Source: Telegraph
Tottenham 2 Liverpool 1: match report
Liverpool’s highly-anticipated attempt to wrest the title off Manchester United began in disappointing fashion at White Hart Lane today when Sebastien Bassong scored his first goal in English football to earn Tottenham Hotspur an opening day win.
Bassong, signed from Newcastle for £8 million, rose to head the winning goal in the 59th minutes soon after Steven Gerrard had cancelled the first-half opener, from Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp took the surprise decision of leaving former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on the bench, preferring another ex-Anfield man, Robbie Keane.
Spurs finally created a chance after 30 minutes when Wilson Palacios crossed from the right, Luca Modric returned the ball and Robbie Keane was thwarted by Pepe Reina. Minutes later Modric was the provider again – and again Keane was denied by Reina, the goalkeeper saving with his left hand.
The frustration continued when Tom Huddlestone offered Keane another chance but this time the Irishman swept the ball high into the stands.
However, in the 44th minute, Martin Skrtel, in the wars throughout, was penalized for clashing with Wilson Palacios. Huddlestone’s free-kick struck the defensive wall but Assou-Ekotto, some 25 yards out, returned the ball in delightful fashion, finding the top corner.
It was the French-born Cameroon international’s first career goal, in 152 appearances, but it was worth the wait.
But in the 56th minute, Liverpool leveled when Glen Johnson was fouled by Heurelho Gomes and Gerrard converted the rebound.
However, within three minutes, Spurs regained their lead when, from another good free-kick from Modric, Bassong rose ahead of Johnson and Jamie Carragher to head claim a debut goal.
Crouch came on with 23 minutes left, for Keane, and Spurs held on to hand Liverpool their first opening day defeat for six years, though they appealed for two more penalties before the end for a challenge, by Assou-Ekotto, on Andriy Voronin and then, when Fernando Torres’ cross appeared to hit the same player’s arm.
And in the final minutes Sammy Lee, the Liverpool coach, was sent off by refere Phil Dowd for disputing the controversial decisions.
