Carling Cup 3rd Rd - Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 0
Late goals from Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone earned Tottenham a 2-0 win in their clash against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
Spurs played 21 cup games last season and, with boss Martin Jol under intense pressure following a dismal start to the season, the hunt for silverware is at least giving his side the chance to build momentum.
Two of their three victories this season have come in cup competitions - but getting out of the bottom three of the Premier League is the immediate priority.
The win was still welcomed by Jol. Bale rounded goalkeeper Brad Jones for the opener with 18 minutes remaining and Huddlestone headed in the second three minutes later.
Jones had frustrated Spurs with a polished performance, while Boro threatened from set-pieces, and in the end it was the substitution of Robbie Keane coming on for Jermain Defoe that proved the decisive moment.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate had a host of first-team players out injured, notably Jonathan Woodgate with a groin problem and former Spurs striker Mido with a hamstring injury.
It meant the visitors were on the back foot for long periods, looking to break when possible and look for lone-striker Lee Dong-Gook.
Spurs skipper Paul Robinson was tested early on by Fabio Rochemback's long-range drive and Chris Riggott wasted a glorious chance at the end of the first half when he volleyed over, but the rest of the opening period saw the hosts push forward and apply pressure.
Defoe had been left out of the squad altogether for the Bolton clash in the Premier League at the weekend, but he made a lively comeback to the starting XI and led the attack.
The England striker earned a free-kick which Bale had deflected just wide after his initial effort cannoned off the defensive wall.
He was in the action again, in the ninth minute, lofting the ball through but Jermaine Jenas sliced his shot as he raced through on goal.
Defoe came close himself when Teemu Tainio slipped him through but Jones rushed out and blocked bravely with his face.
Tainio was found in an even better position when Defoe raced down the right flank and stood the ball up, but Jones did not have to move when the header came in.
Boro keeper Jones, in the side instead of Mark Schwarzer, kept the scores level when Younes Kaboul flicked on Bale's free-kick, and he also tipped a Defoe header onto the bar before the break after Tainio's effort deflected into the striker's path.
Last season's league clash at White Hart Lane ended in a mass brawl, and there was an element of needle towards the end of the first half.
Rochemback was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he kicked out at Huddlestone after getting fouled, while Michael Dawson got a card for tripping Stewart Downing. Riggott's chance came from the resulting free-kick, with the defender volleying over after Spurs failed to clear the set-piece.
Spurs have looked suspect from dead-ball situations all season and they were shaky again after the break when Tom Craddock, a half-time substitute, was found unmarked from a corner but could not direct an effort on goal.
At the other end, Jones saved from a Bale free-kick after Jenas was fouled by Andrew Taylor 25 yards out, then David Wheater had to time a challenge on Aaron Lennon to perfection when the winger took the ball into the penalty area.
Defoe tested Jones again, with a diving header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross, before being withdrawn with jeers ringing around White Hart Lane.
Defoe looked angry at being taken off but the substitution was the catalyst for Spurs' late goals.
Keane, brought on for Defoe, sent Bale through and the left-back rounded Jones and squeezed home his finish from a tight angle.
Southgate was furious as Lennon appeared to be in an offside position when Bale was sent through, and the protests led to one of Boro's backroom staff being sent to the dressing room.
The second goal came when Lennon cut inside Rochemback and found found Huddlestone, who tucked away his header.
Jeers turn to cheers for Jol
Tottenham boss Martin Jol saw jeers turn to cheers with his substitution of Jermain Defoe in the Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
Crowd favourite Defoe had hit the bar and been frustrated by Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones, and replacing him with Robbie Keane in the 69th minute prompted booing from home fans.
However, Keane had a hand in Spurs' opener three minutes later, with Tom Huddlestone sealing a 2-0 win and a place in the fourth round.
'I don't think it's about booing me because a minute later they are singing my name,' said Jol. 'I am in a very good position here and that is what I deserve, I gave them a bit of success over the last couple of years - no-one could have done better.
'I'm not someone to fear things. They say in Holland 'have no fear Jolly is here'.'
