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).

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

PREVIEW: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

Goodison Park, Liverpool
Saturday 9th May 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 36

REFEREE: Lee Mason (Lancashire)










































COMMENT:

Spurs travel to Everton for their penultimate away League fixture of 2008-09 on Saturday and Everton are the only team in the Premier League who could possibly do the 'Double' over Spurs this season, having already won at White Hart Lane in November in what was Harry Redknapp's only home defeat so far.

Last season, three teams did the 'Double' over Spurs - Arsenal, Birmingham City & Newcastle United, while Spurs had double League wins over Portsmouth, Derby County and Reading.

Tottenham have only chalked-up the one 'Double' so far this season (against West Ham United) but have the potential to add both Manchester City and Liverpool to the list before the season is over.

A deflected shot from Steven Pienaar proved decisive in that game which Spurs were very unlucky to come away empty-handed. Until a few years ago, the Everton League fixtures were pretty much a guaranteed six points for Spurs but the tables have been turned recently and Spurs have gone the last three fixtures without a win against the Merseysiders.

Everton are in fine form under David Moyes and are ahead of Aston Villa for fifth place while Spurs are also in with a chance of UEFA Europa League football next season if they can nick seventh spot off West Ham United, Fulham and Manchester City, who we play at home after the Everton game.

Tottenham's recent home League form has been quite remarkable - 6 consecutive clean sheets including 5 wins - and they're on course to set a new all-time club record of the fewest home goals conceded in a League season. So far, Spurs have conceded just 9 League goals at home so far this season with the all-time record standing at 11.

However, Everton must be odds-on to win this one, as Tottenham's away form has been very patchy this season. I suspect Harry will be more than happy to come away with a point.

Darren Bent and Michael Dawson are both out injured but aside from that, Harry has a full squad to choose from. I suspect he'll opt for a partnership of Keane & Defoe upfront with Pavlyuchenko making an appearance at around the hour mark.

TEAM NEWS:

Everton right-back Tony Hibbert has been ruled out with the neck injury that caused him to miss the Toffees' victory at Sunderland last weekend.

Defender Lars Jacobsen and midfielder Leon Osman face late fitness tests.

Everton (from):

Howard, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Neville, Fellaini, Vaughan, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha, Jo, Rodwell, Nash, Yobo, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling.

Tottenham's Aaron Lennon (groin), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (foot) and David Bentley (hamstring) look set to miss out along with Jamie O'Hara (knee).

Didier Zokora is also out with a groin injury, with Michael Dawson and Darren Bent already on the sidelines.

Tottenham (from):

Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Huddlestone, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Modric, Keane, Campbell, Chimbonda, Corluka, Defoe, King, Woodgate, Bostock, Parrett, Gilberto.

Everton manager David Moyes praises Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:

"I'm looking forward to seeing Harry. He has done a brilliant job at Tottenham and turned them around since he took over.

"I think Harry has got them a bit tougher and tighter but they will continue to play Tottenham-type football.

"I don't think you could have doubted the squad of players. Most people in the country would have been tipping them to finish in the top six this year.

"It shouldn't be a surprise to people that they are now doing well. In people like Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas they have some fabulous football players."

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas:

"They always pack out the midfield, they have a holding midfield player and the forwards drop off in there as well.

"They aren't scared of putting in a tackle, they win headers that's how David Moyes likes his teams to play.

They're a tough side to play, very consistent and tough to beat at Goodison although we've had a good record there in recent seasons. We're on a good run and we're looking forward to it."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

FA Cup finalists Everton are already assured of a place in Europe and involved in a scrap with Aston Villa for fifth place to determine which club goes into the play-Off round for the Europa League and which will have to contest a third Qualifying Round tie. The Toffees, who will enter the play-off round anyway if they win the FA Cup, lie two points behind Villa with three to play.

Carling Cup runners-up Tottenham are one of four clubs pursuing a seventh placed finish and possible entry into Europe. Spurs are one point below West Ham, who currently hold seventh place.

