and I completely agree with demps:
5.11.2010
5.10.2010
GrantWahl: The SI staff's picks for the 23 players the U.S. should take to the World Cup: http://bit.ly/9c4YuM
GrantWahl: The SI staff's picks for the 23 players the U.S. should take to the World Cup: http://bit.ly/9c4YuM: "GrantWahl: The SI staff's picks for the 23 players the U.S. should take to the World Cup: http://bit.ly/9c4YuM"
It might be time for everyone to present their final 23 for the US squad...
It might be time for everyone to present their final 23 for the US squad...
5.05.2010
Man City v Spurs - the Battle for 4th Place
Well, here it is. The biggest match for Spurs, arguably, since 1991. A win puts them in the Champions League next season, a draw puts it in their control on Sunday, a loss and they need serious help from their cross-town rivals. Needless to say, this is a big one.
Here is the lineup for today:
Man City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge, Adam Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor. Subs: Nielsen, Richards, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Vieira.
Tottenham: Gomes, Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Alnwick, Bentley, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Gudjohnsen, Bassong.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Gomes and King obviously passed their fitness test. Lennon makes his first start for Spurs since December, while Crouch replaces Pavlyuchenko up top.
We are minutes away here... Spurs haven't been to the European Cup since 1961-62, Man City since 1968-69. Neither team has finished in the top 4 in over 20 years.
Spurs will come out in their normal 4-4-2 with Bale and Lennon on the flanks... Spurs fans have been waiting for this combo for months, let's see how it works.
It was not long ago that Man City was 2 divisions away from the top flight while Spurs were in the relegation zone after half of last season.
And away we go, Man City kicks us off... Martin Tyler, of course, on the call this evening.
1 - Defoe offside, it only took 30 seconds for that happen. He's used to that.
2 - It's frantic out there.
3 - First look at goal for Gareth Barry, poor defending in the middle, but Barry slips at the last moment and it goes over for a goal kick.
5 - Spurs fans in good voice. Spurs have been called for 3 fouls in the first 4:30.
7 - Tevez with a tremendous run, it looked to be defended well, but he got past Huddlestone and through Assou-Ekotto, but Gomes came up with a big early save to keep it at 0-0.
9 - Tevez is causing massive problems for Spurs. This time, Dawson comes over and knocks the cross out for a corner.
10 - The corner is cleared out, all Man City in the first 10 minutes.
13 - First corner for Spurs coming up.
14 - after a few touches, it is cleared away by City
16 - 15 minutes have flown by, Spurs have not really asserted themselves yet.
17 - Free kick for Spurs about 40 yards out and on the wing. Turns into a foul and a free kick close to the corner arc on the other side of the field. And goodness me, Crouch rattles it off the bar.
18 - Bale then his his chance right into the defender. Best chance of the match for Crouch. So close.
20 - Lennon's pace forces a deflection from Bridge and a corner for Spurs.
21 - and the ball is in the net from King, but a foul is called... and that is a really tight decision
24 - Spurs are back in it here... Man City had the early possession, Spurs have had the best chances.
26 - another free kick for Spurs... collected by Fulop
26 - Tevez takes a crack from outside, off of King's head for a corner
27 - which is headed away, but only to the foot of Adam Johnson who lashes a quick shot which is well saved by Gomes. The following corner goes off Adebayor's head for a goal kick.
28 - a free kick for Spurs turns into a corner for Spurs... can they put it in again?
29 - which is cleared eventually, throw-in for Spurs
30 - Kaboul fouls Bellamy for the second time and gets a yellow card. First one of the match.
31 - Defoe makes his first appearance of the match and draws a free kick for Spurs 35 yards out.
34 - nervy moments at the back for Spurs... a ball comes off Bale, which Gomes keeps out... the following shot is deflected out for a corner
35 - a free header for Toure, but he puts it over the bar... he was wide open 11 yards from goal
38 - Adebayor is trying to set the offside record.
39 - Lennon crosses to Crouch who lays it off beautifully to Bale and misses a decent chance from 12 yards out. Close.
41 - near calamity at both ends... Fulop's clearance hits Crouch, but luckily for him goes straight into the air and is recollected... on the other side, Dawson put Modric is a tough spot which forced a turnover, but the thru-ball is cleared
42 - a good run from Johnson, forces a clearing tackle from Assou-Ekotto and a corner - which turns into a weak chance that is well handled by Gomes
44 - a good looking counter-attack from City is all for naught... King does well to usher Tevez away from goal and his shot goes wide of the mark
45 - 3 minutes to be added
45+3 - late pressure for Man City forces a corner off a blocked cross from Huddlestone - there is a foul on the corner and that should see the half off
HALFTIME Man City 0:0 Spurs
Spurs need to get their attacking players a little more involved. Bale, Modric, and Lennon have not asserted themselves just yet, but they have shown glimpses of danger. Defoe has been absent.
