Various match reports - Blackburn 0 Tottenham 1

[Justin]

sport.independent.co.uk/football/blackburn/story.jsp?story=590108

Keane provides the cutting edge for pragmatic Spurs
Blackburn Rovers 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 1
By Dan Murphy
06 December 2004

Defensively solid, well organised, if not spectacular, and a young, fit team growing up together. It all sounds more like a traditional Arsenal side than Tottenham Hotspur. But, as Martin Jol, Spurs' head coach, reflected on an eventful first month in charge at White Hart Lane, the indications were that Saturday's resourceful performance at Blackburn Rovers is more a sign of things to come than Jol's first League game, that 5-4 defeat to their local rivals, Arsenal.

This was Spurs' third game in six days, including half an hour of extra time midweek in the League Cup, and Jol was delighted by his team's resilience in grinding out a second successive Premiership win and clean sheet.

"I'm loving every minute here," Jol said. "We've now won three League games away and that can help us climb the table. That's maybe an advantage for us over the other teams at the bottom. You always worry when you play so many games so quickly, but the players have stood up to it and you can see how good their fitness levels are.

"This is a young team and it's a team for the future that only recently came together. We're not looking at the top of the League or qualifying for the Champions' League. We just want to improve and work with the players," he said.

Understandably for a coach joining a team in mid-season, Jol is looking forward to next month's transfer window when he hopes to rectify some of the imbalances within his squad.

"Everyone can see we don't have players for every position. I've been playing [Rohan] Ricketts in right midfield recently and he's done well but it's not his natural position. We need a couple more pieces in the jigsaw."

The principal difference between the teams was that in Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe the north London club had strikers capable of changing the game in a moment. In the event, Michael Brown, whom Jol has reminded of his obligation to provide goals from midfield, did the next best thing by setting Keane up for the winner after a 60-yard run. Spurs' impressively muscular defenders, led by the increasingly assured Ledley King, then closed the game out with comfort.

For Mark Hughes, the Blackburn manager, the damage was already done. "We didn't perform at the same level we have been," he said. "Possibly we didn't deserve much more than we got. We didn't start at the right tempo and it's hard to pick it up during the game. Once we were behind we didn't have the guile to get back in it. We didn't create a single clear-cut chance. They defend very well and have got some big players at the back who are prepared to get stuck in where it hurts," he said.

Worryingly for Hughes, Blackburn have now won only one of their eight League games at Ewood Park. Last season they collected a meagre 19 points at home. "We've got to get better at home," said Hughes. "It's been going on too long and we've got to address the issue. We need good home form and we expect good home form. If we can sort it out I'm sure we'll be OK."

Goals: Keane (55) 0-1.

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel; Neill, Todd, Short (Matteo, 85), Johansson; Reid, Ferguson, Tugay (Thompson, 65), Emerton; Dickov, Gallagher (Bothroyd, 56). Substitutes not used: Enckelman (gk), Flitcroft.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Robinson; Kelly, Naybet, King, Atouba; Pedro Mendes, Brown, Carrick, Ziegler (Redknapp, 73); Keane (Gardner, 78), Defoe (Kanouté, 88). Substitutes not used: Fulop (gk), Pamarot.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Booked: Blackburn: Dickov, Tugay. Tottenham: Naybet.

Man of the match: King.

Attendance: 22,182.

[Justin]

sport.independent.co.uk/football/tottenham/story.jsp?story=589908

Spurs find cutting edge from Keane
Blackburn Rovers 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 1
By Dan Murphy
05 December 2004


After six successive defeats, back-to-back wins. Martin Jol's Tottenham Hotspur maintained the Premiership's second-best defensive away record at Ewood Park last night by keeping a clean sheet in beating Blackburn Rovers with a second-half Robbie Keane goal.

Spurs have now conceded five times in their eight games away from White Hart Lane this season and the Jol revolution, previously noted for its emphasis on attack, can now be accredited with building on the defensive foundations laid during Jacques Santini's ill-fated reign as head coach.

This was their second successive clean sheet and it was the hallmark of a performance that was effective but far from vintage.

Results elsewhere saved Blackburn from dropping into the bottom three - Fulham were the only team apart from Spurs in the lower half to gain so much as a point yesterday - but this was a chance missed to make up lost ground. Until Mark Hughes can improve his striking options in next month's transfer window the chances are his side will continue to struggle to climb the table. On a mild evening in the North-West, it was Spurs who started with the greater urgency.

Keane, recalled in favour of Frédéric Kanouté, twice embarked on trademark dribbles that took him inside the Blackburn penalty area without quite providing a clear shooting opportunity.

