The day fair play died ??? From The Insider

According to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, this was the day fair play died in English football.

It was quite a grand statement from a manager who refused to shake hands with opposite number Martin Jol on an afternoon when his side's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League were dealt a huge blow by a goal that will be talked about more than most in this long history of this most passionate of fixtures.

As Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto bumped into each other 66 minutes into a game that had been dominated by the underdogs from Tottenham, Wenger was convinced the urgings of referee Steve Bennett to play on should have been ignored, that the ball should have been put out of play to allow treatment for the 'injured' parties.

Carrick stopped at the sight of two injured players rolling around next to him, but when both looked ready to get to their feet, he decided to carry on, urged to do so by the referee who checked on the health of both Arsenal players. Rolling the ball to Edgar Davids who supplied Robbie Keane with a pass to open the scoring, it was the cue for all hell to break loose.

Wenger, for once, lost his temper in spectacular fashion, squaring up to Jol and screaming abuse at him, while some of the crowd got a little carried away and had to be escorted away by her majesty's finest. Indeed, one member of the dignitaries in the director's box was shipped out of the ground in less than glorious fashion.

So let's examine the rights and wrongs of an incident where none of those debating can say they are completely in the right. To start with, the injury was inflicted by two players from the same team crashing into each other, so should the opposition kick the ball out after an incident that did not involve them in any way? Michael Carrick summed it up like this: 'I thought they fell over so you can't say we are cheats.'

Then you have to assess the role of referee Bennett. Carrick's temptation to kick the ball away may have been followed through had the match official not waved his hands for play to continue and at the end of the day, Arsenal's biggest mistake was not playing to the whistle.

It came as little surprise that Wenger didn't try to see the broader picture as he faced the press. 'Their bench claim they didn't see the incident on their first goal, but I say they are liars,' barked an irate Arsenal boss.

'If Jol can go home and feel satisfied to have scored a goal like that, then it's up to him but I couldn't do it. You cannot steal a game by acting like that. Until this moment, we have had fair play in English football, but not any more.

'Maybe something has to be done to change the rules now. Against Villarreal, we kicked the ball out all the time when they were falling over, but now this happens to us. It is not right.'

Jol responded in a typically forthright manner, even finding time for a bit of humour in his repost. 'He said I was a liar and I don't think a manager should act in this way,' retorted the Dutchman. 'I was shouting at Edgar Davids when the incident with the two Arsenal players falling over happened, so I missed it. I swear to you, that is what happened.

'At the moment I am annoyed with Wenger, but I'm not a guy who holds a grudge and tomorrow, I will sit down and feel much more calm about this. I won't have a problem with him in the future and I hope he is the same with me. I rate the guy, after all.

'All I can say is that when Wenger squared up to me on the touchline, I had to hold myself back because he doesn't know how strong I am.'

The visitors can only have been boosted as the Arsenal team sheet was pinned up on their dressing room wall shortly before midday, with the sight of Henry on the bench enough to warm even the most pessimistic of Tottenham hearts.

Arrogant is a word that could have been used to describe Wenger's selection that also saw Cesc Fabregas residing on the touchlines, yet it meant the odds had been raised even higher for Tottenham, if that was possible. Lose this game now and they could be accused of lacking the bottle to finish off their Champions League push, yet their first half display suggested the opposite.

Controlling possession for long periods, they created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes, with the talents of English duo Aaron Lennon and Michael Carrick coming to the fore.

Up against Mathieu Flamini, a full-back who has performed superbly in the Champions League this season, Lennon looked almost unplayable at times. With blistering pace and plenty of tricks to compliment, he can only have impressed the watching Sven Goran Eriksson.

The only criticism of Lennon could have been that his final ball was lacking, yet that could not have been an accusation thrust in the direction of the impressive Carrick. His immaculate 25th minute ball gave Jermain Defoe the chance and strike at goal, with Jens Lehmann doing well to save, yet he didn't need to rely on others seconds before the interval.

Embarking on a magical run that was helped by the lack of a challenge from a stagnant Arsenal defence, he got to the point where he merely needed to roll the ball into an empty net after rounding Lehmann. Sadly for Carrick, his touch around the Arsenal keeper was a little heavy and it meant his shot found the side netting when one of the great north London derby goals looked imminent.

It was more of the same after the break as Tottenham continued to probe with intent so while their goal was shrouded in controversy, it was a lead they deserved. However, by the time the game was sent into a whirlwind of controversy, Thierry Henry had arrived into the fray and you could just see the Tottenham defence quivering at his mere presence.

Sinking deeper and deeper, the Spurs defence simply ran out of steam in the final 15 minutes and all they could do was whack balls up to a hapless Jermain Defoe, the Arsenal attacks came on them in waves. Henry's 86th minute leveller was cruel on a Spurs side who had worked so hard, but Jol could feel content after an impressive performance.

'I hope the controversy of our goal does not disguise the fact that we played very well,' Jol said. 'For three quarters of this match, we were the better side and created enough chances to win the game.

'This result means we are in Europe for next season, but the boys were not celebrating in the dressing room. They want the Champions League and if we win our last two games, we will be there.'

Whether it was an crazy or shrewd decision to leave Henry out just three days away from Villarreal, it may be a move that could have vast ramifications for Arsenal's long term future. Wenger has often claimed his European ambitions have been hampered by playing in high energy games a few days before, so he tried to take that problem out of the equation on Saturday.