46 - Spurs get us back underway for a massive half of football
47 - first chance will come for City on a corner kick, but it's well cleared by Dawson
49 - Tevez is called offside, it's tight, but it's the correct call.
50 - City come close, a cross is cleared away by Dawson... close call there
53 - Lennon with his first real run of the game. He had options, but chooses to shoot and it's blocked away.
55 - It looks Barry has injured himself and will be forced to come off.
56 - CLOSE for Spurs.. Bale plays Defoe in, but Martin Fulop comes up with a tremendous save. First time we've seen Defoe... corner for Spurs amounts to a chance for Modric which goes wide. In the midst of all of that, Vieria comes on for City to replace Barry. A real chance there for Spurs.
58 - Huddlestone gets a yellow card, I'm not really sure for what just yet. A lucky boy, Huddlestone, that definitely could have been a red card. However, there should have been a foul called by City before the stamp.
60 - A good run from Bellamy eventually turns into a corner for City.
61 - Adebayor with a decent chance that he puts over the bar for a goal kick.
64 - Pressure galore out there... so nervy
65 - Harry looks awfully agitated on the sideline.
66 - Yellow card coming for Assou-Ekotto for a deliberate hand-ball.
67 - a very dangerous cross from Lennon into Crouch is deflected away at the last moment by Toure... corner for Spurs
68 - a dangerous cross, but it is cleared away by City and eventually goes out for a goal kick
68 - Defoe has asserted himself quite a bit more this half. He jumps onto a long ball and forces another corner.
69 - the corner misses everyone, as Kaboul goes up for it, and it goes out for a goal kick... Spurs have been dangerous on the corners, but nothing to show for it just yet
71 - CLOSE for Spurs - Assou-Ekotto sends a glorious cross across the box, but it just misses both Defoe and Crouch. Spurs make their first substitution as Lennon comes off for Bentley. Those players could have not any different styles. Man City also makes a sub as Adam Johnson comes off for Shawn Wright-Phillips.
72 - Crouch is not my favorite player, but he has been dangerous and has caused many problems for city. Throw deep in City territory...
73 - Bentley's first cross is gathered by Fulop.
74 - Huddlestone commits a foul and then needlessly sends the ball out of play... but Spurs recover
75 - City corner is cleared by Crouch as is the second cross
76 - Spurs counter, but Modric, who is really not a good shooter, sends if flying wayward... end to end stuff here
77 - CLOSE again for Spurs - Crouch has a glorious chance, but Fulop does very well to keep it out. G** Dammit.
79 - Martin Fulop, who controversially joined City just last week after Given got hurt, has kept Spurs at bay with two great saves.
80 - Tevez looks do dangerous at all times, he takes a shot that is blocked by King's head. Defoe draws another foul, this time against DeJong (who has also been very good tonight.)
81 - Another substitution, Defoe is going to come off, Pav comes on. 2nd sub for Spurs.
82 GOAL SPURS Man City 0:1 Spurs (Crouch)
It's tremendous, Kaboul does ever so well down the line, sets a ball in and Fulop parries it, but only straight into the path of Peter Crouch who puts Spurs in front with an oh-so-important goal.
84 - Following the goal, Bellamy comes off for Roque Santa Cruz. Can Spurs hang on for the last 7+ injury time?
86 - Spurs look very dangerous on the break. Man City needs 2 goals and they are prone to be opened up. Bale sends a cross in, but it's beat away by the City defense. Bale looks exhausted after another lung-bursting run for him.
87 - Spurs are getting Palacios ready, I imagine it is for Huddlestone.
88 - Tevez can't get anything on his cross and it's sent out for a goal kick. It is Modric who is coming off for Palacios. Just over 2 plus injury time left to go.
90 - Spurs are doing well to keep possession in the final moments. There will be 4 added minutes.
90+1 - Adebayor strays offside. Mike - I did a unbelievable jig around my couch with a lot of yelling on Crouch's goal. It was pretty enjoyable.
90+2 - Man City finally grab possession... but Spurs grab it back. It's Crouch to Pav who sends a great strike, but Fulop does well just again. But it's out for a corner which will mean more time to be wasted.
