Toffees dent Spurs’ dreams
Cahill: Denied Spurs third place
Man of the match: Aaron Lennon was magnificent – his final delivery was top class. Seamus Coleman ran him really close.
Goal of the game: None of the goals were classics but Michael Dawson’s header was emphatic despite Lucas Neill’s poor defending.
Moment of the match: Peter Crouch missed a glorious chance to make it 3-0 that would have killed Everton off.
Attempt of the match: Louis Saha’s superb overhead kick flashed just wide of the post.
Save of the match: May not have been Tim Howard’s best of the game but his penalty save from Defoe was the most important.
Talking point: Should Robbie Keane have been brought off the bench to take the penalty?
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Tottenham squandered a two-goal lead as manager Harry Redknapp’s belief that they are a genuine threat to the alliance of the Premier League’s Big Four took a knock when Everton produced a dramatic comeback in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson appeared to have allowed Spurs to regain third place in the table from Arsenal, but their hosts drew level late in the piece through Louis Saha and Tim Cahill before Tim Howard saved Defoe’s stoppage-time penalty.
The first half had remained goalless but both sides had their chances as Peter Crouch and Defoe wasted opportunities for Spurs, while Everton exposed visiting left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto on several occasions.
Tottenham came storming at injury-hit Everton following half-time and duly took the lead two minutes after the break when the superb Aaron Lennon crossed for Defoe to side-foot a half-volley past Howard for his 12th league goal of the season.
David Moyes’ strugglers regretted slack play by makeshift centre-back Tony Hibbert at the opener but it was Lucas Neill, who moved centrally after Joseph Yobo limped off in the first half, at fault when Dawson headed home Niko Kranjcar’s 59th minute corner.
However, Everton, who broke the cartel at the table’s summit in 2005, created a thrilling finale as Saha converted an excellent 78th minute assist from Yobo’s impressive replacement Seamus Coleman, before Cahill equalised with four minutes to play.
There was still to be another remarkable twist as Hibbert floored Wilson Palacios with a body check inside the 18-yard area in time added on, but Howard was the hero as he saved Defoe’s poorly-taken penalty.
Moyes’ side, ravaged by a lengthening injury list, are three points above the relegation zone with little prospect of seeing their major stars return before the New Year.
Things started to deteriorate for the hosts after Crouch had fired over when well placed and Howard had denied Defoe’s shot when he cut inside Hibbert.
Inexplicable
The Toffees had obviously pressed Yobo into service when he was not fully fit – having missed the midweek Europa League win with a hamstring injury – and in the 15th minute he was replaced by 21-year-old Coleman, making only his second league appearance.
Jack Rodwell, back after a groin strain, was then booked by referee Andre Marriner for a late tackle on Kranjcar despite appearing to get the ball first.
On-loan Manchester City striker Jo continues to frustrate Everton fans and he showed why within the space of a couple of minutes midway through the half.
First he fired a low snap-shot from the left of the penalty area just past the far post before inexplicably getting his legs in a tangle six yards out and bundling wide Steven Pienaar’s perfect cross.
Everton continued to give it their all, however, and Dawson was booked for bringing down Cahill before Leighton Baines curled in a free-kick which had Heurelho Gomes diving to his left.
But Defoe remained a danger and when Palacios and Kranjcar combined through the inside-right channel the striker whipped a shot inches outside the far post.
In the 36th minute Assou-Ekotto was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after appearing to scrape his boot down the back of Cahill’s head as the pair lay on the floor and then pushing the Australia midfielder and Marouane Fellaini.
Fellaini was also cautioned in the same incident, which prompted the Belgian midfielder to explode with rage and he should have been sent off seconds later for elbowing Crouch.
Once the football resumed Hibbert’s perfectly-timed tackle and Howard’s large frame twice denied Defoe.
Assou-Ekotto was replaced at half-time by Gareth Bale but the real impact came from the other flank just two minutes later.
Double change
Lennon whipped in a cross from the right and Defoe nipped in front of Hibbert, who was slow to react, at the near post to score.
Crouch almost made it 2-0 seven minutes later when he poked the ball wide, although Howard appeared to get the slightest of touches.
Baines was booked for going through the back of Vedran Corluka and then saw his clearance charged down by Lennon who set up Tom Huddlestone for a shot which was deflected behind.
From Kranjcar’s 59th minute corner Neill allowed Dawson to escape him in the penalty area and the centre-back dived low to score in successive league matches.
The goal prompted a double change with Saha and Aiyegbeni Yakubu replacing Jo and Rodwell.
With 13 minutes to go Crouch’s left-footed shot beat Howard but also the far post before Everton got themselves back in the game.
Coleman drove towards the byline before crossing to Saha who fired high into the net.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Saha, with an overhead kick, both went close late on before Cahill equalised with a low header from Baines’ cross four minutes from time.
