Tottenham Hotspur 0 Wigan Athletic 1: Match report

A shocking error by stand-in goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini earned Wigan Athletic revenge in North London. 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. 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. 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. The Italian was playing only because of an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. 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. 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. Last season the striker scored five goals in the rout of Wigan but was expected to be in Germany preparing for a groin operation. 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. 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.Spurs appeared as rattled as their woodwork but responded when Gareth Bale won a corner for Spurs with a long range attempt. 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. 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. 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. 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. In an attempt to rejuvenate Spurs, Redknapp made a double half-time switch with Niko Kranjcar and Roman Pavlyuchenko introduced. Gareth Bale dropped to left-back with Kranjcar in midfield and the Russian striker a direct replacement for Crouch. Pavlyuchenko responded with a weak header and the changes appeared to be doing little to lift Tottenham. And Wigan should have scored when Alcaraz, completely unmarked just six yards out, skied a shot over an unguarded goal. But when Maynor Figueroa's long ball found Rodallega, the forward took advantage of Cudicini's mistake. Spurs, given five added minutes, had late chances to respond with Al Habsi saving well from Kranjcar before Kaboul headed wide from close range.

Source: Telegraph