since 1878

Ipswich Town (1) 2 - 1 (0) Tottenham Hotspur

FA Barclaycard Premiership 2001-02

Saturday, January 12, 2002

Referee: M Messias

Manager: George Burley

Portman Road

Attendance: 25,077

Manager: Unknown

Match Number: 2933

Goals

Away
 Poyet 

Substitutions

Away
ZiegeDavies
TariccoEtherington
FerdinandIversen

Cards

Home
 
Away
 

Teams

Away

Sullivan

Perry

Richards

King

Ziege

Taricco

Anderton

Sherwood

Poyet

Rebrov

Ferdinand

Substitutes

Away

Iversen

Davies

Etherington

Match Report

Another welcome three points

It's a welcome 3 points to Burley's men after an entertaning game against Tottenham's all stars.

Yes, it's 3 more points to the Tractor Boys and oh how they were richly deserved. Glen Hoddle's team has improved beyond recognition from the team we saw last year and this game was a great contest for all involved, players, supporters and the TV pundits. To cap it all it was witnessed by a crowd of 25,000+ which is the largest crowd seen at Portman Road this year. There were many parallels and good battles taking place all over the field. Darren Anderton's early play was looking to dominate the days headlines as his control and eagerness to have the ball shone through. From kick off the play was conducted in the middle of the park and there was little space for anyone to put a decent move together. It was the White Hart Laners who pegged Town back in their own half but it was due to Town's first real threat up field in the 11th minute that saw a corner won. This was (and if you're a Town fan very predictable) superbly taken by that measured foot of Mark Venus and with the Spurs defence gazing on as though they were at the Harry Potter movie Marcus Bent stooped low to place an accurate header past Sullivan. It was just the tonic Town needed. Burley made a tactical move after 15 minutes, which saw Jermaine Wright, sent over to look after Anderton. The ploy seemed to work quite well. The game had its moments of injuries and yet I don't recall any malicious tackles the whole game. The first player to hobble off was Les Ferninand who was replaced by Iverson. Both sides created chances but none were converted so the score at half time remained 1-0. The second half saw Reuser replaced by Clapham and the Town fielded a similar wingback approach like their counterparts with Herriederson switching from left back to the middle of the defence. It seemed the next goal was going to be the turning point. The Town pressed and were so unlucky not to have increased their lead by a sublime one two between Armstrong and Bent who was left with a one on one with the keeper. His shot went agonisingly millimetres past the post. Shortly after this the game then witnessed the save of the match and one of the best I've seen this year. Sullivan some how kept out a point blank header again from Marcus Bent. It was shades of Gordon Bank's save against the Brazilians. From this Spurs gained some momentum and went up the other end to score and yet it was deemed offside. However, moments later some slack marking on the Town left flank saw Poyet free and with time to pick his spot he unleashed a low drive between Marshall and near post. Goalkeepers loathe being beaten on their near post and I'm sure Marshall's no exception and on his home and Premiership debut he would have wanted to have stopped it. Both Managers made their substitutions and it was good to see Marcus Stewart back in the fray. He replaced Armstrong. Now we know he's not match fit yet but it doesn't matter. Just seeing him being involved again has given everyone at the club a timely lift as we look to get ourselves away from the relegation zone. With the game looking as though it was going to fade away as a draw it was time again for a Town corner. No surprises who delivered the left wing cross (Venus, to the uneducated) and this time it was John McGreal who on 81 minutes decided to take advantage of the sleepy Spurs defence. The goal was similar to Bent's. A bullet header into the net which took a slight deflection on the way to the net but hey, it still counts and it's 2-1. The next ten minutes were nervy and tension filled but it was thanks to the referee limping of with cramp and being replaced that the game had an extra five minutes of injury time. Luckily, Rebrov hadn't got his shooting boots on and his effort ballooned over the bar and with Town missing a really good chance to seal the win the final whistle came to the huge relief of the home fans. The win helps us to leapfrog Derby and give credence to those few out there that think Town are good enough to stay up. Next week sees Town at Derby and a win there would do wonders for all those who own a tractor. From The Terrace

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