Two minutes into added time Hibbert’s challenge on Palacios earned Tottenham a penalty but Defoe blasted straight at Howard.
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Aaron Lennon, David Moyes, Dramatic Comeback, Genuine Threat, Goodison Park, Half Volley, Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe, Joseph Yobo, League Goal, Louis Saha, Lucas Neill, Michael Dawson, Overhead Kick, Robbie Keane, Side Foot, Sky Sports, Stoppage Time, Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert
Everton v Tottenham preview
Everton risk being drawn into a relegation scrap ahead of their home clash with high-flying Tottenham.
The Toffees have established themselves as regular qualifiers for European competition in recent years but they have made a disappointing start to the new campaign.
David Moyes’ plans have been thrown into turmoil by an injury curse that shows no sign of relenting, with three more players struck down in the midweek Europa League match against AEK Athens.
Everton did at least manage to claim a morale-boosting victory in a rain-soaked Greece as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s early goal carried them through to the last 32.
They can now switch their focus to domestic matters and Moyes will be anxious to pick up another win as Everton are currently just two points clear of the drop zone.
Moyes will not be able to freshen up his side as much as he would like after three successive Premier League losses, with Jo, Sylvain Distin and Dan Gosling all doubtful after being forced off against AEK.
Leon Osman has a foot injury, while Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Phil Neville are among the long-term absentees.
John Heitinga is suspended after collecting a fifth yellow card of the season and those players still standing may again be asked to fill unfamiliar positions.
Spurs news
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is convinced that his side can finish in the top four and they currently occupy fourth place after an impressive start to the season.
An under-strength Manchester United side knocked Spurs out of the Carling Cup in midweek and Redknapp will want to see a positive response.
Having made changes for the trip to Old Trafford, the manager is set to revert back to something like the line-up that drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last weekend.
Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong should form the central defensive partnership once again with Ledley King (hamstring) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) both still missing.
Carlo Cudicini is facing a long spell out after injuring his wrists and pelvis in a motorcycling accident, although Luka Modric is closing in on a comeback following a fractured fibula.
Redknapp must decide whether to start with Peter Crouch or Robbie Keane alongside Jermain Defoe up front.
Possible starting XIs
Everton: Howard, Neill, Hibbert, Distin, Baines, Pienaar, Fellaini, Baxter, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Saha.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Kranjcar, Defoe, Crouch.
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Aek Athens, Aston Villa, Carling Cup, Carlo Cudicini, David Moyes, Domestic Matters, Drop Zone, Foot Injury, Harry Redknapp, John Heitinga, Jonathan Woodgate, League Losses, Leon Osman, Manchester United, Michael Dawson, Mikel Arteta, Old Trafford, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Sylvain Distin
Defoe sets his sights on more of the same
• Defoe aiming for Champions League finish with Tottenham
• Tottenham team-mates praise striker after five-goal haul
Jermain Defoe has now discovered what scoring five goals against a ramshackle Wigan Athletic defence can do for a reputation. While his Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp, was busy hailing him the “best finisher” in the English game, the forward’s captain for the day, Jonathan Woodgate, was going a step further.
“I think he’s the sharpest striker not only in the Premier League but probably in the world,” said the centre-half. “He’s that sharp he simply doesn’t miss, in training or in matches.” The mind boggles over the superlatives that might have been used had Defoe registered a Premier League record sixth goal of the afternoon.
The 27-year-old has had to build bridges in recent weeks. His petulant stamp on Aaron Mokoena during a fractious return to Portsmouth last month resulted in an untimely three-match ban that checked both his own and the team’s breathless early-season form. Redknapp had been livid at the misdemeanor, his desperate pleas at half-time for the forward to retain a cool head having gone unheeded. Defoe’s mother, Sandra, had been so ashamed she could not bear to watch the evening’s highlights show while his grandfather had been moved to give the forward “a bit of stick” for his folly.
The two league fixtures Defoe missed were lost, with Spurs scoreless in each, though now all is virtually forgiven. A 9-1 thrashing of Wigan – a much improved and physically imposing team up to then – does have the air of a freak result but, psychologically, it will surely prove as encouraging for Spurs as it is demoralising for the Latics.
The statistics prove Redknapp and Woodgate right to some degree in that no other striker boasts a better goals-to-minutes ratio in the Premier League this season than Defoe’s 75 minutes per goal. Fabio Capello recently decided not to start with him against Brazil because he felt he knew the ins and outs of Defoe’s game. That, in itself, has to be encouraging in a World Cup year.
“When I was sent off I knew what I had done straight away and it was out of character,” said Defoe, whose last booking had been for Portsmouth against Bolton on 20 December 2008. “It was stupid but, having been out of the team through suspension, it was important to come back like this because I owed something to the team. The World Cup is always at the back of your mind but it’s important to focus on your club form to give yourself the best opportunity to get on that plane.
