Tottenham 2-0 West Ham United - Spurs up to 4th

Tottenham have leapfrogged Aston Villa up into forth in the Premier League table after a 2-0 win against London rivals West Ham.

Luka Modric opened the scoring just 11 minutes in at White Hart Lane after some excellent work from Aaron Lennon down the right side. It then took Spurs until the 81st minute to double the lead and secure the 3 points, as Jermain Defoe netted his 14th League goal of the season, and in the process reclaiming the status as the League’s leading goalscorer.

Spurs were impressive right from the outset, dominating possession and having numerous chances to put the Hammers out of the game. Gianfranco Zola experienced a disastrous first 20 minutes, as in the aftermath of Modric’s goal Scott Parker had to be replaced with a sore hamstring – Parker had earlier passed a late fitness test. Then Herita Illunga was forced to come off with exactly the same problem, and the Hammers were left with a big uphill struggle to get back in the game.

They fought well throughout the match but never looked like threatening Gomes’ goal. A number of late challenges saw Diamanti, Franco and Kovac receive yellow cards from Chris Foy, the latter probably lucky to stay on the pitch after stamping on Tom Huddlestone’s ankle.

Spurs pressed forward in the second half looking to kill off the visitors, who won at home for the first time since April at the weekend. The breakthrough eventually came from a Spurs counter attack, whereby Jermain Defoe gathered the ball in the inside left position, rounded a the West Ham defence, before unleashing a fierce drive that Robert Green failed to hold. The rebound fell back to Defoe who repeated the motion and claimed the points for the home side.

Problems mounting for Zola then, as both Parker and Illunga are doubts for the next match, and with Franco picking up his 5th booking of the season just a day before the 5th booking rule is abolished, the absentee list is even longer. It seems like the Hammers are in for a long and hard new year.

Rampant Spurs put Wigan to the slaughter

An incredible 5-goal performance from Jermain Defoe inspired a ruthless Spurs to demolish Wigan Athletic 9-1 this afternoon.

Peter Crouch opened the scoring in the first ten minutes with a stooping header, but the home side failed to add to the scoreline before half-time. However, amazingly they netted 8 goals in the second period, with Defoe’s first two coming within just 3 minutes of each other. Paul Scharner did a Thierry Henry to get Wigan seemingly back in the game by clearly using his hand to control the ball before smashing it into the net.

However, that proved to be Wigan’s only moment of joy at the Lane, as Defoe restored the 3 goal cushion just moments later, before Aaron Lennon made it 5-1. Defoe then added two more, and in the process passing Fernando Torres as the League’s highest scorer this season. A David Bentley freekick and a Niko Kranjcar strike capped off a remarkable performance for Harry Redknapp’s men.

Yet more evidence that Spurs in attack are as good as anyone in the Premier League. Once again, an inability to keep a clean sheets highlights that there’s still a lot of work defensively to be done, but I have a feeling ‘arry would have taken this result at the start of the day. Just a hunch.

As for Wigan, Roberto Martinez will probably want the earth to swallow him up tonight. What must those Latics fans be thinking?

The H Factor: Harry's impact at the Lane

Tottenham - over the last few years has been a story of three little Piggies. Martin Jol built what seemed to be a solid platform at White Hart Lane, only for the big bad Wolf, Daniel Levy, to blow it down, much to the fan's discontent. Along came Juande Ramos, but his structure didn't last very long at all. He barely collected the wood before Levy came and blew his house down. But now Tottenham have a new era, and a new Piggy at the helm. Harry Redknapp has laid the foundations for his sturdy looking team, and Levy is yet to spoil his party.

Redknapp has been around the South Coast for as long as a lot of people can remember, from his playing days right through to his current Managerial endeavours. His playing days saw him wear the shirt for 4 Clubs, and he even ventured into the US in an attempt to make an impact on American football. West Ham, Bournemouth, and Brentford were his British-based Clubs, while Seattle Sounders were the boys across the Atlantic that gave him a chance there. In a career that lasted 18 years, Redknapp knocked up 276 appearances, scoring just the twelve goals. But it would be his Managerial expertise and prowess that would leave a big imprint on the Footballing life of Harry Redknapp.

In 1983 Redknapp took up the role as Manager of his beloved hometown Club Bournemouth - this after he had a stint as Assistant Manager in Seattle. In 9 years at the seaside Club, Redknapp managed to gain promotion from Division 3, and even beat Manchester United in the FA Cup third round. Some achievement. Redknapp then followed his mixed spell at Bournemouth with a long stint at West Ham, where he truly made his mark, and enhanced his reputation. He is still held responsible for the upbringing and nurturing of players such as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, and Frank Lampard - all whom have gone on to play for England on numerous occasions and are now major parts of their respective clubs. Portsmouth followed his West Ham days, where he made an immediate impact, lifting Pompey to the Premier League in his first full season. He then managed to keep them in the top flight the following season, before a spat with then Chairman Milan Mandaric prompted him to resign. Harry then took up the post at local rivals Southampton, much to Pompey fan's disbelief. Cries of 'judas' rang round the Football World for a lengthy amount of time. That is of course until he returned to Fratton Park for his second spell at the Club. In 2008, Redknapp finally called time on his Portsmouth career, to make the exciting trip to North London to take over a struggling Spurs side.