What he did was gamble on his shadow squad being good enough to fill a void left by Henry in the hope that he can fill both his empty baskets in the next few weeks. Should his European dream turn sour on Tuesday night against Villarreal, his team selection may look very costly.

It could even push Thierry Henry a giant step closer to starting next season as a Barcelona player.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Carrick
In front of England boss Sven Goran Eriksson, Carrick turned on a sparkling performance that was so nearly capped with a stunning goal.

FOOD WATCH: A change from the norm as the early kick-off brought the full English breakfast into play. Very nice too.

INSIDER QUESTION: Why are heterosexual, tough looking male football fans all wearing girly pink shirts these days?

VERDICT: Taking the controversy out of the equation, Tottenham deserved their point at Highbury and having been in fourth spot for a full five months now, they have earned the right to stay there till the end. Two wins against Bolton and West Ham will be enough to push them over the finishing line.

Arsenal 1 - 1 SPURS

The final north-London derby at Highbury had it all - passion, controversy, a sending off - but ultimately not the result Arsenal wanted as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham.

Robbie Keane had put the visitors ahead just after the hour with a close-range strike, scored when the Gunners had a man down injured.

But with six minutes left, Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, who had started on the bench, produced a brilliant finish to level the match.

Arsenal pressed for a winner after Spurs were reduced to 10 men when Edgar Davids received a second booking, but it was the visitors who held on for what could prove a crucial point in the race for fourth spot in the Premiership - and with it qualification for the Champions League.

As manager Arsene Wenger kept one eye on Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg against Villarreal, it was no surprise to see several key men start on the bench.

Understandably, however, there was an electric atmosphere as a sun-baked Highbury played host to the 151st meeting between the sides and the last one at this famous old venue.

After what was a cagey opening, the first decent chance finally arrived after 13 minutes and it fell to Spurs.

Lee Young-Pyo got clear down the left flank and whipped the ball over. Teemu Tainio's header was on target, but it was not powerful enough to trouble Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann.

Then, at the other end, Robin Van Persie's free-kick from the right was flashed across the face of goal by Gilberto.

Keane and Aaron Lennon combined on the edge of the Arsenal area to send the young Spurs winger in down the right and his low, angled drive flew wide of the far post.

After 25 minutes Michael Carrick's clever chip into the six-yard box was controlled expertly by Defoe on his chest, but the England striker's shot was brilliantly blocked by Lehmann.

Arsenal finally got their trademark slick passing together when Jose Antonio Reyes released Van Persie between Michael Dawson and Gardner.

The Dutch striker drilled a low, first-time effort on target from 16 yards, which Paul Robinson collected comfortably.

There was, however, a big let-off for Arsenal in stoppage time.

Carrick cut in from the left and skipped his way past several red shirts before darting into the box and drawing Lehmann. However, the Spurs midfielder was pushed too wide and struck the side-netting with his angled shot.

It was again a positive opening by Spurs to the second half.

Lennon's cross from the right almost found Davids in the six-yard box, a strong header from Johan Djourou keeping the Dutch midfielder out.

Gilberto and Van Persie combined to give the Dutchman a shooting chance in the box, with his low drive flashing right across Robinson's goal.

The loudest cheer of the afternoon came when Henry stripped off on the touchline, ready for a much-needed introduction as the final 30 minutes approached.

Arsenal then had a golden chance to take the lead.

Gilberto's timely pass sent Van Persie dashing clear into the area. The ball was travelling at pace, however, and Robinson was quickly off his line, rushing the striker into a shot which dropped just wide of the right-hand post.

It proved to be the Dutchman's final action of the day, Henry replacing him and Cesc Fabregas also coming on for Abou Diaby with 28 minutes to go.

However, the game erupted into controversy on 65 minutes.

Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto were involved in an accidental clash on the halfway line, which left the Arsenal defender on the floor.

Spurs, however, played on, as Davids sped clear down the right, before crossing to the far post where Keane slotted home.

The travelling fans were sent into delirium - but both Robert Pires and then Lehmann angrily confronted the Dutch international for his perceived lack of sportsmanship.

The goal stood, however, and with tempers on edge, Pires went into the referee's book for a needless late challenge from behind on Defoe.

The tense atmosphere was even getting through to the directors' box, where Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman had to ask for decorum to be restored as the home fans in the surrounding area were left less than impressed with some of the goings-on.

Arsenal were level with six minutes to go, though.

Adebayor won possession off Paul Stalteri on the left flank and carried the ball forwards before releasing Henry, who dispatched a brilliant effort with the outside of his right boot into the far corner.

The Gunners skipper ran the length of the pitch to celebrate as Highbury erupted.

Tottenham were then reduced to 10 men when Davids, who had already been cautioned, went in hard on Fabregas and left referee Steve Bennett with little option but to produce a red card.

Arsenal pressed for a winner, but Spurs held on for what could prove a crucial point in the race for fourth spot.

Arsene Wenger had a blazing touchline row with Martin Jol over Robbie Keane's controversial goal in a incident-packed 1-1 draw at Highbury and afterwards accused the Tottenham bench of lying.

Wenger was furious that Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick played on with Emmanuel Eboue lying injured after a collision with team-mate Gilberto in the build-up to Keane's 66th-minute opener.

Wenger and Jol were involved in a nose-to-nose shouting match as tempers boiled over and the Arsenal boss, having seen substitute Thierry Henry grab an equaliser six minutes from time, did not shake hands with Jol at the end of the match.

