My Football Facts & Stats

The Chances of Survival for Clubs Promoted to the Premier League

2010-08-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

by Paul Yarden on 08/03/10

What are the chances of survival for clubs newly promoted to the Premier League?
If past performances are anything to go by, slightly more than half the newly promoted clubs will survive their first season in the Premier League. Of the 50 clubs promoted since the advent of the Premier League in season 1992-93, 26 of them have lived to fight another season in the Top Flight of English football.
There has been only once instance of all three promoted clubs being relegated the next season. That was in season 1997-98 when Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace finished in the bottom three places after having been promoted the previous season.
By contrast, there has also only been one season when the three promoted clubs all survived their first season in the Premier League. Season 2001-02 saw Blackburn Rovers finish in 10th place, Fulham finish in 13th place and Bolton Wanderers finish in 16th place.
The best performance from a newly promoted club was in season 1993-94 when Newcastle United finished in third place and also in 1994-95 when Nottingham Forest finished third. Ipswich Town managed a fifth place finish in 2000-01.
There have been a total of 12 Top Ten finishes for newly promoted clubs to the Premier League, the most recent being Birmingham City's 9th place finish in season 2009-10.
Here are the finishing positions of every newly promoted club in the Premier League from season 1993-94 to 2009-10. Teams in red were relegated:

1993-1994	Pos
NEWCASTLE UTD	3
WEST HAM UTD	13
SWINDON TOWN	22

1994-1995	Pos
CRYSTAL PAL	19
NOTTM FOREST	3
LEICESTER CITY	21

1995-1996	Pos
BOLTON WAND	20
MIDDLESBROUGH	12

1996-1997	Pos
DERBY COUNTY	12
SUNDERLAND	18
LEICESTER CITY	9

1997-1998	Pos
BOLTON WAND	18
BARNSLEY	19
CRYSTAL PAL	20

1998-1999	Pos
NOTTM FOREST	20
MIDDLESBROUGH	9
CHARLTON ATH	18

1999-2000	Pos
SUNDERLAND	7
BRADFORD CITY	17
WATFORD	20

2000-2001	Pos
CHARLTON ATH	9
IPSWICH TOWN	5
MAN CITY	18

2001-2002	Pos
FULHAM	13
BLACKBURN ROV	10
BOLTON WAND	16

2002-2003	Pos
MAN CITY	9
BIRMINGHAM C	13
WEST BROM ALB	19

2003-2004	Pos
PORTSMOUTH	13
LEICESTER CITY	18
WOLVES	20

2004-2005	Pos
NORWICH CITY	19
WEST BROM ALB	17
CRYSTAL PAL	18

2005-2006	Pos
SUNDERLAND	20
WIGAN ATHLETIC	10
WEST HAM UTD	9

2006-2007	Pos
READING	8
SHEFF UNITED	18
WATFORD	20

2007-2008	Pos
SUNDERLAND	15
BIRMINGHAM C	19
DERBY COUNTY	20

2008-2009	Pos
WEST BROM ALB	20
STOKE CITY	12
HULL CITY	17

2009-2010	Pos
WOLVES	15
BIRMINGHAM C	9
BURNLEY	18

2010-2011

NEWCASTLE UTD

WEST BROM ALB

BLACKPOOL

Full details of the finishing positions in the Premier League from season 1992-93 to 2009-10 available here:
http://www.myfootballfacts.com/PREMIER-LEAGUE-LADDERS-1992-2010.html

Mexico 1970 - The Greatest FIFA World Cup of Them All?

2010-05-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Every football fan has their own particular favourite FIFA World Cup Finals competition but the consensus is that the tournament held in Mexico in 1970 was the greatest of them all.

What was it about Mexico that made it so special? Perhaps it was a combination of factors which included an England squad defending their trophy widely regarded as even better than the team which won the World Cup at Wembley in 1966. Then there was the exotic location and for many the first chance to see the matches live on TV in colour. Add to the mix some very good teams from Italy, West Germany, Uruguay, Peru, the Soviet Union and the host Nation, Mexico. Then there was the fact that as the competition had just 16 qualifiers, there was none of the meaningless matches we have today for the first two weeks where the dross is eliminated.

But above all there was Brazil. A Brazil who played the game with such flair and style that they are quite rightly regarded as the greatest football team the game has ever seen. There was Pelé & Rivelino, Jairzinho & Gerson, Tostao & Everaldo and if Brazil’s defence wasn’t quite up to the standards of their midfield and attack they also had one of football’s best ever full-backs in team captain Carlos Alberto.

The first phase saw the elimination of Belgium and El Salvador from Group A, Sweden and Israel from Group B, Romania and Czechoslovakia from Group C and Bulgaria and Morocco from Group D. The four Quarter-Finals then offered-up a mouthwatering feast of football.

Uruguay and the Soviet Union had a closely fought match which was resolved three minutes before the end of extra time when Espárrago put the South Americans into the Semi-Final, despite Soviet protests about the cross which led to the goal going out of play. Italy, who only managed to score once against Israel & Sweden in the group stage, had a comfortable win over their Mexican hosts 4-1.

Brazil beat Peru in the all South American Quarter Final 4-2 and the last match was between the old enemies England and West Germany. Alan Mullery and Martin Peters put England two goals up and most people watching on TV thought that was pretty much that. Alf Ramsey decided to substitute Bobby Charlton and bring-on Colin Bell instead and while many consider this to have been a blunder the truth was that Charlton was exhausted and there was little option. In any case, the Germans could do nothing but attack and they got a goal back through Beckenbauer and their equaliser came with 8 minutes remaining through Seeler. Extra time was played and striker Gerd Muller won the game for the Germans and England were on their way home.

