FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP
SATURDAY AUGUST 19TH, 2000

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 (2) IPSWICH TOWN 1 (1)

Spurs scorers:-
Anderton (pen), 30
Carr, 31
Ferdinand, 82

Ipswich scorer:-
Venus, 9

Referee:- Alan Wiley

Attendance:- 36,148

Teams:-
Spurs (4-4-2):- Sullivan; Carr, Perry, Campbell, Thatcher (sub Taricco, 89); Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Leonhardsen; Rebrov, Iversen (sub Ferdinand, 76)

Subs not used:- Walker; Vega, Clemence

Booked:- Carr (foul)

Ipswich (3-5-2):- Wright; Bramble, Venus (sub Brown, 76), Hreidarsson; Croft, Holland, Magilton, Scowcroft (sub Reuser, 69), Clapham; Johnson, Stewart

Subs not used:- Branagan, Wilnis, J. Wright

No bookings.

Despite going behind to a heavily deflected Mark Venus free kick after just 8 minutes, Spurs secured the points on Day One of the new season, thanks to sterling contributions from Stephen Carr, a classy display by record signing Sergei Rebrov, and a fine headed goal from substitute Les Ferdinand that finally eased the pressure with 8 minutes to go. Ipswich were full of running, pace and movement, and Sol Campbell was never comfortable against David Johnson, who had a cracking game for the visitors. Ex-Spur Jamie Clapham seemed to be involved in every dead-ball situation, and he too made a good impression. John Scales was absent through injury (nothing new there then!), and I feel that Ipswich can take a lot from this game for their campaign.

There was a sun-drenched full house today, and I have to report that despite falling behind, there were no "Ginola" chants, and no anti-Graham calls either. Perhaps the Tottenham support as a whole takes what might be considered the practical view over the loss of "the entertainer". When Les Ferdinand replaced the tiring Steffen Iversen (who played for Norway in midweek), he was given a hero's welcome, and yet he owes us so many goals due to his part-time showings over the last three years. Ben Thatcher went off too to rapturous applause, when Taricco was introduced in the late stages, and yet I remain unconvinced by him.

Spurs were the victims of several harsh decisions in the first half, and the visitors took the lead after Sherwood was adjudged to have committed a foul just outside the area. Clapham hovered over the ball, which was tapped to Venus, whose powerful kick took a heavy kick from the wall, leaving Sullivan stranded as the ball hit the net.

It took a while for Spurs to find their rhythm, as they appeared to still be in "friendly" mode for too long, whilst Holland, Magilton and Scowcroft were allowed to flit through the middle, and give Stewart and Johnson balls to run onto. Perry made some fine tackles today, whilst Sol struggled with the pace, and also failed so often with his distribution. Despite the intricate passing and control of Rebrov as he fell back to link between Iversen and his support, the midfield never took charge, as Sherwood's passing was often short, and Anderton and Leonhardsen lacked consistency.

It seemed to me that Spurs were at their most incisive whenever Stephen Carr was allowed to get forward, and he was so instrumental in all three goals. As we have seen during the pre-season, both Leo and Darren drift towards the middle, and there were times when they were looking for a wingman to pass to, but there was only a vacant space. Having said all this, there were plenty of times when Spurs purred with an effective short passing game.

Spurs first decent shot on goal came after 14 minutes when Anderton found Iversen on the left of the box. Steffen forced a low save by Wright to the right of goal with a left foot shot. Sol did send Leonhardsen away with one decent long ball, the move led to Sherwood on the right of the area heading into the six yard box where Anderton was lurking, but he just could not get a telling touch on the ball.

Rebrov drew fantastic applause for a terrific flick from the outside of his right foot from 20 yards after a 1-2 with Steffen Freund. The ball landed on top of the bar. Then came the two goals for Spurs in quick succession, both created by Sergei. First he chipped to Carr running into the area, where he was pulled down by Richard Wright who was guilty of similar fouls in the late stages of last season, including the play-off final at Wembley. Referee Wiley did not hesitate to point to the spot, and neither did Darren Anderton, to fire the ball low to Wright's left.

Within a minute, Spurs took the lead, as Leonhardsen carried the ball forward with a fine run, Rebrov found Carr, who made it to the bye line, and nonchalantly slid the ball past Wright from a very tight angle. Goalscoring is becoming a very nice habit for our ace right back!

Ipswich came back though, and Sullivan was beaten by a 25 yard Marcus Stewart shot that bounced off the foot of the post, out of danger. Jamie Clapham also set up £4 million signing Hreidarsson (also ex-Wimbledon!) for a long range effort straight to Sullivan's arms.

Whilst Sullivan was kept busy in the second half, I felt he was comfortable throughout this period, reaching all crosses, and making several decent saves without ever having to stretch. Two minutes after the re-start, Iversen turned a hopeful long ball from Thatcher into a Spurs throw, which Thatcher took. He seems to be taking over from Freund as a more genuine long throw merchant. Iversen's header rebounded to Leonhardsen who hit a cracking shot just over the target.

After 55 minutes, Rebrov beat the offside trap, to take another Thatcher long pass, and hit a left foot shot across the goalmouth just wide. The Ipswich fans claimed that Sullivan handled the ball when sliding out of his area to retrieve the ball, but the referee was on the spot and waved any appeals away. Sullivan either did incredibly well not to handle, or shield any such actions!

Rebrov clearly enjoyed himself today, and another lay-off gave Sherwood an opportunity, as a low drive went just wide of the post. An Anderton free kick hit the post and rebounded all the way to the touchline, after Venus had brought Iversen down. In the latter stages, Johnson was giving Sol quite a ragged time, receiving the ball, with his back to goal, shielding well, turning and shooting across Sullivan's goal.

Les Ferdinand entered the arena, and almost set up Rebrov straight away. He then sealed the win with a goal similar to his last for the first team (1st August 1999 at Hillsborough). Carr toyed with Croft, before passing inside to Anderton. Darren's chipped cross had little strength, but Ferdinand in space headed home with great power.

In the little time he spent on the field, Taricco managed to lose the ball to Johnson, whose pass to Stewart was adjudged offside. There was just time for another Rebrov 25 yard shot, thanks to Les, which Wright held at the second attempt.

I have the good fortune to be travelling to Middlesborough and Newcastle next week, and intend to provide eye-witness reports. They may however be subject to some delay. If you think I shall be travelling a long way next week, I would just like to mention fellow Spurs fan Vassilis Kollias (recently featured on the official web site), who I met today. He has travelled all the way from Athens no less, and flies back tonight. Such is the enthusiasm of some fans around the world. Vassilis is getting a copy of this report, and I hope you had a good trip home!

Finally, I also had the great fortune to put some faces to names at the RT. Both my son Greg and I had a really good day, and it was a pleasure to meet you all!

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