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Stoke City 1-2 Tottenham
Niko Kranjcar Strike Seals Maximum Points Over Ten-Man Potters. Whitehead sees red as Spurs down Pulis' men...
By Richard Parry
Tottenham Hotspur consolidated fourth spot in the Premier League after a hard-fought victory away to Stoke City.
The match was almost gifted an early goal as Heurelho Gomes delayed a clearance allowing Dave Kitson to close the Brazilian down, but fortunately for Spurs the once ridiculed goalkeeper managed to clear to safety.
Other than that early worry for the visitors, the match started few chances for either side. Spurs were awarded a corner on 11 minutes, but Bassong failed to make a decent contact and his head ballooned over the bar.
Rory Delap had his first opportunity to launch the ball into the box with his infamous long throw on 14 minutes, but captain Michael Dawson rose highest to clear the ball for Spurs.
Worryingly for the visitors, both Gareth Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko required treatment following knocks – and with as many as eight players sidelined, Harry Redknapp looked nervous on the touchline.
Bale required treatment once more after Ricardo Fuller chopped the Welshman down in front of the Tottenham bench, and received a caution for his troubles.
Stoke received their first corner of the game on 20 minutes, after Vedran
Corluka blocked Matthew Etherington’s advances. After a scramble in the box, Gomes managed to clear the ball from the box, but it was quickly sent back into the danger zone but Abdoulaye Faye was unable to direct Kitson’s nod-on goalwards.
Pavlyuchenko then burst into the Stoke penalty area, but Faye was able to clear the ball for a corner before Peter Crouch could latch onto the ball.
The set piece was fired-in by Luka Modric, but the Croatian’s delivery was cleared at the near post. Modric collected the loose ball on the edge of the box, but his second attempt went harmlessly over the cross bar.
The visitors continued to mount the pressure, winning their third corner with half an hour played. Modric played it short to Niko Kranjcar, and the two Croatians tried to work they way into the box with the assistance of fellow countryman Corluka. The ball found the feet of Younes Kaboul, but his attempt was embarrassingly over the bar.
Stoke received their second booking of the game, as Dean Whitehead found himself ticked-off after a robust challenge on Modric in the centre circle.
The Croatian tackled Fuller just outside the penalty area, and the ball trickled out for another throw-in. Once more Delap launched it into the box, but the vertical dominance of Crouch and Dawson was enough to divert the danger.
Redknapp was forced to remove Pavlyuchenko with 35 minutes gone after the Russian pulled-up with a hamstring problem, and was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Kitson burst down the left flank, and managed to whip a ball past Dawson into six yard box, but Gomes did well to get down and divert the ball to safety. With less than ten minutes to go in the first half, the match became increasingly open, without many clear efforts on either goal.
With minutes left in the first half, Gareth Bale stormed into the Stoke box. With Thomas Sorenson slow to narrow the angle, Bale looked odds-on to score, but Faye cleared the ball from the Welshman’s feet with an expertly timed challenge.
Comically, for the second season running, Gomes collided with Corluka inside the Spurs penalty area, but Fuller was unable to capitalise on the visitor’s defensive mix up, his weak shot was straight at Gomes.
Bale had another opportunity to put Spurs ahead after Glenn Whelan was penalised for a challenge on Kranjcar, but the former Southampton mans free kick floated harmlessly over. Goalless at half time.
With just 20 seconds of the second half underway, Peter Crouch lofted a ball over the Stoke backline to his Icelandic striker partner. Gudjohnsen chested the ball away from Faye before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 Spurs, Gudjohnsen’s first goal in Tottenham.
Stoke’s disastrous start to the second half worsened as Whitehead received his second booking of the game for another challenge on Modric. The former Sunderland man was somewhat unfortunate to get his marching orders, but it was the first half challenge on the Croatian that cost him.
Tottenham could have increased their lead after Modric found space on the edge of the box. The tricky midfielder waltzed towards the Stoke goal, but his shot was too tame and Sorenson grasped it easily.
With the hour mark approaching, the Potters had their first sniff on Tottenham’s goal since the interval. Etherington looked to feed Fuller, piercing the Spurs backline with a curled pass, but Gomes was quick off his line to smother the ball.
Kaboul had his second attempt at goal, and for the second time the Frenchman offered the moon a companion. After more impressive approach play from Gudjohnsen, the Iceland international found Bale who whipped in a cross which Faye diverted to the halfway line, and the onrushing Kaboul who blazed over.
The visitors continued to apply the pressure, winning a corner. The ball found its way out to Assou-Ekotto, who’s shot was deflected out for another set piece. What followed was an embarrassing moment for Spurs, as an argument between the Assou-Ekotto and Corluka resulted in the Cameroonian pushing his teammate away.
With less than half an hour to play, Gudjohnsen continued to pull the strings, and Kaboul riffled in a cross which was just too high for Bale.
But Stoke were handed an opportunity to level the proceeding after Assou-Ekotto collided with Kitson. Former Spurs man Etherington stepped up to slot the ball home, and ten-man Stoke were level.
The penalty restored the home side’s recognised resilience, and the Potters immediately imposed themselves on the match once more.
Stoke should have been ahead with 20 minutes left on the clock. A deep cross into the Spurs box found Kitson, and his knock-down found the feet of Fuller, who from six yards out managed to blast the ball over the bar.
But it was the visitors who reclaimed the lead on 77 minutes. Great play by Assou-Ekotto on the overlap, clipping the ball into the penalty area for the onrushing Gudjohnsen. The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker cheekily stepped over the ball to allow Kranjcar to smash the ball past Sorenson.
Tony Pulis made a double substitution on 84 minutes, removing Kitson and Whelan for Tuncay and Mamady Sidibe as the Potters looked to restore parity.
Once more it was Spurs who almost increased their lead, as Bale attacked the left flank once more before drilling a shot across Sorenson which clipped the post before going out for a goal kick.
The final moment of the match were frantic, and end to end. Stoke peppered the Spurs box with deep deliveries, and should have bagged an equaliser in stoppage time. A mistimed header from Bassong put Sidibe through on goal, but with the net at his mercy the Stoke striker slipped and the chance went begging, and Spurs sealed the points.
ARTICLE FROM Goal.com
Niko Kranjcar Strike Seals Maximum Points Over Ten-Man Potters. Whitehead sees red as Spurs down Pulis' men...
By Richard Parry
Tottenham Hotspur consolidated fourth spot in the Premier League after a hard-fought victory away to Stoke City.
The match was almost gifted an early goal as Heurelho Gomes delayed a clearance allowing Dave Kitson to close the Brazilian down, but fortunately for Spurs the once ridiculed goalkeeper managed to clear to safety.
Other than that early worry for the visitors, the match started few chances for either side. Spurs were awarded a corner on 11 minutes, but Bassong failed to make a decent contact and his head ballooned over the bar.
Rory Delap had his first opportunity to launch the ball into the box with his infamous long throw on 14 minutes, but captain Michael Dawson rose highest to clear the ball for Spurs.
Worryingly for the visitors, both Gareth Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko required treatment following knocks – and with as many as eight players sidelined, Harry Redknapp looked nervous on the touchline.
Bale required treatment once more after Ricardo Fuller chopped the Welshman down in front of the Tottenham bench, and received a caution for his troubles.
Stoke received their first corner of the game on 20 minutes, after Vedran
Corluka blocked Matthew Etherington’s advances. After a scramble in the box, Gomes managed to clear the ball from the box, but it was quickly sent back into the danger zone but Abdoulaye Faye was unable to direct Kitson’s nod-on goalwards.
Pavlyuchenko then burst into the Stoke penalty area, but Faye was able to clear the ball for a corner before Peter Crouch could latch onto the ball.
The set piece was fired-in by Luka Modric, but the Croatian’s delivery was cleared at the near post. Modric collected the loose ball on the edge of the box, but his second attempt went harmlessly over the cross bar.
The visitors continued to mount the pressure, winning their third corner with half an hour played. Modric played it short to Niko Kranjcar, and the two Croatians tried to work they way into the box with the assistance of fellow countryman Corluka. The ball found the feet of Younes Kaboul, but his attempt was embarrassingly over the bar.