While this substitution had an immediate impact, Jol's decision to bring Defoe on for Keane in a Premier League match earlier in the season against Fulham led to Spurs letting a 3-1 advantage slip.
'You can leave it and wait or make a decision,' Jol added. 'I've had around 150 games, maybe 170, and they normally come off, maybe a couple of them didn't.
'I make brave decisions all the time because I want to win.
'Everyone will be involved, that's what I tell them. Darren Bent was on the bench.'
Defoe reacted angrily to being taken off against Boro, with Jol adding: 'He's a human being.
'Even with children, if they have a lot of support they feel confident. I always say if you come off you have to show respect for your team-mates.'
For the opener, Keane slipped Gareth Bale through to round Jones and finish from a tight angle, his third goal in as many starts. Boro's bench felt Aaron Lennon was offside in the build-up to the 72nd-minute striker and goalkeeper coach Paul Barron was sent to the stands for leaving the technical area.
'We are well aware that Bale was onside but we do feel Lennon was interfering, he was standing five yards from Bale and let the ball run,' said Boro boss Gareth Southgate. 'Our covering defender has to go around Lennon.
'Maybe I have to go on another course! It's difficult for the linesman but the flag should have gone up.'
Huddlestone doubled the lead with 15 minutes remaining, meeting Lennon's header after the England winger skipped inside Fabio Rochemback.
Boro were left to rue Chris Riggott's opportunity just before the break when Spurs failed to clear a free-kick and the defender volleyed over.
'It's important to take those chances but we didn't,' Southgate added. As they have been all season, Spurs were suspect from set-pieces, and substitute Tom Craddock could not direct his effort on goal when he was found from a corner early in the second half.
Having the likes of Mido, Jonathan Woodgate and Julio Arca out injured and staying level with Spurs for 72 minutes came as no consolation to Southgate.
He added: 'We came and played in a style we were forced to. We kept it tight in the first half and put a striker on after the break and it could have been a night we could have grabbed a 1-0.
'We don't have to bleat on about who we don't have here, Tottenham were the better side and good luck to them.'
Spurs played 21 cup games last season and, with boss Martin Jol under intense pressure following a dismal start to the season, the hunt for silverware is at least giving his side the chance to build momentum.
Two of their three victories this season have come in cup competitions - but getting out of the bottom three of the Premier League is the immediate priority.
The win was still welcomed by Jol. Bale rounded goalkeeper Brad Jones for the opener with 18 minutes remaining and Huddlestone headed in the second three minutes later.
Jones had frustrated Spurs with a polished performance, while Boro threatened from set-pieces, and in the end it was the substitution of Robbie Keane coming on for Jermain Defoe that proved the decisive moment.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate had a host of first-team players out injured, notably Jonathan Woodgate with a groin problem and former Spurs striker Mido with a hamstring injury.
It meant the visitors were on the back foot for long periods, looking to break when possible and look for lone-striker Lee Dong-Gook.
Spurs skipper Paul Robinson was tested early on by Fabio Rochemback's long-range drive and Chris Riggott wasted a glorious chance at the end of the first half when he volleyed over, but the rest of the opening period saw the hosts push forward and apply pressure.
Defoe had been left out of the squad altogether for the Bolton clash in the Premier League at the weekend, but he made a lively comeback to the starting XI and led the attack.
The England striker earned a free-kick which Bale had deflected just wide after his initial effort cannoned off the defensive wall.
He was in the action again, in the ninth minute, lofting the ball through but Jermaine Jenas sliced his shot as he raced through on goal.
Defoe came close himself when Teemu Tainio slipped him through but Jones rushed out and blocked bravely with his face.
Tainio was found in an even better position when Defoe raced down the right flank and stood the ball up, but Jones did not have to move when the header came in.
Boro keeper Jones, in the side instead of Mark Schwarzer, kept the scores level when Younes Kaboul flicked on Bale's free-kick, and he also tipped a Defoe header onto the bar before the break after Tainio's effort deflected into the striker's path.
Last season's league clash at White Hart Lane ended in a mass brawl, and there was an element of needle towards the end of the first half.
