Tottenham 1 Blackpool 1: Crazy Gomes goes from hero to zero in just 66 seconds

08 May 2011 00:04
Share[LNB]Unbelievable penalty drama, postmatch recriminations between big personalities. . . and the same old question about what on earth goes on inside the mind of error-riddled genius Heurelho Gomes.[LNB]Jermain Defoe's crisp strike in the 89th minute saved the day for Tottenham after Charlie Adam had finally scored with his second penalty in 66 seconds.But they would dearly have loved a win to maintain pressure on Manchester City. Manager Harry Redknapp spoke like a man now being forced to give up his quest for Champions League football next term.[LNB] Missing in action: Bale is a doubt for Spurs' remaining league games [LNB]Spurs might have taken all the points had Blackpool captain Adam not put Gareth Bale out of action after 63 minutes with a dreadful-looking challenge. Bale's swollen ankle appeared to be masking ligament damage, though only a scan will confirm the seriousness of the injury.Had Adam been red-carded instead of avoiding so much as a free-kick, we wouldn't have had quite the same amount of drama towards the end of this free-flowing delight.[LNB]There were barely 15 minutes left when Spurs skipper Michael Dawson, shoved from behind, stretched up a hand to deflect Adam's corner. Referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot.[LNB]Up stepped Adam, only for Gomes to save brilliantly, prompting spectacular celebrations among the Tottenham faithful and players alike. That, Redknapp suggested, was the problem.[LNB] Spot on: Charlie Adam's second-half penalty looked to have secured a crucial three points for Holloway's side [LNB] [LNB] 'Everyone lost their cool and got excited, jumping around, slapping each other on the back. Then the ball comes in and we don't deal with it.'More specifically, Gomes didn't deal with it. He spilled the resulting corner then brought down Gary Taylor-Fletcher as he attempted to make amends. Probert bravely awarded a second penalty,and the official's courage was more than matched by that of Adam. With no hesitation he grabbed the ball yet again, and this time sent Gomes the wrong way. [LNB]The Brazilian keeper, who had been both villain and hero in the space of seconds, was in despair.Bale had already suffered far worse. He thumped the turf in agony after Adam caused a split-secondbut terrible-looking distortion of the Welshman's left ankle.Bale was carried off and Redknapp said: 'His ankle is quite swollen and he may have damaged ligaments, we'll have to see.'[LNB] Down and out: Bale looks set to miss the remainder of the season after falling awkwardly on his left leg [LNB] [LNB]Blackpool prospered after that, until they were pulled back by Defoe's last-gasp equaliser. The men in tangerine still climbed out of the relegation zone again, but their manager predicted his teammight yet need something from Old Trafford on the last day.'Maybe Fergie will play himself and rest everyone else for the Champions League final,' joked Holloway.[LNB]'He told me he would, and I told him he'd still win! But I'm proud of my players and we're having a right go at staying up.'[LNB] Going down: Gomes (left) fouls Taylor-Fletcher to give away his side's second penalty in as many minutes [LNB] [LNB]Redknapp said: 'If that happens, they should make Holloway manager of the century.'However, he couldn't disguise his disappointment at Spurs' failure to capitalise on Manchester City'sdefeat at Everton. The occasion had demanded a more vigorous response, as Tottenham celebratedthe 50th anniversary of their famous league and cup Double.Blackpool's defence had leaked goals all season. What could possibly go wrong? But it did, and Redknapp conceded that Spurs might not see Champions League football again in the near future. [LNB] Back of the net: Defoe scored in the 89th minute to rescue a late point for Spurs [LNB] [LNB]'It's six points, so it is going to be difficult this season now. And who is going to drop out in the future? You have Manchester City with their unbelievable resources and also Liverpool coming back. It is not as if we do it every year, no one can ask, ''What has happened to Tottenham?'.'[LNB]Yet Spurs had started like men on a mission as Dawson charged forward impressively to worry Matthew Gilks in Blackpool's goal. Chances quickly followed for Luka Modric and Defoe; and although they came to nothing, it seemed the Londoners would soon enjoy their breakthrough.[LNB] Take one: Adam's first attempt was superbly saved by Gomes only for the Tottenham keeper to concede another penalty shortly afterwards [LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSTOTTENHAM (4-1-3-2): Gomes; Kaboul, Gallas, Dawson, Rose (Kranjcar 90min); Sandro; Van der Vaart, Modric, Bale (Crouch 64); Pavlyuchenko (Lennon 46), Defoe. Subs (not used): Cudicini, Jenas, Bassong, Corluka. Booked: Gallas, Dawson, Lennon.BLACKPOOL (4-3-2-1): Gilks; Eardley (Beattie 90), Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey; Vaughan, Southern, Adam; Taylor-Fletcher (Cathcart 77), DJ Campbell; Kornilenko (Puncheon 46). Subs (not used): Kingson, Ormerod, Phillips, Reid. Booked: Eardley, Kornilenko.Referee: L Probert (Wiltshire).[LNB]After 24 minutes, however, Blackpool suddenly carved out their first real chance and had no fewer than four opportunities to go ahead, cutting through the Spurs midfield at will. [LNB]Sergey Kornilenko's strike was deflected, Adam showed exquisite technique to force a desperate save from Gomes with a volley, and DJ Campbell was denied by Dawson's vital tackle. [LNB]Belarusian Kornilenko had a free header from the resulting corner and sent his effort over thebar, much to his own frustration. Adam launched another rocket at Gomes, who proved equal to thetask despite the swerve on the ball helped by a muggy evening.[LNB]At the other end, a Bale effort flashed across the goalmouth, and Redknapp's men even had the ballin the net when Defoe pounced on a Rafa van der Vaart pass, but the referee ruled Defoe offside.[LNB]Kornilenko was booked for a dreadful challenge on Bale, who took some time to recover. TheWelshman ballooned a great chance over with his right foot just after half-time and flashed another just wide before his painful early exit.[LNB]Van der Vaart also twice went close while Defoe hooked a header from Younes Kaboul over the topbefore David Vaughan almost capped a fine Blackpool break-out, his shot creeping narrowly wide.[LNB]Then came the penalties and Defoe's late leveller. We feared for Bale, yet enjoyed this scarcelyimaginable drama, and the promise of more twists and turns to come.[LNB]  Redknapp pleads with Spurs fans not to turn on error-prone GomesWest Ham 1 Blackburn 1: Hammers clinging on as Hitzlsperger strikes lateAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur FC news, features and opinionAll the latest Blackpool FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Jermain Defoe, Charlie Adam, Michael Dawson, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric, Younes Kaboul, Gareth Bale, David Vaughan Places: Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail