PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 2nd May 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 35

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)













































COMMENT:

Tottenham take on West Bromwich Albion for the 135th time in the penultimate home Premier League game on Saturday with a very impressive record of five consecutive clean sheets and four wins at White Hart Lane. We first played them in an FA Cup Semi-Final in 1901 on our way to winning the FA Cup for the first time in our history.

The Baggies are currently six points adrift of Hull City at the bottom of the League table and look odds-on of being relegated, despite some fighting performances in recent weeks.

Spurs, of course, come into the match fresh from a very disappointing defeat at Old Trafford in a game very much of two halves. We dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes and went two goals up through Darren Bent and Luka Modric after some fine work again by Aaron Lennon, who was the provider of everything good down the right wing once more. A very poor penalty decision in the second half against Heurelho Gomes opened the floodgates to a period of United domination during which they chalked-up four more goals as the Spurs defence caved-in.

West Brom have already beaten Spurs at the Hawthorns 2-0 in the last game of 2008 and will fancy their chances of getting something from the match on Saturday.

The 134 matches played so far have seen Spurs win 53, West Brom win 54 and 27 drawn games.

TEAM NEWS:

Tottenham have strikers Jermain Defoe (personal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (back injury) returning to the squad.

Fraizer Campbell is in contention having been ineligible for the league match at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur(from):

Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Keane, Palacios, Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Chimbonda, O'Hara, Hutton, Defoe.

West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Shelton Martis is set to deputise.

Graham Dorrans is battling to overcome a foot injury, while fellow midfielder James Morrison is again ruled out with a heel problem.

West Brom (from):

Carson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Robinson, Brunt, Greening, Koren, Dorrans, Simpson, Fortune, Kiely, Teixeira, Menseguez, Valero, Mulumbu, Wood, Bednar, Cech, Do-Heon.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray:

"We could lose on Saturday but win the last three games and it might be enough to stay up, depending on the results of other teams.

"But we could win all four games and it still might not be enough.

"I don't get overly concerned or worried about it."

BIG-MATCH FACTS:

Tottenham can put another nail in West Brom's coffin and enhance their own chances of a seventh placed finish and possible European football by claiming a fifth consecutive home league win. They boast the best current home form in the highest league.

On the day Spurs let a two-goal lead transform into a 5-2 thrashing by Manchester United at Old Trafford, no thanks to referee Howard Webb, West Brom reignited hopes of a last ditch survival bid with Saturday's 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Hawthorns. But the Baggies have only managed back-to-back wins once this season, and have not won nor scored in London.

Another defeat for Tony Mowbray's side could leave them just one point short of their third relegation from the Premier League and second after just one season. They are set to become the Premier League's 24th side to go down the season after promotion.

But West Brom travel in search of their second double of the campaign. They've already beaten Middlesbrough home and away, and ended 2008 with a 2-0 victory over Spurs at the Hawthorns.

Albion have not won at White Hart Lane in 25 years, since an odd goal in five top-flight triumph on 3 November 1984.

Distance between the clubs: 126 miles (203 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

10th 44 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 11th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. In danger of their first back-to-back defeats in 14 Premier League outings, since losing away to West Brom and Wigan on 28 December 2008 and 11 January 2009 respectively.

2. Three points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing.

3. Need one victory to take their total of wins in top-flight football to 1,200.

4. Conceded 888 goals all-time in the Premier League.

5. Completed nine Premier League games since failing to score; the longest current run of any club.

6. Won the last four home league games against Middlesbrough, Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle, and not conceded in five at home or 483 minutes (eight hours three minutes) since James Beattie netted Stoke's consolation in the 3-1 win on 27 January. Also, not lost in nine at the Lane; won five and drawn four since Everton's 0-1 triumph on 30 November - their only reverse in 13 on home soil.

7. White Hart Lane has witnessed fewer Premier League goals than any other ground this season; 27 (18 for, nine against - which is 1.59 per game). Last season the ground saw the highest number of top-flight goals (80, 46 for and 34 against).

8. 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.

9. Not yet been 'doubled' this season, but Everton, as well as West Brom could complete home and away victories over them.

10. Still to visit Liverpool on the last day of the season, 24 May. The full run-in is:- Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

20th 28 points
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 19th
Lowest could fall: 20th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ended an 11-match winless run in the Premier League with victory over Sunderland last Saturday.

2. Not achieved back-to-back victories in 27 outings, since Middlesbrough (a) and Fulham (h) were defeated on 27 September and 4 October respectively.

3. Kept just two clean sheets in 12 league games.

4. Three short of conceding 250 goals all-time in the Premier League.

5. On an unrivalled 14-match winless run away from home; picked up just three points from the 42 available since a 0-1 victory over Middlesbrough on 27 September - their only away maximum all season.

6. This will be the clubs' 75th away match in Premier League history; they have only won six so far.

7. Without victory in 11 top-flight visits to London; only ever managed two Premier League wins in the capital (at West Ham on 11 September 2002, and Charlton on 19 March 2005).

8. The current total of 28 points after 34 games matches their return three years ago, when one off the foot, They remained in that position and were ultimately relegated.

10. The run-in after this:- Wigan (h), Liverpool (h) and Blackburn (a).

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 (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Scott CARSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Brom's Premier League matches this season.

Chris BRUNT is the Baggies' leading Premier League scorer with seven goals.

If selected:-

Filipe TEIXEIRA will be making his 50th appearance for West Brom.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spurs are looking to avenge the 2-0 loss at the Hawthorns in December. Defeat would see the Baggies doing the double over them for the first time since 1981-82.

Spurs need to score three times to total 100 goals in home league games against West Brom.

Both these clubs have scored 195 goals against each other in all competitions.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 41 wins, WBA 48, Draws 24
Prem: Spurs 3 wins, WBA 2, Draws 2

at WBA only
League (inc PL): Spurs 27 wins, WBA 14, Draws 15
Prem: Spurs 2 wins, WBA 0, Draws 1

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
28 December 2008 - Ref: Steve Tanner
WBA scorers: Bednar 83, Beattie 90
Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (Spurs) 35

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are very good at home and create an awful lot of chances and I think on the day they will just be a little too strong for the Baggies.

West Brom had a great win last week against Sunderland, but they can really struggle on the road. Both sides play decent, attractive football though so it could be an entertaining clash.

Verdict: Tottenham, Hotspur 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

HARRY'S SPURS RECORD AT WHITE HART LANE:



PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

FA Cup SF 08-Apr-01 46,000 VP W 4 - 0 Brown (4)
FA Cup 1 07-Feb-03 25,641 H D 0 - 0
FA Cup 1 Replay 11-Feb-03 35,000 A W 2 - 0 Dryburgh,Woodward
Division 2 07-Nov-08 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 2 13-Mar-09 35,000 H L 1 - 3 Woodruff
Division 1 09-Sep-11 31,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
Division 1 06-Jan-12 4,000 A X 0 - 0 Match Abandoned after 57 mins - Fog
FA Cup 1 13-Jan-12 22,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 13-Mar-12 12,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Mar-13 34,000 H W 3 - 1 Cantrell, Bliss (2)
Division 1 24-Mar-13 20,000 A L 1 - 4 Middlemiss
Division 1 06-Dec-13 24,000 H W 3 - 0 Bauchop (2), Middlemiss
Division 1 11-Apr-14 15,000 A D 1 - 1 Cantrell
Division 1 28-Sep-14 8,500 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Fleming
Division 1 06-Apr-15 6,000 A L 2 - 3 Steel R, Cantrell
Charity Shield 15-May-20 3,600 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Feb-21 16,000 A L 1 - 3 Seed
Division 1 26-Feb-21 38,000 H W 1 - 0 Bliss
Division 1 21-Jan-22 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 30-Jan-22 30,000 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Wilson
Division 1 21-Oct-22 26,188 H W 3 - 1 Skinner, Walden, Brooks
Division 1 28-Oct-22 23,000 A L 1 - 5 Seed
Division 1 01-Dec-23 23,048 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 08-Dec-23 23,000 A L 1 - 4 Seed
Division 1 08-Sep-24 17,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 22-Sep-24 16,281 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Apr-26 27,914 H W 3 - 2 Seed, Dimmock (2)
Division 1 05-Apr-26 15,365 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Sep-26 31,236 H W 3 - 0 Blair, Osborne, Seed
Division 1 12-Feb-27 15,388 A L 0 - 5
Division 2 22-Dec-28 12,609 A L 2 - 3 Crompton, O'Callaghan
Division 2 04-May-29 15,789 H W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
Division 2 18-Apr-30 25,228 H L 0 - 2
Division 2 21-Apr-30 13,989 A L 3 - 4 Osborne, Harper, Finch og
Division 2 22-Nov-30 17,923 A W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-31 40,850 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 28-Mar-31 49,921 H D 2 - 2 O'Callaghan, Smailes
Division 1 04-Nov-33 32,292 A W 2 - 1 Howe, Evans W
Division 1 17-Mar-34 26,393 H W 2 - 1 O'Callaghan, Evans W (pen)
Division 1 17-Nov-34 20,416 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 30-Mar-35 29,161 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 24-Sep-38 24,996 A L 3 - 4 Hall GW, Morrison, Hall AE
Division 2 28-Jan-39 38,190 H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Morrison
Division 2 02-Sep-39 16,021 H W 4 - 3 Morrison (3), Dix (Season Abandoned due to WWII)
Football Lge Sth 22-Sep-45 24,433 A L 0 - 5
Football Lge Sth 29-Sep-45 31,403 H W 4 - 2 Acquroff (2), Lyman (2)
Division 2 07-Sep-46 34,970 A L 2 - 3 Bennett, Medley
Division 2 04-Jan-47 40,537 H W 2 - 0 Burgess, Walters
Division 2 23-Aug-47 32,521 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 20-Dec-47 40,219 H D 1 - 1 Cox
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-48 71,853 H W 3 - 1 Cox, Duquemin (2)
Division 2 11-Sep-48 32,279 A D 2 - 2 Duquemin, Bennett
Division 2 22-Jan-49 62,566 H W 2 - 0 Baily, Jones
Division 1 28-Oct-50 44,543 A W 2 - 1 Walters, Medley
Division 1 17-Mar-51 45,353 H W 5 - 0 Bennett, Duquemin (3), Baily
Division 1 25-Aug-51 51,544 H W 3 - 1 Bennett (2), Medley
Division 1 22-Dec-51 29,962 A L 1 - 3 Murphy
Division 1 23-Aug-52 56,552 H L 3 - 4 Ramsey (pen), Bennett, Duquemin
Division 1 20-Dec-52 18,698 A L 1 - 2 Dicker
Division 1 05-Sep-53 42,959 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 16-Jan-54 48,812 H L 0 - 1
FA Cup 6 13-Mar-54 51,049 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 09-Oct-54 45,547 H W 3 - 1 Ramsey (pen), McClellan (2)
Division 1 27-Apr-55 16,617 A W 2 - 1 Brooks, Baily
Division 1 26-Dec-55 32,430 H W 4 - 1 Norman, Brooks, Duquemin (2)
Division 1 27-Dec-55 31,381 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 08-Dec-56 36,098 H D 2 - 2 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 09-Mar-57 30,602 A D 1 - 1 Stokes
Division 1 04-Apr-58 56,166 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 07-Apr-58 26,556 A W 2 - 0 Medwin, Clayton
Division 1 29-Nov-58 21,753 A L 3 - 4 Dunmore, Smith R (2)
Division 1 18-Apr-59 36,805 H W 5 - 0 Smith R (4), Brooks
Division 1 26-Aug-59 54,114 H D 2 - 2 Medwin, Smith R
Division 1 02-Sep-59 35,924 A W 2 - 1 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 26-Nov-60 39,017 A W 3 - 1 Smith R (2), Allen
Division 1 29-Apr-61 52,054 H L 1 - 2 Smith R
Division 1 02-Dec-61 28,701 A W 4 - 2 Medwin, White, Allen, Howe og
FA Cup 5 17-Feb-62 53,539 A W 4 - 2 Smith R (2), Greaves (2)
Division 1 21-Apr-62 53,512 H L 1 - 2 Saul
Division 1 13-Oct-62 32,753 A W 2 - 1 Marchi, Jones
Division 1 02-Mar-63 41,193 H W 2 - 1 Smith R (2)
Division 1 26-Dec-63 37,189 A D 4 - 4 Jones, Smith R, Greaves (2)
Division 1 28-Dec-63 47,863 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 19-Sep-64 36,993 H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 23-Jan-65 23,718 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 30-Oct-65 43,658 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Division 1 07-May-66 22,586 A L 1 - 2 Clayton
Division 1 26-Dec-66 37,969 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 27-Dec-66 39,129 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Nov-67 29,033 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 01-Mar-68 31,318 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 21-Aug-68 35,746 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 07-Apr-69 24,173 A L 3 - 4 Knowles, Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 15-Nov-69 28,340 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Morgan
Division 1 28-Mar-70 25,890 A D 1 - 1 Peters
League Cup 4 28-Oct-70 31,598 H W 5 - 0 Peters (3), Gilzean (2)
Division 1 12-Dec-70 26,584 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 17-Feb-71 22,695 H D 2 - 2 Mullery (pen), Gilzean
League Cup 2 08-Sep-71 26,203 A W 1 - 0 Pearce
Division 1 20-Nov-71 31,895 H W 3 - 2 England, Gilzean (2)
Division 1 08-Apr-72 20,862 A D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 16-Aug-72 19,175 A W 1 - 0 Peters
Division 1 11-Nov-72 25,875 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 02-Oct-76 23,461 A L 2 - 4 Jones, Taylor
Division 1 12-Mar-77 28,834 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 07-Oct-78 33,068 A W 1 - 0 Taylor
Division 1 14-May-79 24,789 H W 1 - 0 Villa
Division 1 22-Sep-79 29,914 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle (pen)
Division 1 09-Feb-80 26,319 A L 1 - 2 Hoddle
Division 1 29-Nov-80 27,372 H L 2 - 3 Lacy, Perryman
Division 1 02-May-81 20,549 A L 2 - 4 Smith, Falco
Division 1 07-Nov-81 32,436 H L 1 - 2 Crooks
League Cup SF (1L) 03-Feb-82 32,238 A D 0 - 0
League Cup SF (2L) 10-Feb-82 47,241 H W 1 - 0 Hazard
Division 1 27-Mar-82 20,151 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 04-Dec-82 26,608 H D 1 - 1 Wile og
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-83 38,208 H W 2 - 1 Gibson, Crooks
Division 1 23-Apr-83 14,879 A W 1 - 0 Archibald
Division 1 07-Sep-83 14,830 A D 1 - 1 Roberts
Division 1 17-Mar-84 22,385 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 03-Nov-84 24,494 H L 2 - 3 Chiedozie, Hazard
Division 1 23-Feb-85 15,418 A W 1 - 0 Falco
Division 1 05-Oct-85 12,040 A D 1 - 1 Waddle
Division 1 08-Mar-86 10,841 H W 5 - 0 Mabbutt, Falco (2), Galvin, Waddle
Friendly 19-Feb-88 - A L 1 - 4 Walsh
Friendly 03-Aug-92 8,078 A W 2 - 0 Hendry, Nayim
FA Prem 08-Dec-02 35,958 H W 3 - 1 Ziege, Keane, Poyet
FA Prem 21-Apr-03 26,899 A W 3 - 2 Keane (2), Sheringham
FA Prem 24-Aug-04 27,191 A D 1 - 1 Defoe
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-05 22,441 A D 1 - 1 Defoe (pen)
FA Cup 4 Replay 12-Feb-05 27,860 H W 3 - 1 Keane (pen), Defoe (2)
FA Prem 20-Apr-05 35,885 H D 1 - 1 Keane
FA Prem 28-Dec-05 27,510 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 27-Mar-06 36,152 H W 2 - 1 Keane (2, 1pen)
FA Prem 28-Dec-08 26,344 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 02-May-09 H