Eboue and Gilberto collided while trying to tackle Carrick, who emerged with the ball. Carrick drifted out towards the touchline before looking up and, realising that referee Steve Bennett was allowing play to carry on, he passed to Teemu Tainio. He in turn released Edgar Davids on the left and from his cross Keane had a simple tap-in.

Wenger clearly felt Carrick should have put the ball out of play to enable Eboue to be treated.

He told Sky Sports: 'It's a shame. It was hesitation from Carrick to kick the ball out when we had two players down.

'They (the Tottenham bench) even lie about that and I find that very disappointing.'

Wenger defended his decision to start a match which was crucial to Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via their league position with Henry and Cesc Fabregas on the bench.

'We play every few days at the moment,' he said. 'Also we knew we would be stronger than Spurs physically in the second half.

'They played well in the first half and we weren't in the game. But we showed great spirit and character to get back into it.'

Jol insisted he was not aware of the furore about the ball not being put out because he was following play in the build up to Keane's goal.

'To be fair I didn't even see it, I was watching Edgar Davids.

'The lad was going down then standing up and for me there's no problem.'

Asked about Wenger not shaking hands at the full-time whistle, Jol said: 'I was going to the referee (Steve Bennett) to shake hands with him. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win but for me we deserved something out of this game. Even the Arsenal fans would agree with me.

'Hopefully we can win our next two matches and we'll be fourth.'

Tottenham 1 - 2 Man Utd

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United showed their defiance to Chelsea with a stylishly attacking performance at White Hart Lane.

It means the Premiership title race is prolonged a little while yet.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy also hit the post and United were good value for the win in a much-improved display from the goalless disappointment against Sunderland on Good Friday.

Jermaine Jenas pulled one back in the second-half for a Tottenham side which had been dealt a bitter blow when England central defender Ledley King was ruled out with a fractured left foot he sustained at Everton on Saturday.

It means Tottenham stay four points ahead ahead of Arsenal in the race for the fourth-placed Champions League spot with a mouth-watering London derby against the Gunners coming up next Saturday.

Indeed, Spurs proved here how far they have come under manager Martin Jol. They could easily have won this match and were the better team for long periods.

But United had Rooney.

The England striker, who settled his £700,000 gambling debt over the weekend, put United ahead as early as the seventh minute, although it had been Spurs who had made the better start.

They might easily have gone ahead when Jermain Defoe skewed a shot just wide after good work by Aaron Lennon and then when Michael Dawson brought a sharp save from Edwin Van der Sar.

But United punished them for their early profligacy in the most clinical of fashion.

A neat ball from Ruud van Nistelrooy found Cristiano Ronaldo whose precision cross was tapped in with nonchalance from a couple of yards by Rooney.

To their credit Spurs continued to play attacking football and Defoe and Robbie Keane in particular where a handful for the United defence.

They might have equalised when Gary Neville and John O'Shea both challenged for an innocuous high ball and the resulting collision saw the ball loop towards the far post where Dawson met it on the volley but, with Van der Sar standing tall, he contrived to send the effort over the crossbar from two yards out.

More wastefulness and once more United made them pay.

This time, however, Spurs were the architects of their own downfall. Lee Young-Pyo dwelled needlessly on a ball in defence, only to be caught in possession by his Korean counterpart Park Ji-Sung.

The United midfielder, who had a 25-strong press corps from Korea watching his progress, fed Rooney in oceans of space.

The outcome was inevitable. A composed take, a deliberate aim and a rasping shot past Paul Robinson.

Jenas pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Vidic's clearance from a corner deflected back towards goal off Rio Ferdinand to allow the Spurs midfielder to stab home.

Even so it was United who finished the stronger.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs admitted his side had endured a 'nervous' second half as they hung on to a 2-1 lead at Tottenham.

Two Wayne Rooney goals before the break put United - who needed a win today to be sure of prolonging the title race - in charge.

But Jermaine Jenas pulled a goal back for the home side at White Hart Lane, leaving the visitors to hang on for the win.

And Giggs told Sky Sports: 'It was very nervous. Tottenham are playing very well so to come here and get a result we knew it would be difficult.

'We rode our luck sometimes but in the end we deserved it.'

Tottenham boss Martin Jol admitted losing was a blow to the club`s Champions League hopes.

'I disappointed. We deserved a point but we have to go to Arsenal and get a result,' he said.

'We played ever so well. We had the best 20 minutes of our season and had five or six big chances. They had a break, their second goal was a mistake by us, but we should still have scored two or three goals.'

Everton 0 - 1 Tottenham

Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to keep Tottenham's noses in front in the race for Champions League football.

Everton were outplayed and outmanoeuvred for long spells of this game but mounted a characteristic late charge and could have grabbed an undeserved point with a barrage of long balls.

But it would have been a travesty. Arsenal winning at home to West Brom heightened the need for Spurs, with a four-point lead over their north London neighbours in the race for fourth place, to show backbone and to hang onto their slim lead.

They should have scored more but they had to rely on Keane's 15th goal of the season to see them home.

Everton boss David Moyes had pleaded for Sven-Goran Eriksson to watch Phil Neville and James Beattie in action and the England coach duly obliged. But the Swede would have been far more impressed by the performances of the clutch of England stars in the visitors' ranks.

Everton spent much of their time trying to contain Spurs' movement and passing. Jermain Defoe, in for the injured Mido, must have been delighted that Eriksson was watching and his link play with Jermaine Jenas particularly impressed.

Spurs started well and got the better of the first half. They had plenty of possession and it cost Lee Carsley a 10th-minute booking.

