Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas

Published: 20 May, 2013
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
SPURS 1, SUNDERLAND 0

SPURS faced final day heartbreak at the Lane after watching Gareth Bale win all three points with one of his trademark long range strikes – but it was not enough as Arsenal grabbed three points away at Newcastle and cemented fourth place.

The Welsh winger gave his team a well deserved one-nil win on 85 minutes with a run and drive but it simply meant Spurs ended up a point behind their north London rivals.

Needing a win – and Arsenal to drop points – Spurs set out to destroy.

An Emmanuel Adebayor shot at the near post on 5 minutes was pushed round the near post by keeper Simon Mignolet and it signalled a spell of intense Tottenham pressure.

On 18, Bale scooted clear and just as he was about to fire a shot off, he was bundled over by Sebastien Larsson: to 35,000 fans it looked like the first penalty of the season was being awarded. Instead, referee Andre Marriner booked Bale, and then five minutes later he had another shout when his cross struck an arm – again, nothing doing.

It continued with Bale, Adebayor and Dempsey forcing saves from Mignolet but at the halfway point it was goalless.

The second half was the same story: relentless Spurs pressure but no final product. On 50, Adebayor shovelled a shot goalwards and it struck Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar as it went towards goal. It should have been a penalty – but once more the referee waved away the appeals.

It continued to look like Spurs would not have any luck – on 59, Scott Parker steered a shot goalwards that was cleared off the line, then from the rebound it was hit by Lennon but scuffed against a Sunderland shin and smacked off the post.

On 74, Sunderland's David Vaughan got a second yellow after a nasty challenge that brought to an abrupt halt a scampering Aaron Lennon run.

But against 10 men, Spurs found it no easier to work the spaces and as the clock ticked down it looked like the final match would be a damp squib.

Then up stepped Gareth Bale. He started his run 45 yards out, zipped into space and found the top corner with a textbook left-foot shot.

It was a great way to sign off a memorable season from a young footballer who has entertained the world this year – but not enoguh to provide him with the Champions League platform he deserves.

Spurs: Lloris, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Walker, Parker, Huddlestone, Lennon, Bale, Dempsey, Adebayor.
Attendance: 35,100

SEASON REVIEW by Dan Carrier

Good…

Gareth Bale – how much fun has it been to watch a genuine world class talent perform? There have been so many great moments – but the standout was his 35-yard, last-minute smash to nick the points away at West Ham.

AVB – has created a close-knit squad, shown he reads the game well with good tactical changes, and has a vision of the side he is building that is clear, exciting and engenders a sense of trust.

Tom Carroll – cameo sub roles this term have shown Spurs have a very bright home grown midfielder on our hands. Let's hope he continues to improve.

Super Jan – one of the most accomplished defenders we've seen at the Lane since the era of Richard Gough.

Losing King, VDV, and Modric – talismanic, game-changing, world-class in that order, all three left big holes. Yet we've beaten last season's side, points-wise.

Bad…

We were flying in December, then a last-minute collapse at Everton saw us lose what would be vital points.

AVB had tried to iron out mistakes that had seen his side concede goals at the end of otherwise good performances. He had spoken about it in a press conference in the autumn, how they were making the training sessions more intense at the end of the session to get the players used to concentrating right through a match.

He drew a picture of more complicated drills as the hours progressed on the pitch. And it seemed that it had worked – Spurs have hit late, late goals themselves (Manchester United, West Ham, Manchester City, Southampton all had match winning turns towards the end of the 90).

It made it more disappointing that we'd put a run together and were looking good at Goodison for all three points until two last minute strikes turned things upside down.

Another pivotal moment was the loss of Aaron Lennon to a thigh injury in the home match against Arsenal.

We'd put them to the sword and were seven points ahead – and then Lennon limped off…and suddenly we lost two games on the bounce (the only time that happened this season).

We lost a 2-1 lead at Liverpool and then a Berbatov goal at home to Fulham sealed a terrible March.

It was no coincidence it came when Aaron Lennon was sidelined, robbing AVB's side of width and pace.

Ugly…

Adebayor's season has been one to forget. He missed pre-season while we tied his deal up, was injured at the start, got a red at the Emirates that further undermined him finding his rhythm, absent for the African Nations…his performance against Chelsea has only reminded us that he is a superbly gifted player – when he gets his mojo going.