LAST TIME WE MET...



West Brom 2-0 Tottenham, Premier League, Sunday, 28 December 2008

West Brom boosted their Premier League survival prospects with a valuable home win over 10-man Tottenham.

Roman Bednar's header put the home side in front on 83 minutes when he latched on to Marek Cech's long ball to beat Heurelho Gomes from 10 yards.

And substitute Craig Beattie clinched the points with an injury-time second.

Spurs had been reduced to 10 men when left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp on Gianni Zuiverloon after 34 minutes.

The victory was West Brom's second in a row at home, six points which could prove crucial as the Baggies attempt to stave off the threat of relegation.

But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will be counting down the days until the January transfer window opens with the match highlighting his need to bolster his impotent strikeforce, who have now scored just one goal in their past four Premier League games.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray recalled first-choice strikers Bednar and Luke Moore, both of whom were rested in the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Boxing Day, while Cech and Iglesias Borja Valero earned rare starts.

Redknapp rested Ledley King, with Jonathan Woodgate returning to the centre of defence, while Jermaine Jenas replaced the injured Tom Huddlestone in midfield.

The home side made the brighter start as Gomes had his palms stung by a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box by Borja Valero on 13 minutes, brought about after Michael Dawson had crudely brought down Moore on the run, a foul which earned him a yellow card.

A dire first half was summed up by statistics showing more yellow cards than shots on target, although the complexion of the match was significantly altered when Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp.

The left-back raised his studs as he attempted to tackle Gianni Zuiverloon, although the challenge seemed to lack malice.

But the offence took place right in front of referee Steve Tanner, who had no hesitation as he reached for the red card, much to the incredulity of the Frenchman.

Assou-Ekotto's absence forced Redknapp into impromptu changes, with Didier Zokora slotting in at left-back, while Luka Modric retreated into a deeper position in midfield, leaving Darren Bent as a solitary figure up front.

While Spurs dealt with their one-man disadvantage without too many concerns in the remaining 11 minutes of the half, the opening exchanges after the interval were quite the opposite.

Gomes pulled off a brilliant save diving to his left to tip over Chris Brunt's curling free-kick from the edge of the box on 47 minutes, before denying Zuiverloon three minutes later.

Despite attractive interchanges in midfield, Spurs looked utterly toothless in attack, rarely testing goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Inevitably, as the second half progressed, the Baggies began to pound Gomes' goal and Dawson had to come to Spurs' rescue when his outstretched leg blocked Zuiverloon's byline cross, with Moore lurking unmarked inside the six-yard box on 65 minutes.

The pressure eventually told when Bednar shrugged off his marker Dawson to get on the end of Cech's raking long ball and score from 10 yards out.

The defender was outraged, claiming he had been pushed as he went up to challenge, but referee Tanner ignored Dawson's protests as the Baggies rejoiced.

And substitute Beattie clinched the three points when he was sent through by James Morrison in the final minute of injury time for three priceless points.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on Benoit Assou-Ekottu's red card:

"We played with 10 men for a long time and I thought we did okay. We controlled enough of the game and still had lots of the ball.

"We wouldn't have got beaten with 11 men, that's for sure.

"We'll pick ourselves up, brush ourselves down and start all over again on Monday."

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray on Tanner's performance:

"I have no comment on the referee. Some games as a coach you sit there and have thoughts but I've not been as brave as Harry and said anything.

"I think we all abide by the officials. We agree with some decisions, we don't agree with others.

"The bottom line is you hope to get the big ones right. I was very surprised when a red card was given but the referee saw it was and you have to live with that."

West Brom:

Carson, Zuiverloon (Hoefkens 72), Olsson, Barnett, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Brunt (Dorrans 65), Borja Valero (Beattie 80), Bednar, Moore.

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kim, MacDonald, Donk.

Booked: Morrison, Brunt, Zuiverloon.

Goals: Bednar 83, Beattie 90.

Tottenham:

Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora (Campbell 86), Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 69), Modric (Bale 75), Bent.

Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gunter, Taarabt, Obika.

Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (35).

Booked: Dawson, Jenas.

Att: 26,344

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:
Tottenham's Vedran Corluka

PREVIEW: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Old Trafford, Manchester
Saturday 25th April 2009, Kick Off 17:30
Premier League, Match 34 (33 for United)

REFEREE: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)




COMMENT
Spurs prepare for their Saturday evening visit to Old Trafford with the knowledge that they now have the best home defensive record in the Premier League, with just 9 goals conceded in the 17 matches played at White Hart Lane this season. The season's home fixtures will finish with the visits of West Bromwich Albion and then Manchester City.

Tottenham are unbeaten so far in League matches against the "Big Four" clubs and face Liverpool at Anfield later this season. With a very hectic series of fixtures for United, Spurs must fancy their chances of getting something from the match, although it's been far too long since we registered a win at Old Trafford.

Injuries to Ledley King and Michael Dawson could mean that Vedran Corluka will continue to partner Jonathan Woodgate in central defence with Alan Hutton starting on the right and Benoit Assou-Ekotto continuing his fine season for Spurs on the left.

Jermain Jenas was absent for the win over his old club Newcastle and Tom Huddlestone proved to be a worthy replacement by having an excellent match partnering Wilson Palacios in central midfield. Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric should complete Tottenham's midfield for Saturday.

Upfront, Robbie Keane as team captain is sure to start and Darren Bent, who is now on 16 goals for the season, will probably get the nod from Harry over both Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who didn't feature against Newcastle due to an injury.

TEAM NEWS:

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is in line to make his first Premier League start since October after recovering from a foot injury.

Rio Ferdinand is also set to play after being rested for the 2-0 midweek win over Portsmouth but fellow defenders Gary Neville and John O'Shea are out.

They both picked up knocks as United returned to the top of the table.

Tottenham, who are unbeaten in six games against the top four this season, look set to be without Michael Dawson.

The defender picked up an ankle injury in last weekend's 1-0 victory over Newcastle.

But his team-mate Jonathan Woodgate is confident that Spurs can continue their good run.

"You can see how well we've played against the top four," he said.

"We haven't been beaten by any of the top sides in the league this season and we have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home.

"Our record against the top four is impeccable."

However, Tottenham's record at Old Trafford in the Premier League is less impressive with only three draws from 16 visits.

And United could be fired up even more for their 1730 BST kick-off on Saturday as a victory for Liverpool, whose game at Hull starts at 1500 BST, will return them to the top of the table on goal difference.

Midfielder Michael Carrick reaffirmed United's desire to secure a third successive league title and equal Liverpool's record of 18 overall.

"We are in a good position but we will not get complacent," he said.

"There are some hard games left, starting against Tottenham, and we know Liverpool are still a threat.

"In a lot of people's eyes last week we were not going to win the title. All of a sudden the same people are now saying it is a given.

"There are a lot of matches to play and there may be more twists and turns. Hopefully there aren't but we must be ready for them."

"It is win at all costs now. If we can now beat Tottenham we really will be in a good position."

Scans have revealed that Michael Dawson has suffered a partially torn left ankle ligament.

The 25-year-old defender was forced off with the injury in last weekend's victory against Newcastle United and is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has also been ruled out of this weekend's trip to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

The striker is still suffering from the back injury that kept him out of last weekend's win against Newcastle, although scans have revealed no long-term damage.

