Friday, September 29, 2006

Spurs in History - 29th September

29th September, 1962

Spurs 9 Nottingham Forest 2

Prior to this game Forest had conceded only 11 goals in ten games and afterwards they had their goalkeeper to thank that the score didn’t reach double figures.

However, after five minutes Forest went ahead following a mistake in the Spurs defence. Spurs equalised within a minute through Greaves, went ahead five minutes later with Greaves’ second and had to wait for only another four minutes for the third from Jones.

After half an hour Spurs scored their fourth through White and then Medwin and Greaves, his hat-trick, made it six before half-time.

Spurs were playing slick, interchanging football and continued in the second half with an Allen penalty and a second goal from Jones.

Midway through the second half Forest forced Brown into a number of excellent saves but then late on Spurs re-asserted themselves and Greaves scored his fourth and the Forest keeper saved them from further humiliation.

Forest did manage a second four minutes from time.

Throughout his career Greaves had a tremendous goal scoring record against Forest, scoring 24 League goals against them, fifteen of them for Spurs.






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Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Spurs in History - 27th September

27th September, 1967

Spurs 4 Hajduk Split 3

European Cup Winners' Cup

Spurs qualified for Europe for the first time in four years by beating Chelsea 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley the previous May.

This gamewould apear to be a seven goal thriller in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, but it wasn’t really. Spurs had won the first game by two goals and were comfortably in control. Jimmy Robertson, Alan Gilzean and Terry Venables scored in the first half but then with ten minutes left Hajduk scored twice in a minute. Three minutes later Robertson added his second and when Cyril Knowles conceded a penalty in the 90th minute Hajduk got their third to make the score line respectable.

Spurs had easily qualified for the next round on a 6-3 aggregate overcoming Hajduk and the failure of some of the floodlights.

In the next round Spurs would have to travel to France to play Olympique Lyonnaise.





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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Spurs in History - 26th September

26th September, 1998

Spurs 3 Leeds United 3 (Premiership)

This game was surrounded in much speculation that the Leeds manager, George Graham, was about to be appointed as the next Spurs manager. Promised demonstrations by both sets of fans towards George Graham never really materialised, despite the odd jibe.

Leeds took an early lead, only for Ramon Vega to equalise. Leeds then went two ahead after an hour, before Spurs started to make a come back. On 71 minutes Steffen Iversen pulled one back and with three minutes of injury time gone, Sol Campbell headed the equaliser for Spurs.

Spurs showed commendable spirit which must have impressed their new manager, George Graham, who was duly appointed during the week.

Commenting on the prospect of Graham compared to Pleat at Spurs, the Daily Express reporter wrote: ‘Graham already looks and talks the part of the Tottenham manager. Compare his suave sophistication on the White Hart Lane touchline with the eccentric appearance of David Pleat, who looked as if he had been dragged from the river-bank clutching a fishing rod minutes before kick-off.’








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Monday, September 25, 2006

Spurs in History - 25th September

25th September, 1995

Queens Park Rangers 2 Spurs 3 Premiership

A poor start to the season had seen Spurs gain only two points from the first four games. Both home games were lost but draws were achieved away from White Hart Lane. However, September brought a turn in form and five straight League and Cup wins. Sheringham was leading the way having scored four in the previous three games and he was on the score sheet again, scoring twice, one penalty.

Things didn’t go according to plan early on in this Monday evening televised game. Spurs were a goal down at half-time and found themselves two behind a minute into the second half. The recovery started a minute later when Spurs were awarded a penalty which Sheringham scored. Spurs then gave a display of attacking class and Jason Dozzell equalised after 72 minutes, with Sheringham scoring the winner two minutes later.

A concern for Spurs was the injury to Darren ‘Sicknote’ Anderton who had just played four matches after returning from a previous injury. Anderton was to miss almost the complete season but managed to return in time for the final few games to prove his fitness and gain selection for Terry Venables' England team in the European Championships.

1968
Spurs 6 Exeter City 3 League Cup 3rd Round
This was only the second time that Spurs had entered this competition. Two years earlier they had lost at West Ham in the 2nd Round so their first win in this competition had been in the previous round - defeating Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park. The goals came from a Martin Chivers hat-trick and Cliff Jones.
This first League Cup tie at White Hart Lane was the first time Spurs had played Exeter City who were in the 4th Division and brought Jimmy Greaves a hat-trick and two goals for Jimmy Pearce and one for Terry Venables.
However, it was not all plain sailing for Spurs. Exeter took the lead, Greaves equalised only for Pat Jennings to mis-handle a shot from David Pleat and Exeter went ahead again through Alan Banks. Greaves and Venables scored to give Spurs the lead before half-time. Jimmy Pearce scored twice in the second half, his first goals for Spurs but Exeter scored again before Greaves got his third in the final minute.
Spurs went on to reach the semi-final, only to lose to Arsenal over two legs.
1982
Spurs 4 Nottingham Forest 1 (1st Division)
The goals were scored by Gary Mabbutt and Garth Crooks who both scored twice.

