Tottenham 2 - 1 Aston Villa
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By Ian Hughes
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Rafael Van der Vaart scored twice to earn Tottenham a come-from-behind win that ended ended Gerard Houllier's 100% record as Aston Villa manager.
The visitors were rewarded for a strong start when Emile Heskey robbed Sebastien Bassong and squared for Marc Albrighton to slide in and convert.
But Van der Vaart headed in the euqaliser just before half-time.
And after a flurry of chances for both sides, the Dutchman smashed in the winner with a shot from 12 yards.
It capped an action-packed week for Van der Vaart, who missed a penalty, scored and was sent off against FC Twente in Spurs' maiden Champions League win in midweek.
He started this match in a subdued mood - as did his team-mates - but once he found his rhythm he produced another performance that makes his £8m switch from Real Madrid look like the deal of the summer.
Yet it had seemed that one of the Premier League's old guard rather than one of its new faces was going to be the key influence at White Hart Lane.
The rejuvenated Heskey led the line brilliantly for Villa until he was forced off in the 35th minute, and it was once his threat was removed that the visitors noticeably lost their way.
But that is not to take anything away from Spurs - and their new Dutch idol - who shook off what was threatening to be a European hangover and secure a win that leapfrogged Villa in the table.
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606: DEBATE
Harry the Basset Hound
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After the 4-1 thrashing of Twente in midweek, Spurs resumed their domestic campaign on a high and they made only one change to their starting line-up with Jermain Jenas replacing Ledley King. Tom Huddlestone was switched to centre-back and handed the captaincy.
Villa, too, made one defensive change as they brought in Richard Dunne for Carlos Cuellar.
The visitors had managed only one league victory at White Hart Lane in the last decade but buoyed by victories in Houllier's first two matches and facing opponents who had played in midweek they might have felt the time was right to address that record.
And it certainly seemed that way as Villa began at a high pace, utilising Heskey to good effect as they pushed forward.
They were almost caught out, though, when Spurs broke and Luka Modric crossed for Roman Pavlyuchenko, who should have got his header on target.
But Heskey's influence was soon on show again when the striker felt he should have had a penalty after tangling with Alan Hutton.
Then after a spell of crisp passing, Heskey created the opener when he outmuscled Bassong, got to the byeline and rolled the ball across goal for Albrighton to slide in ahead of Hutton and apply the finishing touch for his first senior goal.
Deservedly in front, Villa might have thought they would go on to dominate Spurs who were struggling to fire.
Instead, the goal sparked Spurs into life and with Van der Vaart driving them on, the hosts began to find their fluency.
It was the Dutchman who was the catalyst for a series of chances, first giving warning with a free-kick before Hutton blazed an effort wide and then Pavlyuchenko almost touched in Gareth Bale's cross.
Villa, now without Heskey and finding themselves pushed back, did break and create a good chance when Stewart Downing pulled the ball back for John Carew but the substitute's shot was abysmal.
That proved only a brief break from the Van der Vaart show and he was soon in the the thick of it again when he tested Brad Friedel with a low shot that the keeper spilled and was fortunate to see fizz wide.
And after having another shot deflected narrowly over, Van der Vaart finally got his reward when he headed in at the far post after Crouch had nodded back Pavlyuchenko's cross.
Soon after the break, he almost put Spurs in front but was denied by Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, who did just enough to prevent the Dutchman tapping in from Crouch's header down.
Yet Villa responded and Carew burst through only to misdirect his cut-back and let Spurs off the hook.
Now it was end-to-end and the next chance fell once again to Van der Vaart - by now pushed forward in support of Crouch - but Dunne's superb block prevented the shot hitting its target.
With the game stretched, Villa surged forward and Ashley Young's cross needed only a touch to produce a goal but Carew and Albrighton were both inches away.
Carew then headed off target from a good cross while at the other end Crouch was unable to accurately direct his header from Huddlestone's knock-on.
Moments later, Aaron Lennon, on at half-time in place of Pavlyuchenko, forced a fine save from Friedel with a low shot before the winger was involved in spurs' winner when his cross was knocked down by Crouch and Van der Vaart took one deft touch before cracking home.
Van der Vaart missed a half-chance to get his hat-trick when he sent a shot high and wide, but on his late substitution he left to a standing ovation and it is unlikely to be the last one he receives.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Premier League
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | 2-1 | Aston Villa | FT |
| (HT 1-1) | |||
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Tottenham
- 01 Gomes
- 02 Hutton
- 03 Bale yellow card
- 19 Bassong
- 32 Assou-Ekotto
- 06 Huddlestone
- 08 Jenas
- 11 Van der Vaart (Cordeiro Sandro 90)
- 14 Modric (Palacios 77)
- 09 Pavlyuchenko (Lennon 46)
- 15 Crouch
Substitutes
Aston Villa
- 01 Friedel
- 02 L Young
- 03 Warnock
- 05 Dunne
- 29 Collins yellow card
- 06 Downing
- 07 A Young yellow card
- 12 Albrighton yellow card (Bannan 81)
- 19 Petrov (Ireland 81)
- 20 Reo-Coker
- 18 Heskey (Carew 35)
Substitutes
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+3:55 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
- 90:00+3:14 The assistant referee signals for offside against Gareth Bale. Free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.