Fellow frontman Fraizer Campbell is ineligible to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan deal from United.

BIG MATCH FACTS:

Manchester United and Tottenham face each other for the fourth time this season, and the first since the Red Devils' penalty shoot-out victory in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on 1 March, when they played 120 minutes without a goal.

By the time this Saturday evening kick off gets underway, United may have been displaced from the top of the table once again on goal difference by Liverpool. But Sir Alex Ferguson's quest for a hat-trick of league titles, an 11th Premier League crown and a record-equalling 18th English top-flight championship will still be within their grasp, with a game in hand on their rivals (away to Wigan on 13 May).

Harry Redknapp has worked wonders with Spurs, guiding them from the bottom of the table when he took over in October to the fringe of the European places. Indeed the Londoners go into this weekend's round of matches just one point behind seventh placed West Ham.

Manchester United have not lost any of their last 15 Premier League matches against Tottenham, since the Londoners' 3-1 home victory on 19 March 2001.

Spurs have never won a Premier League match at the Theatre of Dreams, and have only picked up three points from the 48 on offer there. Their most recent league victory at Old Trafford was on 16 December 1989, when Gary Lineker scored the only goal of the game for Terry Venables' team.

Harry Redknapp is keen not to become the 10th different Tottenham manager to fail to pick up three points at Old Trafford.

Distance between the clubs: 197 miles (317 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

MANCHESTER UNITED

1st 74 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won 12 Premier League matches in 2009, including the last three; more than any other club.

2. Won more Premier League matches than any other club this season (23). More details

3. Failed to score in one of the last 16.

4. This is their 58th match of the season; more than any other top-flight club.

5. Two points down on this same stage last season, when top of the table.

6. Gone 16 league games since a goalless draw; the last being away to Spurs on 13 December.

7. On the longest current sequence of 24 matches in the Premier League without a score draw; the 1-1 stalemate at Everton on 25 October being the most recent.

8. The only home points dropped this season have been courtesy of defeat to Liverpool (1-4, 14 March), and an early draw with Newcastle (1-1, 17 August).

9. Denied victory by only eight clubs in their 32 Premier League matches this season, one of which is Tottenham.

10. This match precedes the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Thereafter the league run-in is:- Middlesbrough (a), Manchester City (h), Wigan (a), Arsenal (h) and Hull (a).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

9th 44 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could realistically fall: 10th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won the last two against West Ham and Newcastle; both by 1-0 margins at home.

2. Not won three on the bounce since April Fools' Day 2007, when a 1-0 home triumph over Reading was the last in a five-match winning sequence.

3. The 2-1 defeat, away to Blackburn on 2 April is their only league loss in nine since January.

4. Four points up on this same stage last season, when they were 11th in the table - their final placing.

5. 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.

6. Need a victory to total 1,200 wins in top-flight football.

7. Lost fewer Premier League points from winning positions than any other club; just five (one draw, one defeat).

8. Won four away league games this term. Three of those were against clubs currently in the top-half (Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City), and one against a bottom-half side (Hull).

10. Still to visit Liverpool on the last day of the season, 24 May. The full run-in is:- WBA (h), Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

MANCHESTER UNITED

Edwin VAN DER SAR is leading the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with 19 clean sheets.

Cristiano RONALDO is one of three Premier League players to have scored as many as 21 club goals this season; the others are Nicolas ANELKA of Arsenal and Steve GERRARD of Liverpool.

RONALDO is Manchester United's top Premier League scorer with 15 goals, and leads the race jointly with Chelsea's Nicolas ANELKA for the Barclays Golden Boot.

Paul SCHOLES needs a double to reach 100 Premier League goals - all for United.

Ryan GIGGS is a hat-trick shy of 150 goals for Manchester United.

GIGGS has scored more Premier League goals against Tottenham than against any other club, with the exception of one. His total of seven, equals his return against Southampton.

If selected:-

GIGGS will be making his 800th appearance in Manchester United colours.

Tomasz KUSZCZAK will be making his 50th career Premier League appearance (West Brom and Manchester United).

Dimitar BERBATOV will be facing a former club. The 28 year old international forward made 102 appearances (70 in the league) and scored 46 goals (27 league) for Spurs between July 2006 and his controversial £30.75m transfer to Manchester United last September.

Michael CARRICK will be facing a former club. The 27 year old England international midfielder made 75 appearances (64 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs between August 2004 and his £18.6m move to Old Trafford in July 2006.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 11.

If he scores:-

BENT will reach the milestone of 50 career Premier League goals.

BENT is also a hat-trick shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

GILBERTO will be playing on his 33rd birthday.

Frazier CAMPBELL is on loan from Manchester United and therefore ineligible to play.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spurs have failed to beat Manchester United in 18 attempts in all competitions, including their three previous meetings this season.

United have won twice as many league matches against Tottenham (70) as they have lost to them (35).

The 32 Premier League matches between these clubs have yielded 83 goals. Spurs have only managed three clean sheets; both via goalless draws at Old Trafford on 15 March 1995 and 4 January 2005, and at the Lane last December.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 70 wins, Spurs 35, Draws 38
Prem: Man United 23 wins, Spurs 3, Draws 7

at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 47 wins, Spurs 10, Draws 14
Prem: Man United 13 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 3

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
25 August 2007 - Ref: Howard Webb
Man Utd scorer: Nani 68

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United
13 December 2008 - Ref: Mike Dean

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are an unfinished work but much-improved under manager Harry Redknapp. They create chances but give teams the chance to score.

They will go to Old Trafford and try to play and because of that United will win. They can afford another slip up in the title race which, as I said earlier, is theirs to lose.

Verdict: Manchester United 2-0 Totenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday evening's match will be the 174th meeting between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur - the two traditional 'glamour clubs' of English football.

Most recently, they met in the 2009 League (Carling) Cup Final at Wembley when United won on penalties after a goalless match after extra time.

Previously, the clubs contested the 1967 Charity Shield which resulted in a 3-3 draw and featured a spectaclar goal from Tottenham's legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

as NEWTON HEATH

F.A. Cup 1 28-Jan-1899 13,721 H D 1 - 1 Joyce
F.A. Cup 1 Replay 01-Feb-1899 6,000 A W 5 - 3 McKay, Joyce (2), McNaught, Smith