The Republic of Ireland international chased down three successive Spurs players and finally caught Anthony Gardner with a late lunge as the ball eluded him. That was very much the order of the day for Everton who were made to run and run to keep Spurs in check.

Gardner, Michael Carrick and Keane all had chances to score which kept home keeper Richard Wright busy and he also made a fine instinctive save from Teemu Tainio's header.

Aaron Lennon, another out to impressed the England coach, gave Gary Naysmith a torrid afternoon.

The visitors made the breakthrough after 33 minutes. Lee Young-Pyo pulled a cross into Keane's path and, as the Irish striker surged into the box, he was pulled down by Alan Stubbs. Keane got up to blast home the penalty himself.

Neville was booked for a foul on Gardner with the Spurs defender also being cautioned for his reaction to the challenge.

Everton needed more drive about their play, and they were much better after the break. Tim Cahill got into a good position only for Ledley King to block the effort.

But Spurs hit back with substitute Danny Murphy, on for Tainio, firing in a cross which put Jenas in with a chance only for Wright to make a fine save to his right.

The Everton keeper made an even better stop seconds later when Naysmith's poor chested back-pass found Defoe a couple of yards out, but somehow Wright managed to block the effort.

Murphy then set up Keane in the box, but Spurs' top scorer lifted his effort over the top.

Lennon and Jenas ran Everton ragged and Stubbs hurt himself stopping one Jenas run. He was replaced by Matteo Ferrari.

Lee then made another chance for Keane but again Wright got down to save.

Duncan Ferguson arrived to give his own brand of attacking power to Everton after 65 minutes, replacing Simon Davies.

Spurs continued to waste chances, Defoe curling an effort against the angle on 71 minutes and somehow Everton were still in the match.

With that in mind, Spurs sent on defender Calum Davenport for Lennon with eight minutes left.

Everton replaced Naysmith with Kevin Kilbane two minutes later as the Toffees battled for an unlikely point. Carsley saw a free-kick deflected wide and Beattie nodded a free-kick past a post.

But Spurs held on and deservedly claimed three more points as they plot a course for European combat.

David Moyes claimed Tottenham are the best side he has seen at Goodison Park this season after Robbie Keane's first-half penalty kept them on course for a Champions League spot.

Moyes admitted that Spurs could have won more comfortably as Everton lost at home for the first time in 2006.

Moyes said: 'We didn't have many chances, but not for the lack of trying because we threw everything at them.

'But there is no doubt we were beaten by the better team and, from what I have seen, maybe even the best team to play at Goodison this season.

'We lacked a spark, we lacked the creative players we rely on and definitely we missed Mikel Arteta.

'But Spurs made it looked very easy the way they passed and moved. We tried everything. We changed the formation, we changed the players.'

Moyes added: 'We ended up hitting it up front looking for the knock-downs and in the end that was probably the best way for us in the circumstances.

'We never got to grips with the game from the opening minutes. We let them pass it, gain composure at the back and in midfield.

'They are always a threat with Keane and Defoe. They have a great balance to their team and all round are a good side.'

Spurs boss Martin Jol savoured taking another step towards claiming fourth spot.

He said: 'People who have not seen the game may think this was a narrow escape, but it wasn't.

'We punished ourselves a bit by not scoring the second or third goal, we could have won by more.

'If we had done that we would have been able to take players off and rest them with Monday's game with Manchester United in mind.

'We couldn't do that and ended up having to take more risks by putting on three centre halves to counteract Everton's tactics.

'We made it hard for ourselves. They played a typical British game, plenty in the air and we had to fight for everything.

'But we created so many chances, we should have won by several more goals. We were expecting a really tough game because Everton have done so well since Christmas. I was expecting it to be a bit tougher than it was but they are never an easy side to play against.

'We had a lot of good chances in the first half, Richard Wright made a string of good saves.

'Now we are on 61 points going into Monday's game. Last season people thought it was a surprise that Everton got over 60 points, I have tremendous admiration for them for achieving that.

'I couldn't imagine a team like Everton on 60 plus points but now we are in that same position of fourth with 61 points and that is a tremendous effort from the players.'

Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City

Tottenham tightened their grip on fourth place and condemned Manchester City to a fifth successive Premiership defeat with a tense victory at White Hart Lane.

Canadian right-back Paul Stalteri pounced shortly before the interval for his first league goal of the season and England midfielder Michael Carrick doubled the lead in the 49th minute.

City grew in confidence in the second half and pulled one back through Georgios Samaras before creating further chances to level with Micah Richards squandering the best.

A string of saves from David James kept Stuart Pearce's side in the match, however, with the England keeper in magnificent form apart from one blunder.

Carrick, Robbie Keane and Anthony Gardner were all denied by James, who silenced the home fans' chants of `England's number four` in emphatic style.

Pearce voiced his disgust after last weekend's dismal defeat at Middlesbrough and although City's losing streak continued, he will have been encouraged by today's second-half display.

Spurs, unbeaten at White Hart Lane since August, appeared to be cruising until Samaras capitalised on a lapse in concentration and were unable to relax until the final whistle.

Keane provided their greatest threat - he was kept out by James' reactions on three occasions - while Carrick gave a composed performance in midfield.

Spurs, who have stretched their lead over Arsenal to five points, made the brighter start but City created the first chance with Darius Vassell and Samaras linking to set up the Greek striker who blazed wide.