This match pits the club to have lost the most matches in Premier League history (Everton, 251 defeats) against the one to have let in most goals (Spurs, 888 conceded).

Tottenham's 0-1 loss in the reverse fixture on 30 November was Harry Redkanpp's first home defeat in charge.

Everton have only beaten Tottenham twice in home Premier League matches and have recorded one victory in the last 11 against them at Goodison; 3-1 on 9 April 2004.

Despite failing to score in their last two games against Everton, the Londoners have gained more victories (17), scored more goals (51) and secured more points (62) against Everton than any other club in the Premier League.

Distance between the clubs: 215 miles (345 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

EVERTON

6th 56 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 6th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ever-presents in the Premier League; never finished higher than fourth (2004-05) or lower than 17th, and averaging 12th.

2. Never finished consecutive seasons in the top-half of the Premier League until last year - now they're certain to register three in a row, and could equal last terms fifth place.

3. The current total of 56 points after 35 games is six points down on last season, when fifth in the table.

4. Victory here would only be their second home win against a current top-half club; the first was against Fulham.

5. The 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in their most recent outing at Goodison Park brought an end to an eight-match unbeaten home sequence.

6. Already recorded home and away victories over Bolton, Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom, and could also complete the double over West Ham, Fulham and Tottenham.

7. Their last three fixtures are all against London opposition. Of the seven already played against clubs from the capital, the first, away to Arsenal, was lost. The next three were won against Fulham (h), West Ham (a) and Tottenham (a), and the most recent three were drawn, against Chelsea (h), Arsenal (h) and Chelsea (a).

8. Still to host West Ham and visit Fulham, after this.
Fixtures

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

10th 47 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won six of the last nine.

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

3. Completed 10 Premier League games since failing to score; the longest current run of any club.

4. Dropped just eight points from winning positions, drawing one and losing two. Only Chelsea has dropped fewer (seven).

5. Lost the last two on the road, conceding seven goals in the process.

6. Four goals short of conceding 500 away from home in the Premier League.

7. 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).

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. Their home games have produced fewer goals than any other club (28; 19 for, nine against), and their away matches have yielded more than any other club in the Premier League (55; 23 for, 32 against).

10. A home fixture against Manchester City and a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool remain after this.
Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES

EVERTON

Tim HOWARD is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Everton's league and cup matches this season.

Tim CAHILL and Marouane FELLAINI are the club's leading Premier League scorers with eight goals each.

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.

Jermain DEFOE will be making his 250th Premier League appearance (West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth).

HEAD TO HEAD

Tottenham have not lost in four Premier League visits to Everton; they won three in a row, then it was 0-0 last season.

Three points would see the Merseysiders doing the double over Tottenham for the first time in the Premier League. The last league season they defeated Spurs home and away was 1985-86.

The club playing at home has not won in six Premier League meetings between these sides.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Everton 46 wins, Spurs 53, Draws 44
Prem: Everton 5 wins, Spurs 17, Draws 11

at Everton only
League (inc PL): Everton 30 wins, Spurs 17, Draws 24
Prem: Everton 2 wins, Spurs 7, Draws 7

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
30 January 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Everton
30 November 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Everton scorers: Pienaar 51

MARK LAWRENSON'S (BBC) PREDICTION:

Everton had disastrous results at home at the start of the season but since then they've been very tough to beat at Goodison Park.

Tottenham will go there and play but Everton are solid even without the injured Phil Jagielka, who has been their rock at the back.

Verdict: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday's game will be the 163rd encounter between Everton and Spurs, who have never met before in a major English domestic Cup Final. In fact, the two teams have never met in over 40 years of competing in the League Cup.

They have played together in some exotic locations though, including Vienna, Prague and even Argentina!

The only other match played at a neutral venue was the 1995 FA Cup Semi-Final at Elland Road, home of Leeds United.