as MANCHESTER UNITED

Division 1 11-Sep-09 32,275 H D 2 - 2 Steel R (2, 2pens)
Division 1 22-Jan-10 8,000 A L 0 - 5
Division 1 22-Oct-10 28,000 H D 2 - 2 Minter, Humphreys
Division 1 15-Mar-11 13,000 A L 2 - 3 Birnie, Humphreys
Division 1 04-Nov-11 26,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Middlemiss
Division 1 09-Apr-12 14,000 H D 1 - 1 Bliss
Division 1 19-Oct-12 12,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 31-Mar-13 12,762 H D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 04-Oct-13 39,000 A L 1 - 3 Middlemiss
Division 1 07-Feb-14 28,000 H W 2 - 1 Minter, Cantrell
Division 1 21-Nov-14 11,000 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Cantrell
Division 1 27-Mar-15 7,000 A D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 25-Sep-20 52,000 A W 1 - 0 Grimsdell
Division 1 02-Oct-20 34,600 H W 4 - 1 Walden (2), Seed (2)
Division 1 08-Oct-21 36,113 H D 2 - 2 Wilson (2)
Division 1 15-Oct-21 40,000 A L 1 - 2 Dimmock
F.A. Cup 2 03-Feb-23 38,333 H W 4 - 0 Lindsay, Handley (3)
Division 1 17-Oct-25 26,496 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 4 30-Jan-26 43,653 H D 2 - 2 Thompson, Lindsay
F.A. Cup 4 Replay 03-Feb-26 46,929 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 27-Feb-26 25,466 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Dec-26 37,287 H D 1 - 1 Dimmock
Division 1 27-Dec-26 50,665 A L 1 - 2 Handley
Division 1 24-Sep-27 13,952 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 04-Feb-28 23,545 H W 4 - 0 O'Callaghan, Armstrong (2), Dimmock
Division 2 12-Sep-31 9,557 A D 1 - 1 Rowley
Division 2 23-Jan-32 19,139 H W 4 - 1 Davies (2), Hunt GS, O'Callaghan
Division 2 10-Sep-32 23,333 H W 6 - 1 Brain, Hunt GS (2), O'Callaghan, Evans W (2, 1pen)
Division 2 06-Jan-33 20,661 A L 1 - 2 Evans W
Division 2 21-Sep-35 34,718 A D 0 - 0
Division 2 05-Feb-36 20,085 H D 0 - 0
Division 2 09-Oct-37 31,189 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 19-Feb-38 34,631 A W 1 - 0 Sargent
Division 1 09-Sep-50 60,621 H W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 1 13-Jan-51 45,104 A L 1 - 2 Baily
Division 1 22-Sep-51 70,882 H W 2 - 0 Bennett, Medley
Division 1 26-Jan-52 42,668 A L 0 - 2
Tour 14-Jun-52 - A W 5 - 0 Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, Medley
Tour 15-Jun-52 - A W 7 - 1 McClellan, Bennett (2), Duquemin (4)
Division 1 01-Nov-52 44,286 H L 1 - 2 Walters
Division 1 25-Mar-53 20,215 A L 2 - 3 Walters, McClellan
Division 1 26-Sep-53 52,837 H D 1 - 1 Duquemin
Division 1 13-Feb-54 37,289 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 08-Sep-54 35,162 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 15-Sep-54 31,041 A L 1 - 2 McClellan
Division 1 22-Aug-55 28,713 A D 2 - 2 Gavin (pen), Stokes
Division 1 31-Aug-55 27,453 H L 1 - 2 Clarke
Division 1 24-Nov-56 57,724 H D 2 - 2 Harmer (pen), Robb
Division 1 06-Apr-57 60,583 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 30-Nov-57 43,307 A W 4 - 3 Smith R (3), Blanchflower og
Division 1 12-Apr-58 59,836 H W 1 - 0 Harmer (pen)
Division 1 20-Sep-58 62,277 A D 2 - 2 Smith R (2)
Division 1 07-Feb-59 47,401 H L 1 - 3 Norman
Division 1 12-Sep-59 55,641 A W 5 - 1 Mackay, Harmer, Smith R (2), Dunmore
Division 1 23-Jan-60 62,602 H W 2 - 1 Smith R (2)
Division 1 03-Sep-60 55,442 H W 4 - 1 Smith R (2), Allen (2)
Division 1 16-Jan-61 65,535 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 09-Sep-61 57,135 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 20-Jan-62 55,225 H D 2 - 2 Greaves (2)
F.A. Cup SF 31-Mar-62 65,000 SF W 3 - 1 Medwin, Greaves, Jones
Division 1 20-Oct-62 51,314 H W 6 - 2 Medwin (2), Greaves (3), Jones
Division 1 09-Mar-63 43,416 A W 2 - 0 Saul, Jones
Division 1 09-Nov-63 57,513 A L 1 - 4 Gregg og
ECWC 2 (1L) 03-Dec-63 57,447 H W 2 - 0 Mackay, Dyson
ECWC 2 (2L) 10-Dec-63 59,597 A L 1 - 4 Greaves
Division 1 21-Mar-64 56,292 H L 2 - 3 Brown L, Greaves (pen)
Division 1 26-Sep-64 53,362 A L 1 - 4 Robertson
Division 1 06-Feb-65 58,639 H W 1 - 0 Henry
Division 1 16-Oct-65 58,051 H W 5 - 1 Johnson, Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves, Robertson
Division 1 18-Dec-65 39,511 A L 1 - 5 Jones
Division 1 10-Sep-66 56,295 H W 2 - 1 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 14-Jan-67 57,365 A L 0 - 1
Charity Shield 12-Aug-67 54,106 A D 3 - 3 Jennings, Robertson, Saul
Division 1 23-Sep-67 58,779 A L 1 - 3 Gilzean
F.A. Cup 3 27-Jan-68 63,500 A D 2 - 2 Chivers (2)
F.A. Cup 3 Replay 31-Jan-68 57,200 H W 1 - 0 (a.e.t) Robertson
Division 1 03-Feb-68 57,690 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
Division 1 28-Aug-68 62,649 A L 1 - 3 Greaves
Division 1 09-Oct-68 56,205 H D 2 - 2 Jones, Gilzean
Division 1 22-Nov-69 53,053 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 13-Apr-70 41,808 H W 2 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers
Division 1 05-Dec-70 55,693 H D 2 - 2 Gilzean, Peters
Division 1 06-Feb-71 48,416 A L 1 - 2 Peters
Division 1 13-Nov-71 54,058 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 04-Mar-72 54,814 H W 2 - 0 Perryman, Chivers
Division 1 28-Oct-72 52,497 A W 4 - 1 Peters (4)
Division 1 24-Mar-73 50,017 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 10-Nov-73 42,756 H W 2 - 1 Knowles, Chivers
Division 1 23-Mar-74 36,278 A W 1 - 0 Coates
Division 1 06-Sep-75 51,641 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Jones
Division 1 17-Jan-76 49,189 H D 1 - 1 Duncan
Division 1 04-Sep-76 60,723 A W 3 - 2 Coates, Pratt, Moores
Division 1 12-Feb-77 46,946 H L 1 - 3 Jones
Division 1 16-Dec-78 52,026 A L 0 - 2
F.A. Cup 6 10-Mar-79 51,800 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
F.A. Cup 6 Replay 14-Mar-79 54,510 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Apr-79 36,665 H D 1 - 1 Jones
League Cup 2 (1L) 29-Aug-79 29,163 H W 2 - 1 Pratt, Hoddle
League Cup 2 (2L) 05-Sep-79 48,292 A L 1 - 3 Armstrong
Division 1 01-Dec-79 51,389 H L 1 - 2 Hoddle
F.A. Cup 3 05-Jan-80 45,207 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
F.A. Cup 3 Replay 09-Jan-80 53,762 A W 1 - 0 Ardiles
Division 1 12-Apr-80 53,151 A L 1 - 4 Ardiles
Division 1 06-Sep-80 40,995 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 17-Feb-81 40,642 A D 0 - 0
League Cup 2 (1L) 07-Oct-81 39,333 H W 1 - 0 Archibald
League Cup 2 (2L) 28-Oct-81 55,890 A W 1 - 0 Hazard
Division 1 21-Nov-81 35,534 H W 3 - 1 Roberts, Hazard, Archibald
Division 1 17-Apr-82 50,724 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 13-Nov-82 47,869 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 11-May-83 32,803 H W 2 - 0 Roberts, Archibald
Tour/RSHT 04-Jun-83 - A L 1 - 2 Archibald
Tour/RSHT 11-Jun-83 - A W 2 - 0 Perryman, Mabbutt
Division 1 16-Dec-83 33,616 A L 2 - 4 Brazil, Falco
Division 1 12-May-84 39,790 H D 1 - 1 Archibald
Division 1 20-Oct-84 54,516 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Mar-85 42,918 H L 1 - 2 Falco
Division 1 16-Nov-85 54,575 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 19-Apr-86 32,357 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 07-Dec-86 35,267 A D 3 - 3 Mabbutt, Allen C, Moran og
Division 1 04-May-87 36,692 H W 4 - 0 Thomas M (2), Allen C (pen), Allen P
Division 1 26-Sep-87 47,601 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 23-Feb-88 25,731 H D 1 - 1 Allen C
Friendly/Test 28-Mar-88 - H L 2 - 3 Archibald, Hodge
Division 1 01-Oct-88 29,318 H D 2 - 2 Walsh, Waddle
Division 1 05-Feb-89 41,423 A L 0 - 1
League Cup 3 22-Nov-89 45,759 A W 3 - 0 Lineker, Samways, Nayim
Division 1 16-Dec-89 36,230 A W 1 - 0 Lineker
Division 1 21-Apr-90 33,317 H W 2 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker
Division 1 01-Jan-91 29,399 H L 1 - 2 Lineker (pen)
Division 1 20-May-91 46,791 A D 1 - 1 Hendry
Division 1 28-Sep-91 35,087 H L 1 - 2 Durie
Division 1 02-May-92 44,585 A L 1 - 3 Lineker
FA Prem 19-Sep-92 33,296 H D 1 - 1 Durie
FA Prem 09-Jan-93 35,648 A L 1 - 4 Barmby
FA Prem 16-Oct-93 44,655 A L 1 - 2 Caskey
FA Prem 15-Jan-94 31,343 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 27-Aug-94 24,502 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 15-Mar-95 43,802 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 01-Jan-96 32,852 H W 4 - 1 Sheringham, Campbell, Armstrong (2)
FA Prem 24-Mar-96 50,508 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 29-Sep-96 54,943 A L 0 - 2
F.A. Cup 3 05-Jan-97 52,495 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 12-Jan-97 33,026 H L 1 - 2 Allen
FA Prem 10-Aug-97 26,359 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 10-Jan-98 55,281 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 5 02-Dec-98 35,702 H W 3 - 1 Armstrong (2), Ginola
FA Prem 12-Dec-98 36,097 H D 2 - 2 Campbell (2)
FA Prem 16-May-99 55,189 A L 1 - 2 Ferdinand
FA Prem 23-Oct-99 36,072 H W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scholes o.g., Carr
FA Prem 06-May-00 61,629 A L 1 - 3 Armstrong
FA Prem 02-Dec-00 67,583 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 19-May-01 36,072 H W 3 - 1 Korsten (2), Ferdinand
FA Prem 29-Sep-01 36,038 H L 3 - 5 Richards, Ferdinand, Ziege
FA Prem 06-Mar-02 67,059 A L 0 - 4
FA Prem 21-Sep-02 67,611 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 27-Apr-03 36,073 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 20-Dec-03 35,910 H L 1 - 2 Poyet
FA Prem 20-Mar-04 67,634 A L 0 - 3
FA Prem 25-Sep-04 36,103 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 03-Jan-05 67,962 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 22-Oct-05 67,856 A D 1 - 1 Jenas
FA Prem 17-Apr-06 36,141 H L 1 - 2 Jenas
FA Prem 09-Sep-06 75,453 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 04-Feb-07 36,146 H L 0 - 4
FA Prem 26-Aug-07 75,696 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 02-Feb-08 36,075 H D 1 - 1 Berbatov
F.A. Cup 4 27-Jan-08 75,369 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 13-Dec-08 35,862 H D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 4 24-Jan-09 75,014 A L 1 - 2 Pavlyuchenko
League Cup Final 01-Mar-09 88,217 Wembley D 0 - 0 (AET Spurs lost 1-4 on pens)
FA Prem 25-Apr-09 A


SPURS ODYSSEY PREVIEW:

Could Spurs spring a surprise?

Every season brings one or two fixtures where we have not visited a club in a league fixture for over 18 months. This year the trip to Old Trafford falls into that category, as our last Premier League trip was 20 months and two managers ago. When we went there in August 2007, Martin Jol was still in charge, under pressure because of a poor start, and yet we did have more points on the board than United at that stage. Nani scored the 68th minute pile-driver that separated the teams. Despite our failure to have won a Premier League game at Old Trafford, there have been some close games - most controversially of course the one featuring Pedro Mendes' "goal" in January 2005...



We have met United three times already though this season, and we have been to Old Trafford too. In December we played the home league game, after the arrival of Harry Redknapp, and while he was still in his "honeymoon period" with Spurs. We kept one of our 10 home league clean sheets that day, with many thanks to an impressive performance by Gomes, who had already won over the home fans who had doubted him earlier in the season.

In January, when both sides played "Cup teams", Pavlyuchenko scored an early goal to silence the Old Trafford crowd, but United came back to progress in the Cup from which they were eliminated in last week's semi-final.

It will of course be a different United side we face tomorrow, with as many big guns taking part as possible, although United are in a very busy period, with their home semi-final Champions League game next week against Ar5ena1 to follow. Having won one of his games in hand on Wednesday night, maybe Sir Alex will hold back one or two players for mid-week, although despite such absences and in juries, any side that Sir Alex puts out can be formidable.

Gary Neville and John O'Shea picked up injuries the other night, but Owen Hargreaves is the only other definite absentee.

United started this season slowly due to missing a game or two, but took hold of the league leadership firmly until a recent blip which saw them lose at home to arch-rivals Liverpool and away to Fulham in consecutive games. It is not often that United lose consecutive league games "in anger", but now they have got the lead back, and with one game still in hand (at Wigan), they are firm favourites to retain their title.

It wasn't so long ago that we Spurs fans dreaded our run-in with this game and two further away games in Liverpool to face when we feared we were in a survival race. Now, our Premier League status is assured, and on form we are in fact currently above United, so we can relax and approach this game in a confident frame of mind.

Michael Dawson will be missing, and we must hope that Ledley King can play tomorrow. Jermaine Jenas may still be out with his hamstring, and if fit would surely get the nod above Huddlestone in a game where combat will be sharp in the midfield. Pace will be very much required too!

The Spurs team will be eager to face Berbatov, but of course he would be well up for a performance against his former team and with pressure being brought to bear upon him by United fans after his penalty miss last week, and a perceived lazy approach to the game. As we know too well, that languid style camouflages great skill and panache. I look forward to Woodgate versus Berbatov with relish again!

It appears that Harry Redknapp has four fit strikers this week, so he has the sort of selection dilemma that we did not have in the first half of the season, which was the core of our problematic results until Defoe, then Keane returned in January.

Could Spurs spring a surprise tomorrow? It's a question that has often been asked before only to be met by failure.

Maybe it could happen on Saturday evening, but I'm going to sit on the fence and predict a 1-1 draw.

LAST TIME WE MET...













Tottenham's dream of a back-to-back Wembley success in the 2009 Carling Cup Final ended in heartbreak as Spurs were defeated 4-1 on a penalty shoot-out by Manchester United.

For the second year in a row, we fought bravely and went toe-to-toe on the biggest stage with first class opposition in a tense and thrilling encounter in which neither side could break the deadlock in 120 minutes of football.

But on this occasion, there was to be no glory at the end of it as the brave Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley suffered the misfortune of missing their spot kicks, while United netted all of theirs.

Nonetheless, the lads can once again hold their heads high after we proved to ourselves the level of performance we can achieve as we turn our attention back to fighting our way out of trouble in the Premier League.

We didn't have the best of starts to our day as last year's Wembley match-winner Jonathan Woodgate failed a late fitness test on an Achilles injury and was ruled out of the Final.

He and the cup-tied Carlo Cudicini, Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane were the only absentees from the side that defeated Hull in the league last Monday.

Heurelho Gomes remained in goal from the week's UEFA Cup tie, Roman Pavlyuchenko continued on his quest to score in every round of this season's competition by partnering Darren Bent up-front, Didier Zokora came into midfield, and Michael Dawson partnered captain Ledley King at the back.

As was the case last year, our throng of fans were magnificent from start to finish, with our end of the stadium awash with blue and white and Cup Final flags being waved proudly by all.

On the pitch, United had the better of the first half and were on the attack from the early stages.

