[lfc-news] Tottenham report - PA

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PA Sport, 14 Aug 2004
Tottenham 1 Liverpool 1

Jermain Defoe underlined his growing claims for a prominent role in
England's future as he ensured new Tottenham coach Jacques Santini some
early-season breathing space at White Hart Lane.

Santini's new-look Tottenham side, featuring five new signings and one
17-year-old on his senior debut, were largely outplayed by Liverpool in
their Premiership opener.

Indeed, little more than an hour had passed after Michael Owen was unveiled
in Madrid, wearing Real's number 11 shirt, than his effective replacement,
Djibril Cisse, struck against Spurs in north London.

However, despite Liverpool dominating large swathes of the game, led by the
indefatigable Steven Gerrard, who was denied an early penalty, Defoe made
them pay with 20 minutes left.

Amid suspicions of handball, the emerging young striker burst onto a
flick-on from Frederic Kanoute and buried his shot with aplomb past Jerzy
Dudek.

Having just failed to make it into England's Euro 2004 squad from a standby
role, he now offers Sven-Goran Eriksson a potential alternative to the
injured Wayne Rooney in next week's friendly against Ukraine.

And so Santini is able to continue his rebuilding job at White Hart Lane,
having been forced to field something of a makeshift side in this opening
fixture.

While Noureddine Naybet fitted comfortably into the centre of defence, it
was otherwise a rather flat-footed home midfield which was over-run by the
likes of Gerrard early on.

And for all the understandable fuss over Owen's departure - particularly
for just £8million cash - it is Gerrard upon whom Liverpool's hopes will
stand or fall this season.

Having almost single-handedly carried them into fourth place last season,
he was again their main driving force at White Hart Lane.

Gerrard could have been awarded a 17th-minute penalty when debutant
right-back Paul Ifil appeared to pull back his shirt after being turned
inside and out.

But although Naybet managed to block a goalbound shot from Milan Baros,
there was a certain inevitability about Liverpool seizing the lead eight
minutes from the break.

While Harry Kewell had previously failed to capitalise on the huge space
offered by Ifil and Jamie Redknapp, who was playing out of position on the
right flank, this time he forced Naybet to clip a clearance just over his
own bar.

From the ensuing corner, Kanoute's headed clearance fell at the feet of
Steve Finnan, who returned the ball with interest as Jamie Carragher
flicked it into the path of Cisse.

The irony, of course, is that it was former boss Gerard Houllier who worked
so tirelessly to bring the French international to Anfield, but it is
Benitez who will reap the benefits.

Cisse, who was standing on the edge of the six-yard box, made no mistake
from close range as Tottenham's defence remained rooted to the spot.

While Gerrard also powered a right-footed volley just inches over the top,
Tottenham's only attacking threat of the entire first-half came when John
Arne Riise cleared a shot off the line from Johnnie Jackson.

Spurs were at least more adventurous after the break, with Defoe bursting
past two markers only to flick his shot just over the top.

While Liverpool threatened on the break through Kewell, Benitez rather
conceded the advantage back to the home side by withdrawing Cisse with 26
minutes left.

Shortly after Florent Sinama-Pongolle had been brought on, Spurs introduced
their own two substitutes - Gary Doherty and Thimothee Atouba - and,
bizarrely, were almost immediately level.

Liverpool were left appealing in vain for handball as Defoe challenged
Carragher for a knock-down from Kanoute before swivelling to bury his shot
past Dudek.

Defoe threatened again in the closing stages but shot just wide.

For England as much as Liverpool, however, both he and Cisse had proved
there may yet be life possible without Owen.

Tottenham: Robinson, Ifil, Naybet (Doherty 70), King, Edman, Jackson
(Atouba 70), Redknapp (Brown 82), Davis, Mendes, Kanoute,
Defoe
Subs not used: Keller, Sousa
Booked: Redknapp, Kanoute, Defoe
Goals: Defoe 71

Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard, Hamann
(Biscan 83), Kewell, Cisse (Sinama Pongolle 64), Baros (Warnock 79)
Subs not used: Kirkland, Henchoz
Booked: Sinama Pongolle
Goals: Cisse 38

Att: 35,105
Referee; D Gallagher

GERRARD BACKS CISSE TO KEEP SCORING

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes Michael Owen's departure for Real
Madrid will give Djibril Cisse the chance to become an Anfield hero.

The £14million signing from Auxerre scored the first Premiership goal of
the new season, but Liverpool were held 1-1 by Tottenham at White Hart Lane
after Jermain Defoe equalised in the second half.

Gerrard told Sky Sports: "We were all shocked about Michael leaving. It
looked like he would be staying - then Real Madrid called, and everyone
knows how difficult that is to turn down.

"No one can blame Michael for going. He has been such a good servant.

"Players make their own decisions. He has gone, and we have to get on
without him. It is a good chance for Cisse to get the goals now Michael
isn't here."

Gerrard conceded the second-half performance by Liverpool was not good enough.

"We shaded the first half, and they came back into it in the second. Last
year we got nothing here, so maybe a point is a bonus. The manager will be
disappointed at the way we took the foot off the pedal in the second half."

Spurs striker Defoe said: "We came back into it in the second half and kept
it going. It's always nice to get a goal and it's even better when the
England manager is watching you, but it's the team that counts."

New Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was disappointed with his side's
performance in the second half.

The Spaniard said: "I am happy with the first half. We controlled the game,
kept the ball and there were a lot of short passes.

"In the second half they were tired. We didn't control the ball, there were
a lot of long passes and second balls were difficult for us.

"But it is the end of the first match and it is always difficult when a new
manager arrives."

Benitez claimed replacing Owen will not be his immediate priority.

He said: "We will try to balance the team first and then see if we need to
bring in another striker."


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