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Keepers on top as Tottenham fail to shine ahead of European adventure






Premier League

Wigan Athletic 0
Tottenham Hotspur 0


  • Richard Gibson at the DW Stadium
  • guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 17.15 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Jermaine-Defoe-004.jpg
    Wigan's Gary Caldwell, right, gets in the way of a shot on goal by Tottenham's Jermain Defoe. Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images As Harry Redknapp jokingly pointed out, Real Madrid will hardly be quaking in their boots. With the club's biggest European tie in 27 years on the horizon, this was not a good time for Tottenham to produce their most insipid display of the season. "That's not the way Tottenham normally play," said Redknapp. "We pass it much better than that, we move the ball quickly and I didn't enjoy watching it. I think the Real Madrid scout's gone home scared stiff."
    Without Gareth Bale, who Redknapp suggests will be fit for Tuesday's encounter at the Bernabéu after a hamstring niggle, and with Aaron Lennon on the bench until midway through the second half, Spurs lacked the searing pace down the flanks that has served them so well in the Champions League against a game Wigan team sparring for their top-flight future. Those who were selected looked leggy at the end of a season fought on two fronts. Many more of these kind of displays, domestically, and Tottenham's best chance of a return to Europe's top table next season will be winning the Champions League final at Wembley on 28 May.
    Frustratingly for their supporters, contests against the Premier League's basement dwellers have proved to be Tottenham's achilles heel this season. Their return against clubs that occupied the bottom six on Saturday morning is a paltry eight points from nine matches. It would have been one fewer but for the brilliance of their Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, whose fingertips diverted Tom Cleverley's curling effort around an upright four minutes into the second half. Gomes also stood firm when substitute Conor Sammon bundled through, but struck his shot too centrally.
    The lethargy that infested the rest of the Tottenham team was hard to fathom and Redknapp cut an exasperated figure on the touchline; his face contorting as his team laboured through the first 45 minutes. One almost expected him to spontaneously combust just before half-time, when Vedran Corluka squared to Hugo Rodallega and then, having retrieved the situation, felled James McCarthy when there was no need to make a challenge.
    Jermain Defoe normally eats Wigan for breakfast &#8211; he had 10 goals in his previous 10 appearances against them &#8211; but he was a subdued focal point of a malfunctioning attacking unit. Only when Peter Crouch replaced him a dozen minutes after the interval did Spurs begin to panic the Wigan backline. Even then, they failed to add to Ali al-Habsi's save count, which remained at two first-half stops from Jermaine Jenas and Rafael van der Vaart, both from long range.
    "Who knows, that might be a good point in the end. It is very difficult to win matches in this division, that's obvious," said Redknapp. "West Brom beat Liverpool, Chelsea can't beat Stoke, West Ham looked like beating Manchester United for the majority of their game."
    Neither was a point satisfactory for Wigan, whose final seven games include just two here. "We don't expect anyone to do us any favours in the position we are in," said their manager, Roberto Martínez. "We need to get to 41 points, then we will have a chance. We are playing catch-up, but cannot control anything other than our performances and I was proud of this one. The whole team kept Spurs very quiet."
    THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

    MARK ASHURST, Observer reader An entertaining game with two teams that wanted to win. It was a pleasing point for us but we are running out of games. If it was six games earlier we would have been over the moon but now we have seven games left with only two of those games at home. Emmerson Boyce was impressive and it was nice to see him back while Gary Caldwell had a good game at centre-half. Spurs brought on Lennon and Crouch in the second half and that changed the game for them. I was impressed with Modric, he was outstanding and ran the show. To put it in context: they are playing in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
    The fan's player ratings Habsi 7; Boyce 9, Caldwell 8, Alcaraz 7, Figueroa 7; Watson 7, McCarthy 8; Moses 6 (Sammon 66 7), N'Zogbia 6 (Di Santo 85 4), Cleverley 6; Rodallega 6 (Diamé 85 6)
    DAVE MASON, Observer reader We had the dullest first half I've seen for many years and the second half was nearly as bad. We have now played against West Ham and Wigan without scoring and that's a major problem for a team who want to finish fourth. We are toothless in front of goal and Redknapp is putting out a side without width or pace. Talking about the shape of the side, Lennon came on as a sub and another two of our wide players Pienaar and Rose stayed on the bench. Harry will get on his high horse if criticised but we have collected only three points against Wolves, Blackpool, West Ham and Wigan.
    The fan's player ratings Gomes 8; Corluka 5, Dawson 7, Bassong 6, Assou-Ekotto 7; Van der Vaart 5 (Lennon 68 4), Sandro 7, Jenas 5, Modric 7 (Kranjcar 85 n/a); Pavlyuchenko 5, Defoe 4 (Crouch 57 4) To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email sport@observer.co.uk
    Real lose ahead of Spurs tie, page 8