By contrast, Paul Dickov was starved of service. The only impact he could make was to push Ledley King, making his 150th appearance for Spurs, into the advertising hoardings as the England defender shepherded the ball out for a goal-kick. The normally placid King had to be restrained by his team-mates.

Undeterred, Dickov earned himself a booking by fouling Noureddine Naybet two minutes later and Spurs' Thimothee Atouba exacted further revenge by aiming a snide kick at the Scotland forward off the ball.

Towards the end of a mediocre first half, both sides at least came close to scoring. Andy Todd found himself unmarked on the penalty spot but could not direct his volley towards goal. Then Jermain Defoe ran on to Keane's pass and forced Brad Friedel into deflecting his shot on to the roof of the net.

Dickov concentrated on football in the second half and one intelligent run presented his strike partner, Paul Gallagher, with the chance to turn and shoot from eight yards, Paul Robinson turning his effort around the post.

Keane's winner arrived 11 minutes after the break. Michael Brown capitalised on Dickov's misplaced return pass to Barry Ferguson and was allowed to carry the ball 60 yards into the Blackburn area. When he looked for help he spotted Keane arriving and rolled the ball into the path of the Irish striker, who shot first-time past Friedel.

That allowed Spurs the luxury of acres of space on the break as the home side chased an equaliser, a situation made for the likes of Keane and Defoe.

It was they, rather than Blackburn, who looked the more likely source of a second goal in the closing stages

[Justin]

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=D&xml=/sport/2004/12/05/sfgbla05.xml

Blackburn (0) 0 Tottenham (0) 1

This was a tale of two strike forces. Blackburn's all-Scots combination of Paul Dickov and Paul Gallagher were full of hustle, bustle and fury which signified nothing in comparison to Tottenham's slick pair of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane who always threatened to pounce.

In the event, it was Keane, the Republic of Ireland striker, who took the plaudits here last night, his 55th-minute goal sufficient to settle the contest and plunge Blackburn back into the relegation quagmire.

After their penalty shoot-out defeat by Liverpool last Wednesday, this was an impressive riposte from Martin Jol's team while counterpart Mark Hughes must go back to the drawing board after a run of five games unbeaten came to a sad end.

The big question for travelling fans was how Spurs would react to their midweek disappointment against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Tired legs and bruised morale could easily have been in evidence early on but, in fact, it was the visitors who carved out the first real chance. A neat build-up culminated in Defoe finding space to drill in a shot but it was fired straight at Brad Friedel who calmly pouched the ball.

Blackburn, anxious to build on their impressive diplay at Craven Cottage the week before, were slow to get into their stride and posed little threat before Tottenham again broke clear, Robbie Keane's effort taking a deflection before bouncing away for a corner.

The home side's frustration was reflected in a typical loss of temper by the abrasive Dickov. First he followed through in a challenge on Ledley King, sending the England defender hurtling into the advertising hoardings and receiving a warning. Then he flattened Noureddine Naybet two minutes later to earn an inevitable booking.

The best Rovers could manage in attack in an untidy first period was a wayward volley from defender Andy Todd while Spurs almost sneaked ahead when Keane slipped a delicious pass through to Defoe, Friedel reacting brilliantly to divert the angled drive over with his foot.

The normally mild-mannered Hughes would have been forgiven for losing his cool at half-time and, whatever form his pep talk took, it had the desired effect on Gallagher who, within, seconds of the restart forced a fine save from Paul Robinson from Dickov's cross. But it was an all too brief resurgence.

Tugay, epitomising his side's lack of heart, was muscled off the ball by Michael Brown who embarked on a marauding run, shaking off Brett Emerton and Todd before squaring the ball back for Keane to stab in. The customary cartwheel celebrations followed and Hughes, evidently still dissatisfied with Gallagher's contribution, immediately replaced him with Jay Bothroyd. Tugay soon suffered the same fate with David Thompson entering the action.

Thompson tried to make his mark but could muster only a shot from distance that did not seriously trouble Robinson.

[Justin]

www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1784_200047,00.html

Keane strike sinks Rovers

Robbie Keane proved the difference between the sides as Tottenham secured a vital 1-0 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Keane pounced 11 minutes into the second period after fine work from Michael Brown to give Martin Jol back to back wins in the Premiership and subsequently end Rovers' five-match unbeaten run.

Jermain Defoe showed nimble feet early on to create an opening after picking up possession from Keane but though his snap-shot was on target, Brad Friedel was well positioned to make a comfortable save.

Keane, full of flicks and step-overs, was twice thwarted at the last moment by Andy Todd and Craig Short, then Steven Reid burst down the right only to be crudely halted by Thimothee Atouba when a chance on goal beckoned for Blackburn.