Here are the results of the previous 162 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

Friendly 22-Apr-1897 - H W 2 - 1 Lanham, Newbigging
Friendly 01-Jan-02 - A L 1 - 3 Smith
F.A. Cup 1 06-Feb-04 25,000 A W 2 - 1 Woodward, Balmer og
Tour 07-May-05 - A L 0 - 2 (Vienna)
Tour 16-May-05 - A L 0 - 1 (Prague)
F.A. Cup 1 11-Jan-08 21,000 A W 0 - 1
Tour 05-Jun-09 - A D 2 - 2 Tull, Middlemiss (Palermo, Argentina)
Tour 19-Jun-09 - A L 0 - 4 (Palermo, Argentina)
Division 1 04-Sep-09 20,000 A L 2 - 4 Minter, Middlemiss
Division 1 08-Jan-10 24,000 H W 3 - 0 Steel R, Middlemiss (2)
Division 1 01-Sep-10 22,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Apr-11 20,000 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Sep-11 25,000 A D 2 - 2 J McTavish, Young
Division 1 30-Dec-11 24,500 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Sep-12 22,000 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 01-Jan-13 30,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter (2)
Division 1 22-Nov-13 22,000 H W 4 - 1 Bauchop, Bliss (2), Middlemiss
Division 1 28-Mar-14 15,000 A D 1 - 1 Sparrow
Division 1 02-Sep-14 9,000 H L 1 - 3 Cantrell
Division 1 01-Jan-15 17,000 A D 1 - 1 Bliss
Division 1 12-Mar-21 30,000 H W 2 - 0 Archibald, Seed
Division 1 27-Apr-21 23,000 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Feb-22 34,871 H W 2 - 0 Wilson, Dimmock
Division 1 15-Mar-22 30,000 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 04-Sep-22 24,262 H W 2 - 0 Seed, Bliss
Division 1 01-Jan-23 20,000 A L 1 - 3 Lindsay
Division 1 12-Apr-24 14,606 H L 2 - 5 Walden, Lindsay
Division 1 19-Apr-24 20,000 A L 2 - 4 Lindsay, Raitt og
Division 1 13-Sep-24 35,039 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 17-Jan-25 30,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Sep-25 37,506 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
Division 1 23-Jan-26 22,805 H D 1 - 1 Thompson
Division 1 28-Aug-26 28,324 H W 2 - 1 Blair, Osborne
Division 1 15-Jan-27 35,986 A W 2 - 1 Blair, Dimmock
Division 1 01-Oct-27 7,716 H L 1 - 3 Townley
Division 1 11-Feb-28 29,149 A W 5 - 3 O'Callaghan (4), Dimmock
Division 2 25-Oct-30 25,265 A L 2 - 4 Smy (2)
Division 2 16-Mar-31 30,205 H W 1 - 0 Harper
Division 1 21-Oct-33 35,082 A D 1 - 1 Evans W
F.A. Cup 3 13-Jan-34 45,637 H W 3 - 0 Howe, Hunt GS, Evans W
Division 1 03-Mar-34 26,121 H W 3 - 0 Hunt GS (3)
Division 1 25-Aug-34 50,586 H D 1 - 1 Hall GW
Division 1 29-Dec-34 25,851 A L 2 - 5 McCormick, Hall AG
F.A. Cup 5 20-Feb-37 57,149 A D 1 - 1 McCormick
F.A. Cup 5 Replay 22-Feb-37 46,972 H W 4 - 3 Meek, Morrison (3)
F.A. Cup 5 11-Feb-50 72,921 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 11-Nov-50 47,125 A W 2 - 1 Baily, Medley
Division 1 31-Mar-51 46,651 H W 3 - 0 Walters, Bennett, Murphy
Division 1 04-Dec-54 31,554 H L 1 - 3 Baily
Division 1 09-Apr-55 42,219 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 17-Sep-55 42,851 A L 1 - 2 Walters
Division 1 21-Jan-56 37,119 H D 1 - 1 Smith R
Division 1 25-Dec-56 27,761 H W 6 - 0 Medwin, (2), Harmer (pen), Smith R (2), Stokes
Division 1 26-Dec-56 20,172 A D 1 - 1 Robb
Division 1 09-Nov-57 39,999 H W 3 - 1 Brooks, Smith R, Harmer (pen)
Division 1 05-Apr-58 30,149 A W 4 - 3 Smith (2), Clayton (2)