The first effort on goal was a trademark Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick that sailed over on six minutes, and the same player put an effort straight at Gomes from inside the box a minute later after good build-up play by Nani and Carlos Tevez.

Young midfielder Darron Gibson came closest for them on 13 minutes with a crashing 25 yard drive that whistled just past the post after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had blocked a Tevez shot.

And Nani forced Gomes into his first real save of the afternoon on 16 minutes, the Brazilian doing well to tip a low shot around the post. But as the half continued we grew in confidence.

Our first meaningful attack came on 18 minutes when Aaron Lennon was found on the overlap by Vedran Corluka. The winger beat opposing goalkeeper Ben Foster to the ball and pulled back for the waiting Pavlyuchenko, but Rio Ferdinand got in to clear in the nick of time.

And despite the United skipper hitting an ambitious 30-yard effort onto the roof of our net on 24 minutes, you could argue we finished the half in the ascendancy.

Luka Modric slid in Bent for his first shot on goal in the 30th minute, which deflected nicely into the hands of Foster, and Lennon had another run at the defence on 32 minutes, with Jonny Evans intercepting his eventual low cross in the danger zone.

We carried this confidence into the second half when Jermaine Jenas played a neat one-two with Lennon on 57 minutes before curling a shot with the outside of his right foot just over from the edge of the box.

United's best chance came on 61 minutes when Evans hit goalwards after a scramble in the box, but an unmarked Tevez could only turn the ball wide from six yards.

The talking point of the match came on 68 minutes when Ronaldo went down in the box under a challenge from King but was promptly booked for diving by referee Chris Foy. Replays showed our skipper did not win the ball, but it was unclear to see whether the current World Footballer of the Year was already on his way down before contact was made.

On 71 minutes came our best chance. After a spell of pressure, Assou-Ekotto played a ball towards the unmarked Modric in the box, who allowed it to run for Lennon. The winger took his time before firing at goal, but Foster did well to palm the shot away just out of the reach of the lurking Bent.

The only save Gomes had to make in the second half was from a 75th minute shot from substitute Anderson, but by the end of 90 minutes, we had really come into our own.

Our football was flowing with Modric pulling the strings from off the front and Lennon looking a constant threat.

However, it was so nearly heartbreak in the final moments of normal time when Ronaldo was given space to run at the defence before crashing a fierce shot against the inside of Gomes' near post.

We escaped, and for a second year running, more extra time drama at Wembley was upon us.

Into the first period our tired legs started to show. Jenas had given his all in midfield and was replaced by Gareth Bale, and Lennon's non-stop running caused a tweak as he came off for Bentley.

The outstanding Dawson was also suffering after over-stretching when clearing, but bravely carried on the for the final 10 minutes.

Both sides had chances in the added half an hour. Tevez headed a Patrice Evra cross just wide before the break, Bent had a shot saved by the legs of Foster on 116 minutes, and Evra hit one from the edge of the box that sailed inches over just before the end.

But unlike last year, there was to be no extra time winner, and for the first time at the new Wembley, a major Cup Final was to be decided by the lottery of penalty kicks.

The kicks were to be taken at end at which the United fans were situated. After Ryan Giggs netted the first penalty, O'Hara, who had come on as a 65th minute substitute for Pavlyuchenko, stepped up to have our first kick saved by Foster.

Tevez put United further in front before Corluka pegged one back for us, but after Ronaldo slotted his spot kick home, there was further heartbreak as Bentley put his chance wide.

It was left to Anderson to win the Carling Cup for United, and he duly did as our brave attempt the retain the trophy ended in the most painful fashion.


Spurs (4-4-2):

Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Bentley, 102), Zokora, Jenas (Bale, 99), Modric; Pavlyuchenko (O'Hara, 65), Bent

Subs not used: Alnwick, Gunter, Huddlestone, Taarabt

Man Utd (4-4-2):

Foster; O'Shea (Vidic, 76), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs, 91), Nani; Welbeck (Anderson, 56), Tevez

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Eckersley, Possebon, Park

PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Sunday 19th April 2009, Kick Off 13:30
Premier League, Match 33

LIVE on SKY SPORTS 1 / HD1



BIG-MATCH FACTS

Alan Shearer selects a Newcastle side for the third time and is still seeking a first win. The Magpies are on their joint longest winless sequence of the season of seven matches, and deep in relegation trouble.

Spurs have won five of seven league games, and lost one of eight. They've been upwardly mobile under Harry Redknapp, who's taken them out of the mire and to the verge of a Europa League place.

The Magpies' only win in eight Premier League games in London since December 2007 was a 1-4 victory over Tottenham on 30 March last year. Indeed Newcastle are hunting a third successive Premier League win at Tottenham to complete the double for the fifth time over Spurs in this league and the third season in a row.

Newcastle have scored more Premier League goals against Tottenham than any other club (55).

Distance between the clubs: 284 miles (458 kilometres)
Newcastle make the longest journey of any club playing Premier League football this weekend.

CLUB FORM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Going into this round of matches: 9th 41 points

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. The 2-1 defeat, away to Blackburn on 2 April is their only league loss since January.

2. Two points up on this same stage last season, when they were 11th in the table - their final placing.

3. Undefeated in eight home league games; won four and drawn four since losing 0-1 to Everton on 30 November - their only loss in 12 at the Lane.

4. Won the last three top-flight matches at White Hart Lane, against Middlesbrough, Chelsea and West Ham.

5. Not won four home league games on the bounce since 19 January last year.

6. Not conceded in four home league matches, or in 393 minutes (six hours 33 minutes) of Premier League football at White Hart Lane since James Beattie's consolation for Stoke in the 3-1 victory on 27 January.

7. White Hart Lane has seen fewer Premier League goals than any other ground this season; 26 in 16 (17 for, nine against - which is 1.63 per game). It is the second best home defence in the highest league, on a ground that saw the highest number of top-flight goals last term (80, 46 for and 34 against).

8. Won one of the last seven Premier League games against North-East clubs; 4-0, home to Middlesbrough on 4 March.

9. Could yet lose home and away to three clubs; Everton, West Brom and Newcastle.

10. The run-in includes trips to the top two, in their next and last matches respectively. The full list is:- Manchester United (a), WBA (h), Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Going into this round of matches: 18th 30 points

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Drawn three and lost four of the last seven Premier League matches, since beating West Brom 2-3 at the Hawthorns on 7 February 2009; their only maximum in 14.

2. Kept one clean sheet in 15 top-flight matches, courtesy of the goalless home draw with Everton on 22 February.

3. The current tally of 30 points after 32 matches is their lowest ever in the Premier League, and five points down on last season - their previous lowest.

4. The draw specialists of the Premier League. More details

5. Their lowest ever finish in a Premier League campaign was 14th in 2004-05.

6. Won one of their last seven away league games (at the Hawthorns).

7. Lost 50% of their away league games (eight), and scored a goal a game on average (16 in 16).

8. Gained just one point from four league visits to London this season, courtesy of a goalless draw with Chelsea at the Bridge on 22 November.

9. Already done the double over West Brom, and could do likewise to Aston Villa and Portsmouth, as well as Tottenham.

10. The five-match run-in after this includes another six-pointer against Portsmouth on 27 April. Then they still have to play two of the top five clubs. The full list is:- Portsmouth (h), Liverpool (a), Middlesbrough (h), Fulham (h), and Aston Villa (a).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 10.

BENT is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals.

If selected:-

Jermaine JENAS will be facing a former club. The 26 year old England international midfielder made 152 appearances (110 in the league) and scored 12 goals (nine league) for Newcastle between February 2002 and August 2005.

Jonathan WOODGATE will also be opposing former clubmates. The 29 year old England international made 37 appearances (28 in the league) for the Magpies between January 2003 and his £13.4m move to Real Madrid in August 2004.

Michael DAWSON will be making his 200th career league appearance (Nottingham Forest and Tottenham).

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Fabricio COLOCCINI is the only remaining player to have started every one of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season.

Michael OWEN is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.

If selected:-

Habib BEYE will be making his 50th appearance in Newcastle colours.

Danny GUTHRIE will be playing the day after turning 22.

If on the field from the outset:-

Shola AMEOBI will be making his 150th start for the Magpies.

HEAD TO HEAD

Before losing to Newcastle in the reverse fixture in December, Tottenham knocked the Magpies out of the Carling Cup; winning a third round tie 1-2 at St James' Park on 24 September, courtesy of goals from Roman Pavlychenko and Jamie O'Hara.

There's never been a goalless draw in 31 Premier League matches between these clubs.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 54 wins, Newcastle 47, Draws 28
Prem: Spurs 11 wins, Newcastle 16, Draws 4

at Tottenham only
League (inc PL): Spurs 33 wins, Newcastle 20, Draws 11
Prem: Spurs 8 wins, Newcastle 6, Draws 1

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Newcastle United
30 March 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Spurs scorer: Bent 26
Newcastle scorers: Butt 45, Geremi 52, Owen 65, Martins 83

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Newcastle United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
21 December 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner
Newcastle scorers: N'Zogbia 12, Duff 90
Spurs scorer: Modric 29

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are now looking up instead of down and will attack at home which will mean they create chances but leave themselves open at the back.

The changes Alan Shearer made with 25 minutes to go in the match against Stoke last week made a big difference and I feel Newcastle may have turned a corner.

Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Newcastle United

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Sunday's game will be the 144th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

Here are the results of the previous 143 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

