a bit.
Most point to Crouch’s winner against Citeh at the end of last season bringing us to this point but it all really started 2 years and 1 day ago from last night. ‘Arry had been in the job a few days, when he gave his big Russian striker the above instruction, through the interpreter.
Spurs’ weren’t going to win that League game that day but dragged it round for a 2-1 victory, less than two weeks later the same team and manager were back, this time in the League Cup and a more comprehensive 4-2 thumping. It instilled something that was emphasised at the beginning of the next season with another humping of the same team again with the same manager.
It all led to last night as that very same manager stumped up at The Lane, different team though, another that he’s inherited with potential that he’ll surely destroy. But he hasn’t had long enough to bugger them up yet. And for the fourth time in a row he walked away as second best with his reigning European Champions. Thumped once again.
In one of the great games you’ll see – funny how all the best games you’ve seen for ages in Europe have been Spurs’ games – ‘Arry’s men put in their best performance for years. There’s not a player you could pick fault with, even if most heads dropped when it was announced van der Vaart wouldn’t be coming out for the second have and would be replaced by Jenas. Even he didn’t manage to fuck this up, pathetic dive excluded. Maybe a small nitpick about Crouch, should have scored early from a Bale cross to make it 2-0 and a couple of weakish headers but deserved his standing ovation.
Gareth Bale is taking all the plaudits, all well deserved, especially when you factor in his contribution over both games. In the old European Cup it would have been a 6-5 aggregate win thanks to his efforts at the San Siro. His destroying of “the world’s best rightback” was again great to watch. His giving Lucio yards start and skinning the much lauded Brazilian was a joy. But he was helped, unlike last time out, when with van der Vaart suspended and Modric being subbed early because of Gomes sending off, it ended up being one Welshman alone.
Last night though both of them were present – well both in the first 45 minutes. And we saw them really starting to gel as Modric really found his form that has been coming back slowly. The little Croat was outstanding gliding around in his pomp against a not too bad midfield opposition. His dummy before playing the reverse ball to van der Vaart for the opening goal, bliss. The thought of the pair of them linking up like this in Spurs shirts, ah.
Many prayers were answered when it was announced van der Vaart was fit for the game and again he showed his worth in that first 45 minutes, all that banter between him and his best mate, Sneijder, fired him up a bit.
The backline did their job as well, not too many overly stupid challenges, Kaboul and to a lesser extent Gallas looked like rocks and you almost forgot we were missing Ledley, Dawson and Woodgate. The fullbacks played their part, Assou-Ekotto had one of his best games for a while, getting forward and linking well with Bale and vdV, no howlers for the pair. Cudicini had very little to do in replacing Gomes but if he hadn’t saved that Sneijder free kick just before the break, who knows what could have happened coming out for the second half at 1-1.
The defence though again had help in the shape of the Huddlsetone, showing just how missed he’s been in the last few games. Making blocks, pinging balls about, everything we want from the big guy.
Of course it wasn’t to be that simple, Eto’o strike did create that sinking feeling, those chances squandered and them now one goal away from a draw, same old story. Up to then bar a couple of efforts Inter’s main attacking threats had been nullified. Not only by Spurs but by Pugwash, why on earth Pandev was playing and Coutinho was only on the bench was anyone’s guess and Spurs’ delight. And did he wait to long to introduce Milito, things changed when he was brought on, Inter looked more dangerous. Now if Benitez just pisses off enough of the Inter squad, wouldn’t you just love Eto’o in a Spurs’ shirt feeding off van der Vaart, Modric, Lennon and Bale.
Of course Bale, man of the moment, just when things were getting tight and almost unbearable he’s back striding up the left wing leaving world class defenders in his wake and putting the ball right on Pavlyuchenko’s foot 3-1, there’s no coming back from that…
…oh and he’s not for sale.
A mention has to go out to the ref, V Kassai, who had a good game and let things flow which led to a great spectacle for all the fans, those of who were at The Lane made one hell of an atmosphere.
The only downer on the night – van der Vaart being injured apart – is it makes you think we’ve just destroyed the European Champions but we’re lying 5th in the Premier League, level on points with West Brom and only 3 ahead of Pugwash’s old side.