90+3 - Spurs wasting time in the corner and doing a great job of it, under a minute to go.
90+4 - Gomes grabs a wayward ball... under 30 seconds.
FULL TIME Man City 0:1 Spurs
It's unbelievable. Spurs, who are celebrating in front of their traveling band of supporters have locked up at least 4th place. It's tremendous stuff. Great scenes on the pitch.
My player ratings for Spurs (out of 10):
Gomes - 9 - did everything that was asked including a top drawer save off Johnson and another on a deflection off Bale.
Assou Ekotto - 8 - solid down the flanks and really did well against the wingers that City threw against him... posed a threat going forward a couple of times as well
King - 10 - the man is a machine and deserves a place in the England WC squad
Dawson - 9.5 - not a 10 due to some shaky clearances early, but that's nit-piking... he was fantastic as he has been all season long... he, too, deserves a ticket to South Africa
Kaboul - 8.5 - much maligned, but has put together 2 straight fantastic performances... his strength is obvious and it was his ball that forced the Fulop save that Crouch eventually put in
Bale - 8.5 - he creates almost all of our chances and has been fantastic for 4+ months, some super dangerous crosses yet again
Huddlestone - 6.5 - could have been sent off for a needless stamp... he wasn't spraying the ball around the park, but his work ethic was very good and used his strength when needed
Modric - 7 - didn't impose himself offensively as much as we may like, but he put in a great effort and did very well in all facets of the games... aside from shooting... work on it this summer, Luka!
Lennon - 5.5 - looked a little rusty... he was dangerous at times, but not to the level we saw in the first half of the season - that's perfectly understandable since he hasn't started in over 4 months... he'll be heading to SA.
Defoe - 5.5 - a complete no show in the first half, but did well in the second... had a great chance to score early in the second half but was denied by Fulop... needs to show up for 90 to reach the next level
Crouch - 8.5 - he was a menace for 90 minutes today... hit the bar early, forced a great save from Fulop and then eventually scored the glorious winner... probably his best game of the season
Subs:
Bentley - 6.5 - his usual slowness was not a problem today... i don't think he's fantastic, but he's a good squad player who will play a part next year if he's still around
Pav - 4.5 - i haven't been impressed lately and today didn't change my opinion... I prefer Eidur to Pav in a big way
Palacios - n/a - did not have a lot of time to impose himself on the match
Harry - 1,000,000 - most didn't want Crouch to start, but he started him and he was a major factor in today's win... he also gambled on King over the last two games and it has paid off in a massive way... he deserves a lot of credit... very few picked Spurs to finish 4th before the season started and he has righted the ship through somewhat difficult waters... you may have heard, we had 2 points from 8 matches when he came on board last year... since then, it's been a massive turnaround
Here is the lineup for today:
Man City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge, Adam Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor. Subs: Nielsen, Richards, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Vieira.
Tottenham: Gomes, Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Alnwick, Bentley, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Gudjohnsen, Bassong.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Gomes and King obviously passed their fitness test. Lennon makes his first start for Spurs since December, while Crouch replaces Pavlyuchenko up top.
We are minutes away here... Spurs haven't been to the European Cup since 1961-62, Man City since 1968-69. Neither team has finished in the top 4 in over 20 years.
Spurs will come out in their normal 4-4-2 with Bale and Lennon on the flanks... Spurs fans have been waiting for this combo for months, let's see how it works.
It was not long ago that Man City was 2 divisions away from the top flight while Spurs were in the relegation zone after half of last season.
And away we go, Man City kicks us off... Martin Tyler, of course, on the call this evening.
1 - Defoe offside, it only took 30 seconds for that happen. He's used to that.
2 - It's frantic out there.
3 - First look at goal for Gareth Barry, poor defending in the middle, but Barry slips at the last moment and it goes over for a goal kick.
5 - Spurs fans in good voice. Spurs have been called for 3 fouls in the first 4:30.
7 - Tevez with a tremendous run, it looked to be defended well, but he got past Huddlestone and through Assou-Ekotto, but Gomes came up with a big early save to keep it at 0-0.
9 - Tevez is causing massive problems for Spurs. This time, Dawson comes over and knocks the cross out for a corner.
10 - The corner is cleared out, all Man City in the first 10 minutes.
13 - First corner for Spurs coming up.
14 - after a few touches, it is cleared away by City
16 - 15 minutes have flown by, Spurs have not really asserted themselves yet.
17 - Free kick for Spurs about 40 yards out and on the wing. Turns into a foul and a free kick close to the corner arc on the other side of the field. And goodness me, Crouch rattles it off the bar.