F.A. Cup 2 18-Feb-05 19,013 H D 1 - 1 Walton
F.A. Cup 2 Replay 28-Feb-05 26,755 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 06-Nov-09 26,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 19-Mar-10 25,000 H L 0 - 4
Division 1 17-Sep-10 36,000 H L 1 - 2 Minter
Division 1 21-Jan-11 22,000 A D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 25-Nov-11 37,541 H L 1 - 2 Newman
Division 1 30-Mar-12 21,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Nov-12 26,000 H W 1 - 0 Cantrell
Division 1 29-Mar-13 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 15-Nov-13 23,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Mar-14 20,000 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 03-Oct-14 12,000 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 02-Apr-15 18,000 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Dec-20 30,000 A D 1 - 1 Cantrell
Division 1 27-Dec-20 54,500 H W 2 - 0 Bliss, Dimmock
Division 1 05-Nov-21 34,448 H W 4 - 0 Grimsdell, Seed (3)
Division 1 12-Nov-21 20,000 A W 2 - 0 Seed, Lindsay
Division 1 18-Nov-22 30,300 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Nov-22 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Lindsay
Division 1 19-Jan-24 25,649 H W 2 - 0 Poynton, Elkes
Division 1 26-Jan-24 27,000 A D 2 - 2 Clay (pen), Osborne
Division 1 06-Dec-24 28,000 A D 1 - 1 Elkes
Division 1 11-Apr-25 23,144 H W 3 - 0 Lane, Dimmock (2)
Division 1 14-Nov-25 23,391 A L 1 - 3 Seed
Division 1 25-Mar-26 11,774 H W 1 - 0 Dimmock
Division 1 27-Nov-26 33,325 H L 1 - 3 Dimmock
Division 1 16-Apr-27 32,151 A L 2 - 3 Sanders, Dimmock
Division 1 03-Sep-27 41,038 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
Division 1 07-Jan-28 34,731 H W 5 - 2 Osborne (4), Dimmock
Division 1 11-Nov-33 41,379 H W 4 - 0 Hunt GS (2), Evans W (2)
Division 1 24-Mar-34 26,246 A W 3 - 1 Hunt GS (3)
F.A. Cup 4 26-Jan-35 61,195 H W 2 - 0 Hunt GS (2)
Division 2 07-Sep-35 47,442 H L 1 - 2 Howe
Division 2 04-Jan-36 35,389 A W 4 - 1 Morrison, Bell, Evans W (2)
Division 2 12-Sep-36 28,314 A W 1 - 0 Morrison
Division 2 09-Jan-37 30,505 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 11-Sep-37 25,577 H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Morrison
Division 2 02-Feb-38 11,249 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 17-Sep-38 39,694 H W 1 - 0 Whatley (pen)
Division 2 01-Mar-39 18,503 A W 1 - 0 Hall AE
Division 2 14-Sep-46 52,213 H D 1 - 1 Bennett
Division 2 18-Jan-47 62,876 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 06-Dec-47 57,950 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 24-Apr-48 44,164 H D 1 - 1 opponent og
Division 1 18-Nov-50 70,336 H W 7 - 0 Ramsey (pen), Walters, Bennett, Baily, Medley (3)
Division 1 07-Apr-51 41,241 A W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 1 01-Sep-51 52,541 A L 2 - 7 Scarth, Bennett
Division 1 29-Dec-51 55,219 H W 2 - 1 Walters, Medley
F.A. Cup 4 02-Feb-52 69,009 H L 0 - 3
Division 1 30-Aug-52 59,629 A D 1 - 1 McClellan
Charity Shield 24-Sep-52 27,760 H W 2 - 1 Bennett, Murphy
Division 1 03-Jan-53 52,648 H W 3 - 2 Burgess (2), Duquemin
Division 1 19-Sep-53 53,056 A W 3 - 1 Walters, Baily, Robb
Division 1 06-Feb-54 35,798 H W 3 - 0 Walters, Robb (2)
Division 1 16-Oct-54 45,306 A D 4 - 4 Baily (2), McClellan (2)
Division 1 30-Apr-55 37,262 H W 2 - 1 Gavin, Stokoe og
Division 1 24-Sep-55 41,096 H W 3 - 1 Clarke, Stokes (2)
Division 1 04-Feb-56 29,597 A W 2 - 1 Robb, Duquemin
Division 1 10-Nov-56 51,722 H W 3 - 1 Smith R (2), Robb
Division 1 23-Mar-57 37,955 A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Stokes
Division 1 31-Aug-57 37,742 A L 1 - 3 Smith R
Division 1 28-Dec-57 51,649 H D 3 - 3 Norman, Harmer (pen), Stokes
Division 1 06-Sep-58 41,805 H L 1 - 3 Medwin
Division 1 17-Jan-59 32,503 A W 2 - 1 Dunmore (2)
Division 1 22-Aug-59 40,782 A W 5 - 1 Brooks (2), Jones (3)
Division 1 19-Dec-59 32,824 H W 4 - 0 Blanchflower, Norman, White, Jones
Division 1 29-Oct-60 51,369 A W 4 - 3 Norman, Jones, White, Smith R
Division 1 22-Mar-61 46,470 H L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 23-Oct-65 42,430 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 15-Jan-66 27,490 H D 2 - 2 Knowles, Weller
Division 1 27-Aug-66 35,780 A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Robertson
Division 1 31-Dec-66 27,948 H W 4 - 0 Mackay, Greaves (2), Venables
Division 1 02-Dec-67 34,494 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 27-Apr-68 30,281 A W 3 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers (2)
Division 1 28-Sep-68 30,469 A D 2 - 2 Mullery, Pearce
Division 1 02-Apr-69 22,528 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 18-Oct-69 33,287 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Division 1 28-Feb-70 34,827 A W 2 - 1 Pearce, Chivers
Division 1 21-Nov-70 38,873 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
Division 1 20-Feb-71 31,718 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 18-Aug-71 42,715 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 22-Jan-72 30,113 A L 1 - 3 Gilzean
Division 1 30-Aug-72 27,912 A W 1 - 0 Kinnear
Division 1 28-Apr-73 21,721 H W 3 - 2 Chivers (2, 1pen), Peters
Division 1 27-Oct-73 31,259 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 11-May-74 21,601 A W 2 - 0 Chivers, Gilzean
Division 1 07-Dec-74 23,422 H W 3 - 0 Knowles (2), Chivers
Division 1 11-Jan-75 39,679 A W 5 - 2 Knowles, Conn (3), Duncan
Division 1 04-Oct-75 33,290 A D 2 - 2 Pratt, Duncan
L.C. Cup SF (1L) 14-Jan-76 40,215 H W 1 - 0 Pratt
L.C. Cup SF (2L) 21-Jan-76 49,657 A L 1 - 3 McAllister
Division 1 24-Apr-76 29,649 H L 0 - 3
Division 1 25-Aug-76 24,022 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 26-Feb-77 30,236 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 08-Dec-84 29,695 H W 3 - 1 Roberts (pen), Falco (2)
Division 1 06-May-85 29,702 A W 3 - 2 Leworthy, Hoddle, Crook
Division 1 07-Sep-85 23,883 H W 5 - 1 Falco, Chiedozie (2), Hoddle, Hazard
Division 1 22-Mar-86 30,645 A D 2 - 2 Hoddle, Waddle
Division 1 25-Aug-86 25,381 H D 1 - 1 Allen C
F.A. Cup 5 21-Feb-87 38,033 H W 1 - 0 Allen C (pen)
Division 1 25-Mar-87 30,836 A D 1 - 1 Hoddle
Division 1 19-Aug-87 26,261 H W 3 - 1 Allen C, Waddle, Hodge
Division 1 23-Jan-88 24,616 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 03-Sep-88 32,977 A D 2 - 2 Fenwick, Waddle
Division 1 31-Dec-88 27,739 H W 2 - 0 Walsh, Waddle
FA Prem 14-Aug-93 34,565 A W 1 - 0 Sheringham
FA Prem 04-Dec-93 30,780 H L 1 - 2 Barmby (pen)
FA Prem 03-Dec-94 28,002 H W 4 - 2 Sheringham (3), Popescu
FA Prem 03-May-95 35,603 A D 3 - 3 Barmby, Klinsmann, Anderton
Friendly/Test 12-Aug-95 17,288 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 29-Oct-95 32,257 H D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 05-May-96 36,589 A D 1 - 1 Dozzell
FA Prem 07-Sep-96 32,594 H L 1 - 2 Allen
FA Prem 28-Dec-96 36,308 A L 1 - 7 Nielsen
FA Prem 04-Oct-97 36,709 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 25-Apr-98 35,847 H W 2 - 0 Klinsmann, Ferdinand
FA Prem 24-Oct-98 36,047 H W 2 - 0 Iversen (2)
FA Prem 05-Apr-99 36,655 A D 1 - 1 Anderton (pen),
F.A. Cup SF 11-Apr-99 53,609 OT L 0 - 2 (a.e.t)
FA Prem 09-Aug-99 28,701 H W 3 - 1 Iversen, Ferdinand, Sherwood
FA Prem 28-Nov-99 36,460 A L 1 - 2 Armstrong
F.A. Cup 3 12-Dec-99 33,116 H D 1 - 1 Iversen
F.A. Cup 3® 23-Dec-99 35,415 A L 1 - 6 Ginola
FA Prem 26-Aug-00 51,272 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 01-Jan-01 34,500 H W 4 - 2 Doherty, Anderton (pen), Rebrov, Ferdinand
FA Prem 21-Oct-01 50,593 A W 2 - 0 Anderton, Poyet
FA Prem 30-Jan-02 35,798 H L 1 - 3 Iversen
FA Prem 29-Dec-02 52,145 A L 1 - 2 Dabizas og
FA Prem 29-Jan-03 36,084 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 13-Dec-03 52,139 A L 0 - 4
FA Prem 13-Mar-04 36,083 H W 1 - 0 O'Brien og
FA Prem 21-Aug-04 52,185 A W 1 - 0 Atouba
F.A. Cup 6 13-Mar-05 51,307 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 09-Apr-05 35,885 H W 1 - 0 Defoe
FA Prem 31-Dec-05 36,246 H W 2 - 0 Tainio. Mido
FA Prem 01-Apr-06 52,301 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 23-Dec-06 52,079 A L 1 - 3 Murphy
FA Prem 14-Jan-07 35,942 H L 2 - 3 Defoe, Berbatov
FA Prem 22-Oct-07 51,411 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 30-Mar-08 36,067 H L 1 - 4 Bent
L.C. Cup 3 23-Sep-08 19,743 A W 2 - 1 Pavlyuchenko, O'Hara
FA Prem 21-Dec-08 47,982 A L 1 - 2 Modric
FA Prem 18-Apr-09 H



LAST TIME WE MET...











Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham

Premier League, 21st December 2008

Newcastle substitute Damien Duff scored a late winner against Tottenham to lift Joe Kinnear's side into mid-table.

The Republic of Ireland international played a fabulous one-two with Mark Viduka then kept his composure to slot the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Charles N'Zogbia gave Newcastle the lead when he collected a long pass from Shay Given and fired in.

Luka Modric equalised when he ran on to a Michael Dawson ball and sent his low effort past Given.

Newcastle's second successive win means they are now unbeaten in six and four points clear of a relegation zone they have been flirting with since the start of the season.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs will feel slightly aggrieved not to have gone back to the capital with at least a point, but the manager will take heart from the performances of his frontline, in particular Modric and the sublime Aaron Lennon.

They, along with David Bentley and Roman Pavlyuchenko, gave the lately solid Newcastle backline a good workout in the first half.

However, it was defender Dawson who almost came closest to opening the scoring when his looping header had to be pushed over by Given.

For the last 11 years, Newcastle have been used to having their Irish keeper bailing them out of trouble so when his pinpoint punt led to N'Zogbia's goal, it most certainly was one for the famous football scrapbook.

N'Zogbia still had to use his nous and strength to fend off the challenge of Benoit Assou-Ekotto then find the composure to slot the ball past the Spurs stopper.

The Magpies found their stride after the goal but there was one weak link in the team on the day - Ameobi.

The striker, who replaced the injured Obafemi Martins in the starting line-up, had already given the ball away on a handful of occasions before, what happened to be his final act, he was easily dispossessed by Dawson.

The defender's clearance ended up falling to the feet of Modric, who appeared to stay onside and in acres of space before running in on goal and firing past Given.

Ameobi was substituted for Viduka straight after the restart.

Kinnear's battlers survived until half-time with Given made to punch down Pavlyuchenko's firm 20-yard drive.

The second half of the match did not come to the boil until the last 20 minutes.

First Michael Owen blazed over for Newcastle from eight yards and at the other end substitute Frazier Campbell, who came on for Pavlyuchenko, just failed to connect with Lennon's cracking ball across the six-yard area.

Both teams were pressing for the win, but it with less than a minute remaining it was Newcastle who had the last cheer.

Duff, who had just been on for a few minutes, pounced on a loose clearance before finding Viduka on the edge of the area.

The Australian played the ball back to his team-mate with a sweet flick who in turn converted the ball past Gomes with one touch.

Newcastle:

Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Duff 88), Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Ameobi (Viduka 30), Owen.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Geremi, Taylor, Edgar, Carroll.

Booked: Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Duff.

Goals: N'Zogbia 12, Duff 90.

Tottenham:

Gomes, Corluka, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zokora, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko (Campbell 64), Modric.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Bale, Gunter, Taarabt, Boateng, O'Hara.

Booked: Huddlestone, Modric.

Goals: Modric 29.

Att: 47,982

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

BBC Sport Player Man of the Match:

Tottenham's Luka Modric

Match Preview Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 11th April 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 32







PREVIOUS MATCHES:

Saturday's game will be the 235th meeting between Spurs and West Ham.