Mido was hauled down by Richard Dunne 15 yards outside the area but Carrick's powerful deflected free-kick was well saved by David James.

Micah Richards fired inches wide after being played in by Trevor Sinclair with City's movement slicing open Spurs' defence.

Martin Jol's side then squandered two magnificent chances in the space of a minute with Mido failing to capitalise on James rushing out from his line and Keane proving equally wasteful with an attempted chip.

A Paul Stalteri throw-in was gathered by Jenas who fed Keane and the Republic of Ireland skipper dashed across goal and struck a weak shot which James saved.

Kiki Musampa smashed a piledriver over the crossbar but the ease with which City gave the ball away was preventing them from building any momentum.
Jenas curved a well-struck free-kick towards the bottom right corner of City's goal but James was equal to the task.

Superb reactions from James prevented Keane from giving Spurs the lead in the 40th minute with the striker taking Young Pyo-Lee`s pass and pulling the trigger only for City's alert keeper to tip the ball onto the bar.

But his heroics could not stop Spurs taking the lead two minutes before the interval with Mido flicking on to Keane to set up the initial opportunity.

A powerful run from Teemu Tainio put Spurs on the offensive shortly after the restart and the Finland midfielder was involved in Spurs' second in the 49th minute.

His perfectly-weighted lofted pass to Carrick released the England midfielder down the right and his ferociously-struck shot whizzed past James from a tight angle.

Spurs should have been cruising but two minutes later they let City equalise with no-one picking up Sylvain Distin's long throw-in except Samaras who prodded home.

The home side's response was instant but Keane's goal was correctly ruled out for offside.

City's belief had grown after slashing the deficit and they could have equalised but Richards failed to bury a good chance.

Lee supplied the ammunition for Anthony Gardner to shoot in the 70th minute but James collected from close range and then tipped a deflected Stalteri effort onto the post.

Jermain Defoe was brought on with eight minutes to go, replacing Lennon, and Spurs fans were subjected to an uncomfortable finish as City searched in vain for the equaliser.

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane conceded his side made hard work of their 2-1 victory over Manchester City which kept their Champions League qualification challenge on course.

Paul Stalteri put Spurs in front just before half-time and Michael Carrick added a second early in the second half.

City quickly pulled one back when Georgios Samaras volleyed in following Sylvain Distin's long throw into the box, but Martin Jol's side claimed the points, and in truth should have scored more, but for some wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping from David James.

Republic of Ireland skipper Keane told Sky PremPlus: 'We made it hard for ourselves and the last few weeks that's been the story. It was a smashing goal from Michael Carrick and all in all we have to be happy, but we made it hard.

'From now on in we'll only get tough games like this, and it's important we dig in and get more results like this.'

Jol felt his side were worthy winners, and has urged fans to stay calm even though north London rivals Arsenal are close behind in fifth with a game in hand.

'It's a great result and a very exciting game again. They made it difficult or us but if it wasn't for James we'd have scored three, four or five goals.

'The fans shouldn't get nervous because we are still in fourth - in the first half we did well but didn't score more, that was the only problem.

'If Arsenal win all their games then maybe we could have a problem but we don`t focus on other teams, we will see what we do between now and the end of the season.

'Everybody who is below us would like to swap with us. The next game is against Everton and all games are finals for us, but if we put in the same effort again today we are in with a good chance.'

THE BIBLE IN 50 WORDS

God made
Adam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Jacob fooled
Joseph ruled
Bush talked
Moses balked
Pharaoh plagued
People walked
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Saul freaked
David peeked
Prophets warned
Jesus born
God walked
Love talked
Anger crucified
Hope died
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.

The Salty Coffee

He met her at a party, she was so outstanding, many guys chasing after her, while he was so normal, nobody paid attention to him.

At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised, but due to politeness, she promised.

They sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she felt uncomfortable, she thought, please, let me go home.

Suddenly he asked the waiter: would you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee. Everybody stared at him, so strange! His face turned red, but still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it.

She asked him curiously: why you have this habit?He replied: when I was a little boy, I was living near the sea, I like playing in the sea, I could felt the taste of the sea, salty and bite, just like the taste of the salty coffee.

Now every time I have the salty coffee, I will think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss my hometown so much, I miss my parents who still living there.

Saying that, tears filled his eyes.She was deeply touched.That's his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart.

A man who can tell out his homesick, he must be a man loves home, cares about home, has responsibility of home...Then she also started to talk, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family.

That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story. They continue to date. She found actually he was a man who meets all her demands: he was tolerance, kind hearted, warm, careful... he was such a good guy but she almost missed him! Thanks to his salty coffee!

Then the story was just like every beautiful love story: the princess married to the prince, then they were living the happy life...And, everytime she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee, as she knew that's the way he liked it.

After 40 years, he passed away, left her a letter which said: My dearest, please forgive me, forgive my whole life lie. This was the only lie I said to you ---- the salty coffee.

Remember the first time we dated?I was so nervous at that time, actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt.

It's hard for me to change so I just go ahead. I never thought that could be the start of our communication!

I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you for anything...Now I'm dying, I afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don't like the salty coffee, what a strange bad taste... but I have the salty coffee for my whole life since I knew you, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you.

Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life. If I can live for the second time, I still want to know you and have you as my whole life wife, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again.

Her tears made the letter totally wet.

Someday, someone asked her: what's the taste of salty coffee?

It's sweet. She replied.