Rochemback was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he kicked out at Huddlestone after getting fouled, while Michael Dawson got a card for tripping Stewart Downing. Riggott's chance came from the resulting free-kick, with the defender volleying over after Spurs failed to clear the set-piece.
Spurs have looked suspect from dead-ball situations all season and they were shaky again after the break when Tom Craddock, a half-time substitute, was found unmarked from a corner but could not direct an effort on goal.
At the other end, Jones saved from a Bale free-kick after Jenas was fouled by Andrew Taylor 25 yards out, then David Wheater had to time a challenge on Aaron Lennon to perfection when the winger took the ball into the penalty area.
Defoe tested Jones again, with a diving header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross, before being withdrawn with jeers ringing around White Hart Lane.
Defoe looked angry at being taken off but the substitution was the catalyst for Spurs' late goals.
Keane, brought on for Defoe, sent Bale through and the left-back rounded Jones and squeezed home his finish from a tight angle.
Southgate was furious as Lennon appeared to be in an offside position when Bale was sent through, and the protests led to one of Boro's backroom staff being sent to the dressing room.
The second goal came when Lennon cut inside Rochemback and found found Huddlestone, who tucked away his header.
Jeers turn to cheers for Jol
Tottenham boss Martin Jol saw jeers turn to cheers with his substitution of Jermain Defoe in the Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.
Crowd favourite Defoe had hit the bar and been frustrated by Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones, and replacing him with Robbie Keane in the 69th minute prompted booing from home fans.
However, Keane had a hand in Spurs' opener three minutes later, with Tom Huddlestone sealing a 2-0 win and a place in the fourth round.
'I don't think it's about booing me because a minute later they are singing my name,' said Jol. 'I am in a very good position here and that is what I deserve, I gave them a bit of success over the last couple of years - no-one could have done better.
'I'm not someone to fear things. They say in Holland 'have no fear Jolly is here'.'
While this substitution had an immediate impact, Jol's decision to bring Defoe on for Keane in a Premier League match earlier in the season against Fulham led to Spurs letting a 3-1 advantage slip.
'You can leave it and wait or make a decision,' Jol added. 'I've had around 150 games, maybe 170, and they normally come off, maybe a couple of them didn't.
'I make brave decisions all the time because I want to win.
'Everyone will be involved, that's what I tell them. Darren Bent was on the bench.'
Defoe reacted angrily to being taken off against Boro, with Jol adding: 'He's a human being.
'Even with children, if they have a lot of support they feel confident. I always say if you come off you have to show respect for your team-mates.'
For the opener, Keane slipped Gareth Bale through to round Jones and finish from a tight angle, his third goal in as many starts. Boro's bench felt Aaron Lennon was offside in the build-up to the 72nd-minute striker and goalkeeper coach Paul Barron was sent to the stands for leaving the technical area.
'We are well aware that Bale was onside but we do feel Lennon was interfering, he was standing five yards from Bale and let the ball run,' said Boro boss Gareth Southgate. 'Our covering defender has to go around Lennon.
'Maybe I have to go on another course! It's difficult for the linesman but the flag should have gone up.'
Huddlestone doubled the lead with 15 minutes remaining, meeting Lennon's header after the England winger skipped inside Fabio Rochemback.
Boro were left to rue Chris Riggott's opportunity just before the break when Spurs failed to clear a free-kick and the defender volleyed over.
'It's important to take those chances but we didn't,' Southgate added. As they have been all season, Spurs were suspect from set-pieces, and substitute Tom Craddock could not direct his effort on goal when he was found from a corner early in the second half.
Having the likes of Mido, Jonathan Woodgate and Julio Arca out injured and staying level with Spurs for 72 minutes came as no consolation to Southgate.
He added: 'We came and played in a style we were forced to. We kept it tight in the first half and put a striker on after the break and it could have been a night we could have grabbed a 1-0.
'We don't have to bleat on about who we don't have here, Tottenham were the better side and good luck to them.'
posted by dgarden at 12:42 pm
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