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Sunday, September 24, 2006

Spurs News

Coming Next to White Hart Lane:

Thursday, 28th September - Slavia Prague UEFA Cup (2nd Round 2nd Leg)

Spurs welcome Slavia Prague to White Hart Lane for the first European game in seven years. Spurs hold a one goal lead from the first leg, thanks to Jenas's goal in Prague.

Spurs will be hoping to build on that and have a comfortable passage into the group stages of the UEFA Cup which will guarantee them a further four games in the competition, two at home and two away games.

If Slavia can lift their game from the 1st Leg and happen to score early, the pressure will mount on Tottenham whose confidence is presently at a low ebb. Spurs would need to score or the game would go into extra time and possibly penalties.

In Spurs very first season in European football saw them visit Prague to play Dulka Prague in the 2nd Round (Q/f) of the European Cup. Spurs had lost the first game by a single goal but won the 2nd Leg by 4-1 with Dave Mackay and Bobby Smith both scoring twice.

A similar result on Thursday would greatly boost Spurs sagging spirits.


Next Premiership game for Spurs is Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.

Portsmouth have started the season well and are undefeated without conceding any goals, ahead of tomorrow night's home game against Bolton. A win would take them above Chelsea at the top of the Premiership table.

With Portsmouth's confidence at the moment, Spurs can expect a difficult game and the visitors will be looking to gain revenge for the double defeat last season and especially the game at White Hart Lane when A late controversial penalty set Spurs up for a 3-1 win in Harry Redknapp's first game on his return as Portsmouth manager.


Carling Cup

With their involvement in the UEFA Cup providing Spurs with a bye to the 3rd Round of the Carling Cup they have already had a more successful domestic Cup campaign than last year.

Beaten in their first games in both Cup competitions was a bitter disappointment - Grimsby in the Carling Cup and Leicester in FA Cup, so this year Spurs will be hoping to progress having been drawn to meet MK Dons at their new Milton Keynes home. This is the first time that Spurs have met the former 'Wimbledon' club since rheir controversial move away from London. Spurs last Cup success saw them beat Wimbledon over two legs in the semi-finals of the Worthington Cup in 1999. Steffen Iversen scoring the important goal in the second leg after a scoreless game at White Hart Lane.










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Spurs in History - 24th September

24th September, 1983

Watford 2 Spurs 3 (1st Division)

This game was about Archibald and Hoddle. In the second game of the season against Coventry Steve Archibald had angered manager Keith Burkinshaw by coming off the pitch near the end, claiming he was injured and not wanting to risk further injury. Spurs had already used their subs and finished the game with ten men. Burkinshaw immediately dropped Archibald but he returned as substitute for this game.

Hoddle turned the game for Spurs with a great goal that everyone remembers. Spurs were a goal down when he received the ball moving away from the goal - he cleverly turned the defender, moved round him and coolly chipped the ball over the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net – a goal that is frequently shown on television.

Now enter Steve Archibald as substitute to prove his point and score the second, Chris Hughton scored the third to earn Spurs the points, while Watford managed a late goal to reduce the arrears.




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Saturday, September 23, 2006

It Can be Done - Success at Anfield

16th March, 1912 and 1985

Victory at Anfield

1912

Spurs won the 1st Division game in 1912 by 2-1 through goals from Ernie Newman and Thomas Mason, two players who don’t rank highly in Spurs history making only 39 appearances between them and this was the only goal scored by Mason. However, events over the next 73 years brought greater significance to their feat that day because in that time no Spurs team won at Anfield.

1985

Amazingly, on the exact same date in 1985 Spurs unexpectedly returned to London having won 1-0, thanks to a goal from Garth Crooks. It was a well deserved victory and at last Spurs supporters didn’t have to listen to tales linking the ‘Titanic’ and their results at Anfield. Clemence, Thomas, Perryman, Miller,Hughton,Chiedozie, Roberts,Hoddle, Galvin, Falco, Crooks.

and also 11th March, 1995

Liverpool 1 Spurs 2 F.A.Cup 6th Round

One of the truly memorable performances of the decade. Having fought back at Southampton Spurs had a visit to Anfield as their reward but it wasn’t a ground with many happy memories for them. Liverpool took the lead late in the first half but Teddy Sheringham managed to equalize right at the end of the half. In the second half Spurs played much better and it looked set for a replay but with two minutes remaining, Sheringham put Jurgen Klinsmann through to score the winner. A great result for Spurs but sadly it was not built upon as Spurs produced one of their worst semi-final performances when losing to Everton.

Hoiwever, sadly these successes were not added to today as Spurs went down by three goals to nil to a Liverpool side that got stronger as the game went on. They scored three goals in the final half hour as Spurs again failed to score. Their record in now two goals in 6 Premiership games and none of the three strikers who played today have managed to score this season.

