Filed under: Tottenham, Europa League (UEFA), Football, Match Reports
Tottenham came from a goal behind against Shamrock Rovers to record a Europa League victory in their Group A clash at White Hart Lane.Spurs could not find a way past Richard Brush in the first half. The goalkeeper, playing because Ryan Thompson injured himself celebrating a saved penalty against Rubin Kazan, tipped Jermain Defoe's drive onto the crossbar for his best save.
The visitors took their shock lead five minutes after the break when Gary McCabe's free-kick was saved and Stephen Rice flicked over Carlo Cudicini after Patrick O'Sullivan drove the rebound into the danger area.
Roman Pavychenko headed the equaliser on the hour mark and Jermain Defoe added a second two minutes later, also with his head, before setting up Giovani dos Santos for the third.
THE GOALS:
50 mins: McCabe's free-kick is saved. Sullivan drives the rebound towards goal and Rice flicks home.
60 mins: Giovani crosses and Pavlyuchenko heads home when left unmarked.
62 mins: Defoe heads into the roof of the net from Andros Townsend's cross.
66 mins: Defoe wins the ball in his own half and carried the ball into the opposition penalty area before teeing up Giovani to smash home.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Slick passing move ends with Giovani forcing a save from Brush.
11 mins: Giovani has another effort and stretches Brush again.
17 mins: Giovani sends through Defoe and Brush tips onto the crossbar.
20 mins: Pavlyuchenko skips around his marker but his finish when through on goal is saved.
34 mins: Danny Rose hits the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the area.
39 mins: Stephen O'Donnell clears off the line when Pavlyuchenko heads on target from a corner.
59 mins: Danger when Brush fumbles a Rose cross.
79 mins: William Dennehy goes just over the bar with a shot.
80 mins: Pavlyuchenko goes wide with an effort
REACTION:
Tottenham striker Defoe felt the Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper was the difference in the first half:
"In the first half we had a lot of chances and the keeper made a good save from me and then Danny Rose hit the crossbar but it was coming.That happens. They had one chance and scored."
On the difference in the second half:
"We stayed positive because we were creating chances anyway and when Pav scored, we were in full control, but we were in control for the whole game.
On the victory:
"These games give the youngsters and opportunity to show the manager
what they can do at this level. It was always going to be a difficult game at this level but the youngsters have done well and I am sure the gaffer is happy with them."
On facing Arsenal:
"I missed the Wigan game due to illness, but this is a massive game now and I need to get my body ready for facing Arsenal. I'm looking forward to it. We are playing well and need to get as many goals as possible."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Tottenham record their first win of the group stages and managed to rest players ahead of the Premier League clash with rivals Arsenal at the weekend. Rovers will be encouraged by their performance before Spurs came storming back.
TOTTENHAM 3 (Pavlyuchenko 60, Defoe 62, Giovani 66) SHAMROCK ROVERS 1 (Rice 50)
PLAYER MARKING:
Tottenham (4-4-2): Cudcini 6; Walker 7, Corluka 7, Bassong 7, Rose 7 (Kane 80); Lennon 6 (Townsend 46, 7), Carroll 6, Livermore 6, Giovani 8; Defoe 9 (Falque 73, 6), Pavlyuchenko 7.
Subs (not used): Gomes, Bale, Kaboul, Modric.
Shamrock Rovers (4-1-4-1): Brush 9; Sullivan 7, Sives 7, Murray 7, Paterson 6 (Stevens 46, 6); Rice 9; McCabe 7, Finn 6 (Ricketts 73, 6), O'Donnell 7 (McCormack 46, 6), Dennehy 6; Twigg 6.
Subs (not used): Thompson, Sheppard, Kilduff, Turner.
ATTENDANCE: TBA
REFEREE: Gediminas Mazeika
NEXT UP:
- Tottenham v Arsenal (home), Premier League, 02/10, 1600 BST
- Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United (home), League of Ireland, 02/10 1400 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham): Was ill for the previous game but proved his fitness with this performance. Plenty of goal threat and also chased back to win the ball and set up the third Spurs goal. Will give Harry Redknapp a selection dilemma for the next game.
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