,037 H L 0 - 3
01-Sep-79 Division 1 30,901 H W 2 - 1 Jones, Hoddle
12-Jan-80 Division 1 34,837 A D 1 - 1 Hoddle
22-Oct-80 Division 1 28,788 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
13-Dec-80 Division 1 23,883 H W 2 - 1 Archibald, Hoddle
09-May-81 F.A. Cup Final 100,000 W D 1 - 1 Hutchinson og
14-May-81 F.A. Cup Final Replay 96,000 W W 3 - 2 Villa(2), Crooks
26-Sep-81 Division 1 39,085 A W 1 - 0 Falco
20-Feb-82 Division 1 46,181 H W 2 - 0 Hoddle (2, 1pen)
11-Sep-82 Division 1 32,483 H L 1 - 2 Mabbutt
05-Feb-83 Division 1 26,357 A D 2 - 2 Gibson, Brooke (pen)
16-Aug-84 Friendly - A W 2 - 0 Roberts (pen), Galvin
31-Aug-85 Division 1 27,789 A L 1 - 2 Miller
18-Jan-86 Division 1 17,009 H L 0 - 2
30-Aug-86 Division 1 23,164 H W 1 - 0 Roberts
15-Apr-87 Division 1 21,460 A D 1 - 1 Claesen
28-Aug-89 Division 1 32,004 A D 1 - 1 Gascoigne
13-Jan-90 Division 1 26,384 H D 1 - 1 Howells
25-Aug-90 Division 1 33,501 H W 3 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker (2)
15-Dec-90 Division 1 31,236 A L 1 - 2 Gascoigne
19-Oct-91 Division 1 30,502 H L 0 - 1
01-Feb-92 Division 1 30,123 A L 0 - 1
28-Oct-92 League Cup 3 18,399 A W 1 - 0 Samways
28-Nov-92 FA Prem 25,496 A W 1 - 0 Watson
07-Mar-93 F.A. Cup 6 34,050 A W 4 - 2 Nayim (3), Sedgley
24-Mar-93 FA Prem 27,247 H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Nayim, Turner
21-Aug-93 FA Prem 24,535 H W 1 - 0 Sedgley
11-Dec-93 FA Prem 21,566 A W 2 - 0 Dozzell (2)
22-Oct-94 FA Prem 25,473 A L 2 - 5 Dumitrescu (2, 1pen)
11-Apr-95 FA Prem 27,410 H W 2 - 1 Howells, Klinsmann
19-Aug-95 FA Prem 30,827 A D 1 - 1 Sheringham
13-Jan-96 FA Prem 31,438 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
23-Sep-00 FA Prem 36,069 H D 0 - 0
10-Feb-01 FA Prem 34,399 A W 1 - 0 Rebrov
23-Dec-02 FA Prem 39,563 A W 3 - 2 Perry, Davies, Poyet
18-Apr-03 FA Prem 36,075 H L 0 - 2
28-Sep-03 FA Prem 46,842 A D 0 - 0
03-Dec-03 League Cup 4 31,727 H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Postiga, Kanoute
25-Jan-04 F.A. Cup 4 47,000 A D 1 - 1 Doherty
03-Feb-04 F.A. Cup 4 Replay 30,400 H L 3 - 4 King, Keane, Ziege
12-Apr-04 FA Prem 35,282 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
11-Dec-04 FA Prem 45,805 A W 1 - 0 Kanoute
19-Mar-05 FA Prem 35,681 H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane
04-Jan-06 FA Prem 40,808 A W 2 - 0 Mido, Keane
08-Apr-06 FA Prem 36,167 H W 2 - 1 Stalteri, Carrick
17-Dec-06 FA Prem 39,825 A W 2 - 1 Davenport, Huddlestone
13-May-07 FA Prem 35,426 H W 2 - 1 Keane, Berbatov
09-Dec-07 FA Prem 35,646 H W 2 - 1 Chimbonda, Defoe
15-Mar-08 FA Prem 40,188 A L 1 - 2 Keane
18-Dec-07 League Cup 5 38,564 A W 2 - 0 Defoe, Malbranque
09-Nov-08 FA Prem 41,853 A W 2 - 1 Bent (2)
16-May-09 FA Prem H
LAST TIME WE MET....
Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League, Sunday 9th November 2008
Darren Bent scored twice as 10-man Tottenham continued their good recent run against nine-man Manchester City.
Robinho fired the opener for the home side in the 15th minute before Gelson Fernandes was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Bent ran clear and slotted home to equalise for Spurs and then sidefooted his second on the hour.
City captain Richard Dunne was shown a straight red and Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto was dismissed late on.
The result extends Tottenham's unbeaten run under Harry Redknapp to five matches and will be particularly sweet for the man himself - only six weeks ago his Portsmouth side were thumped 6-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium.
When the initial anger regarding the sendings off subsides, City manager Mark Hughes will be left to reflect on the fact that his side remain consistent only in their inconsistency.
Fuelled by their newfound confidence, Tottenham started the stronger and had the lions' share of possession, and they forged the game's first real chance through the sprightly Luka Modric, who curled a decent long-range effort just past Joe Hart's left-hand post.
However, in what was essentially Manchester City's first real attack and against the run of play, they opened the scoring.
Gomes could only parry a shot from Darius Vassell from the right side of the penalty area and Robinho was on hand to fire into the largely unguarded net.
The wind was taken out of the home side's sails, though, when Fernandes was sent off following a second yellow card.
He was first booked after 18 minutes for unsporting behaviour and then six minutes later was controversially shown red for an illegal challenge on David Bentley, whose dismissal changed the course of the match.
Shortly after, City defender Dunne completely missed an innocuous-looking long-ball forward and allowed Bent to race clear before calmly slotting the ball under the advancing Hart for his 10th of the season.
After the break Tottenham were able to funnel their numerical advantage into a domination of possession. However, real openings were rare and City, with the bit between their embittered teeth, punched above their reduced weight.
City's resilience was only brief, though, and Bent did grab his second of the game on 63 minutes. Jermaine Jenas held a long ball up and laid the ball off to the onrushing striker who expertly slotted his shot inside the far post.
As befitting a £32m player, Robinho continued to offer City hope and Gomes was forced to palm aside his 25-yard shot on 75 minutes.
City were reduced to nine men with 10 minutes to go when Dunne capped a horrible afternoon by dragging down Bent when the striker was through on goal.
Tottenham were themselves reduced to 10-men late on when Assou-Ekotto was shown a second yellow for a rash foul on Pablo Zabaleta.
City pushed hard for an equaliser but it was Tottenham who came closest to adding to the score when counter-attacking substitute Aaron Lennon found Bent in space, only for his shot to be saved.
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes:
"We started very brightly but losing Gelson made it very difficult for us.
"I'm not sure he's made any contact and the referee needs to take into consideration the conditions.
"I thought the players showed fantastic character and we really forced the issue and Spurs were hanging on at the end."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"It's been a fantastic couple of weeks for us.
"Today was a big game for us and I thought we started the game well and suddenly found ourselves 1-0 down but we got back in and started playing.
"It was a funny old day with the three sendings off."
Man City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Fernandes, Vassell (Hamann 31), Robinho, Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Onuoha, Elano, Jo, Evans, Ben-Haim.
Sent Off: Fernandes (26), Dunne (83).
Booked: Fernandes.
Goals: Robinho 16.
Tottenham:
Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Modric (Lennon 71), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Hutton, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell, Dawson, O'Hara.
Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (89).
Booked: Zokora, King, Assou-Ekotto.
Goals: Bent 29, 64.
Att: 41,893
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:
Tottenham's Darren Bent
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