Middlesbrough Versus Tottenham Hotspur review

By MattoftheSpurs
April 30 2007

This game up at The Riverside had a ‘must win’ feel about it as Spurs sought to take all three points to continue their challenge for a UEFA Cup placing in the league.

Middlesbrough (0) 2
Viduka 66, Pogatetz 89.

Tottenham Hotspur (1) 3
Keane 12, 83, Berbatov 47.

The Riverside

28th April 2007

Premier League

Attendance: 27,861

This game up at The Riverside had a ‘must win’ feel about it as Spurs sought to take all three points to continue their challenge for a UEFA Cup placing in the league. Middlesbrough, whilst not exactly desperate for the points, wanted the win to ensure the end of their season was not a nervy affair as they looked over their shoulders at the relegation scramble just below them.

Leaving the sunny surroundings of the south we arrived at the Riverside an hour before kick off where it seemed the temperature had dropped twenty degrees in 260 miles. The stadium is set with the peaceful confines of disused warehouses and scrubby wasteland. Negotiating these we made our way to the stadium. It’s a decent stadium and suits Middlesbrough’s needs quite comfortably. Supporters mingled outside happily and we entered the stadium in time to see Manchester United dent fellow UEFA hopefuls Everton’s hopes of extending their lead in the races for European places.

Martin Jol had decided to leave Aaron Lennon on the bench and place the competitive Ghaly in his place. Whether Jol felt the need to make the change because of the dangerous Stuart Downing on the left or because he felt that Lennon just needed the rest was up for debate. Either way there were no mumblings of discontent from the large Spurs contingent that had made the long journey North.

Spurs started the much brighter and created chances from the off. Dimitar Berbatov spurned a good chance when he shot wide from the edge of the box. His annoyance at that miss did not last long though as he collected a long kick from Paul Robinson. Controlling the ball with great skill he wriggled past his marker and into the Middlesbrough penalty box. As he was closed down he played a cute sideways pass to the waiting Robbie Keane who adjusted his body to side foot the ball past Schwarzer in the Boro goal for 1-0 to Spurs after twelve minutes.

Tottenham continued to dominate the first half but without being able to add to their tally. Boro began to exert some pressure of their own towards the end of the second half and the danger of Mark Viduka was in evidence when he fired a shot into the side netting of the Spurs goal just before half time.

The general consensus at half time amongst the Spurs supporters was that we needed a second goal at least. The Spurs defence had not been at it’s most water tight this season and with Boro upping the ante just before the break we needed to extend the lead.

Obviously the Spurs team felt the same way as they came out for the second half in attacking mode. The gathered faithful behind Schwarzer’s goal did not have to wait long for Tottenham’s second. Ghaly received the ball on the right hand side just outside the Boro box. He only had Berbatov to aim for as the Spurs midfield were taking their time in joining up with the attack. The ball was crossed over and with the Boro defence standing off him Berbatov precisely volleyed the ball twenty yards into the corner of the Boro net for 2-0 to Spurs.

With the two goal advantage in hand Spurs sat back and tried to hit their hosts on the break. Robbie Keane then spurned an excellent chance to make it 3-0 when put through by Malbranque. He reached the ball just before the Boro keeper but could only dink his effort just wide of the post. With that Boro stepped up the pace. Shortly after Keane’s effort Downing crossed from the right and found Viduka who made no mistake. Boro were back in the game at 2-1.

Middlesbrough were now rampant and attacking at will as Spurs were being penned back to the edge of their own penalty box. The turning point of the match came a few scant minutes after Viduka’s goal. The Boro skipper, George Boateng, found himself with the ball on the right hand side and his cross expertly picked out Viduka. With the goal gaping Viduka side footed the ball back across goal and a certain equaliser was on the cards. However, Viduka had not counted on the agility of Paul Robinson who despite going in the opposite direction twisted his body and flung out an arm to divert the ball over the bar. A world class save.

That save deflated Boro and the next attack resulted in Spurs retrieving their two goal lead. Jemaine Jenas in the Spurs midfield slid in a delightful ball for Aaron Lennon who had came on for Ghaly. Lennon beat his man to the ball and picked out a pass into space.It looked like it was teed up for Steed Malbranque who was steaming into the box but Robbie Keane adjusted his body and pivoted enough to strike a shot into the back of the Boro net for 3-1 Spurs. With only seven minutes remaining the points looked safe.

In the final minute of normal time Middlesbrough won a corner, and from the resulting kick Pogatetz rose above the static Spurs defence to head home for 3-2. The referee then added four minutes injury time and the Spurs supporters saw out a nervy finale. Thankfully Boro could not make the extra minutes count and the final whistle went and Spurs were triumphant for the first time at the Riverside in ten years.

Spurs moved up one place to eighth on the back of the win. Portsmouth kept up their challenge by beating Liverpool reserves 2-1. Bolton recorded a great result by holding the Champions Chelsea 2-2 at Stamford Bridge but with Sam Alladyce resigning after the match Bolton’s challenge for the higher placing in the league could falter. Everton threw away a 2-0 advantage at home to Manchester United to lose 4-2. Tottenham now have a game in hand over all those in the European places ahead of them and their destiny is in their own hands. If Spurs win their remaining 3 matches then it is the Lilywhites that will take fifth spot in the league come the 13th of May.

Charlton Athletic at The Valley are next up for Spurs. This game could mean the relegation of the South Londoners so I do not expect them to lie down and let us walk all over them. Spurs are the better team however and should win. The game is the first in a 3 game series to be played within a week with Blackburn Rovers at home on the Thursday after followed by Manchester City at The Lane on the final Sunday of the season.

As mentioned, it’s in our hands. Three wins and regardless of results elsewhere Spurs will match their endeavours of last season at the very least. It’s going to be an exciting final 6 days. The rollercoaster ride continues.