Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham 1 Spurs 1: Ridgewell scores late to vex Harry Redknapp
A strange, frustrating day for Harry Redknapp and Tottenham. They pay Portsmouth £5million for Younes Kaboul - thus doing the manager'sformer club a favour and keeping them out of administration - to shoreup their defence ahead of a battle for the fourth Champions Leaguespot, then concede an added-time equaliser that undermines their chances. [LNB]Ending a four-game goal drought, Jermain Defoe looked to have broughtrelief to Spurs and Fabio Capello on a day when the England managerneeded some, his 17th of the season also looking to have confirmedTottenham's status as leading characters in the sub-plot for fourthplace. [LNB]Then came a late lapse that let in Liam Ridgewell for a barely deservedBirmingham City equaliser and cast fresh doubt on Spurs' ability tolast the course, mentally and physically. [LNB] Sickener for Spurs: Liam Ridgewell of celebrates as Michael Dawson looks dejected[LNB] [LNB]'We deserved to win,' lamented Redknapp.'They were not in the gameuntil we scored, then we sat off and invited them back in it.' [LNB]Birmingham boss Alex McLeish countered: 'Harry will be feeling the wayI did at White Hart Lane earlier in the season. We got hit by a suckergoal in the last minute against the run of play and were a bit soreabout that, so over the course of the two games this was the least wedeserved.' [LNB]The City manager will not be fooled, however. They cannot keep mining a seam of defensive organisation and pinching a goal on the break - just 10 goals now in 12 home games - and need a striker with more finishing capability.[LNB] It is unlikely to be Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline, however. [LNB]Newly moneyed Blues have bid £10m but Redknapp said there was 'no chance' of adeal for a man who cost Spurs £15m. [LNB]It is a tough position - if one that many managers might envy - for McLeish. [LNB] Fine strike: Jermain Defoe fires Spurs ahead[LNB] [LNB]Yesterday he named an unchanged side for the 11th consecutive time and while he may be reluctant to disturb the teamspirit and panic-buy, he knows that his side are in need of freshening. [LNB]And, for all their willingness, with more clinical strikers than Cameron Jerome and 'Chucho' Benitez. That much was seen when Benitez turned Michael Dawson but shot straight at Heurelho Gomes. [LNB]With five-goal leading scorer LeeBowyer, also shooting weakly and Gomes saving comfortably early on, Birmingham fired blanks. [LNB]Spurs were the more dangerous, with Luka Modric's trickery around thepenalty box causing problems. [LNB] Jumping for joy: Jermain Defoe celebrates opening the scoring[LNB]The Croat was wasteful, though, whenDavid Bentley's low cross arrived at his feet and he swivelled to shootwide. [LNB]Bentley, out of favour for much of the season but getting his chanceafter an injury to Aaron Lennon, was clearly fired by his midweek goalagainst Fulham and came close to another, Hart twice turning shots round the post. With Peter Crouch also dragging a shot horribly wide, Spurs grew frustrated.[LNB] Then Gareth Bale, enjoying a run in the side and responding well,escaped again down the left for a cross that Crouch stooped to flickon. Defoe latched on to it instantly to drive home from around 10yards. [LNB] Level pegging: Peter Crouch battles for the ball with Birmingham City's Sebastian Larsson [LNB] It was typical of him. He had done little hitherto but pouncedwhen necessary. Soon he would be replaced by Robbie Keane.[LNB]When Bentley was also withdrawn, Birmingham finally got some joy down their own left flank. JamesMcFadden crossed, Jerome headed back across goal and Ridgewell turnedit home. [LNB]'Horrendous goal,' moaned Redknapp, unable to mention Vedran Corluka's name as the culpable party but complaining that the right-back had gonewalkabout.[LNB] Birmingham make fresh moves for Ryan Babel and Roman PavlyuchenkoInjured Spurs winger Aaron Lennon a doubt for World Cup finals this summerBIRMINGHAM CITY FC
