Manchester Utd 1-0 Tottenham
---------------------Robinson-----------------------Chimbonda--Dawson--King--A.Ekotto--
--Ghaly--Jenas--Zokora--Davids--Mido--
-----------------------Keane-----------------------
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Ronaldo (Silvestre 90), Carrick (Fletcher 79), O'Shea, Richardson (Park 70), Giggs, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Solskjaer.
Booked: Richardson, Evra.
Goals: Giggs (9).
Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King (Murphy 81), Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Zokora, Davids (Ziegler 57), Ghaly, Keane (Defoe 57), Mido.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Huddlestone.
Booked: Ghaly, Mido.
Att: 75,453.
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctULhE51SRs
A defeat at Old Trafford consigned Spurs to their worst ever Premiership start, but there were plenty of positives in what was arguably the best performance of the season so far, particularly given the relative standard of the opposition in the only other passable performance against Sheffield United. Eager to avoid being ripped apart by an on form United, as Fulham had been on the opening weekend, Jol went with five across midfield with the returning Mido playing from the left and compatriot Hossam Ghaly making his debut on the right. Keane was given the hopeless task of winning the aerial balls from defence and certainly looked unhappy and off the pace for the majority of his hour on the pitch.
In general though, Jol's containing tactics worked as United were unable to establish any attacking rhythm. Their breakthrough came from another Robinson error, this time patting Ronaldo's free kick straight into the danger area where Giggs duly finished. Robinson would probably attribute his action to the swerve and pace of the ball and the glare of the late afternoon sun, but the truth is he should have punched the ball rather than palmed it and increased the likelihood of the ball clearing the danger area. Whilst he made two good, if fairly routine, saves later in the game, there are growing concerns about Robinson's form. Though he has always looked vulnerable coming off his line, shot stopping is regarded as one of the England number one's strengths, yet he has been embarrassed twice already this term from range.
The second half saw Mido pushed up front and, on the hour, Defoe and Ziegler joining the action to replace the poor Davids and Keane. Defoe made an instant impact, but failed to live up to that initial promise and his threat disappeared as the game progressed. His best chance came from an excellent move and cross from the left by Assou-Ekotto, but he somehow manager to send his header over the bar from six yards despite being unmarked. Mido too managed to miss two chances that a player of his heading ability should have put away. The first was created by Ghaly, who having waited so long to make his debut seemed determined to make an impression. The Egyptian midfielder played with drive both offensively and defensively, and displayed a willingness to look forward and be positive in his passing which has been lacking in Spurs' midfield, particularly in the absence of Tainio who was rested for this game along with Lee Young Pyo.
Ultimately, this was another game against the 'big' sides where Spurs played well but came away with less than their performance deserved. It is becoming a habit under Jol, and if he really is to live up to the hype he will have to find a way of solving the conundrum. Generally, this was a better performance by the Dutchman. His tactics would probably have been enough to earn a point but for a goalkeeping error, and his substitutions (an area where he has earned due criticism) were well judged here. He has some way to go if last season's 'successes' are to be replicated, but certainly there were enough signs of improvement from him and his team at Old Trafford to suggest progress is underway.
Spurs' man of the match: Pascal Chimbonda - a faultess display from the debutant. If he can continue to play to this level, particularly defensively, I will have been happily proved wrong in my doubts about his transfer. Put the memories of bad performances against United for Wigan behind him and began to justify Spurs' long pursuit of him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctULhE51SRs
A defeat at Old Trafford consigned Spurs to their worst ever Premiership start, but there were plenty of positives in what was arguably the best performance of the season so far, particularly given the relative standard of the opposition in the only other passable performance against Sheffield United. Eager to avoid being ripped apart by an on form United, as Fulham had been on the opening weekend, Jol went with five across midfield with the returning Mido playing from the left and compatriot Hossam Ghaly making his debut on the right. Keane was given the hopeless task of winning the aerial balls from defence and certainly looked unhappy and off the pace for the majority of his hour on the pitch.
In general though, Jol's containing tactics worked as United were unable to establish any attacking rhythm. Their breakthrough came from another Robinson error, this time patting Ronaldo's free kick straight into the danger area where Giggs duly finished. Robinson would probably attribute his action to the swerve and pace of the ball and the glare of the late afternoon sun, but the truth is he should have punched the ball rather than palmed it and increased the likelihood of the ball clearing the danger area. Whilst he made two good, if fairly routine, saves later in the game, there are growing concerns about Robinson's form. Though he has always looked vulnerable coming off his line, shot stopping is regarded as one of the England number one's strengths, yet he has been embarrassed twice already this term from range.
The second half saw Mido pushed up front and, on the hour, Defoe and Ziegler joining the action to replace the poor Davids and Keane. Defoe made an instant impact, but failed to live up to that initial promise and his threat disappeared as the game progressed. His best chance came from an excellent move and cross from the left by Assou-Ekotto, but he somehow manager to send his header over the bar from six yards despite being unmarked. Mido too managed to miss two chances that a player of his heading ability should have put away. The first was created by Ghaly, who having waited so long to make his debut seemed determined to make an impression. The Egyptian midfielder played with drive both offensively and defensively, and displayed a willingness to look forward and be positive in his passing which has been lacking in Spurs' midfield, particularly in the absence of Tainio who was rested for this game along with Lee Young Pyo.
Ultimately, this was another game against the 'big' sides where Spurs played well but came away with less than their performance deserved. It is becoming a habit under Jol, and if he really is to live up to the hype he will have to find a way of solving the conundrum. Generally, this was a better performance by the Dutchman. His tactics would probably have been enough to earn a point but for a goalkeeping error, and his substitutions (an area where he has earned due criticism) were well judged here. He has some way to go if last season's 'successes' are to be replicated, but certainly there were enough signs of improvement from him and his team at Old Trafford to suggest progress is underway.
Spurs' man of the match: Pascal Chimbonda - a faultess display from the debutant. If he can continue to play to this level, particularly defensively, I will have been happily proved wrong in my doubts about his transfer. Put the memories of bad performances against United for Wigan behind him and began to justify Spurs' long pursuit of him.
posted by bankrupt | 2:32 AM
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