Report, Chelsea 3 Spurs 3
By MattoftheSpurs
March 12 2007
Stepping out of Fulham Broadway tube station it was easy to forget what a massive match this was going to be. Beautiful sunshine greeted those emerging from the tunnels.
FA Cup quarter final.
11th March 2007
Tottenham Hotspur (3) 3
Attendance: 41, 517.
Stepping out of Fulham Broadway tube station it was easy to forget what a massive match this was going to be. Beautiful sunshine greeted those emerging from the tunnels. Blinking I made my way along to the stadium. Blue shorts of Chelsea and white shirts of Spurs mingled in the spring sunshine. Forty five minutes before kick off and the atmosphere was convivial to say the least. Those of us that remember trips to the bridge much more akin to the battle of the
The steward I encountered near the gate was also a fine fellow. Patting me down almost reluctantly he pointed me in the right direction and encouraged me to enjoy the match. What the hell was going on? The view from the upper tier was glorious, and the
The teams were read out and what most Spurs fans already knew was that Cerny would be replacing Paul Robinson and that Robbie Keane would not feature. The talk of the Spurs fans on the tube had been that Aaron Lennon would probably not play, and be 'rested'. So a further surprise was that he was starting. No so pleasant news was that Pascal Chimbonda was not in the starting line up and not even on the bench. Paul Stalteri would take his place. Michael Dawson was Captain for the day. A decision that no one would argue with. The one good piece of news out of the oppositions game was the John Terry would play no part. With the team fielded most of those in Lilywhite expected defeat. A draw at best. We just hoped we would not get slaughtered on national television.
As the teams took to the field the atmosphere in the Spurs end was superb. The supporters were determined to do everything in their power to ensure that the team knew we were behind them. A crescendo of noise erupted and the match was underway.
The game started at a furious pace. A quick look minutes in and I could see that Jol was trying out new tactics. The four at the back was standard. The midfield was narrow with Tainio, Zokora, and Ghaly holding as a tight unit. Playing just in front of them was Aaron Lennon. Dimitar Berbatov was playing in front of Lennon whilst Defoe ploughed a lone furrow at the point of the attack.
The game had hardly settled into any kind of pattern before I was propelled skywards in joy. Jemaine Defoe on the left jinked past a couple of static
This was dream land. Cut and thrust on the pitch was barely noticed as we danced and sang our hearts out. Sixteen minutes later and the cheers die in our throats. A ball headed out of our penalty area fell to Ballack who's hopelessly mis-hit shot was screwing wide when Lampard fell over and the ball struck his foot for 1-1. Lampard wobbled past the Spurs supporters grabbing his chest and generally behaving like the plum that he is.
Despite the disappointment of conceding an equaliser the Spurs supporters rallied and so did the team. Seven minutes later and both team and fans were amply rewarded. Ghaly fed Lennon on the right and despite a weak cross which Cech probably would have gathered without too much fuss Essien could not resist himself and planted the ball into the corner of his own net. Once again disbelief was replaced with joy of orgasmic proportions. Such was the celebrations that most of us nearly missed
Most Spurs supporters were still bouncing up and down when seven minutes later Ghaly scored for Tottenham's third. Berbatov robbed Robben on the Tottenham right deep in Spurs territory. Ghaly came away with the ball and proceeded to run forty yards with it. His slide rule pass forward never came to fruition but the ball rebounded skywards. Despite being surrounded by four
The rest of the half past in a daze. When the half time whistle went I was shattered. The players looked less tired than most of the supporters. Jol had got his tactics spot on and was outfoxing the 'Special One' once again. The only concern was that
And it was.
Defoe hit the cross bar late on but a replay it was to be.
As I wandered lonely as a cloud away from the ground I felt exhilarated. I was so proud of Jol and the team that I beamed all the way home (still am in fact). I got home and promptly sat through the most wonderful game of football that has been played this season (well, the first half anyway).
If the replay is half as good we are in for a treat. I can't wait.
Tottenham: Cerny, Stalteri, Lee, Dawson, Rocha, Ghaly (Gardner 81), Tainio, Zokora, Lennon (Malbranque 78), Defoe, Berbatov (Mido 66).