A sensational extra-time strike from Gareth Bale saw off a determined West Ham side at Upton Park, on a day that remembered the legend that is Bobby Moore.
The England Captain who led his side to glory in 1966 tragically lost his battle to cancer 20 years ago and he is still held very close to the hearts of many, particularly at West Ham.
Gareth Bale opened to scoring before Andy Carroll levelled from a spot. In the second-half, Joe Cole gave the home side the lead before Gylfi Sigurdsson and Gareth Bale turned the game around to propel Tottenham into 3rd place, at the expense of Chelsea.
The game started with both sides getting early chances. Gareth Bale skipped past James Collins but fluffed his effort wide of the post and at the other end, Matt Jarvis' low drive was held well by Hugo Lloris.
The first goal of the game came on the 13th minute mark, Gareth Bale passed between two United defenders and slotted his shot into the far corner of the net for his 14th of the season, ensuring he had now scored on 4 consecutive Premier League matches.
Tottenham almost double their lead shortly after, with Kyle Walker rattling the crossbar but a rash challenge from Scott Parker on Andy Carroll enabled West Ham to get back into the match. Carroll dusted himself off and cooly dispatched the penalty, scoring for the second time this season against Spurs.
Tottenham tested Jaaskeleinen shortly before the half-time whistle but he was on guard to superbly save a Caulker header. Then, with the last kick of the half, Bale's free kick whistled wide with the keeper rooted firmly to the spot.
The second-half began as the first-half ended, with Jaaskeleinen once again superbly saving a Caulker header.
The Finnish keeper was extremely impressive, palming Gylfi Sigurddson's effort onto the post before denying Adebayor at point-blank range.
Joe Cole then flipped the game on it's head when he brilliantly controlled Joey O'Brien's long pass, turning and slotting his shot beneath Lloris to give West Ham the lead.
Tottenham continued to press and test Jaaskeleinen, with Caulker once again having a header saved and Gareth Bale's curling effort being tipped over the bar.
At the other end, Lloris got down well to prevent Matt Taylor from putting West Ham two ahead.
13 minutes from time, Gareth Bale's free kick delivery sparked chaos amongst the West Ham defence and a goal-mouth scramble followed, with the ball eventually being put into the net by Sigurdsson for his first Premier League goal.
Jaaskeleinen was on hand again to deny Adebayor scoring with his head but he could do nothing about the goal that took all 3 points to North London.
In added time, Gareth Bale received the ball and unleashed a brilliant 35-yard goal which curled and dipped into the top corner of the net.
Spurs' never say die attitude paid off in the end for 3 points that could be vastly important in the race for Champions League football but Jaaskeleinen didn't deserve to be on the losing team.
0 comments:
Post a Comment