Division 1 11-Oct-58 37,794 H W 10 - 4 Ryden, Medwin, Harmer, Smith R (4), Stokes (2), Robb
Division 1 28-Feb-59 36,782 A L 1 - 2 Jones
Division 1 21-Nov-59 39,432 H W 3 - 0 Jones (pen), Harris og, King og
Division 1 09-Apr-60 57,959 A L 1 - 2 Jones
Division 1 20-Aug-60 50,393 H W 2 - 0 Smith R, Allen
Division 1 17-Dec-60 61,052 A W 3 - 1 Mackay, White, Allen
Division 1 04-Nov-61 54,234 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 24-Mar-62 47,343 H W 3 - 1 Jones, White, Greaves
Division 1 01-Dec-62 60,626 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 20-Apr-63 67,650 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 26-Oct-63 65,386 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 07-Mar-64 41,923 H L 2 - 4 Allen, Dyson
Division 1 29-Aug-64 55,148 A L 1 - 4 Jones
Division 1 19-Dec-64 41,994 H D 2 - 2 Greaves (2)
Division 1 09-Sep-65 40,022 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
Division 1 01-Jan-66 36,953 H D 2 - 2 Knowles, Saul
Division 1 22-Mar-67 50,108 A W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 27-Mar-67 46,917 H W 2 - 0 Mullery, Gilzean
Division 1 23-Aug-67 53,809 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 29-Aug-67 57,790 A W 1 - 0 Saul
Division 1 17-Aug-68 56,570 A W 2 - 0 Greaves, Chivers
Division 1 08-Mar-69 44,882 H D 1 - 1 Morgan
Division 1 17-Dec-69 28,494 H X 0 - 0 (Match Abandoned 29th minute, floodlight failure)
Division 1 11-Mar-70 27,764 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 14-Mar-70 51,533 A L 2 - 3 Gilzean, Bond (pen)
Division 1 28-Nov-70 44,301 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 30-Jan-71 42,105 H W 2 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers
Division 1 06-Nov-71 40,005 H W 3 - 0 Pratt, Chivers (2)
F.A. Cup 5 26-Feb-72 50,511 A W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Peters
Division 1 01-Mar-72 21,601 A D 1 - 1 Peters
Division 1 16-Dec-72 31,129 A L 1 - 3 Neighbour
Division 1 24-Feb-73 27,427 H W 3 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers, Pearce
Division 1 03-Nov-73 37,827 A D 1 - 1 Perryman
Division 1 30-Mar-74 19,839 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 09-Nov-74 29,052 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 01-Feb-75 40,912 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 10-Dec-75 18,638 H D 2 - 2 Pratt, Duncan
Division 1 24-Feb-76 18,126 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 30-Oct-76 26,047 H D 3 - 3 McAllister, Osgood (pen), Pratt
Division 1 26-Mar-77 32,549 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 30-Dec-78 44,572 A D 1 - 1 Taylor
Division 1 05-May-79 26,077 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
Division 1 24-Nov-79 31,079 A D 1 - 1 Jones
Division 1 19-Apr-80 25,245 H W 3 - 0 Miller, Ardiles, Galvin
Division 1 01-Nov-80 26,223 A D 2 - 2 Archibald (2)
Division 1 04-Apr-81 27,208 H D 2 - 2 Galvin, Crooks
Division 1 19-Sep-81 31,219 H W 3 - 0 Hughton, Roberts, Hoddle (pen)
Division 1 30-Jan-82 30,709 A D 1 - 1 Villa
Division 1 04-Sep-82 30,563 A L 1 - 3 Archibald
Division 1 03-Jan-83 28,455 H W 2 - 1 Gibson (2)
F.A. Cup 5 19-Feb-83 42,995 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Sep-83 29,125 H L 1 - 2 Falco