Redknapp stated that he couldn't turn down the offer. The chance to join such a big Club was too tempting for him, and as he said himself, it may be his last and only chance to do so. Harry made immediate change. He stabilised the Squad, and managed to save Tottenham from a very unlikely relegation battle by winning ten of his twelve games in charge at the back of the 08/09 season. Now, he's brought back Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, and Pascal Chimbonda to the lane, as well as capturing the signature of Wilson Palacios. It's those players that have made the difference to Tottenham since Redknapp's arrival.

He's definitely one for getting the best out of his players. Since bringing Defoe back, he's looked a different player. He's already banged in 5 goals this season for Club and Country, and there's no doubt there's a lot more to come. "Jermain has been brilliant for us so far this season. He looks stronger and fitter than ever". Robbie Keane's career seemed to have stalled when he linked up with Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, but since returning to his beloved Spurs, he's been given the captain's armband, and has been playing better than ever. One may argue that we didn't see the best of Keane because he never really got a chance at Anfield to make an impact, but that's no fault of his. And as for Darren Bent, he couldn't hit a barn door if he tried when Jol and Ramos were at the helm, and even though he's a pretty average player, he ended up as the Club's top scorer last season - the majority of his goals coming under the Redknapp reign towards the end of the campaign. He's now moved on to Sunderland where his confidence is sky high, and is banging in goals left, right, and centre. Two in two so far for Bent.

It's not hard to put your finger on how Redknapp gets the best out of his players. He's one of the most respected Footballing figures in Europe right now, and has been for a long time. Players look up to him, perhaps almost as a Father figure, or at least as a friend. He knows where to draw the line between a bit of friendly banter off the pitch, and getting down to business on it, and that's where the respect comes from. The players know he can be a banter merchant and a bit of a joker, but when it comes to matchday they know to perform, and they know where they stand. His honesty shines through most of all. If he has something to say, he'll say it. He doesn't beat around the bush and try to hide things like a Wenger, or a Benitez would do. He says it how it is.

Obviously his knowledge of the game is as good as anyone else's. His tactical awareness, man-management and everything else you can think of that goes with being a Premier League Manager is first-class. Ramos panicked when things weren't going his way. He tried to make changes that everyone could see weren't going to work. Redknapp has kept it simple though. He's stuck to what he knows best, played players in their best positions, and as I said before, he's got the best out of his lads. Tottenham will go places with Harry in charge. They've already made a wonderful start to the new season, beating Liverpool at WHL, and demolishing Hull at the KC. Europe is certainly on Spurs' minds, and in this current form, who'd dare bet against them?

Spurs and Reds run riot

Tottenham continued their fantastic to start to the new season with a crushing win at the KC Stadium against Hull. After defeating Liverpool at White Hart Lane on the opening day of the campaign, Jermain Defoe helped himself to a hatrick, while Robbie Keane and Wilson Palacios added to the scoreline, as Spurs completed a 5-1 demolition of Phil Brown's men. Palacios' strike was his first for the Club since joining in January from Wigan. Hull's consolation strike came from new signing Stephen Hunt, but this'll be a bitter pill to swallow for Brown, who would have been hoping to put the opening day defeat to Chelsea behind him by at least securing a point from this game. Hull's next match is a 6-pointer against Bolton at the KC, a game Brown will be desperate to win.

As for Defoe, he seems to just get better and better. He made the strange, and unsuccessful move to Portsmouth last season to work with Harry Redknapp, but since moving back to the Lane, he's been on fire. Redknapp described his form as the best he'd ever seen from the little striker, who hit two goals last week for England against Holland, helping them recover from a 2 goal deficit to claim a draw. "He's been fantastic all pre-season", Harry remarked. "He's a fantastic striker and we've seen today just what he can offer". Spurs will be hoping that he can stay fully fit, and keep up his form - if he does that, they'll be major contenders to break into the top four.

Liverpool were amongst the goals as well this evening, hitting 4 past Stoke City, and keeping their first clean sheet of the season. Goals from Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt, and David N'gog made for an emphatic result, thoroughly deserved and needed after the defeat to Harry's men on Sunday. Still, there's a difference from beating Stoke 4-0 at a packed Anfield, from travelling to Old Trafford on a cold Sunday afternoon with 60,000 people up against you. But we'll see what occurs for Liverpool as the season pans out. No doubt Rafa Benitez will be delighted with the win, and with Manchester United surprisingly losing to Burnley tonight, will be pleased that the Red Devils haven't got away from them early in the season.

Liverpool's next match is a televised home game against Aston Villa, who haven't made a great start to the season, but they're always a threat. There is still grave concern over the depth of Liverpool's squad, but for this evening, all's good on the Red side of the Mersey. Well done boys!

