Leeds 1-3 Tottenham - BBC Match Report

[Geez]

A Jermain Defoe hat-trick earned Spurs a fifth-round FA Cup trip to Bolton as they sank Leeds in an absorbing replay.

Defoe went close several times before slicing left-footed into the top corner but in first-half stoppage time Luciano Becchio forced home a rebound to level.

Defoe had a goal ruled out for offside but soon flicked in at the near post following a David Bentley cross.

In injury time the England striker rounded the goalkeeper to complete his treble for his 20th goal of the season.
<!-- E SF -->
When Spurs arrived at Elland Road snow was falling heavily and with Leeds having lost only twice in 21 matches at home this season the scent of an upset was evident.

But the Londoners quietened the hostile home crowd by applying an admirable work ethic to their superior technical ability and dominated for the vast majority of the contest.

The pitch looked heavy through the middle but was perfectly playable, and if anything suited Tottenham's slick passing style more.

Defoe might have scored in the second minute when an attempted header back to the goalkeeper from Andrew Hughes fell woefully short, but the England striker scuffed his shot.

The Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong found himself in a surprising amount of space on the penalty spot from Bentley's corner but scooped over when he might have had time to have controlled first.

Defoe looked dangerous whenever the visitors went forward, he should have scored when the ball deflected over the top and found him in the clear, but Casper Ankergren stood up and pushed the shot wide.

The Dane then made an even better save when a fizzing Gareth Bale cross ricocheted off a defender and wrong-footed him, but somehow he tipped it away.

Defoe was incensed when, clean through again, he fell under the challenge of Lubomir Michalik but finally he got himself on the scoresheet, and on a night of sweet strikes on goal it came with a mis-hit.

The diminutive forward pulled back away from goal to collect Bentley's cross and though his left-footed shot was skewed it sailed into the top corner.

But with Tottenham again unable to convert their chances Leeds responded valiantly and Michalik's glancing header was smartly kept out by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.

The League One side were back on level terms as Jonathan Howson hooked the ball back into the six-yard box, Jermaine Beckford's volley was parried by Gomes but Becchio followed up, having moved back onside.

Tottenham started the second half in positive manner and Michael Dawson's near post header from Bentley's corner was brilliantly tipped over by Ankergren.

Bentley, playing a third match in succession for the first time in a year, was full of endeavour and after a forceful run he hit a left-footed drive, but the inspirational Ankergren was up to the task again and touched over acrobatically.

Defoe's eventful night continued when having slid in to meet Bale's cross he was correctly given offside having edged ahead of the defender, but within moments he was in the right place at the right time.

Having been well found out on the right flank by Jermaine Jenas, Bentley sent a delightful low cross into the danger area and Defoe brushed it smartly into the net.

With Bale and Bentley superb down the flanks Spurs looked certain to add a third, and Peter Crouch hit the bar with a far post header.

Unlike at White Hart Lane there was to be no late injury time drama from Leeds and it was Defoe who raced on to a ball down the middle and calmly slotted home his third treble of the season as his side marched into the next round in some style.

BBC's pics (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8496907.stm)
<!-- E BO -->

[KenilworthSpur]

Get in......

[tippspur59]

Great performance tonight,I'm delighted.:beer:

[TonyK]

Just watched the game and read the 94 posts on the game itself. Bentley looks as if he is finally, finally on form and hope his confidence builds. Defoe could have had 6 but you cannot compalain about another hat-trick. I think Bentley was most people's MOTM but I thought Bale was magic tonight. He is still young enough and will probably improve his defensive abilities but I think we have a proper player on our hands. Bale and Bently might just be coming good.

[TheChosenOne]

Just watched the game and read the 94 posts on the game itself. Bentley looks as if he is finally, finally on form and hope his confidence builds. Defoe could have had 6 but you cannot compalain about another hat-trick. I think Bentley was most people's MOTM but I thought Bale was magic tonight. He is still young enough and will probably improve his defensive abilities but I think we have a proper player on our hands. Bale and Bently might just be coming good.


Like yourself TonyK I am very surprised with Bale's commitment and professionalism at the mom, he seems a "possible" Cyril Knowles lookalike after
nearly forty years. Long may it continue.

COYS

[That Guy]

The trouble is, what happens to these 2 when Lennon and Ekotto are back? Do you leave out 2 arguably better players.