Here are the results of the previous 234 games with Spurs' score shown first:

(as Thames Ironworks)

Thames & Medway League 03-Sep-1898 H W 3-0 McKay, Cameron, Bradshaw
Thames & Medway League 16-Mar-1899 A L 1-2 Joyce
Southern Lge 04-Nov-1899 H W 7-0 Morris 2, Pratt 3, Copeland, Kirwan
Southern Lge 10-Mar-1900 A D 0-0

(as West Ham United)

Southern Lge 27-Oct-00 5,000 H D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 16-Feb-01 5,000 A W 4 - 1 Brown, Stormont (2), Hyde
Western Lge 14-Oct-01 7,000 H W 2 - 1 Cameron, Copeland
Southern Lge 02-Nov-01 14,000 A W 1 - 0 Jones JL
London Lge 16-Dec-01 2,000 A L 1 - 3 Gilhooley
Southern Lge 15-Feb-02 9,000 H L 1 - 2 Copeland
Western Lge 10-Mar-02 3,000 A D 1 - 1 Brown
London Lge 21-Apr-02 2,000 H D 2 - 2 Brown (2)
S/Charity Cup Final 08-Sep-02 2,000 N W 2 - 1 Houston, Kirwan
London Lge 20-Oct-02 4,000 A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 01-Nov-02 9,000 H D 1 - 1 Copeland
London Lge 15-Dec-02 3,000 H W 4 - 0 Tait (pen), Hughes (pen), Barlow, Kirwan
Southern Lge 14-Feb-03 10,000 A L 0 - 1
Western Lge 16-Feb-03 4,000 H W 1 - 0 Rainbird
Western Lge 19-Mar-03 - A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 21-Nov-03 8,000 H W 2 - 1 Jones J., Kirwan
Western Lge 14-Dec-03 - H W 4 - 1 Jones J. (3), Copeland
London Lge 18-Jan-04 - H W 2 - 0 Jones J., Brearley
Southern Lge 19-Mar-04 8,000 A W 2 - 0 Walton (2)
London Lge 21-Mar-04 - A W 1 - 0 Warner
Western Lge 18-Apr-04 - A W 1 - 0 Jones J.
Southern Lge 24-Sep-04 13,000 A D 0 - 0
Western Lge 24-Oct-04 - H L 0 - 1
S/Charity Cup SF 09-Jan-05 - H W 10 - 0 Tait (pen), Brearley (2), Woodward (5), O'Hagan (2)
Southern Lge 21-Jan-05 14,000 H W 1 - 0 Kirwan
Western Lge 27-Mar-05 - A D 1 - 1 Walton
Southern Lge 23-Sep-05 1,400 H W 2 - 0 Chapman (2)
Western Lge 06-Nov-05 - A L 1 - 4 Berry
Southern Lge 27-Jan-06 18,000 A W 1 - 0 Kyle
Western Lge 26-Mar-06 1,000 A W 1 - 0 Whyman
Southern Lge 01-Sep-06 16,000 H L 1 - 2 Dow
Western Lge 08-Oct-06 4,000 A L 0 - 5
S/Charity Cup1 22-Oct-06 8,000 H W 2 - 0 Stansfield, Reid
Southern Lge 29-Dec-06 13,000 A L 2 - 4 Woodward, Reid
Western Lge 08-Apr-07 - H W 4 - 0 Chapman, Whyman (3)
Southern Lge 07-Sep-07 10,000 A D 1 - 1 McNair
Western Lge 07-Oct-07 5,000 H W 2 - 1 Bull, Pickett
Western Lge 04-Nov-07 - A W 3 - 1 Steel, Reid (2)
Southern Lge 04-Jan-08 13,000 H W 3 - 2 Pass, Payne, Pickett
LonCharCup2 30-Nov-08 3,000 A W 2 - 0 Walton, Steel D
London Comb1 18-Sep-15 8,000 H D 1 - 1 Rance
London Comb1 27-Nov-15 4,000 H W 3 - 0 Morris, Bliss (2)
London Comb2 05-Feb-16 8,000 A L 0 - 2
London Comb2 29-Apr-16 7,000 H D 1 - 1 Bliss
London Comb 04-Nov-16 3,000 Hi L 1 - 2 Bliss
London Comb 04-Nov-16 8,000 A L 1 - 5 Thwaites
London Comb 27-Jan-17 7,000 Ho D 0 - 0
London Comb 24-Mar-17 12,000 A L 0 - 3
Friendly 05-May-17 - A D 3 - 3 Potter, Banks, Barnard
London Comb 29-Sep-17 8,000 A L 0 - 1
London Comb 24-Nov-17 7,000 Hi W 2 - 0 Banks (2)
London Comb 19-Jan-18 3,000 A D 2 - 2 Banks (2)
London Comb 16-Mar-18 10,000 Hi L 0 - 5
London Comb 21-Sep-18 8,000 A W 1 - 0 Thomas
London Comb 16-Nov-18 600 Ho L 1 - 4 Rance
London Comb 11-Jan-19 13,000 A L 0 - 2
Victory Cup 1 01-Mar-19 9,000 Hi W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Banks
London Comb 08-Mar-19 17,170 Ho L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup 3 21-Feb-20 47,642 H W 3 - 0 Grimsdell, Wilson (2)
Division 2 13-Mar-20 25,691 A L 1 - 2 Grimsdell (pen)
Division 2 22-Mar-20 26,000 H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock
Lon Prof Charity Fund 12-Sep-21 11,000 A L 0 - 1
Lon Prof Charity Fund 02-Oct-22 7,000 H W 2 - 1 Clay (pen), Wilson
Friendly 07-May-23 - H W 5 - 2 Lindsay, Handley (3), Dimmock
Division 1 09-Feb-24 30,000 A D 0 - 0
Friendly 23-Feb-24 - A D 1 - 1 Thompson
Friendly 17-Mar-24 - A D 1 - 1 Lindsay
Division 1 22-Apr-24 18,153 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 22-Nov-24 30,000 A D 1 - 1 Elkes
Division 1 28-Mar-25 29,321 H D 1 - 1 Seed
Division 1 07-Nov-25 35,259 H W 4 - 2 Osborne (3), Elkes
F.A. Cup 3 09-Jan-26 49,800 H W 5 - 0 Osborne (2), Dimmock (3)
Division 1 20-Mar-26 29,423 A L 1 - 3 Osborne
Friendly 03-May-26 - A D 1 - 1 Blair
F.A. Cup 3 08-Jan-27 44,417 A L 2 - 3 Handley, Dimmock
Division 1 15-Apr-27 42,010 H L 1 - 3 Handley
Division 1 18-Apr-27 21,354 A W 2 - 1 Handley, Dimmock
Division 1 05-Nov-27 35,099 H W 5 - 3 Handley, O'Callaghan (2), Osborne, Elkes
Division 1 17-Mar-28 33,908 A D 1 - 1 Osborne
Friendly 08-Dec-30 - A W 2 - 1 Davies, Bellamy
Division 2 17-Dec-32 45,129 H D 2 - 2 O'Callaghan, Hunt GS
Division 2 21-Apr-33 31,706 A L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup 4 27-Jan-34 51,747 H W 4 - 1 Hunt GS (2), Evans W (2)
Division 2 09-Nov-35 40,245 A D 2 - 2 Morrison (2)
Division 2 14-Mar-36 57,417 H L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
Division 2 29-Aug-36 31,906 A L 1 - 2 Morrison
Division 2 26-Dec-36 34,190 H L 2 - 3 Meek, Miller
Division 2 20-Nov-37 47,000 H W 2 - 0 Sargent, Gibbons
Division 2 02-Apr-38 30,031 A W 3 - 1 Sargent, Gibbons, Miller
Division 2 29-Oct-38 51,170 H W 2 - 1 Lyman (2)
F.A. Cup 4 21-Jan-39 42,716 A D 3 - 3 Sargent, Morrison, Duncan
F.A. Cup 4 Replay 30-Jan-39 50,798 H D 1 - 1 Sargent
F.A. Cup 4 Second Replay 02-Feb-39 50,468 Hi L 1 - 2 Morrison
Division 2 04-Mar-39 20,832 A W 2 - 0 Hall GW, Duncan
Friendly 07-Oct-39 - H L 0 - 2
FL South A 04-Nov-39 7,800 A L 1 - 2 Hall GW
FL South A 26-Dec-39 4,276 H L 0 - 1
FL South C 10-Feb-40 7,500 A L 0 - 2
FL South C 06-Apr-40 15,000 H L 2 - 6 Howe, Morrison
Reg Lge Sth 31-Aug-40 2,000 H L 2 - 3 Burgess (2)
Reg Lge Sth 07-Sep-40 2,600 A X 4 - 1 Abandoned 80mins (Air Raid) Burgess (3), Duncan
LonWarCup 01-Feb-41 4,691 H L 1 - 2 Broadis
LonWarCup 08-Feb-41 5,200 A L 2 - 3 Hall, Gibbons
London WarLge 06-Dec-41 8,493 H D 1 - 1 Broadis
London WarLge 14-Mar-42 7,986 A W 3 - 2 Broadis (2), Gibbons
Football Lge Sth 19-Sep-42 10,160 A L 1 - 3 Ludford
Football Lge Sth 19-Dec-42 9,741 H W 2 - 0 Hall, Ludford
Football Lge Sth 18-Sep-43 12,148 A D 3 - 3 O'Donnell (2), Rowley
Football Lge Sth 01-Jan-44 40,997 H W 1 - 0 Cox
Football Lge Sth 26-Aug-44 14,379 H D 2 - 2 O'Donnell, Stevens
Football Lge Sth 02-Dec-44 23,000 A W 1 - 0 Gilberg
LgeSth Cup G3 10-Feb-45 21,000 A L 0 - 1
LgeSth Cup G3 03-Mar-45 29,838 H W 4 - 0 Burgess, Martin, Gibbons (2)
Football Lge Sth 08-Sep-45 26,437 A D 1 - 1 Burgess
Football Lge Sth 15-Sep-45 34,342 H L 2 - 3 Gibbons (2)
Division 2 19-Oct-46 34,341 A D 2 - 2 Bennett, Foreman
Division 2 17-May-47 37,503 H D 0 - 0
Division 2 08-Sep-47 25,732 A D 1 - 1 Jordan
Division 2 15-Sep-47 33,415 H D 2 - 2 Jordan, Bennett
Division 2 25-Sep-48 38,132 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 19-Feb-49 62,980 H D 1 - 1 Bennett
Division 2 05-Nov-49 31,734 A W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 2 25-Mar-50 51,124 H W 4 - 1 Walters (2), Bennett, Medley
Friendly 16-Apr-53 - A L 1 - 2 Walters
F.A. Cup 6 03-Mar-56 69,118 H D 3 - 3 Harmer (pen), Duquemin, Robb
F.A. Cup 6 Replay 08-Mar-56 34,911 A W 2 - 1 Harmer, Duquemin
Division 1 25-Dec-58 26,178 A L 1 - 2 Smith R
Division 1 26-Dec-58 43,817 H L 1 - 4 Stokes
F.A. Cup 3 10-Jan-59 56,252 H W 2 - 0 Smith R, Jones
Division 1 09-Sep-59 58,909 H D 2 - 2 Smith R, Jones
Division 1 14-Sep-59 36,831 A W 2 - 1 Marchi, Smith R
Division 1 24-Dec-60 65,930 H W 2 - 0 White, Dyson
Division 1 26-Dec-60 34,351 A W 3 - 0 White, Allen, Brown og
Division 1 23-Aug-61 50,434 H D 2 - 2 Dyson (2)
Division 1 28-Aug-61 36,274 A L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 25-Aug-62 32,527 A W 6 - 1 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones, Lyall og
Division 1 22-Dec-62 44,650 H D 4 - 4 Smith J, Mackay (3)
Division 1 28-Sep-63 51,667 H W 3 - 0 Mackay, Jones, Brown og
Division 1 08-Feb-64 36,838 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 12-Sep-64 36,730 A L 2 - 3 Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 16-Jan-65 50,054 H W 3 - 2 Greaves (2), Dyson
Division 1 08-Apr-66 50,635 H L 1 - 4 Gilzean
Division 1 25-Apr-66 32,232 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 2 14-Sep-66 34,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Nov-66 57,157 H L 3 - 4 Greaves (pen), Gilzean, Venables
Division 1 09-May-67 35,758 A W 2 - 0 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 26-Aug-67 55,831 H W 5 - 1 Mullery, Greaves (2, 1pen), Saul, Jones
Division 1 23-Dec-67 32,122 A L 1 - 2 Robertson
Division 1 14-Sep-68 35,802 A D 2 - 2 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 19-Apr-69 50,970 H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Tour 15-May-69 - A W 4 - 3 Greaves (2), Pearce, Morgan
Division 1 06-Sep-69 40,561 A W 1 - 0 Pearce
Division 1 20-Dec-69 28,375 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 15-Aug-70 53,640 H D 2 - 2 Gilzean (2)
Division 1 17-Oct-70 42,322 A D 2 - 2 Mullery, England
Division 1 27-Dec-71 53,868 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 01-Apr-72 30,763 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Sep-72 51,291 H W 1 - 0 Lampard og
Division 1 26-Dec-72 37,397 A D 2 - 2 Peters, Pearce
Division 1 08-Sep-73 30,888 A W 1 - 0 Chivers
Division 1 29-Dec-73 33,176 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Chivers
Division 1 14-Sep-74 27,959 H W 2 - 1 England, Chivers
Division 1 26-Dec-74 37,682 A D 1 - 1 Peters
Division 1 25-Aug-75 36,567 A L 0 - 1
League Cup 4 12-Nov-75 49,161 H D 0 - 0
League Cup 4 Replay 24-Nov-75 38,443 A W 2 - 0 (a.e.t) Young, Duncan
Division 1 07-Feb-76 32,832 H D 1 - 1 Duncan
Division 1 06-Nov-76 28,997 A L 3 - 5 Hoddle, Osgood (pen), Duncan
Division 1 01-Jan-77 44,972 H W 2 - 1 Osgood (pen), Duncan
Friendly 04-Dec-78 - A L 2 - 4 Holmes, Pratt
Friendly/Test 30-Apr-79 - H D 2 - 2 Villa, Ardiles
League Cup 5 02-Dec-80 36,003 A L 0 - 1
Friendly/Test 11-May-81 - H L 2 - 3 Hazard, Gibson
Division 1 02-Sep-81 41,200 H L 0 - 4
Division 1 10-May-82 27,667 A D 2 - 2 Hoddle (pen), Brooke
Division 1 20-Nov-82 41,960 H W 2 - 1 Archibald (2)
Division 1 01-Jan-83 33,383 A L 0 - 3
Friendly/Test 21-Aug-83 - H D 1 - 1 Brazil
Division 1 03-Sep-83 38,042 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 31-Dec-83 30,939 A L 1 - 4 Stevens
Friendly 18-May-84 - A L 1 - 4 Archibald
Division 1 26-Dec-84 37,186 H D 2 - 2 Mabbutt, Crooks
Division 1 06-Apr-85 24,435 A D 1 - 1 Ardiles
Division 1 26-Dec-85 33,835 H W 1 - 0 Perryman
Division 1 31-Mar-86 27,497 A L 1 - 2 Ardiles
Friendly 12-May-86 - A L 1 - 5 Allen C
Division 1 26-Dec-86 39,019 H W 4 - 0 Hodge, Allen C (2), Waddle
League Cup 5 27-Jan-87 28,648 A D 1 - 1 Allen C
League Cup 5 Replay 02-Feb-87 41,995 H W 5 - 0 Allen C (3, 1pen), Hoddle, Claesen
Division 1 20-Apr-87 23,972 A L 1 - 2 Allen C
Division 1 19-Sep-87 27,750 A W 1 - 0 Fairclough
Friendly/Test 20-Oct-87 - H D 2 - 2 Allen P, Archibald
Division 1 28-Dec-87 39,456 H W 2 - 1 Fairclough, Waddle
Friendly 21-Aug-88 - A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Dec-88 28,365 A W 2 - 0 Thomas, Mabbutt
Division 1 01-Apr-89 28,375 H W 3 - 0 Fenwick (pen), Nayim, Stewart
Friendly/Test 17-Aug-90 17,456 H W 4 - 1 Lineker (2, 1pen), Gascoigne, Nayim
Friendly 12-Nov-90 10,443 A L 3 - 4 Stewart (2), Houghton
Division 1 26-Oct-91 23,946 A L 1 - 2 Lineker
Division 1 01-Apr-92 31,809 H W 3 - 0 Lineker (3)
FA Prem 28-Dec-93 20,787 A W 3 - 1 Dozzell, Hazard, Anderton
FA Prem 04-Apr-94 31,502 H L 1 - 4 Sheringham (pen)
FA Prem 29-Oct-94 26,271 H W 3 - 1 Klinsmann, Sheringham, Barmby
FA Prem 14-Jan-95 24,578 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
FA Prem 30-Aug-95 23,516 A D 1 - 1 Rosenthal
FA Prem 12-Feb-96 29,781 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 02-Nov-96 32,975 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
FA Prem 24-Feb-97 23,998 A L 3 - 4 Sheringham, Anderton, Howells
FA Prem 13-Aug-97 25,354 A L 1 - 2 Ferdinand
FA Prem 17-Jan-98 30,284 H W 1 - 0 Klinsmann
FA Prem 28-Nov-98 26,044 A L 1 - 2 Armstrong
FA Prem 24-Apr-99 36,089 H L 1 - 2 Ginola
FA Prem 07-Aug-99 26,010 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 06-Dec-99 36,233 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 11-Sep-00 33,282 H W 1 - 0 Campbell
FA Prem 31-Jan-01 26,048 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 6 11-Mar-01 26,048 A W 3 - 2 Rebrov (2), Doherty
FA Prem 24-Nov-01 32,780 A W 1 - 0 Ferdinand
FA Prem 13-Apr-02 36,038 H D 1 - 1 Sheringham
FA Prem 15-Sep-02 36,005 H W 3 - 2 Davies, Sheringham (pen), Gardner
FA Prem 01-Mar-03 35,049 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 3 29-Oct-03 36,053 H W 1 - 0 (a.e.t) Zamora
FA Prem 19-Nov-05 36,154 H D 1 - 1 Mido
FA Prem 07-May-06 34,970 A L 1 - 2 Defoe
FA Prem 21-Oct-06 36,162 H W 1 - 0 Mido
FA Prem 04-Mar-07 34,966 A W 4 - 3 Defoe (pen). Tainio, Berbatov, Stalteri
FA Prem 25-Nov-07 34,966 A D 1 - 1 Dawson
FA Prem 08-Mar-08 36,062 H W 4 - 0 Berbatov (2), Gilberto, Bent
FA Prem 06-Dec-08 34,277 A W 2 - 0 King, O'Hara
FA Prem 11-Apr-09 H