Spurs 2-1 Liverpool: Lacklustre Reds pay the price

Eugh.

Liverpool paid the price for a below-par performance at White Hart Lane on Sunday with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of an impressive Spurs side.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto opened the scoring for the home side on the stroke of the break with a powerful drive into the top corner of Pepe Reina’s net. Liverpool equalised soon after half-time with a Stevie G penalty, brought about by some impressive work from Glen Johnson, making his debut for the club. However, Harry Redknapp’s side had the last laugh, with new recruit from Newcastle Sebastien Bassong heading home from a Luka Modric freekick.

There was obviously something missing for the Reds throughout the 90 minutes, and it was clear to everyone apart from Rafa Benitez, it seems, just what that was. The presence and class of Xabi Alonso. Rafa replaced the now Real Madrid man with Lucas Leiva, possibly the worst Premier League player Liverpool have ever had, including Karl-Heinz Riedl. Alonso’s ability to pick a pass from 40 yards made Liverpool a threat from all over the park in previous years, but now with two ‘workhorses’ in Lucas and Mascherano in the middle, there was no such luxury.

Looking at the Liverpool bench, it’s evident that Benitez needs to spend a bit more time in the transfer market too. The likes of Voronin, Dossena, Sanchez Ayala, and Kelly are simply not good enough to be able to change a game when coming off the bench, and in comparison to Spurs’ subs, they were considerably weaker. Harry had the likes of David Bentley, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko to call upon, but without a second class striker, and with Daniel Agger and Alberto Aquilani out injured, Rafa had nowhere to turn.

Tensions rose towards the end of the match when Sammy Lee was sent to the stands by referee Phil Dowd. Rafa Benitez wasn’t best pleased either, displaying his disappointment in a post-match interview.

“We didn’t play well, especially first half, but we were much better in the second. We pushed harder and had more options in the final third, but clearly we have to improve if we want to win these kind of games”.

Damn right, we need to improve. We don’t have the strength in depth that United, Chelsea, Man City do, and we don’t have the quality in the middle now that Alonso has left. Aquilani is out for 2 months, so in the mean time, either Lucas has to perform a miracle and play well for once in his life, or Rafa has to get someone else in, either on a short-term loan, or permanent. Preferably the latter.

Liverpool won’t be winning the League this year, i can safely say that. If we continue to play like that, we’ll be lucky to finish in the top half.

Next 5 matches:
Stoke City – H
Aston Villa – H
Bolton – A
Burnley – H (no Djimi Traore, thank the lord)
West Ham – A

Redknapp to tempt Cole

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp looks set to make an attempt to prise England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole to White Hart Lane. The two worked together at West Ham United when Harry was gaffer there, and are now set to link up again at another London club.

Cole's 2008/09 season was curtailed through injury, enabling him to make just 19 First Team appearances. Now, with Florent Malouda, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien regulars in the side, and with the recent arrival of Russian international Yuri Zhirkov, Cole could find his Chelsea action limited this season. Recent talk of Andrea Pirlo, and Franck Ribery also making a move to the Bridge will do nothing to reassure Cole.

As Joe recovers fully from last season's injuries, he'll be looking to re-establish himself in Fabio Capello's England squad, and a move to Spurs, where he'd be guaranteed First Team football, may just be more beneficial for him. Indeed, with Aaron Lennon on one side, and Cole on the other, Tottenham's midfield would be a force to be reckoned with.

If Cole does make the move to north London, it'll be interesting to see Chelsea fan's reaction to his departure. He's certainly a fan's favourite at the Bridge, and I don't think they'd take too kindly to him being allowed to leave, especially to a fellow London club. Perhaps Mr. Ancelotti should think carefully before making that decision.

Transfer news

Inter Milan have sold striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona for an undisclosed fee, with Samuel Eto'o and Alexandr Hleb going the other way - Eto'o also for an undisclosed fee, and Hleb on a year's loan.

Tottenham are close to capturing the signature of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth for £10,000,000. The deal will go through only after Darren Bent is sold to Sunderland, a deal that will conclude in the next 48 hours.

Steve Finnan is in talks with Portsmouth after being released a year early from his Espanyol contract. The ex-Liverpool right-back joined the La Liga side at the start of last season, and is now prepared for a return to the Premier League.

Manchester City's latest targets are two defenders. Arsenal man Kolo Toure, and Everton's Joleon Lescott have both been linked with moves to Eastlands recently, and with big money on the table, who would bet against them making the move?

Portsmouth centre-half Sylvain Distin has been linked with both Aston Villa and Liverpool in recent times, but it looks as if Villa have won the race to capture the Frenchman's signature. Portsmouth however are demanding £4,000,000 for the ex-Man City man, but Villa are only prepared to pay £2,500,000. Liverpool will be waiting in the wings should the deal break down.

Finally, Blackburn have expressed a desire to sign Zenith St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz. The deal is still in early days, so it is hard to say whether it will happen, but it'd be a decent capture for Rovers who have already made 4 new signings this summer.