Middlesbrough 2-3 Spurs[/SIZE]
Barclay's Premiership - 28 April 2007 – Riverside - 15:00 kick-off[/B]
Tottenham Hotspur FC maintained their strong push for a second successive spell in Europe with a comfortable 3-2 victory away at struggling Middlesbrough.Starting the game with two changes from the game that managed to grab a last gasp draw at home to Ars*nal the week before that saw Aaron Lennon take up a place on the bench to make way for Hossam Ghaly, and Steed Malbranque replace the injured Teemu Tainio.
The tie was sealed in Spurs favour thanks to the ever potent strike force of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, both managing to find there names on the score sheet, the former grabbing two.
Both teams started the game making their intentions clear, they were out to attack and it was Spurs who had the first early half chance coming from the Bulgarian Berbatov shooting narrowly wide from around 20 yards.
It wasn’t long before they managed to put their noses in front, both Steed Malbranque and Dimitar Berbatov played a massive part in setting Robbie Keane up to grab his 20th goal of the season.
Starting with Malbranque coming in from the left, he managed to find Berbatov on the edge of the box, who, in turn shrugged off the attentions of Emanuel Pogatetz and lay the ball into the path of Robbie Keane who was only too willing to wrong foot ‘keeper Mark Shwarzer and put Spurs into an early lead.
Having put themselves ahead Spurs continued to put relentless pressure on the Middlesbrough defence and could well have found themselves 2 or 3 up by the time half time arrived.
Berbatov was guilty of a couple and Zokora managed to fit in his traditional long range effort which ends up closer to the corner flag but there was no doubt there was clear signs of more yet to come with Middlesbrough posing little threat throughout the entire half.
Berbatov on KeaneAfter a poor performance from Middlesbrough in the 1st half with very little created, Spurs must have thought they’d be in with an easy stroll in the park for the 2nd half, after Dimitar Berbatov scored a cracking volley from the edge of the box 2 minutes into the half. Jenas made a fine pass to Ghaly, who picked his cross out to Berbatov, 20 yards out, no danger, but Berbs took it on the volley, powering it straight into the far corner. A fantastic goal to make it 21 for the season. 2-0 To Spurs.
The frustrated Boro crowd were desperately trying to push the team forward after they went 2-0 down, and they were getting into the game more and more as Spurs sat back. Just as they were dominant, Spurs made a fine move on the counter attack as Malbranque slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Keane, who had an easy chance to kill the game off. 1 on 1 with Schwarzer, he scooped the ball with a chip, and Spurs fans had already started celebrating - only to see the ball roll wide of the target by inches. Could that miss prove to be costly?
Boro were now heavily dominating and Spurs created little. On 62 minutes, Rochemback delighted the crowd with a ‘fake’ pass to Viduka into the box, who Cruyff turned King, 10 yards out, but smashed the ball just over the bar towards the top far corner.
Middlesbrough piled on the pressure, and on 66 minutes their pressure paid off as Mark Viduka made it 2-1 with a chipped header. Downing had the ball on the right, cut inside to deliver a perfect ball to the Australian who headered it in to the net with ease.
Just 2 minutes later Spurs fans must have thought they’d thrown they’re lead away as Boateng rolled the ball across the 6 yard box, behind all the Spurs defenders to find Viduka who smashed a shot goal wards, only to see a fantastic reflex save from Robinson. It was a brilliant opportunity, but Robbo showed why he is still Englands number one.
With 20 minutes remaining Jol brought Lennon on for the hard working Ghaly. Though for 13 minutes the change wasn’t noticeable, as it was the same story. Spurs sitting back, Boro chucking whatever they had at us. Robbo was forced into another save from Rochemback’s shot, and then a Rochemback free kick deflected just wide off of Ledley King. The goal was coming.
But on 83 minutes, totally against the run of play, Spurs had a brilliant spell of possession, passing it around like the Middlesbrough players weren’t even there, and from that fine move, Jenas fed in Lennon on his preferred right flank, who ran down the goal line, and rolled it across for Keane to smash into the roof of the net from 10 yards. 3-1 Spurs, the fans could relax.
Or could they? 89 minutes were on the clock and a Downing corner was headed home - rather luckily - by Pogatetz, who’s powerful header was going harmlessly wide, until it hit Ledley King and ended up deflected into the net. Out of nowhere, 4 minutes were added on, when everyone was expecting a mere 1 or 2. They piled on some more pressure, but Spurs held on for a much needed win.
Final score: Middlesbrough 2-3 Tottenham
Dimitar B.Spurs Formation and Ratings
Robinson
9/10
Chimbonda .. Dawson ... King .....Rocha
7/10 ......... 7/10 ........ 8/10.......... 6/10
Ghaly .... Jenas ..... Zokora....... Malbranque
7/10 .........7/10 ........ 8/10.......... 7/10
Berbatov .......... Keane
9/10 ............ 8/10
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