Match Report: Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool
Goals from Luka Modric, Jermaine Defoe and two from Emmanuel Adebayor helped Tottenham to an easy win over Liverpool after the Reds found themselves down to nine men for the last half hour.
Goals from Luka Modric, Jermaine Defoe and two from Emmanuel Adebayor helped Tottenham to an easy win over Liverpool after the Reds found themselves down to nine men for the last half hour. It was billed as an exciting, even game but Spurs took Dalglishs men by storm and the misery was compounded with the dismissals of Charlie Adam in the first half and Martin Skrtel in the second. Brad Friedel didnt have a save to make for the hosts as Redknapps men ran riot, peppering Reinas goal with shots throughout, the 4-0 scoreline didnt flatter them. Tottenham welcomed Liverpool to White Hart Lane for what promised to be an entertaining game on the back of a 1-1 draw against PAOK. Their opponents were looking to improve after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Stoke. Spurs have enjoyed hosting this fixture in recent years, winning the past three meetings 2-1, but despite the recent loss Liverpool have made a good start to the season and found themselves sixth. After finally getting their first win Tottenham were looking to be growing in confidence, and with every reason. After an injury-wrought season, players such as Rafael van der Vaart are finding fitness again. In addition to this, Ledley King was sensational against Wolves and was in the starting 11. There was no doubt Luka Modric was a Spurs player, at least for the time being despite heavy summer-long interest from Chelsea, and Emmanuel Adebayor was looking a good addition, scoring on his debut the week before. Redknapp chose a 4-4-2 formation with Niko Kranjcar starting on the right side of midfield, and van der Vaarts fitness only allowing him a place on the bench. Andy Carroll was preferred to Dirk Kuyt up front in a 4-4-2 formation for Kenny Dalglishs side; he partnered Luis Suarez up front. The pairing cost around £57 million in January, but havent played as many games together as Liverpool fans would have liked, due to injuries picked up by Carroll. Martin Skrtel was in an unfamiliar right back role, tasked with keeping Gareth Bale quiet, and an unchanged midfield featured Jordan Henderson, Lucas, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing. The Reds would have to be aware of a threat within their own camp - Jamie Carragher has scored three own goals against Spurs, he only has three league goals for Liverpool in 467 appearances. Overall the Reds had recorded 63 victories against their North London opponents, compared to Spurs 39. Redknapps side have been more successful since the formation of the Premier League however, winning 9 out of 19. Liverpool have won just 5. The first chance of the match fell to Spurs, Emmanuel Adebayor won it in the air and flicked it to Niko Kranjcar, the Croatian then played it back in but the striker shot just wide. Jermaine Defoe had the next would have had the next effort, a fantastic low cross from Gareth Bale would have found the striker but Daniel Agger put in a superb block. The pressure continued and Spurs took the lead in the 7th minute. Defoe was dispossessed by Agger again but the ball fell to Luka Modric who curled an absolutely sublime effort right into the top corner, leaving Pepe Reina with no chance. Liverpool were all over the place, Jermaine Defoe was allowed plenty of space in the area and played in Scott Parker whose shot was blocked. Modric then found room for a shot on the edge of area, he attempted another curled effort, along the ground this time, but Pepe Reina managed to keep it out. Liverpool had asked nothing of their opponents so far. Liverpool almost capitalised on some terrible defending by Spurs, Kyle Walker dithered on the ball and was dispossessed by Andy Carroll. Suarez took possession off his strike partner and flicked it past Brad Friedel and into the net. The linesman was flagging however and the goal was rightly chalked off. Normal service was resumed however as Spurs applied more pressure, it was Emmanuel Adebayor who shot on his left foot after a one-two with Kranjcar, his effort however flew just over. The former Arsenal man was winning favour with the Tottenham fans with some uncharacteristic hard work; he was chasing down the Liverpool defence at all times. It went from bad to worse for Liverpool, an injury to Daniel Agger forced the debut of £7 million signing Sebastian Coates, and a second yellow card for Charlie Adam was produced when the former Blackpool player dived in on Scott Parker. His first offence was just as cynical a tug at the shirt of Luka Modric as he ran through. A goal down and a man short; it was going to be a long way back for the Reds. Gareth Bale attempted to convert a free kick from just outside the area after Lucas brought down Defoe. He