Source: Telegraph
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Wigan Athletic 1: Match report
A shocking error by stand-in goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini earned Wigan Athletic revenge in North London. [LNB]Last season Wigan suffered a humiliating 9-1 reverse here but a goal from Hugo Rodallega, his shot creeping embarrassingly under the Spurs goalkeeper, put a dampener of Tottenham's European joy. [LNB]Wigan had conceded 10 goals in successive home defeats, by Blackpool and Chelsea, but took advantage of Tottenham's lacklustre display to claim a famous victory. [LNB]Antolin Alcaraz had just missed a totally open goal when, in the 80th minute, Rodallega's shot, hit more in hope that determination, crept under the vody of Cudicini. [LNB]The Italian was playing only because of an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. [LNB]It was a disappointing response by Spurs, who have now taken just one point from two home League games, following Wednesday's famous 4-0 win over Young Boys that took them into the Champions League group stage. [LNB]Jermain Defoe, Wigan's arch nemesis last season, was a surprise inclusion for Spurs after turning down a groin operation and after completing the full 90 minutes. [LNB]Last season the striker scored five goals in the rout of Wigan but was expected to be in Germany preparing for a groin operation. [LNB]Instead, Defoe reported no reaction to the injury and surgery has, for now, been put on hold. But he could do little to repeat last season's achievement. [LNB]Indeed, with the game just seven minutes old, Mohamed Diame won a corner and, from Hugo Rodallega's kick, Antolin Alcaraz headed back and Steve Gohouri half-volleyed against the cross bar when he should have scored.[LNB]Spurs appeared as rattled as their woodwork but responded when Gareth Bale won a corner for Spurs with a long range attempt. [LNB]With just 15 minutes played there was a worrying sight when Defoe fell under the weight of a challenge from Alcaraz, though after treatment he returned and soon forced Spurs' best chance. [LNB]From Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross, Defoe forced a fine diving save out of Ali Al Habsi, the Wigan goalkeeper selected ahead of Chris Kirkland. [LNB]Defoe was clearly untroubled by his groin as demonstrated before half time when, despite close attention from two defenders, he managed to squeeze a shot just wide. [LNB]At the interval Redknapp gave a little shake of his head while the muted atmosphere was in stark contrast to the buzz of Wednesday night, Champions League success. [LNB]In an attempt to rejuvenate Spurs, Redknapp made a double half-time switch with Niko Kranjcar and Roman Pavlyuchenko introduced. [LNB]Gareth Bale dropped to left-back with Kranjcar in midfield and the Russian striker a direct replacement for Crouch. [LNB]Pavlyuchenko responded with a weak header and the changes appeared to be doing little to lift Tottenham. [LNB]And Wigan should have scored when Alcaraz, completely unmarked just six yards out, skied a shot over an unguarded goal. [LNB]But when Maynor Figueroa's long ball found Rodallega, the forward took advantage of Cudicini's mistake. [LNB]Spurs, given five added minutes, had late chances to respond with Al Habsi saving well from Kranjcar before Kaboul headed wide from close range. [LNB]