18 - Bale then his his chance right into the defender. Best chance of the match for Crouch. So close.
20 - Lennon's pace forces a deflection from Bridge and a corner for Spurs.
21 - and the ball is in the net from King, but a foul is called... and that is a really tight decision
24 - Spurs are back in it here... Man City had the early possession, Spurs have had the best chances.
26 - another free kick for Spurs... collected by Fulop
26 - Tevez takes a crack from outside, off of King's head for a corner
27 - which is headed away, but only to the foot of Adam Johnson who lashes a quick shot which is well saved by Gomes. The following corner goes off Adebayor's head for a goal kick.
28 - a free kick for Spurs turns into a corner for Spurs... can they put it in again?
29 - which is cleared eventually, throw-in for Spurs
30 - Kaboul fouls Bellamy for the second time and gets a yellow card. First one of the match.
31 - Defoe makes his first appearance of the match and draws a free kick for Spurs 35 yards out.
34 - nervy moments at the back for Spurs... a ball comes off Bale, which Gomes keeps out... the following shot is deflected out for a corner
35 - a free header for Toure, but he puts it over the bar... he was wide open 11 yards from goal
38 - Adebayor is trying to set the offside record.
39 - Lennon crosses to Crouch who lays it off beautifully to Bale and misses a decent chance from 12 yards out. Close.
41 - near calamity at both ends... Fulop's clearance hits Crouch, but luckily for him goes straight into the air and is recollected... on the other side, Dawson put Modric is a tough spot which forced a turnover, but the thru-ball is cleared
42 - a good run from Johnson, forces a clearing tackle from Assou-Ekotto and a corner - which turns into a weak chance that is well handled by Gomes
44 - a good looking counter-attack from City is all for naught... King does well to usher Tevez away from goal and his shot goes wide of the mark
45 - 3 minutes to be added
45+3 - late pressure for Man City forces a corner off a blocked cross from Huddlestone - there is a foul on the corner and that should see the half off
HALFTIME Man City 0:0 Spurs
Spurs need to get their attacking players a little more involved. Bale, Modric, and Lennon have not asserted themselves just yet, but they have shown glimpses of danger. Defoe has been absent.
46 - Spurs get us back underway for a massive half of football
47 - first chance will come for City on a corner kick, but it's well cleared by Dawson
49 - Tevez is called offside, it's tight, but it's the correct call.
50 - City come close, a cross is cleared away by Dawson... close call there
53 - Lennon with his first real run of the game. He had options, but chooses to shoot and it's blocked away.
55 - It looks Barry has injured himself and will be forced to come off.
56 - CLOSE for Spurs.. Bale plays Defoe in, but Martin Fulop comes up with a tremendous save. First time we've seen Defoe... corner for Spurs amounts to a chance for Modric which goes wide. In the midst of all of that, Vieria comes on for City to replace Barry. A real chance there for Spurs.
58 - Huddlestone gets a yellow card, I'm not really sure for what just yet. A lucky boy, Huddlestone, that definitely could have been a red card. However, there should have been a foul called by City before the stamp.
60 - A good run from Bellamy eventually turns into a corner for City.
61 - Adebayor with a decent chance that he puts over the bar for a goal kick.
64 - Pressure galore out there... so nervy
65 - Harry looks awfully agitated on the sideline.
66 - Yellow card coming for Assou-Ekotto for a deliberate hand-ball.
67 - a very dangerous cross from Lennon into Crouch is deflected away at the last moment by Toure... corner for Spurs
68 - a dangerous cross, but it is cleared away by City and eventually goes out for a goal kick
68 - Defoe has asserted himself quite a bit more this half. He jumps onto a long ball and forces another corner.
69 - the corner misses everyone, as Kaboul goes up for it, and it goes out for a goal kick... Spurs have been dangerous on the corners, but nothing to show for it just yet
71 - CLOSE for Spurs - Assou-Ekotto sends a glorious cross across the box, but it just misses both Defoe and Crouch. Spurs make their first substitution as Lennon comes off for Bentley. Those players could have not any different styles. Man City also makes a sub as Adam Johnson comes off for Shawn Wright-Phillips.
72 - Crouch is not my favorite player, but he has been dangerous and has caused many problems for city. Throw deep in City territory...
73 - Bentley's first cross is gathered by Fulop.
74 - Huddlestone commits a foul and then needlessly sends the ball out of play... but Spurs recover
75 - City corner is cleared by Crouch as is the second cross
76 - Spurs counter, but Modric, who is really not a good shooter, sends if flying wayward... end to end stuff here
77 - CLOSE again for Spurs - Crouch has a glorious chance, but Fulop does very well to keep it out. G** Dammit.