- 90:00+3:14 Booking Gareth Bale shown a yellow card.
- 90:00+2:46 The ball is crossed by Gareth Bale, save by Brad Friedel.
- 90:00+2:13 The ball is sent over by Barry Bannan.
- 88:52 Aaron Lennon takes the free kick.
- 88:52 Substitution Raniere Sandro replaces Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 88:52 Barry Bannan concedes a free kick for a foul on Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 88:29 Alan Hutton takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in.
- 88:09 Peter Crouch fouled by James Collins, the ref awards a free kick. Benoit Assou-Ekotto restarts play with the free kick.
- 87:13 Unfair challenge on Richard Dunne by Rafael Van der Vaart results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.
- 86:00 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Ireland by Rafael Van der Vaart. Stephen Warnock takes the direct free kick.
- 85:19 Effort from just outside the area by Rafael Van der Vaart goes over the bar.
- 84:51 Free kick taken by Gareth Bale.
- 84:51 Booking Caution for James Collins.
- 84:33 Aaron Lennon fouled by James Collins, the ref awards a free kick.
- 83:31 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ashley Young, Headed effort from inside the area by Richard Dunne misses to the left of the target.
- 82:47 The assistant referee signals for offside against Gareth Bale. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.
- 82:18 Gareth Bale sends in a cross, save by Brad Friedel.
- 82:11 The ball is sent over by Aaron Lennon.
- 79:55 Substitution Barry Bannan replaces Marc Albrighton.
- 79:55 Substitution Stephen Ireland comes on in place of Stiliyan Petrov.
- 79:55 John Carew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Hutton. Tom Huddlestone takes the free kick.
- 78:57 The ball is delivered by Alan Hutton, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 76:36 Free kick crossed left-footed by Gareth Bale, Richard Dunne makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale from the right by-line, save by Brad Friedel.
- 76:36 Substitution Wilson Palacios on for Luka Modric.
- 76:36 Stiliyan Petrov concedes a free kick for a foul on Gareth Bale.
- 74:33 Peter Crouch provided the assist for the goal.
- 74:33 GOAL - Rafael Van der Vaart:Tottenham 2 - 1 Aston Villa Rafael Van der Vaart finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa.
- 71:16 Free kick awarded for a foul by John Carew on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Sebastien Bassong takes the free kick.
- 71:07 Aaron Lennon takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
- 70:28 Ashley Young is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Heurelho Gomes.
- 69:20 Corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric, Peter Crouch produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.
- 68:41 Marc Albrighton sends in a cross, Header by John Carew from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
- 66:17 John Carew produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 65:45 Effort from outside the box by Nigel Reo-Coker goes wide right of the target.
- 64:21 Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
- 63:27 Stewart Downing produces a cross.
- 63:12 Nigel Reo-Coker takes a shot. Blocked by Tom Huddlestone.
- 61:47 Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a shot.
- 61:32 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Stephen Warnock manages to make a clearance.
- 61:16 Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Nigel Reo-Coker.
- 61:07 Alan Hutton produces a cross, clearance made by James Collins.
- 59:06 Tom Huddlestone takes a shot. James Collins makes a clearance.
- 58:47 Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale.
- 58:33 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Richard Dunne gets a block in.
- 57:42 The ball is delivered by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Nigel Reo-Coker makes a clearance.
- 56:36 Unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon by Stephen Warnock results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, John Carew makes a clearance.
- 54:44 Outswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale, Header from deep inside the area by Peter Crouch goes over the bar.
- 54:38 The ball is delivered by Gareth Bale, Luke Young gets a block in.
- 53:52 The ball is delivered by John Carew.
- 51:10 Rafael Van der Vaart produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 48:48 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young, Stewart Downing produces a left-footed shot from close range which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 47:32 John Carew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Huddlestone. Tom Huddlestone takes the free kick.
- 47:14 Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Huddlestone on John Carew. Free kick taken by Stiliyan Petrov.
- 46:31 Marc Albrighton challenges Benoit Assou-Ekotto unfairly and gives away a free kick. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the direct free kick.
- 45:32 A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale, James Collins manages to make a clearance.
- 45:01 The second half kicks off.
- 45:01 Substitution Aaron Lennon comes on in place of Roman Pavlyuchenko.
- Half Time
- 45:00+3:32 The ref blows to end the first period.
- 45:00+2:00 The assist for the goal came from Peter Crouch.
- 45:00+2:00 GOAL - Rafael Van der Vaart:Tottenham 1 - 1 Aston Villa Rafael Van der Vaart finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Tottenham 1-1 Aston Villa.
- 45:00+1:20 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Luka Modric from the left by-line, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 45:00+0:43 Ashley Young takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
- 45:00+0:11 Foul by Gareth Bale on Luke Young, free kick awarded. James Collins takes the free kick.
