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).
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