By MattoftheSpurs
May 9 2007

A beautiful spring evening in South East London welcomed the invading army from North of the river. Everyone around the ground before the match appeared in high spirits including those wearing red shirts and looking down the barrel of Championship football next season. Despite all the relegation talk it was the other end of the table that concerned Spurs fans.

 

Charlton (0) 0

Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2
Berbatov 7, Defoe 90.

Premier League

7th May 2007

The Valley

Attendance: 26,339.

A beautiful spring evening in South East London welcomed the invading army from North of the river. Everyone around the ground before the match appeared in high spirits including those wearing red shirts and looking down the barrel of Championship football next season. Despite all the relegation talk it was the other end of the table that concerned Spurs fans. Three points at the Valley would (barring disaster) practically guarantee European football at the Lane next term.

The Sky Sports cameras were here though not to bear witness to a comfortable Spurs victory but the drama of a football club on the brink. Little interest would be paid to the sublime football that Spurs served up, in the first half especially, more of was the concern to the drama, anguish and tears of the Charlton faithful. The cameras on that score were not to be disappointed. The same could not be said however for the poor souls who had to watch the game on television and bear witness to the most bitter man on television make a complete and utter fool of himself. Stand up and take a bow Mr Timothy Sherwood. Well done Sir. You have just given lemons a bad name. John Salako stood up timidly against him on one or two occasions but let himself down when he pronounced, not once but twice, that Spurs were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Valencia. And these are the experts. Jeff Stelling looked like he wished he were back in Hartlepool and that's saying something. Enough though of the debacle on the box and back to the action on the pitch.

With an opera singer on the pitch just before kick off in an attempt to whip the ground into a frenzy (!) the stage was set. The sun cast it's dying shadow across the South corner of the pitch and the heroes in white took to playing surface determined to do a job. That determination was all too clear during the opening exchanges as Spurs controlled and dominated, especially in the centre of the pitch. Jenas and Zokora quickly took control and the ball was moved across the green baize of the Valley as if it was The Crucible. With six minutes on the clock a Charlton attack was broken up on the left of the Spurs box. Dawson cleared to Rocha who laid the ball back to the feet of King. King pinged the ball up to a waiting Berbatov on the halfway line. With El Karkouri closing in behind him the Bulgarian flicked the ball around the Charlton defender and raced after it. The Spurs man was too fleet of foot and strong in the challenge and brushed past the flailing Addicks defender and rushed into the box. Carson in the Charlton goal came out to close the angle but it was all to no avail as the Spurs marksman found his target once again. 1-0 Spurs.

Spurs continued to dominate for the first 25 minutes of the half but as time wore on Charlton's plight grew more desperate and so Charlton began to work their way back into the match. Marcus Bent released Darren Bent and the England man raced clear of the back line. Paul Robinson forced the striker wide but Darren Bent did not panic. Looking up he chipped a ball into the box and the onrushing Song surely just had to hit the target to equalise. Unfortunately for Charlton Song's header sailed past the post. Another chance fell Darren Bent's way just before the break when again the Spurs back four was breached and it looked like Bent would have a clear run in on goal. Ricardo Rocha had other ideas though and his timely tackle forced the striker to shoot wide.

The second half saw Spurs make an immediate change as Anthony Gardner came on for the injured Rocha. Once again the pattern of play was as the first half as Spurs contained and dominated the South Londoners but without adding to their lead. Charlton had scant few opportunities and Paul Robinson was for the most part unmoved. The ineffective Lennon made way for the bustling Malbranque on the hour but it was the final substitution of the night for Spurs that had the biggest impact. Robbie Keane made way for Defoe in the 80th minute to try and inject some pace up front. With time almost up the ball was played out of defence to Berbatov. The Bulgarian took his time before playing a wonderful ball with the outside of his right foot into the path of Defoe. Defoe took a touch and shifted the ball to the right before unleashing a shot that deflected slightly off Luke Young, over Scott Carson, and into the back of the net. Spurs 2-0 up, game over, adios Charlton.

Seconds later and the final whistle went to the jubilation of the players and the supporters massed in the Jimmy Seed stand. The three points gained are invaluable. Not only in the quest for European football but also to wipe that condescending smirk of Sherwood. Was it me or did he look a shade greyer after the match. So two to go. Blackburn at the lane will be no push over but if Tottenham wish to cement their growing reputation as one of the top 6 sides in the country then turning over sides like Blackburn, especially at home, is a must. Manchester City join us for the final farewell of the season on Sunday for what will be, fingers crossed, another party atmosphere at the Lane.

 

 

Charlton Athletic: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson, Zheng (Hughes 84), Holland, Song (Sam 71), Ambrose, M Bent (Hassellbaink 71), D Bent.

Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Rocha (Gardner 46), Lennon (Malbranque 60), Zokora, Jenas, Tainio, Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 84).