 
Keepers on top as Tottenham fail to shine ahead of European adventure






Premier League

Wigan Athletic 0
Tottenham Hotspur 0


  • Richard Gibson at the DW Stadium
  • guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 17.15 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Jermaine-Defoe-004.jpg
    Wigan's Gary Caldwell, right, gets in the way of a shot on goal by Tottenham's Jermain Defoe. Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images As Harry Redknapp jokingly pointed out, Real Madrid will hardly be quaking in their boots. With the club's biggest European tie in 27 years on the horizon, this was not a good time for Tottenham to produce their most insipid display of the season. "That's not the way Tottenham normally play," said Redknapp. "We pass it much better than that, we move the ball quickly and I didn't enjoy watching it. I think the Real Madrid scout's gone home scared stiff."
    Without Gareth Bale, who Redknapp suggests will be fit for Tuesday's encounter at the Bernabéu after a hamstring niggle, and with Aaron Lennon on the bench until midway through the second half, Spurs lacked the searing pace down the flanks that has served them so well in the Champions League against a game Wigan team sparring for their top-flight future. Those who were selected looked leggy at the end of a season fought on two fronts. Many more of these kind of displays, domestically, and Tottenham's best chance of a return to Europe's top table next season will be winning the Champions League final at Wembley on 28 May.
    Frustratingly for their supporters, contests against the Premier League's basement dwellers have proved to be Tottenham's achilles heel this season. Their return against clubs that occupied the bottom six on Saturday morning is a paltry eight points from nine matches. It would have been one fewer but for the brilliance of their Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, whose fingertips diverted Tom Cleverley's curling effort around an upright four minutes into the second half. Gomes also stood firm when substitute Conor Sammon bundled through, but struck his shot too centrally.
    The lethargy that infested the rest of the Tottenham team was hard to fathom and Redknapp cut an exasperated figure on the touchline; his face contorting as his team laboured through the first 45 minutes. One almost expected him to spontaneously combust just before half-time, when Vedran Corluka squared to Hugo Rodallega and then, having retrieved the situation, felled James McCarthy when there was no need to make a challenge.
    Jermain Defoe normally eats Wigan for breakfast – he had 10 goals in his previous 10 appearances against them – but he was a subdued focal point of a malfunctioning attacking unit. Only when Peter Crouch replaced him a dozen minutes after the interval did Spurs begin to panic the Wigan backline. Even then, they failed to add to Ali al-Habsi's save count, which remained at two first-half stops from Jermaine Jenas and Rafael van der Vaart, both from long range.
    "Who knows, that might be a good point in the end. It is very difficult to win matches in this division, that's obvious," said Redknapp. "West Brom beat Liverpool, Chelsea can't beat Stoke, West Ham looked like beating Manchester United for the majority of their game."
    Neither was a point satisfactory for Wigan, whose final seven games include just two here. "We don't expect anyone to do us any favours in the position we are in," said their manager, Roberto Martínez. "We need to get to 41 points, then we will have a chance. We are playing catch-up, but cannot control anything other than our performances and I was proud of this one. The whole team kept Spurs very quiet."
    THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

