EP FORUMS
MULTIMEDIA
SURVEY CORNER
PROFESSIONALS
NATIONAL TEAM
BUSINESS WITH EP
CONTACT US
JOBS AT EP
Newcastle vs Spurs (3-1)

Date: 23-12-2006
Wrote: EP's webmaster

Spurs suffered a 3-1 away defeat against Newcastle. Hossam Ghaly played the full match while Mido came on late in the 2nd half as Jol preferred to play with a lone striker rather than start Mido and Berbatov together.

Read also:




Despite winning in their away match versus Manchester City, Spurs continued to have problems in away matches in the Premiership as they lost to Newcastle United by three goals to one.

Hossam Ghaly returned back to selection after missing the Carling Cup match versus Southend United because of a dead leg injury. The Egyptian played the full match while his compatriot Mido didn't start and only came on in the 2nd half.

Injuries continued to hit Tottenham hard as Jermain Defoe suffered a knee injury during warm up and he had to be sidelined for the match. The coach Martin Jol had the chance to start with both Mido and Berbatov at front but he preferred to start with the Bulgarian as the lone forward and to play with five midfielders instead of having two big men at front.

The game wasn't Spurs lucky day as they conceded a goal just a couple of minutes from the kick off. The goal came through Kieron Dyer who took advantage of a mistake from Dawson and advanced on goal, he placed the ball into the bottom corner to beat Robinson who didn't even make a dive.

The 2nd goal came in the 7th minute through Martins who headed home after a cross from the right side of the box. The header beat Robinson who had the chance to parry but the ball beat him and went in. The replay showed that the forward was in offside position but the Referee's assistant flag stayed down.

Spurs managed to claw one back through Murphy in the 15th minute, he volleyed the ball at goal but it came off a defender and beat the goalkeeper to make the score 2-1.


In the 34th minute, Hossam Ghaly challenged Emre outside the box and the Turk fell onto the ground, the referee whistled for a freekick for Newcastle. Robinson couldn't hold onto the ball and it fell off his hands to find Parker who headed it home to make the score 3-1. It was another blunder from Spurs keeper Robinson.

In the 2nd half, Newcastle were content to sit back and defend, they frustrated Spurs players with their heavy marking and pressing which forced Spurs midfielders including Ghaly to give the ball away easily.

Egyptian striker Mido came on to replace Zokora who had a poor match, the substitution was meat to increase the attacking options but Mido found himself clearing the ball off Spurs box more than contributing in attack. The Egyptian had one good chance to score when he got the ball behind defense and had only a defender to beat but he couldn't take the ball past him and wasted the chance.

Spurs will have a midweek fixture this week against Aston Villa, Jol will have problems because of injuries in the squad which include Jenas, Keane, Lennon and Defoe. He will most likely start with Mido alongside Berbatov for the first time this season. Hopefully, their combination will be fruitful as this will be Mido's only option to see more first team football.