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  • Date:2008-11-23
  • Kick-off:13:30
  • Venue:White Hart Lane
  • Attendance:35903
  • Referee:Webb, H

Live Commentary

93mins

Full Time: Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn. The final whistle goes and Tottenham hold on to a lead given to them by Pavluychenko early on. Olsson's dismissal killed Blackburn's chances in this one and Tottenham well worthy of their win.

91mins

A moment of panic for Gomes as a long ball is flicked on by Samba and almost turned in over Gomes by the outstretched back heel of Santa Cruz but it goes wide of the target.

89mins

A long ball onto the head of Santa Cruz is headed down into a dangerous area and a touch of hesitation from Woodgate and Gomes but in the end the keeper makes it his.

89mins

Equally so, Andrews is cautioned.

89mins

Sensible refereeing from Howard Webb as he cautions Jenas for his part in the incident.

88mins

Its all of a sudden got very heated after an argument breaks out between Andrews and Jenas. Jenas appeared lashed out as he came to his feet.

86mins

Jamie O'Hara comes on to replace David Bentley who has had a mixed game. O'Hara will provide a little more defensive insticnt as Tottenham look to hold on to this lead.

85mins

Bentley and Jenas work the corner short, Bentley eventually whips the ball into the front post where Campbell is rising to meet it but he glances the ball just wide! Great chance to seal the points for Spurs.

84mins

Campbell does well to hold up a loose ball and pick out Bent who tries to cut the ball back to Lennon but Samba is there to head the ball away. Corner for Spurs.

82mins

Lennon cuts inside from the left and into the area, he bends it towards the far corner but Robinson is able to catch the strike.

82mins

A mazey run from Campbell allows him to break to the byline and try to find Bent but his cross is just off target as Bent cannot reach it and Blackburn survuve again.

81mins

Pedersen is withdrawn after a dismal display. Keith Treacy is his replacement on the wing.

81mins

As we go into the last ten minutes Spurs will be nervous that they haven't made their pressure tell as Blackburn are still in this game.

80mins

Simpson earns a free-kick after a foul from Huddlestone - A good chance for Blackburn to load up the box from this deep delivery - It's poor from Pedersen and Tottenham clear easily.

77mins

Corluka tries his luck from long range, he doesn't make good contact but Samba is forced into a clearance that he slices behind for a corner.

75mins

The goalscorer Pavluychenko is replaced by the pacey and in form Fraizer Campbell who will pose a different threat to the Rovers defence.

74mins

Long ball from Robinson finds the head of Santa Cruz who knocks it down to Pedersen coming on to the ball on the edge of the box but his right-footed shot is skewed well wide.

72mins

Wonderful flicked pass from Bentley in behind Nelsen into the path of Bent but the centre-half did very well to get back in and touch the ball away from the striker.

71mins

Brett Emerton is withdrawn for the more forward thinking Matt Derbyshire who will help to support the rather jaded looking Santa Cruz as Blackburn hope for an equaliser.

70mins

Bentley bends the free-kick in towards the far post onto the head of Woodgate who can only head over from close range under pressure from Ooijer.

69mins

Andre Ooijer becomes the second Blackburn player to be cautioned for an unnecessary foul on Bentley in the corner.

67mins

Blackburn just can't keep hold of the ball at the moment and Tottenham are just camped in their half putting them under intense pressure.

66mins

Once again Huddlestone pulling the strings with a long ball to Lennon on the right who creates a yard before whipping in a cross but Robinson catches comfortably.

65mins

Huddlestone is teed up by Bentley to drive at goal but the defenders read the play and make an early block.

64mins

Superb passing from Tottenham and Huddlestone plays a great diagonal ball into Assou-Ekotto who is fouled on the edge of the box by Nelsen.

62mins

Brilliant play from Lennon again who is on fire today as he squeezes the ball between Pedersen and Simpson but Simpson gets in well to make a superb recovering tackle just inside the box.

61mins

Rapid break away from Lennon as he runs the ball almost the length of the pitch before chipping the ball towards Pavluychenko at the back post ut Ooiher rises to flick it away for a corner.

60mins

Great passing move from Blackburn as Santa Cruz pulls the strings, finds Pedersen who looks to get to the byline and square but Corluka does well to close out the opportunity.

57mins

Lennon looking threatening again as he links up with Bentley and crosses from the left but Samba gets a head to it to deflect it away from Bent inside the box.

55mins

Bentley loses possession just outside the box but it breaks for Bent who shoots but Nelsen comes across to make a superb sliding challenge to deny the striker a clear shot at goal.

54mins

The corner is overhit and headed out as far as Huddlestone who again tries his luck and fires the shot dipping and swerving towards the top corner but it just misses the target.

54mins

Bentley takes too long trying to work a crossing position but Simpson's tackle sends the ball to Huddlestone who shoots from ranges, strikes it well but Samba gets a head to it to deflect it over.

52mins

Dangerous free-kick for Blackburn to defend from the right. Bentley delivers and it beats everyone but Pavluychenko who drives it back across from the far post but it ricochets away from the danger zone.