[fletch666]

The trouble is, what happens to these 2 when Lennon and Ekotto are back? Do you leave out 2 arguably better players.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens, but its a great problem to have and shows we've got a good squad now. In past years we'd have been filling in with likes of Edinburgh/tramezzani and Fox/Ricketts!

[TonyK]

I honesty do not know - personally I'd keep Bale over Benoit for the next few games but if Lennon comes straight back into the team it suggests that if you put in a good shift and a great performance the you will still be dropped. If that happened to me in my job I'd be pissed.

[ethanedwards]

Great team performance tonight, especially the last 20 mins, and well played to Leeds for making it a great cup tie. Harry has been preaching the work ethic quite a lot recently, just wondering if Bond or Jordan are having a greater influence in how the team plays at the moment.

[DC_Boy]

Fantastic game, fantastic performance, fantastic result.

That's the proudest I've been of spurs all season.

So much was against us including once again the decisons, leeds goal onside,defoe's goal v pool offside - oh sorry forgot webb was refereeing.

some leeds fans think they're a bigger club than us, which must make them one of the biggest clubs in England, so what a night eh :-)

I was there when they did us 2-1 in 72 - and when we did 'em 1-0 in 82 and 2-0 in 99

who's the daddy - why it's us of course

really, really luv it :-)

[glenda]

didnt see the game,just the goals. Defoe had the touch of Romario tonight!!! different class finishing.COYS!!!

[ero1x]

I honesty do not know - personally I'd keep Bale over Benoit for the next few games but if Lennon comes straight back into the team it suggests that if you put in a good shift and a great performance the you will still be dropped. If that happened to me in my job I'd be pissed.

Hope/can't see that happening to anyone, it's negative and would send out the wrong signals (favouritism etc..)

[garyhopkins]

I honesty do not know - personally I'd keep Bale over Benoit for the next few games but if Lennon comes straight back into the team it suggests that if you put in a good shift and a great performance the you will still be dropped. If that happened to me in my job I'd be pissed.

It' a difficult one and 'arry's call. It's great to see Bentley improving but Lennon is probably our most important player. Wilst Modders is probably our best player, Lennon adds another dimension to the team - pace and width. Perhaps Bentley and Lennon could play the wings with Modders in the middle. Whatever, form comes and goes (look at Niko of late) so it may not be a problem when all are fit. But great to see a quality squad materialising...and great result!

[davidmatzdorf]

I suspect that Bentley got his first game solely because Kranjcar was not well, but it's to Harry's credit (and further punctures the "favouritism" canard) that it took him all of one match to see that having Bentley properly wide on the right and Modric cutting inside to make room for Bale works a lot better than the too-narrow midfield with Kranjcar and Modric nominally on the flanks, but actually crowding midfield.

[DC_Boy]

no way do we want modric in the middle

hudd wilson and jj are all better then him there

[not_tenth-again]

I suspect that Bentley got his first game solely because Kranjcar was not well, but it's to Harry's credit (and further punctures the "favouritism" canard) that it took him all of one match to see that having Bentley properly wide on the right and Modric cutting inside to make room for Bale works a lot better than the too-narrow midfield with Kranjcar and Modric nominally on the flanks, but actually crowding midfield.

Just what I was thinking... never understood playing Modric & Kranjcar wide as they both come inside and just clog the midfield. Good team selection today. If we can find a place in the side for Bale, Lennon and Defoe we'll slaughter teams on the counter attack... now the question though... is bale a midfielder or defender when Ekotto is fit

[BelsizeSpur]

Hope/can't see that happening to anyone, it's negative and would send out the wrong signals (favouritism etc..)

If Bentley proves as destructive as Lennon before Lennon comes back then you would be right, but at this point, despite the upturn in his game, putting Lennon back in the side when fit at the expense of DB makes total sense. For the most part this season Lennon's pace and newly-improved delivery have added a different dimension to the team.

[JoeT]

JJ is not better than Modric in ANY position 'D_C'.

[JC-Rule]

No one has mentioned how we killed off the game. We finally larnt how to run the ball into the channels to kill time. All the big teams do it. Wind the clock down in the dying seconds. Thats what cost us the game at lane last time. In the end we suckered them with the 3rd and last goal. This impressed me more than all the slick football, which by now all spurs fan know, we are good at. But needed to know how to close out a game.