- 44:39 Rafael Van der Vaart delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save by Brad Friedel.
- 44:39 Booking Booking for Marc Albrighton for unsporting behaviour.
- 44:27 Foul by Marc Albrighton on Alan Hutton, free kick awarded.
- 43:31 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 43:21 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.
- 41:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young by Tom Huddlestone. Ashley Young has an effort direct from the free kick.
- 41:13 The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing, John Carew produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.
- 38:52 The ball is crossed by Gareth Bale, Roman Pavlyuchenko produces a left-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 38:41 The ball is delivered by Gareth Bale, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.
- 38:12 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Peter Crouch by Nigel Reo-Coker. Free kick taken by Luka Modric.
- 37:46 Stiliyan Petrov produces a right-footed shot from 35 yards and missed to the left of the target.
- 36:38 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ashley Young by Jermaine Jenas. James Collins takes the free kick.
- 36:19 A cross is delivered by Alan Hutton, clearance made by Richard Dunne.
- 35:35 Jermaine Jenas takes a shot. Blocked by Stiliyan Petrov.
- 34:48 Substitution John Carew replaces Emile Heskey.
- 34:16 Emile Heskey is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Tom Huddlestone takes the direct free kick.
- 34:10 The ball is swung over by Marc Albrighton.
- 33:13 Ashley Young is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Tom Huddlestone takes the indirect free kick.
- 31:41 Unfair challenge on Luka Modric by Stiliyan Petrov results in a free kick. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the free kick.
- 30:18 Unfair challenge on Marc Albrighton by Jermaine Jenas results in a free kick. Ashley Young restarts play with the free kick.
- 29:54 A cross is delivered by Rafael Van der Vaart, comfortable save by Brad Friedel.
- 29:37 James Collins challenges Peter Crouch unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luka Modric takes the free kick.
- 28:27 Heurelho Gomes restarts play with the free kick.
- 28:27 Booking Ashley Young receives a caution.
- 28:24 Handball decision goes against Ashley Young.
- 27:15 Inswinging corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line played to the near post, save made by Brad Friedel. Free kick awarded for a foul by Roman Pavlyuchenko on Brad Friedel. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.
- 25:56 Luke Young gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gareth Bale. Benoit Assou-Ekotto restarts play with the free kick.
- 25:06 Free kick awarded for a foul by Emile Heskey on Tom Huddlestone. Free kick taken by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
- 24:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Dunne by Roman Pavlyuchenko. Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick.
- 23:36 Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Nigel Reo-Coker gets a block in.
- 22:19 The assistant referee flags for offside against Stephen Warnock. Direct free kick taken by Tom Huddlestone.
- 21:51 Peter Crouch is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Brad Friedel.
- 20:44 The official flags Stewart Downing offside. Sebastien Bassong restarts play with the free kick.
- 20:27 Peter Crouch gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stiliyan Petrov. James Collins takes the direct free kick.
- 18:44 Free kick awarded for a foul by James Collins on Roman Pavlyuchenko. Rafael Van der Vaart produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
- 17:11 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stiliyan Petrov on Luka Modric. Free kick taken by Tom Huddlestone.
- 15:46 The assist for the goal came from Emile Heskey.
- 15:46 GOAL - Marc Albrighton:Tottenham 0 - 1 Aston Villa Marc Albrighton finds the back of the net with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tottenham 0-1 Aston Villa.
- 15:24 Ashley Young is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Heurelho Gomes.
- Correction - 14:59 The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Stephen Warnock takes a shot. Blocked by Sebastien Bassong.
- 14:59 The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing, Stephen Warnock takes a shot. Blocked by Sebastien Bassong.
- 13:51 The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing.
- 13:31 Short corner taken by Stewart Downing from the right by-line.
- 13:24 The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Sebastien Bassong.
- 13:17 Stewart Downing crosses the ball.
- 13:07 A cross is delivered by Marc Albrighton, Benoit Assou-Ekotto manages to make a clearance.
- 12:31 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stiliyan Petrov by Jermaine Jenas. James Collins takes the direct free kick.
- 12:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Emile Heskey on Gareth Bale. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the direct free kick.
- 10:42 The ball is delivered by Ashley Young, save by Heurelho Gomes.
- 10:02 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ashley Young from the right by-line, clearance made by Tom Huddlestone.
- 9:55 Marc Albrighton crosses the ball, clearance by Sebastien Bassong.
- 7:42 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luke Young by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Free kick taken by Luke Young.
- 6:57 Heurelho Gomes fouled by Marc Albrighton, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Huddlestone takes the free kick.
- 4:49 Shot from just outside the area by Peter Crouch misses to the left of the target.
- 4:01 Luka Modric crosses the ball, Close range header by Roman Pavlyuchenko goes over the bar.
- 3:39 Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line played to the near post, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 3:33 Centre by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance by James Collins.
- 2:30 Stephen Warnock produces a cross.
- 0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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