50mins

Andrews breaks into the Spurs half and slides the ball behind Assou-Ekotto into the path of Emerton but the full-back gets in to deflect the cross into the side netting with Santa Cruz in the middle.

47mins

A deep free-kick from Emerton drops just infront of the six yard box on the head of the unmarked Santa Cruz but his stooping header is no trouble for Gomes.

46mins

Half time change for Blackburn as Ince brings on the on-loan Danny Simpson to replace McCarthy. Obviously a reaction the dismissal of Olsson.

46mins

The second period is underway. Can Blackburn claw their way back into this one despite being a man down?

45mins

Half-Time: Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn. Pavluychenko's goal separates the side as the first half is brought to a close. Olsson's red makes matters worse for Rovers who have it all to do in the second half.

45mins

David Bentley is cautioned for simulation after a tackle from Mokoena. Replays suggest it was a foul but the theatrical fall earns Bentley a yellow.

44mins

Huddlestone concedes a free-kick within shooting range after fouling Andrews - Pedersen will fancy this - He strikes it well but King makes a block as it goes past the wall.

42mins

Blackburn are rocking here and must be praying for the half-time whistle to come as soon as possible. Tottenham come forward again with Assou-Ekotto but his low cross is well picked off by Robinson.

41mins

Lennon skips in behind Pedersen at left-back and fires the ball across the box but Nelsen is able to clear but Spurs have a corner - Bentley delivers, it's cleared as far as Huddlestone who volleys well over.

40mins

Bentley takes the free-kick and it is headed out to Lennon who drives it at goal, it takes a deflection but Robinson blocks with his legs and Blackburn scramble it away.

39mins

Aaron Lennon skips past Olsson again who slides in and takes out the winger. That's his second bookable offence and he is given his marching orders by Howard Webb.

36mins

Great opportunity for Blackburn as they counter with men over, Santa Cruz turns inside on the left and tries to pick out Emerton who is in acres of space on the edge of the box but he can't find him and Assou-Ekotto clears.

34mins

Aaron Lennon is played in one the half way line and drives towards the box, Pavluychenko and Bent drag the defenders away and Lennon has space to shoot left-footed but sends it wide of the mark.

30mins

Emerton takes a free-kick from deep on the left, swings it towards the penalty spot and Samba is there but he can't get the telling touch and Gomes gathers the ball.

28mins

Bentley will take from about 25 yards but he can only fire it into the wall which stands firm.

27mins

Olsson goes into the book after Mokoena gifts possession to Lennon who skips past Olsson before being brought down. No choice for Howard Webb but to book the full-back and Spurs have a free-kick.

26mins

Signs of Bent and Pavluychenko working well together as the Russian slides the ball into the feet of Bent and looks for the return but Bent couldn't get the ball out of his feet to play the pass in a dangerous area.

24mins

Olsson fires the ball in from deep on the left hand side with pace and dip and it finds McCarthy who sticks out a leg but sends the ball flashing over the crossbar. Gomes would have stood no chance there.

23mins

Andre Ooijer escapes a booking after a needless late foul on Bentley and Howard Webb warns the full-back that this is his last warning before he goes into the book.

19mins

Ooijer lifts the ball over Assou-Ekotto into the run of Emerton who beats Gomes to the ball and lifts it goalwards but Woodgate comes across to head the ball away before it made the goal. Heroic stuff from Woodgate to deny Emerton.

17mins

Nice feet from Bentley as he flicks it past Ooijer who brings down the winger to give Spurs a free-kick that Bentley will whip towards goal - He angles it towards Pavluychenko who rises to nod the ball on but it canons off the base of the post!

15mins

Both sides giving the ball away cheaply in the midfield at the moment much to the frustration of the fans and players alike.

12mins

Emerton lifts the ball into Santa Cruz who tries to turn it back into the danger zone but Woodgate reads it and makes the interception. Good defending from Spurs.

9mins

TOTTENHAM 1-0 BLACKBURN: Lennon wins the ball inside the Rovers half and races into the penalty area, he cuts it back to PAVLUYCHENKO who tucks it into the corner from close range.

8mins

Pedersen plays a neat one-two with Santa Cruz, coming on to his right foot and rifling the shot at Gomes' goal but it is straight at the keeper who makes the save.

7mins

Pedersen to deliver once again but Huddlestone heads away at the near post for another corner - Gomes punches this one away well to ironic cheers from the home fans.

6mins

First corner of the game as Emerton's cross deflects off Assou-Ekotto and behind - Pedersen delivers the ball and Gomes tries to catch under the bar and he fumbles but Corluka bails him out with a clearance for another corner.

2mins

Benni McCarthy runs the ball out of his own half and launches a long diagonal ball over the top of King and into the run of Santa Cruz but Woodgate and King close him out as he tries to control the ball.

1mins

Early pressure from Spurs as Assou-Ekotto whips the ball to Lennon who turns it back towards the far post but it is over Pavluychenko and Blackburn can clear.

0mins

Howard Webb is the man in charge of this fixture and with his whistle this match is underway.