LAST TIME WE MET...

Monday 8th December 2008, Premier League

West Ham United 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Ledley King's first goal since December 2005 and a stunning strike from Jamie O'Hara sealed a valuable three points on the road at Upton Park on Monday night.

The skipper's last contribution to the goal charts was against Portsmouth and his header against the Hammers set the tone in a match where maximum points were richly merited after the momentum was seized in the second half.

There was a real chance to get the night off to flying start when Aaron Lennon pinged back across goal to where David Bentley was waiting to roll into the path of the returning Luka Modric. From a central position the Croatian opted for precision rather than power, but his radar was askew on this occasion and it was an easy field for Robert Green.

The lively beginning was not built on and both sides struggled when it came to keeping possession in the first 20 minutes - particularly in the final third. Green's next sight of ball came when a Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross was headed at him by Bentley.

West Ham did have the ball in the net off Jermaine Jenas, with referee Mr Foy spotting the fact that the midfielder was being knocked about and duly ruled out any home lead.

The contest continued to stutter with either side establishing authority until Bentley latched onto a headed clearance and lashed the ball goalwards on the half-volley with Green forced into a smart reaction save.

Control was being exerted in the approach to half-time and the home crowd were increasingly venting their collective frustration. A low cross from Lennon skidded across goal and Roman Pavlyuchenko stuck out a leg at the far post but ended up hitting it.

Also increasing was the influence of Modric, clearly the most influential player on the pitch in the first half, gliding across the surface and seemingly almost always in a position to receive the ball.

Lucas Neill smashed across goal in the opening exchanges of the second half, with Julien Faubert unable to make any sort of connection, but West Ham did appear to emerge with something of a spring in their step.

It was Lennon who rocked them back on their heels with a speedy dash before he was bundled off the ball before Modric speculated from distance with an effort that was foiled high in the air by Green.

There then looked to be a strong case for handball against Herita Ilunga from Vedran Corluka's cross, but Mr Foy might not have been in the best position to spot.

By this time Darren Bent was in the thick of the action having replaced Pavlyuchenko, while West Ham swapped Faubert in a popular move with Mark Noble. A brilliant incisive move involving Jenas and Lennon led to Bent being presented with a scoring chance in front of goal just after the hour, but his sidefooted effort did not find the target or do the move justice.

The quality was now on show with most of the approach work from the team in white shirts, although execution of the final ball was proving a frustration. This couldn't be levelled at Assou-Ekotto when his sliderule pass across goal picked out Bent on the turn, but the striker was quickly outnumbered.

Didier Zokora then made a dash for it and unleashed a shot that Green did well to save low to his left.

The deadlock was then broken by a these days unlikely goalscorer. A magnificent cross from the right by Lennon was met by the head of King, who nodded downwards and beat the despairing dive of Green.

Substitute David Di Michele tried to force the issue shortly after his introduction but was denied by a determined block from Jonathan Woodgate in front of goal.

Apart from this the flow was towards the goal guarded by Green and Lennon was not too far away from adding to the lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

Heurelho Gomes denied Neill and then Di Michele from point blank range with fine saves before West Ham were caught with a counter-punch when Corluka picked out the substitute O'Hara who let rip from 20-odd yards and arrowed the ball into the top corner to complete a fine night's work.

West Ham:
Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Mullins (Di Michele 73), Parker (Tristan 83), Faubert (Noble 58), Cole, Bellamy.

Subs Not Used:
Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Davenport, Collison.

Booked: Behrami, Noble.

Tottenham:
Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 81), Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 54).

Subs Not Used:
Cesar, Bale, Huddlestone, Dawson, Boateng.

Goals: King 68, O'Hara 90.

Att: 34,277

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on a perceived handball by Benoit Assou-Ekotto when his side were 1-0 down:
"It was a clear penalty when it was 1-0. The referee is a human being, he can make mistakes.

"Unfortunately for us it was a disappointing game because it was one we all wanted to win.

"I understand the fans' frustration. We gave everything to make them happy."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"I want to see West Ham win every week [when they are not playing Spurs] but that was a great result for us tonight.

"We were good value and deserved to win even after missing some great chances... Modric in the first minute and Pavlyuchenko hitting the post.

"We passed the ball well tonight at times and eventually we got the goal."