There was a nervous moment for Friedel when Keane tried his luck on the run and his 25-yard drive took a big deflection and wrong-footed the American goalkeeper but bounced past the post.

Spurs kept the pressure on with a series of corners, the last of which saw Ledley King rise to win the ball but the England defender could not direct his header on target.

And the visitors finished the half the stronger, with Friedel parrying a left-footed shot from Michael Brown and then turning a Defoe effort onto the roof of the net after saving the ball with his outstretched boot.

But it was Blackburn who started the second half the brightest, Paul Dickov firing just wide of Paul Robinson's goal after a quick-fire move.

But as Rovers continued to press, Spurs took the lead after 56 minutes when Brown ran half the length of the field before squaring the ball across the area for Keane to fire a first-time strike low past Friedel.

Blackburn tried to hit back and substitute Jay Bothroyd saw a header drop inches wide, while at the other end Defoe warmed Friedel's palms with a stinging drive.

Rovers almost snatched an equaliser with 15 minutes to go when Noureddine Naybet cleared off the line as Bothroyd prepared to pounce.

Spurs finished the match the stronger and deservedly held on to claim all three points against Mark Hughes' side.

[Justin]

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4047623.stm

Blackburn 0-1 Tottenham


Spurs won for the first time away in the league under new coach Martin Jol.

Robbie Keane scored the game's only goal on 56 minutes with a cool finish after a superb run from Michael Brown.

Blackburn had plenty of possession, but none of their strikers could replicate Keane's finishing, though Paul Robinson made a good save from Paul Gallagher.

Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel also played well, the American saving twice from Jermain Defoe as well as diving low to save Pedro Mendes' effort.

Keane's goal was well-taken, but it was the way it was created by Brown that really caught the eye.

The Spurs midfielder picked the ball up in his own half, shrugged off Tugay's tackle and then foul, before ending up in the box after going past Nils-Eric Johansson and Andy Todd.

Having waited for support, Brown slipped the ball to Keane, who rammed his shot past Brad Friedel.

Just before and after Keane's goal, Friedel made good saves from Mendes and Defore.

Both sides have enjoyed less than auspicious starts to the season and that faltering form was very much in evidence in a disjointed first-half.

Paul Dickov's combative presence in the Blackburn attack proved a major irritant to the Spurs defence, primarily due to his fiesty tackling.

Ledley King, Nourredine Naybet and Thimothee Atouba were all to feel the force of Dickov's never-say-die attitude.

Dickov's tackle on King particularly infuriated the Spurs defence and soon after the Scot earned a yellow card for his challenge on Naybet.

While Dickov hustled and bustled, Keane and and his striking partner Defoe, provided an altogether different perspective on the art of forward play.

Defoe's clever dummy allowed him to work some space but the England international shot straight at Friedel.

Keane then ended a run with a shot which took a deflection that went narrowly wide.

Friedel's best save in the first-half was with his feet, when the American got down to divert a Defoe shot over the bar after the Spurs striker had been released by Keane.

Just before the interval Barry Ferguson flighted the ball over to Craig Short from a free-kick.

The Blackburn defender guided a header into the path of his central defensive partner Todd, who volleyed wide.

In the opening period Paul Robinson had not had to make a save, but immediately after the restart the England goalkeeper made a superb one-handed save to deny Gallagher.

The young Blackburn striker was soon replaced by Jay Boothroyd, a reflection of Blackburn's laboured efforts in attack.

However Spurs did have to survive one nervy moment when Naybet had to react swiftly to clear off the line a Todd header.

[Justin]

soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=153499&cc=5739


Robbie Keane continued Tottenham's recovery with a crucial strike as Spurs shaded a close contest with Blackburn 1-0.

The shoots of a revival which were visible after last week's win over Middlesbrough are now blossoming - and full marks to head coach Martin Jol who looks to have sewn the seeds of a team who are growing into hardy annuals.


The defeat also brought Blackburn back down to earth after a five-match unbeaten run, although they stay out of the relegation zone as the bottom three in the Barclays Premiership all lost as well.


There are plenty of similarities between Rovers and Tottenham. Both have managers who took over several weeks into the season, both play a passing game and both concentrate on being difficult to beat.

It is in attack, however, that the similarities end. Spurs have two first-class internationals in Keane and Jermain Defoe, while Blackburn have a hard-working honest pro and young forwards trying to make a name for themselves.

That difference in quality gave Tottenham the crucial edge in attack, while Noureddine Naybet was fantastic for the visitors in defence.

There was an evenness about the contest in the opening exchanges, but Defoe showed nimble feet to create an opening after picking up possession from Keane and though his snap-shot was on target, Brad Friedel was well-positioned to make a comfortable save.

