Tottenham get stage fright and Liverpool go back to basics as normal service is resumed

21 January 2010 12:06
Follow thedailybung on Twitter. Trust us, there's literally nothing better on the rest of the internet...[LNB]THE DAILY BUNG'S LUNCHTIME HEADLINES [LNB] Related ArticlesWenger 'sorry' for Gallas tackle on DaviesNeville to escape FA actionAllardyce: referee error cost us final placeKop stands by Benitez and reaps rewardLiverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0Benitez: Liverpool back in Champions League raceArsène Wenger has apologised to Bolton's Mark Davies for William Gallas decorating his ankle with his studs in the build up to Arsenal's equaliser in their 4-2 win last night, 'if the tackle was not good'. Words of contrition, however half hearted, are as yet unforthcoming from the Arsenal fans who cheered as he was stretchered off soon after. [LNB]-- [LNB]The FA will not bring charges against Manchester United malcontent Gary Neville for his one fingered salute to Carlos Tévez during their Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester City. Though they are still considering sticking their tongues under their bottom lips and slapping their chins while pointing at Red Nev and going ddeeuuuuurrgggh for a bit. [LNB]-- [LNB]And Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has proved yet again his unerring ability to bring anger, rage and bitterness to any given situation by reducing a barnstorming 10-goal thriller to an attack on a match official. 'The major part of us not getting through to the [Carling Cup] final is the referee, no question about it,' said Allardyce, though conceding seven goals over two legs probably contributed, too. [LNB]--- [LNB]ON THE ROAD TO NOWHERE[LNB]When the tannoy announcer at Anfield urged those present for Liverpool's restorative victory over fourth place rivals Tottenham last night to 'stand by for Operation Anfield Exercise' the Bung edged forward on our seat expecting an Iranian Embassy siege style taking of the stadium by masked men swinging down from the roof tops. Or, better still, a half time performance from the Australian outdoor aerobics team that fill one or more of Sky Sports' channels in the dreary hinterland between night and morning. [LNB]But nothing came. It was all a bit of a disappointment. Much like Tottenham's habitually doomed attempt to break in to the elite of English football once more. [LNB]Spurs took to the field last night as the holders of the fourth spot that we are contractually bound to describe as coveted. Four points clear of their opponents, victory would have forged a chasm between themselves and Rafa Benitez's side. [LNB]And it seemed a good time to play them. Liverpool are currently in about as rude health as Kerry Katona's TV career and about as credible as the jazz salts enthusiast and one time hawker of 25-piece frozen barbecue meat packs for the poor and lazy. No Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres, confidence as low as the Kop's opinion of Tom Hicks Jnr, they were there to be had. [LNB]But when the opportunity presented itself Spurs bottled it. As they always do when facing a big team away from home. [LNB]The last time Spurs beat Liverpool at Anfield Ossie Ardiles was manager, though soon to be on his way from Tottingham to Guadalajara. That was in 1993. In 66 attempts since, Spurs have failed to earn a league victory at Anfield, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or Highbury/Emirates Stadium. [LNB]It's a sorry record and perhaps instructive in trying to work out why a team filled with such brio and attacking fluency is destined forever to be the bridesmaid and never the blushing bride. [LNB]Spurs themselves suffered a notable absentee. Aaron Lennon's searing pace and endeavour could not have been more conspicuous by its absence if the Spurs team had worn get well soon messages to the injured winger on their shirts and sported go faster stripes in their hair as an act of solidarity. [LNB]Liverpool deserved their victory not through outplaying their opponents but simply by hustling and harrying them, working their way through a desperate state of form and coming out the other side with the chance to claim their season has been reborn, being as they now are just a single point behind Spurs and Manchester City, the new best team in Manchester, though, having a game in hand. [LNB]It was an opportunity squandered of a scale that would have made Emile Heskey, in full barn door avoidance mode, blush. [LNB]Jermain Defoe was denied what looked a legitimate goal to make it 1-1 and the visitors were always a spark of invention away from getting something out of the match, but none came and they didn't. [LNB]Before the game Spurs were being praised for the terrific season they have had, while hands were being wrung about the monumental implosion and falling to their knees of Liverpool. Yet, at the end of the match, there is no more than a cigarette paper between their league performance to date. [LNB]That tells you all you kneed to know about the relative standing of the two sides today, where fourth is success and fifth is nothing. The reaction to their differing circumstances Liverpool rolling their sleeves up and getting on with it; Tottenham getting stage fright, again, suggests they are by no means certain to be trading places at the end of the season. [LNB]--- [LNB]Follow thedailybung on Twitter. Trust us, there's literally nothing better on the rest of the internet...[LNB]

Source: Telegraph