0mins

Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Emerton, Andrews, Mokoena, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz

0mins

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko, Bent

0mins

Blackburn are struggling and will welcome the return from suspension of Olsen and Nelsen at the back. McCarthy and Emerton also return while Robinson starts against his old club.

0mins

With ten points from five games Tottenham are in form so it's no suprise to see both Pavluychenko and Bent start up top in a 4-4-2 formation.

0mins

Weclome to White Hart Lane where an in form Spurs take on a Blackburn side looking for their first win in seven games. A win for either side will lift them out of the bottom three.

Match Preview

Tottenham Hotspur versus Blackburn Rovers on Sunday will be a tale of two goalkeepers as Heurelho Gomes will come face-to-face with his predecessor, Paul Robinson.

Gomes has come under fire for a string of gaffes in recent weeks, with his latest clanger gifting Fulham their first goal in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

The Brazilian was heralded as the answer to the error-prone Robinson when he replaced the England keeper in an £8million transfer from PSV Eindhoven under the watch of former manager Juande Ramos during the summer.

But on recent evidence it would appear Blackburn - who picked up Robinson for a cut-price £3.5million - have fared better in the deal as their keeper has won a recall to the England fold on the back of his form.

However despite his problems at the back, Harry Redknapp has still enjoyed an astonishing start to life at White Hart Lane.

Spurs have won five and drawn one game in all competitions since he took charge at the end of October and they have moved off the foot of the table.

Such is the congested nature at the foot of the table that two victories would move them into a comfortable mid-table berth and thoughts could again begin to turn to finishing among the UEFA Cup qualifying places this season.

Redknapp though will be without Luka Modric for at least three weeks with a groin injury and the Croatia playmaker has joined Giovani Dos Santos (ankle) and Gilberto (knee) on the sidelines.

Blackburn are scratching for form as they prepare to make the journey south as Paul Ince's side are without a win in their last seven Premier League games.

Rovers slipped into the bottom three on the back of last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Sunderland and afterwards there were rumblings of discontent from the home fans so used to a comfortable mid-table existence under former boss Mark Hughes.

"I've been booed all my life," said Ince during the week. "I've been in the game for 20 years and boos don't worry me. But we'll go again."


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Match Report

Harry Redknapp's amazing start as Tottenham manager continued as Roman Pavlyuchenko fired the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers to help the north London club move out of the bottom three.

Redknapp has managed to completely transform the team following his arrival a month ago and has lifted any dark clouds that were hovering over White Hart Lane.

Despite a rare blip against Fulham last week, Redknapp has now seen his team win six of his opening eight games in charge.

The Spurs boss has somehow managed to lift the confidence among the players including Pavlyuchenko who is finally starting to show the form which made the club pay out £13.8million for his signature during the season.

The Russia striker has now netted four goals in his last four games and is showing that he can form a lethal partnership with Darren Bent in the Tottenham attack.

Blackburn's misery was compounded when Martin Olsson was sent off late in the first half for two bookable offences. Paul Ince's side have now gone eight league games with a win and must be wondering where their next victory is going to come from.

Despite bringing in former UEFA Cup hero Tony Parks as Tottenham's new goalkeeping coach, Heurelho Gomes was back to old tricks after just five minutes of the game.

The Brazilian keeper produced another fumble when he failed to deal with a corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Chris Samba almost knocked home the loose ball, but Vedran Coruluka just managed to clear the danger.

Blackburn were made to pay when Tottenham broke the deadlock on nine minutes.

Olsson was caught in possession by Aaron Lennon who raced away from the Blackburn defender and weaved his way into the box.

The England winger cut the ball back for Pavlyuckenko, who made no mistake striking the ball past Paul Robinson into the corner of the net.

The Russian striker came within a whisker of adding a second on 17 minutes.

David Bentley's free-kick picked out Pavlyuchenko, who rose above the Blackburn defence but saw his header cannon back off the post.

Rovers were almost gifted an equaliser on 18 minutes following another crazy piece of goalkeeping from Gomes.

The Tottenham keeper raced out of his goal but got nowhere near the ball. Brett Emerton lifted the ball over Gomes, but Jonathan Woodgate was on hand to stop Benni McCarthy nodding home.

McCarthy then blew a golden chance to bring his side level on 23 minutes.

Olsson's cross into the box fell to the South African striker who was unmarked, but he volleyed his effort inches over the bar.

Blackburn's task became even harder on 38 minutes when Olsson received his second yellow card of the game, following another reckless challenge on Lennon. Referee Howard Webb had no hesitation in brandishing the red card.

From the resulting free-kick, Lennon saw his shot deflect off Ryan Nelsen which forced a superb reflex save from Robinson.

After the interval the visitors came more and more into the game, but they were unable to forge many clear-cut openings to trouble Gomes further.

The best opening came early on in the second period, but Roque Santa Cruz's header was too close to the home keeper.

Tottenham should have sealed the victory on 84 minutes when Bentley's cross picked out Fraizer Campbell who was totally unmarked inside the box, but he flashed his close-range header wide of the post.

Tottenham Hotspur

Blackburn Rovers

Corners

66

Fouls

1515

Goal attempts

169

Shots off target

83

Offsides

23

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