Team: Cerny, Chimbo, Daws, Ledley, Lee, Steed (KPB), Lennon, O'Hara, JJ, Berba, Keano (JD)
Once again we should have beaten the Scum (who don't even deserve a capital letter!). Spurs had most of the possession and barring perhaps the first 20-25 minutes where they couldn't keep possession, dominated the game.
This was our best pressure in the game - five chances in as many minutes:
32nd minute - Steed misses virtually an open goal after Keano tackled and ball fell loose
33rd minute - Steed heads wide
34th minute - Berba put Steed through on goal but too close to goalie
35th minute - Berba has good shot saved from approx 20 yards
36 minutes - JJ scores from Keano pass across the box
Just before the break, Berba had another chance. Would have been great to go at half time two goals to the good.In the second half, Spurs applied good early pressure and in the 53rd minute, Keano ran with the ball, took it a tad wide and missed.
With just ten minutes left, the almost inevitable thing happened - the Arse equalised. But not without extreme luck. Lee got his tackle in on Wallcott but it rebounded off his arm and flew in the goal. Bugger! So close again.
JD had a brilliant chance of winning the game for us just a couple minutes after he came on but the ball was skied badly. Can't complain really - I said before the game that if we can at least get a draw, we have a great chance when playing the second leg at the Lane.
I have to say the match was very entertaining, it was refereed well (how often can you say that?), the game was played fairly with no bad tackles and no bookings. Spurs play at times was a pleasure to watch, especially Berbatov who is back at his best with superb touches and passes - oh such beautiful football, that's what it's all about. I can't imagine the team without him. The defense was far stronger with Ledley back again; he seems to have a big influence on the other players and hope to God he stays fit. I thought Y P Lee had a strong game too. O'Hara is a young confident player with grit and determination - that's good to see. Lennon also very lively and covered well defensively. I have no idea how JJ got MOTM - he didn't play badly but he is never dominant in the midfield. Just because he scored the goal doesn't mean he was the best player on the pitch. I not being biased but Berba was easily the stand out player.
Just one final thing. I love Ray Wilkins! I hope he commentates more often because he was very complimentary about the players and the way they were applying themselves. When the other commentator mentioned those dreaded words 'body language' whilst referring to Berbatov, I just huffed loudly and shouted at the TV. They are like a cracked record. He is playing fantastic at the moment but still doesn't cut a break - however, Ray didn't take the bait and said he thought he was a brilliant player (or something to that effect).
I went straight online to book tickets for the second leg in two weeks time. Can't wait - I just hope we can make it to the final this time.
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