Stoke received their second booking of the game, as Dean Whitehead found himself ticked-off after a robust challenge on Modric in the centre circle.
The Croatian tackled Fuller just outside the penalty area, and the ball trickled out for another throw-in. Once more Delap launched it into the box, but the vertical dominance of Crouch and Dawson was enough to divert the danger.
Redknapp was forced to remove Pavlyuchenko with 35 minutes gone after the Russian pulled-up with a hamstring problem, and was replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Kitson burst down the left flank, and managed to whip a ball past Dawson into six yard box, but Gomes did well to get down and divert the ball to safety. With less than ten minutes to go in the first half, the match became increasingly open, without many clear efforts on either goal.
With minutes left in the first half, Gareth Bale stormed into the Stoke box. With Thomas Sorenson slow to narrow the angle, Bale looked odds-on to score, but Faye cleared the ball from the Welshman’s feet with an expertly timed challenge.
Comically, for the second season running, Gomes collided with Corluka inside the Spurs penalty area, but Fuller was unable to capitalise on the visitor’s defensive mix up, his weak shot was straight at Gomes.
Bale had another opportunity to put Spurs ahead after Glenn Whelan was penalised for a challenge on Kranjcar, but the former Southampton mans free kick floated harmlessly over. Goalless at half time.
With just 20 seconds of the second half underway, Peter Crouch lofted a ball over the Stoke backline to his Icelandic striker partner. Gudjohnsen chested the ball away from Faye before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 Spurs, Gudjohnsen’s first goal in Tottenham.
Stoke’s disastrous start to the second half worsened as Whitehead received his second booking of the game for another challenge on Modric. The former Sunderland man was somewhat unfortunate to get his marching orders, but it was the first half challenge on the Croatian that cost him.
Tottenham could have increased their lead after Modric found space on the edge of the box. The tricky midfielder waltzed towards the Stoke goal, but his shot was too tame and Sorenson grasped it easily.
With the hour mark approaching, the Potters had their first sniff on Tottenham’s goal since the interval. Etherington looked to feed Fuller, piercing the Spurs backline with a curled pass, but Gomes was quick off his line to smother the ball.
Kaboul had his second attempt at goal, and for the second time the Frenchman offered the moon a companion. After more impressive approach play from Gudjohnsen, the Iceland international found Bale who whipped in a cross which Faye diverted to the halfway line, and the onrushing Kaboul who blazed over.
The visitors continued to apply the pressure, winning a corner. The ball found its way out to Assou-Ekotto, who’s shot was deflected out for another set piece. What followed was an embarrassing moment for Spurs, as an argument between the Assou-Ekotto and Corluka resulted in the Cameroonian pushing his teammate away.
With less than half an hour to play, Gudjohnsen continued to pull the strings, and Kaboul riffled in a cross which was just too high for Bale.
But Stoke were handed an opportunity to level the proceeding after Assou-Ekotto collided with Kitson. Former Spurs man Etherington stepped up to slot the ball home, and ten-man Stoke were level.
The penalty restored the home side’s recognised resilience, and the Potters immediately imposed themselves on the match once more.
Stoke should have been ahead with 20 minutes left on the clock. A deep cross into the Spurs box found Kitson, and his knock-down found the feet of Fuller, who from six yards out managed to blast the ball over the bar.
But it was the visitors who reclaimed the lead on 77 minutes. Great play by Assou-Ekotto on the overlap, clipping the ball into the penalty area for the onrushing Gudjohnsen. The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker cheekily stepped over the ball to allow Kranjcar to smash the ball past Sorenson.
Tony Pulis made a double substitution on 84 minutes, removing Kitson and Whelan for Tuncay and Mamady Sidibe as the Potters looked to restore parity.
Once more it was Spurs who almost increased their lead, as Bale attacked the left flank once more before drilling a shot across Sorenson which clipped the post before going out for a goal kick.
The final moment of the match were frantic, and end to end. Stoke peppered the Spurs box with deep deliveries, and should have bagged an equaliser in stoppage time. A mistimed header from Bassong put Sidibe through on goal, but with the net at his mercy the Stoke striker slipped and the chance went begging, and Spurs sealed the points.
ARTICLE FROM Goal.com
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