Division 1 21-Jan-84 17,990 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
Division 1 25-Aug-84 35,630 A W 4 - 1 Falco, Allen C (2), Chiedozie
Division 1 03-Apr-85 48,108 H L 1 - 2 Roberts
Division 1 26-Aug-85 29,750 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 01-Feb-86 33,178 A L 0 - 1
SSS Cup SF 1L 05-Feb-86 7,548 H D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 5 04-Mar-86 23,338 H L 1 - 2 Falco
SSS Cup SF 2L 19-Mar-86 12,008 A L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Falco
Division 1 27-Sep-86 28,007 H W 2 - 0 Allen C (2)
Division 1 11-May-87 28,287 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 05-Sep-87 32,389 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 09-Mar-88 18,662 H W 2 - 1 Fairclough, Walsh
Division 1 03-Dec-88 29,657 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 22-Apr-89 28,568 H W 2 - 1 Walsh (2)
Division 1 22-Aug-89 34,402 A L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 09-Dec-89 29,374 H W 2 - 1 Stewart, Lineker
Division 1 18-Nov-90 23,716 A D 1 - 1 Howells
Division 1 24-Apr-91 21,675 H D 3 - 3 Allen, Mabbutt, Nayim
Division 1 05-Oct-91 29,505 A L 1 - 3 Lineker
Division 1 25-Apr-92 36,340 H D 3 - 3 Stewart, Minton, Allen
FA Prem 05-Sep-92 26,503 H W 2 - 1 Allen, Turner
FA Prem 10-Feb-93 16,164 A W 2 - 1 Mabbutt, Allen
FA Prem 03-Oct-93 27,487 H W 3 - 2 Sheringham, Anderton, Caskey
FA Prem 26-Mar-94 23,460 A W 1 - 0 Sedgley
FA Prem 24-Aug-94 24,553 H W 2 - 1 Klinsmann (2)
FA Prem 17-Dec-94 32,813 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup SF 09-Apr-95 38,226 Elland Road, Leeds L 1 - 4 Klinsmann (pen)
FA Prem 22-Oct-95 33,629 A D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 02-Dec-95 32,894 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 24-Aug-96 29,669 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 12-Apr-97 36,380 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 29-Nov-97 36,670 A W 2 - 0 Vega, Ginola
FA Prem 04-Apr-98 35,646 H D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 29-Aug-98 39,379 A W 1 - 0 Ferdinand
FA Prem 28-Dec-98 36,053 H W 4 - 1 Ferdinand, Armstrong (3)
FA Prem 14-Aug-99 34,539 H W 3 - 2 Sherwood, Iversen, Leonhardsen
FA Prem 15-Jan-00 36,144 A D 2 - 2 Armstrong, Ginola
FA Prem 05-Sep-00 36,010 H W 3 - 2 Rebrov (2, 1 pen), Ferdinand
FA Prem 13-Jan-01 32,290 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 20-Aug-01 29,503 A D 1 - 1 Anderton
FA Prem 19-Jan-02 36,056 H D 1 - 1 Ferdinand
FA Prem 17-Aug-02 40,120 A D 2 - 2 Etherington, Ferdinand
FA Prem 12-Jan-03 36,070 H W 4 - 3 Poyet, Keane (3)
FA Prem 04-Oct-03 36,137 H W 3 - 0 Kanoute, Poyet, Keane
FA Prem 09-Apr-04 38,086 A L 1 - 3 Carr
FA Prem 02-Oct-04 38,264 A W 1 - 0 Pamarot
FA Prem 01-Jan-05 36,102 H W 5 - 2 Marney (2), Ziegler, Mendes, Keane
FA Prem 15-Oct-05 36,267 H W 2 - 0 Mido, Jenas
FA Prem 15-Apr-06 39,856 A W 1 - 0 Keane (pen)
FA Prem 26-Aug-06 35,540 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 21-Feb-07 34,121 A W 2 - 1 Berbatov, Jenas
FA Prem 14-Aug-07 35,716 H L 1 - 3 Gardner
FA Prem 30-Jan-08 35,840 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 30-Nov-08 35,742 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 09-May-09 A