struck it well but it ended up some distance over the crossbar. Referee Mike Jones was taking no prisoners, producing yellow cards for the most innocuous of challenges. In addition to Charlie Adams dismissal, Adebayor and Martin Skrtel had been cautioned for nothing fouls. Newly introduced Sebastian Coates was added to the list after he brought down Adebayor when the Togo international was running through on goal. Modrics attempt from the free kick hit the wall. Jermaine Defoe then put in a cross that should have been converted but no Spurs players could get on the end of it. Younes Kaboul put a header just wide after Scott Parker had hurled himself on the floor for no apparent reason. He suggested hed been caught but didnt appear to have been. A good forward run from Kyle Walker should crafted a chance for the hosts, his indecision however led to him being dispossessed. The game was expected to be a tight affair but Tottenham hadnt allowed their opponents a sniff. Not a single shot on target or off, Spurs would actually be disappointed to have not added to their solitary goal. This was the only blemish on a near perfect display from Tottenham though, and Harry Redknapp was certainly the happier of the two managers at the break. HALF TIME Tottenham kicked off the second half hoping to continue exerting the pressure on Liverpool they had in the first half. They started with a superb passing move that culminated with Adebayor finding Jermaine Defoe with a lovely disguised pass. Defoe slipped as he shot and it went wide, the linesman was flagging anyway, but replays showed the striker was comfortably onside. Liverpools only response was a half-hearted penalty appeal, Andy Carroll went down easily under pressure from Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but Mike Jones was unmoved. Gareth Bale was then allowed to run around 40 yards unchallenged before getting a shot away. It was easily held by Reina but terrible defending once again from Dalglishs men. Some hard work by Jermaine Defoe allowed him to emerge with possession, taking the ball from Martin Skrtel. It was 2 on 2 now, he played strike partner Adebayor in but his shot was weak and straight at Reina, he really should have done better. Liverpool finally got a shot on goal in the 62nd minute, and it didnt even test Friedel. Luis Suarez lofted in a free kick after being brought down by Kaboul, his effort went over though. Mike Jones continued his no-nonsense refereeing style. After being booked in the first half for a tussle with Gareth Bale, Martin Skrtel went through the back of the Welshman, forcing his dismissal. Liverpool were looking terrible as it is but with nine men left on the pitch the game was as good as over. Stewart Downing trickled in a long range effort that was scooped up by Friedel. Tottenham finally added to their lead. Jermaine Defoe got a second after he was played in by van der Vaart. He had Jose Enrique at his back but managed to spin round the Spaniard to drill it into the bottom corner, a typical finish from the striker. The Liverpool defender had been one of the few decent performers for Liverpool but could do nothing against the tricky Defoe. Adebayor made it three a couple of minutes later. Pepe Reina dropped a Jermaine Defoe effort straight at the Togolese strikers feet; he then chipped it over the keeper before coolly slotting it home. When Pepe Reina is making mistakes you know its a bad day at the office, a fantastic finish by Adebayor nevertheless. Not content with the humiliation of their opponents thus far, Tottenham then strung together a passing move that lasted around five minutes. They looked comfortable and assured all over the pitch. In all probability however Liverpool were probably just glad they werent converting the possession into even more goals. Jay Spearing fired in a speculative long range effort that once again didnt trouble Brad Friedel; the American had done practically nothing all game. A great defence splitting pass from Scott Parker then found Rafael van der Vaart, but the Dutchmans attempted lob was plucked from the air by Pepe Reina. A final flourish came from Emmanuel Adebayor who added his second and Spurs fourth in the dying moments. A cross from Bale was brought down brilliantly by the striker, he then proceeding to smash it beyond Reina. An easy win for Tottenham, Liverpools two dismissals didnt help the Reds, but even with a full squad they didnt look a match for Redknapps men who were absolutely superb. Referee: Mike Jones Tottenham (4-4-2) Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King (Bassong, 84), Assou- Ekotto, Kranjcar (van der Vaart, 45), Parker, Modric, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe (Dos Santos, 84) Liverpool (4-4-2) Reina, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger (Coates, 27), Enrique, Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing (Spearing, 70), Suarez (Bellamy, 70), Carroll