“What happened against Wigan was unbelievable. I definitely remember scoring four goals in a youth team game for West Ham against Aston Villa but I don’t think I’ve scored five even on the PlayStation. I’ve spoken to all the great strikers over the years – Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright, Clive Allen – and they always told me that, no matter how many you score, always try and get another. I’ve got that mentality now.
“A few of us will stay behind training with Les and Clive and you learn from them. I watched some of Clive’s goals on YouTube the other day. When you think he got 49 in one season, that’s unbelievable. But, if you put that work in, you will get rewarded. That’s all I do – work hard and push myself to the limit.”
The substitutes’ board had actually been raised with Spurs 6-1 up and Defoe’s tally on four, prompting a look of disgust from the striker towards the bench that gave way to relief when he realised it was Aaron Lennon who was being summoned from the fray rather than himself. “The break recently might actually have done me some good because I felt full of energy,” he added. “People are talking about the Golden Boot and I heard what the manager said about me being in with a chance of winning it but I’d prefer just [for the club] to finish fourth, to be honest. That would be fantastic.
“To be in the Champions League, playing against the best defenders in the world, would put more pressure on all of us and we’d love to have that challenge. The results went for us on Saturday, so we had to take advantage. It was funny in the dressing room afterwards because none of the lads could believe what had just happened. We know how good we are. We know we have a good team and a strong squad but to score nine goals in a game? Crazy.”
Other Spurs players caught the eye, with Lennon outstanding on his return from injury and the entire midfield functioning superbly, though Defoe drew the focus. “Jermain can do anything he wants to do and Fabio Capello seems to have a lot of faith in him,” added Woodgate. “He can make a massive impact at the World Cup, without a doubt, and he’s got every chance for the Golden Boot.” Aston Villa will pose a sterner test on Saturday, but Defoe’s reputation precedes him these days. First the Premier League, then the world; the division’s striker of the moment will take some stopping.
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Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Aaron Mokoena, Capello, Champions League, Cool Head, Desperate Pleas, English Game, Folly, Freak, Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe, Jonathan Woodgate, Latics, Mind Boggles, Misdemeanor, Portsmouth, Premier League, Sixth Goal, Spurs, Superlatives, Team Mates
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Cudicini thanks fans after leaving hospital
• ‘I want to thank everybody,’ says Tottenham goalkeeper
• Redknapp says players not allowed to ride motorcycles
The Tottenham goalkeeper, Carlo Cudicini, thanked fans for their support after being discharged from hospital following his motorcycle accident, but his club manager Harry Redknapp said the player faces a prolonged recovery from his injuries.
Cudicini underwent surgery last Friday on his right wrist and pelvis after the road accident, with the Spurs manager unaware that the player rode a motorbike.
“I would think it would be the season (he is out for),” Redknapp said. “He’ll be back. It will be a long job but he’ll be back.”
On the subject of riding motorbikes, Harry Redknapp said: “We don’t let them do it. I’ve never even thought about a player riding a motorbike. We didn’t know he had a bike and I’m sure he won’t be riding one again to work. My only concern was his health when I went to visit him.”
Redknapp also ruled out a move for Manchester United’s Ben Foster. He said: “If United wanted to loan him, and I don’t know if they do, it would be a problem for him to go somewhere and not play. He wants to play for England. [Heurelho] Gomes is my first-team goalkeeper and has been fantastic so there is no point in coming here as a No2.”
Cudicini is positive about the outcome of the surgery and thanked well-wishers following the crash. “The current position is that the operations went very well and I am already moving my wrist,” he said. “This morning I met the hand surgeon and he would like to see me again on 18 December and, if everything is okay, I will no longer need any protection on the right wrist and I will be able to move it like the other one.
“Regarding the pelvis, I am still waiting to see the surgeon later on, but from what he said to me last time he would like to check on me every month and, at the end of the 12 weeks, now 11, I will be able to move without the crutches and free to begin my preparations.”
“You don’t want to have an accident like this to check out how many people love you. But I have to say that the response has been unbelievable and I have received many emails and cards from Tottenham and Chelsea fans, people who work at both clubs, and also from people who don’t support Tottenham or Chelsea. All in all it has been a touching reaction from people who support football in general.
“I want to thank everybody because, for sure, it has made me feel much, much better.”
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Categories: Uncategorized Tags: 18 December, Ben Foster, Carlo Cudicini, Crash, Crutches, Current Position, Fans, Hand Surgeon, Harry Redknapp, Heurelho Gomes, Job, Last Friday, Last Time, Manchester United, Motorbike, Motorcycle Accident, Motorcycles, Pelvis, Road Accident, Spurs