我是如此爱你

当故事结束
不再谈你
爱你的挫折
留给时间处理
陪你一段路
也让自己想清楚
爱在梦想与真实两边
不可能交集
你在追寻中沧桑
我在无言中转身
我们终究还是回到
各自世界里

我是如此爱你
却只能沉默站在原地
像一个迷失孩子般
遗落在人群

我是如此爱你
明知道得不到你的回应
心情像失群的孤雁
飞在黄昏里

因为

因为想一个人 而寂寞
因为爱一个人 而温柔
因为有一个梦 而执着
因为等一个人 而折磨
因为想一个人 而解脱
因为爱一个人 而宽容
因为有一个梦 而放纵
因为等一个人 而漂泊

像夜的朦拢
你的深情难懂
我的世界因为你而不同

像风的自由
你的深情难留
你的背影
是我最美丽的所有

黄智阳当选首届校园SuperStar！

黄智阳成功击败大热门曾咏霖登上【校园SuperStar】冠军宝座。功课一级棒的黄智阳声称，不会为了歌唱放弃学业，也不一定会出唱片！怎么一回事？！

华侨中学的黄智阳高分击败加东修道院女校的曾咏霖，顺利夺冠，众望所归。

昨晚的【校园SuperStar】总决赛除了决战四强，其他16强也上台表演，活泼可爱的校园SuperStar，用热力与魅力感染全岛！超过96万新加坡观众收看星期天的总决赛现场直播，创下20%的优异收视（调查对象：15岁以上观众）!

总冠军之战，女子组冠军咏霖与师兄洪俊扬对唱“恋爱频率”时就像个情窦初开、不知所措的小女生，甜美的笑容迷倒全场；男子组冠军智阳的表现更是出乎意料的俏皮，与师姐石欣卉对唱“恋爱达人”时放电的表情、优异的歌艺为他大大加分。

黄智阳在第二阶段的评审评分获得51分，加了电话投选后总分为61%；对手曾咏霖在评审评分获得45.5分，加了电话投选后得分39%。（* 注：评判评分占30%；观众投票占70%）

总冠军揭晓前，全场气氛紧张，一触即发，曾咏霖的粉丝更是心手相连，手牵手，以行动表示支持。

成绩公布后，站在台上的黄智阳强忍泪水，不断地吸气，强迫自己镇定下来。台下的粉丝群则立刻从椅子上跳起来，不停挥动手上的看板，难掩兴奋。

校园SuperStar 总决赛分两部分进行，首先从2男（黄智阳、黄业伦）2女（史心莹、曾咏霖）中选出男女冠军，接着再选出总冠军。（* 点击看详情 *）

第一阶段，黄智阳在电话投选虽败给了黄业伦；但是歌艺方面却获得评审一致好评，最终以总成绩53.7%打败了获得43.3%的黄业伦，成为男冠军。

女生方面，曾咏霖在评审评分胜过对手史心莹，电话投选则输了。最后她以51.1%险胜获得48.9%的史心莹，成为女冠军。

黄智阳受访时表示他没想到自己会夺冠，感到很意外。“我没想到自己会走到这么远，每次比赛我只希望尽力就好。”

“我很感动，也很谢谢支持我的所有人，包括我的老师、家人和朋友。”情绪平和下来后，黄智阳说，“我真的真的很感谢大家，这种感谢是言语没有办法表达的。”

黄智阳在学校的成绩非常优异，曾考获7个A1，如果有唱片公司向他招手，他会否放弃学业，全身投入演艺圈？

“我从小的梦想就是当歌手，但是我不会放弃学业，也不希望放弃我的梦想，如果两者可以兼顾是最好的。”

“我不一定要出唱片，只要有机会待在音乐领域里慢慢磨练自己就好了。我希望一切可以慢慢地一步一步来……不急着出唱片。”年纪轻轻，说话却有条有理，黄智阳的气度不输其他大型比赛冠军人马。

在成绩揭晓后，吴佩音、吴佩思、黄韵琴等女参赛者激动地一涌而上，紧紧拥抱黄智阳，笑容腼腆的冠军小弟很有女人缘哦？

“哈哈……女生都被安排站在第一排，她们比较容易抱到我嘛。”言下之意就是男参赛者站太远了，手不够长啦。

――感觉如何？

“很舒服、很温馨。”

比赛前曾传出4强纷纷病倒，黄智阳患扁桃腺炎。为了不影响总决赛，他去看了专科，还打了2支针，还“消音”2天不练歌，这才恢复美丽嗓音。他说练习不足导致第一、二首歌唱不好，有些耿耿于怀。


曾咏霖：我输在台风不好……

歌声一直以来都获好评的曾咏霖败给了黄智阳。
受访时她的眼眶泛红，但是态度落落大方，她在比赛后要赶会学校和老师以及同学一起庆祝，工作人员在一旁不断地催促，说她的妈妈已经在大门外等候，她还是温文地表示可以接受访问，“说几句话”，态度让人激赏。

据说，曾咏霖的校友为了这次比赛还发动募款，为她打电话投选，这样的举动让曾咏霖感动不已。

“我难过是因为我觉得我可以为学校付出多一点，我真的不知道如何感谢我的学校。”

大家的善意募款是否造成了她的压力？

“是有一点点压力啦……我能做的就是尽力地把歌唱好。”

――你觉得自己输在哪里？

“我觉得自己的台风不够好，眼神一直飘。”

胜者为王，败者为寇？！

年轻人的字典里没有这一句话！他们只知道一次的失败不代表永远的失败，能够笑着面对失败，这可不是人人都做得到的。这一群小朋友让我们看到了年轻的魄力和活力。

在第一阶段被淘汰出局的黄业伦和史心莹，整个晚上都笑口常开，没有难过，也没有脸黑黑，放开胸怀，在后台和大家一起观战、紧张、打电话……。

史心莹的妈妈和亲戚约40人到现场为她加油，妈妈还说出国旅行的外婆临行前投资了1000大元的电话费！妈妈和亲戚则无限量投票！

最后虽然输了，却无损史心莹的好心情，她一回到后台就大喊：我解脱了！我很happy!