Have learnt it? I really hope so

coys

[Kendall]

JoeT, I respectfully disagree. I felt Modric was bullied when in the middle against Leeds in the first leg and struggled to make any impact.

Jenas and Huddlestone dominated Leeds in the 2nd leg. Though Modric is clearly a classy player which great ability on the ball, he is most effective when given a free role to roam from the left with an overlapping full back. This has been shown time and time again. For me he doesn't have the stature or bottle to be a dominating central midfielder, but I wouldn't want him there anyway.

[beuller]

Big priase should go to Huddlestone for the manner in which we played last night, imo. I thought he passed the ball superbly and really put his foot in when it mattered. Also covered alot of ground. Jenas complimented him perfectly too.

I don't think we should write off Modric playing centrally just yet. He has rarely played there for us and would need a few games to settle. Although saying that Palacios and Huddlestone looks like the pairing for me right now.

[Aero]

To be fair to Modric, Leeds played 5 in midfield at WHL but reverted back to 4 last night.

[the shelf]

no way do we want modric in the middle

hudd wilson and jj are all better then him there

I'm sorry but that is a ridiculous statement. :stupid:

[avonspurs]

I think Modric could play a part in central midfield. What do people feel about Lennon playing on the left, should Bentley continue his good form? Would a midfield of Lennon, Modric, Palacious/Hudd, Bentley work? The times I've seen Lennon play on the left hasnt been very awe inspiring but do people think he could do a job there? Would we be short defensively if Bale was behind him (would BAE provide better defensive cover) - - can you just imagine the pace on the left with Lennon and Bale (be a little slow on the right tho, with Bentley and Corluka :-) ).

[StanSpur]

Two points:

1. The BBC article is written by Jamie Lillywhite !!!
2. Best players on the pitch yesterday were Bentley, Jenas and Crouch (JD did quite well too). Now what do the 70%+ on this site have to say about that considering all your usual unknowledgable rubbish about how crap Jenas and Corouch are and that Bentley is the worst signing we ever made? The idiots get a day off today as there can't be a bad word to say about any player last night, a really good performance all around.

[GlennHoddle]

didnt see the game,just the goals. Defoe had the touch of Romario tonight!!! different class finishing.COYS!!!

Sorry to be negative Glenda, but Defoe's finishing was different class?

From where i looked he missed a couple of easy chances, got lucky with the first, but took his other two very well.

Yes he got a hat trick and played well, but to say his finishing was different class, Romarion esque!

Not criticising JD here though.
You have to be there to miss them and score them in the first place.

Thought he played alot closer to Crouch and made full use of his flick ons last night

[Chedozie]

I feel this is more a problem for Levy than Redknapp, if Levy was any kind of chairman, he would have already got us permission to field at least 13 players, thus enabling us to play both Benny and Lennon when they return and not have to drop 2 players who have done well.

Sort it Levy.

[StokeSpur]

What a great game that was. Its was a full blooded cup tie and we showed a lot of spirit and fight.
Leeds were really up for it and it could have been a very hard game but we were up for it too and really showed we wanted to win that game.

As much as JJ frustrates the hell out of me, its great to see Bentley back, he seems to have his head screwed back on and it was good to hear him in the post match interview admitting he has to be patient and work hard for a place because of Lennon's form.

Along with that, Bale is putting in some great performances week in week out now, he seems to have all of a sudden found a higher level of consistency and has been great in his last 3 games, he really really wants it.

Good job lads!

[DC_Boy]

I'm sorry but that is a ridiculous statement. :stupid:

no need to be sorry, if that's how you feel :-)

I stand by it

and jj and hudd showed last night just why my statement is correct and your view is mistaken

[StanSpur]

What a great game that was. Its was a full blooded cup tie and we showed a lot of spirit and fight.
Leeds were really up for it and it could have been a very hard game but we were up for it too and really showed we wanted to win that game.

As much as JJ frustrates the hell out of me, its great to see Bentley back, he seems to have his head screwed back on and it was good to hear him in the post match interview admitting he has to be patient and work hard for a place because of Lennon's form.

Along with that, Bale is putting in some great performances week in week out now, he seems to have all of a sudden found a higher level of consistency and has been great in his last 3 games, he really really wants it.

Good job lads!

