Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham

----------------------Robinson----------------------
-Chimbonda---Dawson---King---A.Ekotto-
---Jenas-----Murphy----Zokora-----Tainio---
-----------------Keane--------Defoe----------------

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso (Carragher 84), Sissoko, Gonzalez (Aurelio 77), Bellamy (Luis Garcia 68), Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Crouch.

Booked: Hyypia.

Goals: Gonzalez (63), Kuyt (73), Riise (89).

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Murphy (Mido 79), Zokora, Tainio (Davids 61), Keane, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Lee, Huddlestone.

Att: 44,330

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r9QHjhDVJQ

Once again under Jol, Spurs put in a decent performance against a top four side but failed to find a victory and once again this season Spurs’ failure to take their chances cost them. Murphy retained his place in central midfield and put in his best display in a Spurs shirt, though still looking a little too lightweight to play in a central midfield two. Mido was dropped and Defoe returned to partner Keane, but neither of the diminutive forwards really did enough to justify the decision.

The turning point in the game, after an hour where Spurs held their own and created some decent chances, came when Davids, on as sub broke onto Defoe’s excellent through ball to centre the ball to Jenas. With the the goal at his mercy, Jenas somehow managed to slice the ball wide. Even taking into account the 80 yard sprint he had made to get on the end of the move it was a shocking miss. Liverpool almost immediately went up the other end and scored, essentially striking a psychological double blow on Spurs and killing the tie as a contest.

Assou-Ekotto, who has had a decent start to his Spurs career, was at fault for both the first and second goals, whilst Robinson should have made the task of finishing both goals more difficult for Gonzalez and Kuyt. Otherwise the defensive performance was again pretty good, with Dawson and King’s partnership bringing solidity and Chimbonda continuing to look good value for money. Unfortunately, the continuing lack of ruthlessness in the box means that the poor start to the season continues.

Spurs’ man of the match: Danny Murphy – although it is unclear whether the level of his performance was proving a point to Spurs fans or the Liverpool fans that gave him a warm welcome on his return, Murphy did offer the link up and incisive passing in the final third that has been lacking in recent weeks.