受访时一时兴起，还和几位女参赛者自称为“解脱一族”，大唱《解脱》，潇洒又搞笑！

黄业伦则一贯害羞，面对媒体访问笑眯眯地回答，答案简短又模糊。情绪倒是比站在台上时看起来轻松多了。哥哥黄业翔还拉了【非常SuperBand】的队友一起来观战，哥哥认为黄业伦当晚表现不错，只是输在台风。两兄弟的感情非常好，黄业伦说他将会为哥哥加油、投票！

【校园SuperStar】结束了。

比赛不重要，重要的是我们看到了一群带着笑脸来比赛，结束后又笑着离开的年轻人。长大后的他们会否记得充满泪水和欢笑的这一夜？！

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

参赛者偏心？一面倒支持黄智阳！

黄智阳“后宫”（后台）佳丽三人－－黄韵琴、吴佩思、陈慧伶，为了他又哭又笑，还拼命打电话为他投票……参赛者偏心，一面倒支持黄智阳？！【校园SuperStar】后台实录！绝对真！

【校园SuperStar】让我们看到属于年轻人的清纯与活力。这一场比赛，少了在其他“大人”比赛中免不了的的钩心斗角、名利争夺。【校园SuperStar】是一场难得单纯的比赛。参赛者来自不同的学校，大家因爱唱歌而成了朋友、好朋友、知己……

参加【校园SuperStar】就像是参加校际运动会、课外活动一般，加强了参赛者与全校同学的感情与凝聚力，也让爱唱歌的少年找到志同道合的死党！

昨晚（4月2日）是【校园SuperStar】的总决赛，在家里看电视的观众可能感受台前的紧张气氛，却无法想像幕后更激动的情绪。有别于其他大型的寻星大赛，【校园SuperStar】的16强参赛者都被安排坐在后台。

一群情绪高张的小朋友聚集在后台，俨然一场下课后的聚会，你一言我一句――非常热闹！如果要我说，后台的精彩情况绝对不输台前。

在后台，我看到了这群小瓜为了台上好朋友一会儿哭、一会儿笑……很激动，他们的一举一动非常自然单纯，让人不忍心揣测其动作背后的目的。

拥抱、哭泣、大笑～～是后台不断重复的戏码，其中最激动的要数黄韵琴、吴佩思、吴佩诗、陈慧伶等几个小女生，一边注视着电视荧幕，手指不断地按着手机，发简讯投票。

黄韵琴口里还一直发出：“啊～～好怕！好怕！”的叫声，让大家摸不着头脑，一问，才知道她是怕好朋友黄智阳会输。

双胞胎姐妹的姐姐吴佩思从比赛开始就一直紧张得掉眼泪，眼泪流了一次又一次，一双眼睛都哭得红肿，哭泣之余还要一直闪躲摄影师。

赛情紧张？都不及这几个小妹妹的举动啊！她们的举动才真叫人紧张。

千万别小看小朋友无私的友谊，除了打自己的电话以外，当某些参赛者上场表演时，留在后台的参赛者就会一手两机，双手并用，继续投票。一转头，就听到年纪最小的黄韵琴像大姐一样嘱咐：“Ooi,adriano（黄俊辉），不要停，要一直按！”原来，吴佩音上台表演前将手机交给黄俊辉，打电话投选。黄俊辉也大回应：“有啦！我有一直在按啦！”

一时间，大家都在忙碌地打电话支持黄智阳。

嗯…看来品学兼优，又被歌唱导师方钟桦称赞唱功最好的黄智阳，是一众参赛者心目中的SuperStar呢！

长相可爱、歌艺好、人缘极佳的黄智阳在后台绝对是被拥抱最多次的4强参赛者。每一次回到后台，一定会有三五人涌上前揽头就抱。一眼望去，都是女生！黄智阳左拥右抱，除了要承受“惊人的重量”以外，还要分心安慰大家，叫大家不要哭、不要担心……他是现代卫小宝？！唉呀！压力不小啊！

高美贵在后台的电视前一直跳来跳去，几位记者在一旁你看我、我看你，都无法知道她怎么啦。有人“见义勇为”上前一问，原来她觉得冷，跳一跳就会缓和些。天啊！千万不要有事没事猜测小朋友的举动！

节目一结束，众小瓜就往后台冲，看到满桌的食物，立刻装满了一大盘，站在一旁大快朵颐。吃饭皇帝大，此时什么比赛啊、访问啊……通通闪一边，此时，他们只是被饿了一个晚上，一群饥肠辘辘的小瓜而已！

Newcastle 3 - 1 Tottenham: Spurs hopes hammered

If only King had played....

If only Jenas had scored.....

If only Jenas had squared the ball to Keane....

If only Dawson grew up and stops those silly fouls....

If only Gardner is more steady....

If .....

Too many to count.....