Ironically, it was leading scorer, Jermaine Jenas ( 2 goals - 1 in League and I in Europe) who missed Spurs best chance of the game, only seconds before Liverpool went ahead. Davids who had just come on as sub, broke clear into the Liverpool penalty his cross was met by Jenas who had run half the length of the pitch to be in position but with the goal wide open, he had to stretch for the ball and sent it agonisingly wide. Liverpool went straight to the other end and took the lead. Liverpool raised their game and Spurs never looked like recovering.

It is a difficult time for Spurs without the creativity offered by Lennon. He will be missed until he recovers from injury but the players will have to raise their game significantly over the next few games, if the season is not going to become one long struggle at the wrong end ofthe table.

Martin Jol is facing his first major crisis in his time as manager of Spurs and iy=t will be a good teat of his managerial ability.

Come on Martin - we have faith in you.






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Spurs in History - 23rd September

23rd September, 1989

Norwich City 2 Spurs 2 (1st Division)

At the beginning of the season Terry Venables signed Gary Lineker from Barcelona and with Gascoigne and Waddle Spurs were looking to be a very exciting team. However, Waddle was sold to Marseilles and Lineker took time to settle. He failed to score in the opening six League and Cup games of the season and results were poor.

Lineker turned the corner in this game heading Spurs second goal to earn a point at Carrow Road. He then proceeded to score a hat-trick the following week-end at home to Queens Park Rangers. He proved his worth, finishing the season as top scorer with 26 League and Cup goals, including a second hat-trick in the home game against Norwich.






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Friday, September 22, 2006

Spurs in History - 22nd September

22nd September, 1971

Spurs 2 AC Torino 0

Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners’ Cup

The winners of the English and Italian League Cups met over two legs at the start of the season. Spurs had won the first leg in Italy with a goal scored by Martin Chivers. Completing their victory in the second leg, Chivers scored again with Alan Gilzean getting the other.

An attendance of 34,000 saw Spurs win their first trophy of the season and helped them prepare for further encounters in Europe.


22nd September, 1952

Spurs 2 Manchester United 0 1st Division

Spurs were reigning Champions and had made a strange start to the season. Having lost the opening game at Middlesbrough (1-2) they won their next three before losing 2-7 at Newcastle. This was followed by two draws against Burnley, sandwiching a home victory over Bolton. They won their next game at Stoke by 6-1 before facing United.

The goals against United were scored by Les Bennett and Les Medley before a crowd of 70,882 - the highest ever League attendance at White Hart Lane.

By the end of the season United were to be champions with Spurs in 2nd place.






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Thursday, September 21, 2006

Spurs in History - 21st September

21st September, 1994

Watford 3 Spurs 6 Coca-Cola Cup 1st Round 1st Leg

This match typified the Ossie Ardiles’ philosophy of attack and let the defence take care of itself. Four of the famous attacking five played, only Barmby was missing. Sheringham, Anderton and Dumitrescu all scored and with Klinsmann scoring a hat-trick his star continued in the ascendancy. While the team was creative going forward and Spurs were seemingly able to score at will, the defence was porous and conceded goals frequently. Against lesser opposition this policy worked but in the sterner test of League football Spurs and Ardiles were having difficulties and were heading for a parting of the ways.

Another high scoring game:

21st September, 1991

Wimbledon 3 Spurs 5 1st Division

The scoreline is closer than it really was. Spurs went 5-1 ahead with Gary Lineker scoring four (1 pen) and Vinny Samways getting the other. Two late consolation goals made the score more respectable for Wimbledon.





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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Spurs in History - 20th September

20th September, 1961

Spurs 8 Gornik Zabrze 1
European Cup Preliminary Round (2nd Leg)

The 'Double' winners first European experience had resulted in a 4-2 defeat in Poland.

Two goals down from the 1st Leg Spurs appeared to have an uphill struggle to progress to the next round. However, with the crowd behind them and the famous ‘Tottenham Roar’ to terrify the opposition, Spurs quickly set about correcting the disappointment of the first game.

Spurs hit the bar in the first minute, scored with a Blanchflower penalty after nine minutes and then Cliff Jones terrorised the Gornik defence with a seventeen minute hat-trick before half-time. Gornik had scored but Spurs were 4-1 ahead on the night, 6-5 on aggregate. Bobby Smith scored at the end of the first half and again in the second half. The scoring was completed with goals from Terry Dyson and John White.

The start of Spurs ‘Glory! Glory!’ nights of European football at White Hart Lane.

A ground ticket to watch this entertainment would have cost you 4/- (4 shillings = 20p).


20th September, 1967

Hajduk Split 0 Spurs 2

European Cup Winners' Cup 1st Round (1st Leg)

Having won the FA Cup by beating Chelsea at Wembley the previous May, Spurs return to European competition for the first time in four years was in the European Cup Winners' Cup competition that the club had won in 1963.

They won this 1st leg by two goals scored by Jimmy Robertson and Jimmy Greaves. The team showed one change from the successful Cup winning team - Phil Beal replaced captain Dave Mackay who was injured. This two goal lead gave them a comfortable lead for the return game at White Hart Lane.








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