I agree Bale has played well but i still feel very uneasy when he has the ball in a defensive position due to the fact he refuses to use his right foot and always has to shirt the ball or his body to ensure its on his left - or worse when he tries to flick a ball with his left rather than put the laces of his right behind it. It is a very bad weakness and one that i think makes his defending look worse than it actually is. Benny on the other hand takes almost as many risks as old Atouba but when he has the ball at the back i'm not on the edge of my seat hoping we don't get exposed. Bale needs to just dedicate time in practice matches to trying his right, it can't be that bad. Going forward last night though, especially in the later stages, he was excellent. No bad games by anyone.

[Terrence]

Bale has looked a bit uneasy on the ball at some occasions (more regularly than some would like) but he does seem to have improved somewhat - I think he still needs a bit more match time to hone those defensive skills.

It looks like Harry's enforced work ethics are starting to pay dividends with many players. Also, I think that the team morale is starting to pick up... esp. with Bently seemingly in higher spirits.

If we can get in a performance like this consistently, then Spurs will be the Spurs that we've always been hoping for!

[StokeSpur]

I agree Bale has played well but i still feel very uneasy when he has the ball in a defensive position due to the fact he refuses to use his right foot and always has to shirt the ball or his body to ensure its on his left - or worse when he tries to flick a ball with his left rather than put the laces of his right behind it. It is a very bad weakness and one that i think makes his defending look worse than it actually is. Benny on the other hand takes almost as many risks as old Atouba but when he has the ball at the back i'm not on the edge of my seat hoping we don't get exposed. Bale needs to just dedicate time in practice matches to trying his right, it can't be that bad. Going forward last night though, especially in the later stages, he was excellent. No bad games by anyone.

Yes i agree but i was refering more towards his forward play, maybe 'Arry has plans to play them both at some point. He really is looking good going forward atm.

[Kendall]

no need to be sorry, if that's how you feel :-)

I stand by it

and jj and hudd showed last night just why my statement is correct and your view is mistaken

I agree with you DC. The obsession about getting Modric in the middle when he has been in such excellent form in a free role from the left is actually becoming rather depressing. I don't think Modric can do the dirty jobs the other 3 do & he got bullied mercilessly by Leeds at the Lane.

Since Modric came back, I felt he'd been poor until the Fulham game, where magically he appeared on the left.

[dominguezmonkey]

I agree with you DC. The obsession about getting Modric in the middle when he has been in such excellent form in a free role from the left is actually becoming rather depressing. I don't think Modric can do the dirty jobs the other 3 do & he got bullied mercilessly by Leeds at the Lane.

Since Modric came back, I felt he'd been poor until the Fulham game, where magically he appeared on the left.

Totally agree. I can't look past Modric - Palacios - Hudd - Lennon as being our first choice midfield. And if you add Bentley, Kranjcar and Gudjohnsen coming off the bench as our skilful game changers, then I do think we have something a bit special in the making. We have so many good midfielders that whoever plays, we need to cut out the long balls and actually use them.

And as improved as Benni has been, I do think we should persist with Bale as fullback. The thought of him overlapping down the left with Lennon bombing down the right is the mouthwatering prospect we've all been dreaming of. The more Bale plays, the better he gets defensively and I wouldn't want that progress to be stunted now that he's on a roll.

[DC_Boy]

well said kendall and Dm

modric has not shown he can do CM on anything like a consistent basis for spurs

we have 3 who can - it's not a difficult choice - and it becomes easy as the easiest of easy peasy when we see how effective luka has been on the left

still some people would rather call people names and have silly emoticons pointing at other people - it's a free forum etc :-)

[sidtheyidbuck]

my answer to the left side would be ekotto left back bale wide left...did anybody notice or is it my imagination but hud seems to have found great mobility recently..lennon before bently anytime

[JimmyG2]

my answer to the left side would be ekotto left back bale wide left...did anybody notice or is it my imagination but hud seems to have found great mobility recently..lennon before bently anytime
I think his lack of mobility was overstated in the first place. Its an impression that has beeen weighing (:-))) the boy down for some time and once widely adopted its hard to shake off.
It's like Corluka getting the reputation for being slow'; 'deliberate ' might be a better word. International full backs are rarely 'slow'
There is no doubt that Lennon will return when he is fully fit but that might not be for several games and he will need time to get match fit and recover his touch, as Modric did.
The prospect of him and the 'new' David Bentley sharing the right wing berth and perhaps Lennon switching to the left to accomodate him at times in games is excellent.