Aaron Lennon inspired Spurs to a 3-1 win against Reading

Published: 1 January, 2013
By DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 3, READING 1

WITH the transfer window opening today, will Spurs learn from mistakes last term when they were sitting pretty in third spot but failed to make the crucial squad strengthening to cement their place at the top table?

Manager Andre Villas Boas was coy when asked after the match by the New Journal if he would be meeting with chairman Daniel Levy to see if there's cash to flash on a marquee signing.

He said: “I'm pretty happy with what I have got. We have different players for different positions. This does not mean we will not do something, but we do already have a good balance to the team.”

His charges showed that even without Gareth Bale – suspended after picking up his fifth yellow of the season – they have quality across the pitch and are on a real role. Struggling Reading came to face a side who have been on fine form in December, only dropping points away at Everton, but the game started with an unexpected twist.

Within three minutes an innocuous-looking challenge on the edge of the box by Kyle Naughton won Reading a free-kick. The resulting shot thumped against the bar and Russian forward Pavel Pogrebnyak reacted quickest to give the visitors an early lead.

Spurs were level five minutes later: an Aaron Lennon cross won a corner, and when it was played into the box Michael Dawson moved quickest to get on the end of it, his well-placed header flew past Federici.

The goal prompted a siege. Spurs kept working, with Sandro and Dembele both keeping the ball and making sure the rhythm ticked over nicely, while Lennon offered pace and penetration on the right.

But with Reading sitting deep, it was going to take something special to find space. Defoe worked angles – he was a foot away with a 30-yarder on 35 – while cross after cross came in for Adebayor to compete for. Six minutes after the break, Adebayor made it 2-1. Non-stop pressure saw Lennon find room and his cross to the back post saw Adebayor rise highest before placing a firm header in to the net.

Then it was a case of battening down hatches and seeing out three more points to keep Spurs right in the top-four mix while a third gave a cushion on 78 when a long-range hit from Clint Dempsey struck Jem Karacan's outstretched leg and looped in. It was a relief – Spurs had seen their guests have two chances in rare forays out of their own half.

Third in the table, another three points, a squad returning to fitness with competition in every position, and a manager who’s got his side performing with a smile on their faces.

Happy New Year, indeed.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

WITH Gareth Bale having a day off due to the rash of autumnal yellows received, there was the pre-match wonder as to who would open up a Reading side clearly set up to play for a draw. Spurs have had difficulty in breaking teams down, and the winger's pace would surely be missed.

Step up the man on the other flank.

Aaron Lennon has long divided fans. His searing pace takes him into great positions, but all too often, the critics would say, his final ball isn't good enough, or his shots weak. Today we saw a mature Lennon, and it sums up his season so far. He showed pace, passing, shooting, and yes, even defending. In a performance where all did their bit, Lennon seemed to raise the crowd and those around him every time the ball was at his feet.

Man of the Match: Sandro showed he has a bit of everything today, with strength and power, but despite him putting in a top-drawer performance, he's not the man of the match – Aaron Lennon's barnstorming display wins him the gong.

Spurs: Lloris, Vertonghen, Lennon, Adebayor, Naughton, Defoe, Dembele, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Walker, Sandro. Subs: Friedel, Demspey, Huddlestone, Parker, Falque, Livermore, Caulker.

Attendance: 36,180