    MARK ASHURST, Observer reader An entertaining game with two teams that wanted to win. It was a pleasing point for us but we are running out of games. If it was six games earlier we would have been over the moon but now we have seven games left with only two of those games at home. Emmerson Boyce was impressive and it was nice to see him back while Gary Caldwell had a good game at centre-half. Spurs brought on Lennon and Crouch in the second half and that changed the game for them. I was impressed with Modric, he was outstanding and ran the show. To put it in context: they are playing in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
    The fan's player ratings Habsi 7; Boyce 9, Caldwell 8, Alcaraz 7, Figueroa 7; Watson 7, McCarthy 8; Moses 6 (Sammon 66 7), N'Zogbia 6 (Di Santo 85 4), Cleverley 6; Rodallega 6 (Diamé 85 6)
    DAVE MASON, Observer reader We had the dullest first half I've seen for many years and the second half was nearly as bad. We have now played against West Ham and Wigan without scoring and that's a major problem for a team who want to finish fourth. We are toothless in front of goal and Redknapp is putting out a side without width or pace. Talking about the shape of the side, Lennon came on as a sub and another two of our wide players Pienaar and Rose stayed on the bench. Harry will get on his high horse if criticised but we have collected only three points against Wolves, Blackpool, West Ham and Wigan.
    The fan's player ratings Gomes 8; Corluka 5, Dawson 7, Bassong 6, Assou-Ekotto 7; Van der Vaart 5 (Lennon 68 4), Sandro 7, Jenas 5, Modric 7 (Kranjcar 85 n/a); Pavlyuchenko 5, Defoe 4 (Crouch 57 4) To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email sport@observer.co.uk
    Real lose ahead of Spurs tie, page 8
 
Chris Brunt's spot-on double enables West Brom to overhaul Liverpool






Premier League

West Brom 2
  • Brunt (pen) 62,
  • Brunt (pen) 88
Liverpool 1
  • Skrtel 50


  • Russell Kempson at The Hawthorns
  • guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 17.10 BST <li class="history">Article history
    West-Bromwich-Albions-Chr-005.jpg
    West Bromwich Albion's Chris Brunt scores the first of his penalties against Liverpool. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images Roy Hodgson lived painfully in the shadow of Kenny Dalglish at Anfield this season until, after six months of stress and near-humiliation, he was relieved of his duties in January. On Saturday he exacted some small measure of revenge over Dalglish as his new side, West Bromwich Albion, snatched a stirring late victory over his former club Liverpool at The Hawthorns.
    Dalglish &#8211; "It was not easy with 'an icon' in the background," Hodgson said on Friday &#8211; may be only the caretaker manager at Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group, the club's owner, has yet to decide whether iconic status will translate into a meaningful challenge in the Premier League next season. On the latest evidence, though, perhaps even the Scot may have second thoughts.
    Liverpool had edged control for much of a rousing game. They took the lead in the 50th minute when Martin Skrtel, the central defender, powered in a fearsome header from a Raul Meireles corner and they should have gone on to strengthen their case for a Europa League place. But just when Dalglish wanted strength and resilience, just when a bit of nous was required, Liverpool collapsed.
    It was self-inflicted, too, with West Brom scoring twice from penalties. First, Sotirios Kyrgiakos clumsily felled Peter Odemwingie in the area; then, with two minutes remaining, José Reina also brought down Odemwingie. The referee Martin Atkinson, on the advice of an assistant, again pointed to the spot. And again, Chris Brunt hammered in the spot-kick, Reina having little chance with either powerful strike.
    Not that Dalglish agreed with Atkinson's decisions. Odemwingie fell too easily for the first award, according to Dalglish, who then questioned why the assistant had got involved for the second. "When does the linesman take over responsibility from the ref?" he said. "It's important that we are told this. We can't dictate referee's decisions, we can only dictate our own." So much for managers being asked to show more respect to referees.
    Dalglish did admit to having plenty of "food for thought", not least after Steven Gerrard broke down in training on Friday with a recurring groin problem. "He tried to turn and felt a sharp pain," Dalglish said. "It's in the same area but not the same injury."
    The defenders Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger departed early with injuries and Dalglish may look closely at the temperament of Andy Carroll. The England striker tangled with Steven Reid, Abdoulaye Méïté and Jonas Olsson, and earned two warnings from Atkinson and a booking for a late challenge on Reid. When will he learn the difference between harmless boisterousness and blatant stupidity?
    West Brom did need a superb save from Scott Carson and a headed goalline clearance from Nicky Shorey to survive but just about deserved their good fortune, which took them up four places in the table to 12th. Seemingly light years away from the relegation threat, but in reality they are still in the mix. Perhaps a clean sheet next time out &#8211; what would be a first in 30 league matches &#8211; may help.
    Still, Hodgson refused to gloat. His stay at Anfield may have turned into a horror show but true to the man he does not bear grudges. "No, I gain no extra pleasure from this win," he said. "I made a lot of friends at Liverpool and I have a lot respect for them. My great pleasure is taken from beating Liverpool FC because West Bromwich don't often do that."
    THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