Keane, full of flicks and step-overs, was twice thwarted at the last moment by Andy Todd and Craig Short. Then Steven Reid burst down the right, only to be crudely halted by Thimothee Atouba when a chance on goal beckoned for Blackburn.

There was a nervous moment for Friedel when Keane tried his luck on the run and his 25-yard drive took a big deflection and wrong-footed the American keeper but bounced past the post.

Spurs kept the pressure on with a series of corners, the last of which saw Ledley King rise to win the ball, but the England defender could not direct his header on target.

Paul thingyov earned himself a booking for one tigerish challenge too many when he caught Naybet, but Blackburn continued to press and Tugay's defence-piercing cross looked destined to reach Brett Emerton at the far post, only for Pedro Mendes to make a vital interception.

Michael Brown conceded a needless free-kick on the edge of his own penalty area, Blackburn took it quickly and Short headed back Emerton's pass to Todd, who caught the ball on the volley from 20 yards out, but it flew just wide of the post.

Brown was then in action at the other end, turning well before striking a rising drive that Friedel first parried before he caught the loose ball.

Keane and Defoe combined brilliantly and only the excellence of Friedel kept the game scoreless. Keane slipped an intuitive pass inside Todd and Defoe timed his run to perfection before firing back across goal, Friedel just managing to stretch out his boot to send the ball spinning onto the roof of the net.

Paul Gallagher had hardly had a sniff in the first half, but within seconds of the restart he had brought a flying save out of Paul Robinson. thingyov wriggled down the left and crossed just behind his fellow Scot, but Gallagher swivelled and hooked in a shot which Robinson tipped away for a corner.

Barry Ferguson hit a direct free-kick against the wall after Gallagher had been body-checked by Naybet. Then Friedel did well to hold a stinging drive from Mendes with Keane sniffing around for any easy pickings.

When the goal came in the 56th minute it was somewhat against the run of play and owed everything to Brown's persistence.

The midfielder first held off Tugay and then ran 30 yards across goal, eluding Johansson, before waiting for reinforcements and then delivering the perfect square ball for Keane to ram past Friedel.

Hughes immediately sent on Jay Bothroyd for Gallagher and he showed his value by leaping above King to reach Emerton's cross, but his header bounced down and wide.

However, as the home side searched for an equaliser so the space opened up in their defence. Not for the first time, Rovers were grateful to Todd for denying Defoe a scoring chance before the little England striker brought another top-quality save out of Friedel from 18 yards.

Short blocked a Keane shot. Then Naybet prevented a certain equaliser with a tremendous block on the goal-line as David Thompson slid onto Todd's header.

Thompson sent a couple of 30-yard shots dipping over the bar, before Bothroyd was wildly off-target with a volley from similar range.

Reid and thingyov both had half-chances in injury-time, but Robinson held out and the points were Tottenham's.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol hailed tonight's 1-0 Barclays Premiership win at Blackburn as the culmination of a 'terrific' week for his club.

Spurs - who went out of the Carling Cup on penalties at home to Liverpool in midweek but got the better of Middlesbrough in the league before that - were indebted to Robbie Keane for the winning goal at Ewood Park.

The victory kept them comfortably clear of the likes of Rovers in lower mid-table, and Jol was relieved to have banked another three points.

'That was very important,' he told Sky Premiership Plus.

'We were a bit worried beforehand, but I thought we did well and looked the better team.'

Jol admitted to some concern as Tottenham played down the clock to protect their lead.

'After the goal you could see we had some confidence. The only thing was we did look a bit laid-back, maybe a bit complacent,' he said.

The Dutchman nonetheless sees this victory as another step in the right direction for the north Londoners.

'We have a new team and we have to improve our football,' he said.

'We have not done as well as we should in recent years and are having to start over again - but we have had a terrific week.' .....errr, Jol, what about those 120min on Wed night?
__________________________________________

Okay, I know it's late but may be some of you will still want to read the reports. Let me know whether anyone dislike the idea of posting match reports.

[drAzmi]

Good reads. Thanks Justin.

[footieken]

um, i'm confused. a case of too many reports read, i guess. ;D

[Justin]

Take your time...

Btw, this board applies a swear filter, d.i.c.k. will change to thingy, hence D.i.c.k.o.v. will become thingyov ;D

[footieken]

Justin said:

Take your time...

Btw, this board applies a swear filter, d.i.c.k. will change to thingy, hence D.i.c.k.o.v. will become thingyov ;D

oh goodie...a clean forum. honestly, i dun swear. takut mak bubuh cili..

er...thingyov? erm, ok... i dun blame atouba for karate-ing(ok, so i exaggerate) thingyov...he's mean! ;D