Source: SKY_Sports
Spurs hold mighty Barca
A late equaliser from substitute Jake Livermore ensured Tottenham held European Champions Barcelona on the opening day of the Wembley Cup.[LNB] Barcelona controlled proceedings in the first half, with Yaya Toure particularly impressive in the heart of their midfield as teenage prodigy Bojan gave the Catalan giants a half time lead.[LNB]A host of changes at half time disrupted the flow of Barcelona's game allowing the English side back into the game in the second half. [LNB]It did, however, take them until the 83rd minute as Jake Livermore crashed a header past Jose Pinto in the Barcelona goal.[LNB]Tottenham sit joint second in the group alongside Barcelona, with Celtic leading the way after their 5-0 drubbing of Egyptian side Al-Ahly earlier in the day.[LNB]ChancesPedro Rodriguez offered the first threat on goal on 20 minutes when his tricky step-over fooled Benoit Assou-Ekotto, creating room to drill a low shot at the near post only to be palmed away by the impressive Carlo Cudicini.[LNB]The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes however as Toure bulldozed through the Spurs midfield before Tom Huddlestone's tackle knocked the ball into the path of Bojan who duly slotted low past Cudicini.[LNB]The half was somewhat dominated by the European Champions, however Spurs were not without their moments and were almost on level terms as Luka Modric's deflected shot struck the bar on 39 minutes.[LNB]The Croat latched onto a delightfully weighted pass from Wilson Palacios and struck a powerful shot which was deflected onto the upright with Albert Jorquera beaten in the Barcelona goal.[LNB]Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola sent out an entirely new team for the second half while Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp made just four changes at the break, including youngster Kyle Naughton, who joined from Sheffield United on Wednesday.[LNB]Spurs began the restart in better fashion and endured much of the possession early in the half without seriously troubling the Barcelona goal.[LNB]Modric almost capitalised on a spill by stand-in keeper Pinto after some good work on the right flank from Aaron Lennon, but the Spaniard recovered to clear the danger.[LNB]EqualiserThe equaliser finally came on 83 minutes and on the basis of play in the second half, it was no more than Spurs deserved.[LNB]A disguised short corner was stroked towards the unmarked Assou-Ekotto who had time to deliver a delicious whipping cross which was met with venom by 19-year-old substitute Livermore.[LNB]The teenager had only been on the pitch two minutes before bringing his side level to the delight of his team-mates. [LNB]Spurs upped the tempo for the final minutes as they sensed a win but were unable to breakdown the Barcelona defence as both sides saw out the draw on the opening day of the tournament.[LNB]