    STEVEN WILTON, WBA.VitalFootball.co.ukThis game was a slow starter. Neither team really got any sort of advantage in the first half and Andy Carroll spent it falling over and arguing with players. He wasn't effective. But after that dull opening period the game came to life. This was our first win in 10 games against Liverpool and I've got to give special mention to our central defence, for keeping Suárez and Carroll quiet. Hodgson knows how to organise a team and we are now more solid &#8211; Méité wasn't getting a kick under Di Matteo. Brunt stayed cool to finish his two penalties while Mulumbu was the outstanding player for me again.
    The fan's player ratings Carson 8; Reid 7, Méïté 8, Olsson 9, Shorey 8; Brunt 7, Scharner 7, Mulumbu 9, Odemwingie 9; Thomas 5 (Jara 90 n/a), Cox 6 (Fortuné 74 7)
    STEPHANIE JONES, Observer reader The game was pretty even most of the time. We scored from the corner, which was great, but then they got the two penalties. Suárez just missed a chance near the end. In terms of star performers Reina made some good saves and when Suárez gets the ball you always think he is going to do something good. Carroll is a fine player both in the air and on the ground but got a bad time against Méïté and Olsson, who battered him about a bit. We lost Agger and Johnson in the first quarter of the game and that affected our performance although we still could have got a victory.
    The fan's player ratings Reina 8; Carragher 6, Skrtel 7, Agger 7 (Wilson 24 6), Johnson n/a (Kyrgiakos 8 5); Kuyt 6 (Cole 87 n/a), Lucas 7, Spearing 6; Meireles 7; Suárez 7, Carroll 7
    To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email sport@observer.co.uk

 
Chris Brunt's spot-on double enables West Brom to overhaul Liverpool






Premier League

West Brom 2
  • Brunt (pen) 62,
  • Brunt (pen) 88
Liverpool 1
  • Skrtel 50


  • Russell Kempson at The Hawthorns
  • guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 April 2011 17.10 BST <li class="history">Article history
    West-Bromwich-Albions-Chr-005.jpg
    West Bromwich Albion's Chris Brunt scores the first of his penalties against Liverpool. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images Roy Hodgson lived painfully in the shadow of Kenny Dalglish at Anfield this season until, after six months of stress and near-humiliation, he was relieved of his duties in January. On Saturday he exacted some small measure of revenge over Dalglish as his new side, West Bromwich Albion, snatched a stirring late victory over his former club Liverpool at The Hawthorns.
    Dalglish – "It was not easy with 'an icon' in the background," Hodgson said on Friday – may be only the caretaker manager at Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group, the club's owner, has yet to decide whether iconic status will translate into a meaningful challenge in the Premier League next season. On the latest evidence, though, perhaps even the Scot may have second thoughts.
    Liverpool had edged control for much of a rousing game. They took the lead in the 50th minute when Martin Skrtel, the central defender, powered in a fearsome header from a Raul Meireles corner and they should have gone on to strengthen their case for a Europa League place. But just when Dalglish wanted strength and resilience, just when a bit of nous was required, Liverpool collapsed.
    It was self-inflicted, too, with West Brom scoring twice from penalties. First, Sotirios Kyrgiakos clumsily felled Peter Odemwingie in the area; then, with two minutes remaining, José Reina also brought down Odemwingie. The referee Martin Atkinson, on the advice of an assistant, again pointed to the spot. And again, Chris Brunt hammered in the spot-kick, Reina having little chance with either powerful strike.
    Not that Dalglish agreed with Atkinson's decisions. Odemwingie fell too easily for the first award, according to Dalglish, who then questioned why the assistant had got involved for the second. "When does the linesman take over responsibility from the ref?" he said. "It's important that we are told this. We can't dictate referee's decisions, we can only dictate our own." So much for managers being asked to show more respect to referees.
    Dalglish did admit to having plenty of "food for thought", not least after Steven Gerrard broke down in training on Friday with a recurring groin problem. "He tried to turn and felt a sharp pain," Dalglish said. "It's in the same area but not the same injury."
    The defenders Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger departed early with injuries and Dalglish may look closely at the temperament of Andy Carroll. The England striker tangled with Steven Reid, Abdoulaye Méïté and Jonas Olsson, and earned two warnings from Atkinson and a booking for a late challenge on Reid. When will he learn the difference between harmless boisterousness and blatant stupidity?
    West Brom did need a superb save from Scott Carson and a headed goalline clearance from Nicky Shorey to survive but just about deserved their good fortune, which took them up four places in the table to 12th. Seemingly light years away from the relegation threat, but in reality they are still in the mix. Perhaps a clean sheet next time out – what would be a first in 30 league matches – may help.
    Still, Hodgson refused to gloat. His stay at Anfield may have turned into a horror show but true to the man he does not bear grudges. "No, I gain no extra pleasure from this win," he said. "I made a lot of friends at Liverpool and I have a lot respect for them. My great pleasure is taken from beating Liverpool FC because West Bromwich don't often do that."
    THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