LAST TIME WE MET...

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Everton

Premier League, Sunday 30th November 2008 (Attn: 35,742)

Steven Pienaar's deflected effort early on in the second half was the only thing that separated the sides as we were defeated by Everton at White Hart Lane.

It was only our second defeat under Harry Redknapp's management, a first at home, and it puts the brakes on our climb up the Barclays Premier League table.

With the exception of Didier Zokora, who replaced the injured Jermaine Jenas, Harry Redknapp stuck with the same side that defeated Blackburn Rovers at The Lane seven days before.

Ledley King, Aaron Lennon, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Benoit Assou-Ekotto all returned to the starting XI having sat out Thursday's UEFA Cup win over NEC Nijmegen.

As with the Blackburn game, this was a tight affair, and neither side could really stamp their authority on proceedings during the first half.

Tom Huddlestone went close with smart 16-yard effort on nine minutes before a lengthy spell in which the game was mainly played out in the middle of the park.

We were certainly holding our own in that particular battle, and we were the first to break out of it on 34 minutes.

Zokora picked up the ball and went on one of his trademark runs before picking out Lennon on the right side of the box, who should have done better with his chance that he blazed over.

The visitors then had their first effort on goal five minutes later, when Marouane Fellaini picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and hit a stinging shot which Heurelho Gomes palmed away.

We failed to clear our lines and the ball eventually came back to Fellaini on the edge of the box who had another shy on goal, again straight at Gomes, but this time the Brazilian held on.

But the best chance of the half fell to Darren Bent four minutes before the break, and our top scorer should have done much better with the opportunity.

Assou-Ekotto played a ball into the box with evaded Pavlyuchenko but fell to Bent 10 yards out, whose first time shot was tame and straight at Tim Howard.

He was nearly made to pay for the missed opportunity on the stroke of half-time when Tim Cahill swung in an excellent cross from the left and Louis Saha, an early replacement for the injured Yakubu, put his free header straight at Gomes.

We started the second half brightly when Assou-Ekotto hit a fantastic 30-yard strike only inches over, but we were to suffer the ultimate setback on 51 minutes.

The ball ran to South African midfielder Pienaar on the left-hand side of our box, and his shot struck Corluka to send the ball spinning away from Gomes and into the back of the net.

It was a bitter blow but we were determined to bounce back immediately, and Pavlyuchenko perhaps should have levelled two minutes later.

David Bentley deceived the defence by playing his free-kick from wide in low to the unmarked striker, who leaned back slightly and blazed his first-time shot well over from 10 yards.

At the other end, Pienaar went for his second of the match with a fierce 20-yard strike on 61 minutes, which Gomes parried away, but Everton have their goalkeeper Howard to ultimately thank for taking home the three points.

Bentley played a low ball in across the face of goal from the right on 73 minutes which Pavlyuchenko slid in on the end of, only for the American stopper to make a fantastic reflex save to deny the Russian.

Victor Anichebe, who had replaced Saha after yet another injury worry for the visitors, fired just inches wide in the closing stages as we went searching for the elusive equaliser.

But Everton stood firm in the face of a constant barrage of high balls into their box, and deservedly took the points back to Merseyside from The Lane for the third season in a row.


Spurs (4-4-2):

Gomes; Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto (Bale, 68); Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone (Boateng, 76), Bentley; Pavlyuchenko, Bent (Campbell, 62)

Subs not used: Cesar, Gunter, Dawson, O'Hara

Everton (4-4-1-1):

Howard; Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott; Osman (Baines, 89), Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar; Cahill; Yakubu (Saha, 11 (Anichebe, 71))

Subs not used: Nash, Castillo, Rodwell, Gosling