We are just not ready for Champion League yet...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tottenham's Champions League hopes were dealt a blow as Newcastle ended a run of four successive defeats in style with a 3-1 win, all the goals coming inside the opening half-hour.

Although they rode their luck after the break, Michael Dawson's 61st-minute dismissal for a second bookable offence effectively ended Spurs' fightback.

Lee Bowyer fired the Magpies in front with just a minute and six seconds gone, and although Robbie Keane levelled, Shola Ameobi restored Newcastle's lead after 25 minutes.

Alan Shearer's 30th-minute penalty - his 203rd goal for the club in his 300th Premiership appearance - ultimately sealed the win.

The bulk of a crowd of 52,301 went home happy although wondering what might have been after seeing their side dominate a team challenging for the top-four finish Newcastle so crave.

Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder insisted in the run-up to the game that there was still plenty to play for in a season which ended in terms of the big prizes with Newcastle's FA Cup quarter-final exit at Chelsea last week.

With Scott Parker having joined Michael Owen on the sidelines with glandular fever and Kieron Dyer once again missing from the 16, Newcastle could have been forgiven for wishing for a merciful release.

However, Roeder's message had obviously registered with his players as they set about Tottenham with a relish which belied their troubles.

Bowyer, who might have left the club in January but this week pledged his continued allegiance, opened the scoring with his first Premiership goal of the season and his first in any competition since last July.

It came from a flowing move involving Charles N'Zogbia, Shearer and Nolberto Solano which set the tone for a thrilling display.

The first half was not without its scares as a rearguard which included three men - Robbie Elliott, Peter Ramage and Craig Moore - who would not figure in the club's strongest back four was kept on its toes by Keane.

The Irishman headed the visitors back level after 19 minutes, applying the finish after Aaron Lennon had comprehensively beaten former Tottenham full-back Stephen Carr.

Keane then smashed a shot against the crossbar in injury time, but by that point Newcastle had taken the game by the scruff of the neck.

Ameobi's 25th-minute strike restored their lead and there was more to come when Bowyer, who had earlier had appeals for a penalty turned down, was inexplicably shoved to the ground by Edgar Davids after Shearer and Solano had carved Tottenham open once again.

Shearer hammered the penalty past Paul Robinson to give his side a deserved 3-1 lead, and had he not earlier missed from the kind of headed opportunity upon which he has built his career, Roeder's men could have been out of sight.

The home side returned knowing an early goal for Tottenham would change the complexion of the game once again and it needed Moore's intervention to deny Lennon a chance to claim it after he once again slipped past Carr with just a minute gone.

Keane was dropping deeper to pick up possession earlier and run at the home defence, but it was a policy which proved only partially successful.

Michael Carrick's last-ditch tackle denied Solano a fourth goal for the Magpies on 53 minutes, but when Tottenham broke from the resulting corner, they should have been back in the game.

Elliott's attempt to head a long ball away from the danger area succeeded only in directing it into the feet of former team-mate Jenas.

The England international, who left St James' Park for White Hart Lane in a #7million move during the summer, rounded Given easily, but with the goal at his mercy, sliced his left-foot shot into the side-netting, much to the amusement of the home fans.

Keane clipped the outside of the post with a well-struck 59th-minute effort, but his side were dealt a blow two minutes later when Dawson, who had been booked before the break for a foul on Emre, picked up a second yellow card for a tug on Shearer's shirt and was dismissed.

Had it not been for Robinson's agility, Ramage would have wrapped up the points with a 63rd-minute header, and although Keane and substitute Jermain Defoe both wasted good opportunities as time ran down, the hard work had already been done.

Caretaker Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder revealed he had shown his players his grumpy side this week to inspire their rousing victory over Champions League hopefuls Tottenham.

The former Magpies skipper was angry at their performance at Charlton last Sunday and the suggestion that their season had ended with the FA Cup quarter-final exit brought a withering riposte.

Their response was to rattle three first-half goals past fourth-placed Spurs at St James' Park to end a run of four successive defeats.

'Thirty-eight games - that's when the season ends,' said Roeder. 'That's what I've always believed.

'What a shameful thought, to pack up and go home with seven games to go. I didn't hear players saying that, but I heard people around the place saying `they have got nothing to play for, they won't be motivated'.

'I can't have that. After the result last Sunday against Charlton, they have seen a different Glenn Roeder this week, a Glenn Roeder they probably think has got out of the wrong side of the bed every morning.

'But I got the response I wanted. They have shown they need a kick up the backside sometimes.

'This is a good squad of players, there are decent people in this squad, but even decent people sometimes need a toe in the right direction, and they certainly got it.

'We got the response because I would say that's the best first-half performance while I've been involved; Terry McDermott goes a bit further because he's been involved all season, and he says it's the best 45 minutes all season.

'I'd better keep getting out of the wrong side of the bed!'

Spurs boss Martin Jol was disappointed with his way his side started the game, although happy with the way they responded to the challenge of Newcastle's first-half onslaught.

'We showed many faces today,' he said. 'When you concede a goal like we did in the first minute, it's always difficult.

'We knew we needed a clean sheet to come away with three points, but then we played to our strengths, played it to Aaron Lennon, who beat the full-back easily and got back into it.

'But then we made the second mistake and then the third one with the penalty.

'Before half-time, we could have scored the second one when Robbie Keane hit the bar and if we could have done that, even with 10 men, we could have got a result.

'But it wasn't our day. Jermaine Jenas had a 100% chance to score. They (Newcastle) were nervous even at 3-1, but we couldn't take advantage of that.'