    STEVEN WILTON, WBA.VitalFootball.co.ukThis game was a slow starter. Neither team really got any sort of advantage in the first half and Andy Carroll spent it falling over and arguing with players. He wasn't effective. But after that dull opening period the game came to life. This was our first win in 10 games against Liverpool and I've got to give special mention to our central defence, for keeping Suárez and Carroll quiet. Hodgson knows how to organise a team and we are now more solid – Méité wasn't getting a kick under Di Matteo. Brunt stayed cool to finish his two penalties while Mulumbu was the outstanding player for me again.
    The fan's player ratings Carson 8; Reid 7, Méïté 8, Olsson 9, Shorey 8; Brunt 7, Scharner 7, Mulumbu 9, Odemwingie 9; Thomas 5 (Jara 90 n/a), Cox 6 (Fortuné 74 7)
    STEPHANIE JONES, Observer reader The game was pretty even most of the time. We scored from the corner, which was great, but then they got the two penalties. Suárez just missed a chance near the end. In terms of star performers Reina made some good saves and when Suárez gets the ball you always think he is going to do something good. Carroll is a fine player both in the air and on the ground but got a bad time against Méïté and Olsson, who battered him about a bit. We lost Agger and Johnson in the first quarter of the game and that affected our performance although we still could have got a victory.
    The fan's player ratings Reina 8; Carragher 6, Skrtel 7, Agger 7 (Wilson 24 6), Johnson n/a (Kyrgiakos 8 5); Kuyt 6 (Cole 87 n/a), Lucas 7, Spearing 6; Meireles 7; Suárez 7, Carroll 7
    To take part in the Fans' Verdict, email sport@observer.co.uk
 

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England



Premier League

League table 2010 - 2011






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Total


Team Pld W D L F A Diff Pts 1 Manchester United 311993 68 32 36 66 2 Arsenal 301785 59 29 30 59 3 Chelsea 301677 54 25 29 55 4 Manchester City 301587 45 27 18 53 5 Tottenham Hotspur 3013116 41 34 7 50 6 Liverpool 3113612 42 38 4 45 7 Everton 319148 42 41 1 41 8 Bolton Wanderers 31101011 43 43 0 40 9 Newcastle United 3110912 48 46 2 39 10 Stoke City 3111515 37 39 -2 38 11 Sunderland 3091110 33 37 -4 38 12 West Bromwich Albion 319913 43 57 -14 36 13 Fulham 307149 33 33 0 35 14 Blackburn Rovers 319715 39 51 -12 34 15 Birmingham City 3071310 30 42 -12 34 16 Aston Villa 3181013 39 53 -14 34 17 Blackpool 309615 45 60 -15 33 18 West Ham United 3171113 38 53 -15 32 19 Wolverhampton Wanderers 319517 36 53 -17 32 20 Wigan Athletic 3161312 29 51 -22 31 View full table
 
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