79 - Martin Fulop, who controversially joined City just last week after Given got hurt, has kept Spurs at bay with two great saves.
80 - Tevez looks do dangerous at all times, he takes a shot that is blocked by King's head. Defoe draws another foul, this time against DeJong (who has also been very good tonight.)
81 - Another substitution, Defoe is going to come off, Pav comes on. 2nd sub for Spurs.
82 GOAL SPURS Man City 0:1 Spurs (Crouch)
It's tremendous, Kaboul does ever so well down the line, sets a ball in and Fulop parries it, but only straight into the path of Peter Crouch who puts Spurs in front with an oh-so-important goal.
84 - Following the goal, Bellamy comes off for Roque Santa Cruz. Can Spurs hang on for the last 7+ injury time?
86 - Spurs look very dangerous on the break. Man City needs 2 goals and they are prone to be opened up. Bale sends a cross in, but it's beat away by the City defense. Bale looks exhausted after another lung-bursting run for him.
87 - Spurs are getting Palacios ready, I imagine it is for Huddlestone.
88 - Tevez can't get anything on his cross and it's sent out for a goal kick. It is Modric who is coming off for Palacios. Just over 2 plus injury time left to go.
90 - Spurs are doing well to keep possession in the final moments. There will be 4 added minutes.
90+1 - Adebayor strays offside. Mike - I did a unbelievable jig around my couch with a lot of yelling on Crouch's goal. It was pretty enjoyable.
90+2 - Man City finally grab possession... but Spurs grab it back. It's Crouch to Pav who sends a great strike, but Fulop does well just again. But it's out for a corner which will mean more time to be wasted.
90+3 - Spurs wasting time in the corner and doing a great job of it, under a minute to go.
90+4 - Gomes grabs a wayward ball... under 30 seconds.
FULL TIME Man City 0:1 Spurs
It's unbelievable. Spurs, who are celebrating in front of their traveling band of supporters have locked up at least 4th place. It's tremendous stuff. Great scenes on the pitch.
My player ratings for Spurs (out of 10):
Gomes - 9 - did everything that was asked including a top drawer save off Johnson and another on a deflection off Bale.
Assou Ekotto - 8 - solid down the flanks and really did well against the wingers that City threw against him... posed a threat going forward a couple of times as well
King - 10 - the man is a machine and deserves a place in the England WC squad
Dawson - 9.5 - not a 10 due to some shaky clearances early, but that's nit-piking... he was fantastic as he has been all season long... he, too, deserves a ticket to South Africa
Kaboul - 8.5 - much maligned, but has put together 2 straight fantastic performances... his strength is obvious and it was his ball that forced the Fulop save that Crouch eventually put in
Bale - 8.5 - he creates almost all of our chances and has been fantastic for 4+ months, some super dangerous crosses yet again
Huddlestone - 6.5 - could have been sent off for a needless stamp... he wasn't spraying the ball around the park, but his work ethic was very good and used his strength when needed
Modric - 7 - didn't impose himself offensively as much as we may like, but he put in a great effort and did very well in all facets of the games... aside from shooting... work on it this summer, Luka!
Lennon - 5.5 - looked a little rusty... he was dangerous at times, but not to the level we saw in the first half of the season - that's perfectly understandable since he hasn't started in over 4 months... he'll be heading to SA.
Defoe - 5.5 - a complete no show in the first half, but did well in the second... had a great chance to score early in the second half but was denied by Fulop... needs to show up for 90 to reach the next level
Crouch - 8.5 - he was a menace for 90 minutes today... hit the bar early, forced a great save from Fulop and then eventually scored the glorious winner... probably his best game of the season
Subs:
Bentley - 6.5 - his usual slowness was not a problem today... i don't think he's fantastic, but he's a good squad player who will play a part next year if he's still around
Pav - 4.5 - i haven't been impressed lately and today didn't change my opinion... I prefer Eidur to Pav in a big way
Palacios - n/a - did not have a lot of time to impose himself on the match
Harry - 1,000,000 - most didn't want Crouch to start, but he started him and he was a major factor in today's win... he also gambled on King over the last two games and it has paid off in a massive way... he deserves a lot of credit... very few picked Spurs to finish 4th before the season started and he has righted the ship through somewhat difficult waters... you may have heard, we had 2 points from 8 matches when he came on board last year... since then, it's been a massive turnaround
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