The Semi-Finals saw one of the most astounding matches in World Cup history as Italy and West Germany played a thriller which went to extra time with the Italians winning 4-3 in a match dubbed “The Game of the Century”. Brazil booked their passage to the Final with a solid 3-1 win over Uruguay.

The Final itself was probably one of the most talked-about and analyzed games in football history as the skill, artistry and rhythm of the Brazilians overcame the tactics and flair of the Italians 4-1. Brazil’s goals came from Pelé, Gerson’s thunderbolt from outside the box, Jairzinho’s close range effort and the icing on the cake from Carlos Alberto at the end of a move in which no less than 9 Brazilians had been involved.

FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification Competition

2010-05-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

The first Nation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup was South Africa, once their bid to host the competition was accepted by FIFA on 15th May 2004 in Switzerland. Traditionally, the World Cup holders also used to get a free ride to the next tournament but this has changed in recent years and Italy entered the European qualification rounds, along with 52 other Nations. A total of 203 nations from around the world entered the qualification competition chasing the 31 available places.

All seven previous FIFA World Cup winners (Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina & France) will be present in South Africa, so any football betting will be bound to feature one of those teams as favourites. Of the teams that have so far failed to win the World Cup, Spain and the Netherlands must rank among the teams most fancied.

The 53 European (UEFA) countries were split into eight groups of six teams and one group of five with the winners automatically booking their berth to South Africa. The best eight runners-up from the nine groups played-off against each other to give a final quota of 13 qualifiers. Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands all went through as group winners. France, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia all won their play-offs.

There were also 53 African (CAF) countries and with South Africa already confirmed as hosts, the other 52 teams battled for the 5 more spots available. After a complex series of qualification groups, the eventual successful nations of Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) emerged.

South American (CONMEBOL) qualification took the form of the now traditional single group with all 10 countries playing each other twice for the four automatic berths and one play-off place. Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina finished as the top four teams. The play-off place went to Uruguay, who would later beat Central America’s Costa Rica and join the other four South American teams in the Finals.

35 countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) competed for the three automatic places and one play-off spot for South Africa. After a complex series of eliminators, six nations emerged to play in the final group decider. The United States, Mexico and Honduras all gained automatic qualification with Costa Rica finishing fourth and later losing the play-off to South America’s Uruguay. El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago finished at the bottom of the group decider.

The 43 entrants from Asia (AFC) had to first negotiate their preliminary rounds before the 10 top nations formed two groups of five for the final group stage. The top two from each group were rewarded with automatic entries to the World Cup Finals while the third placed teams in each group held a play-off to determine the fifth Asian qualifier.
Australia won the first group with Japan second and Bahrain third. The second group was won by South Korea with North Korea second and Saudi Arabia third. Bahrain won the play-off and had to face the winners of the Oceania zone for a place in South Africa.

The 10 nations which made-up the Oceania (OFC) zone had been weakened by Australia’s decision to play their football as part of Asia, so there was no guaranteed place for the winner, as there had been in previous FIFA World Cup competitions. New Zealand won the group stage and then faced Bahrain in a final play-off, which they won.

Preview: Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur

2009-08-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Kingston Communications Stadium, Hull
Wednesday 19th August 2009, Kick Off 20:00
Premier League, Match 2

COMMENT:

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Hull City for their first away Premier League fixture of 2009-10 fresh from an impressive 2-1 win over Liverpool while Hull suffered an opening day 2-1 loss at Chelsea. Both teams met recently in the Barclays Asia Trophy Final, which Spurs won 3-0 with a brace from Robbie Keane and one from Aaron Lennon. The corresponding League fixture last season also resulted in a 2-1 Spurs win with Lennon & Woodgate grabbing the goals.

The two teams had very contrasting starts to last season, with Hull City riding high while Spurs were rock bottom. Eventually, Spurs recovered under Harry Redknapp to finish in 8th place while it was touch and go for Hull's Premier League survival right up until the last game of the season.

Spurs should be favorites for the win on Wednesday night and if they do manage to grab all three points, it will be the first time since season 2005-06 that they will have a 100% record after the opening two matches. Season 1994-95 was the only other time that Spurs had 6 out of 6 points in the Premier League.

Ledley King is very doubtful to start, so Sebastien Bassong will probably be partnered in central defence with Vedran Corluka with either Alan Hutton or Kyle Naughton as right back.

Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson remain injured and Jermain Jenas is still doubtful, meaning Tom Huddlestone will probably partner Wilson Palacios in central midfield.

Any two from Spurs four strikers could start, but I fancy Harry to give the nod to Peter Crouch with Robbie Keane as his initial partner.

SPURS TEAM NEWS:

Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Ledley King will miss Wednesday night's trip to Hull in the Barclays Premier League.

The central defender's continued knee problems means he cannot play three games a week but he will come back into contention for Sunday's derby at West Ham.

Otherwise, it's a case of 'as you were' for Harry as he prepares for the trip to Humberside.

Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) are both out although Woody is already running again.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jermaine Jenas (calf) is still doubtful after missing the opener against Liverpool.

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):

Hull know that against a side like Tottenham, who will be aiming for the top six, a point would be a good result.

They were a bit unlucky to concede so late against Chelsea and they troubled them when they were allowed to.

Tottenham struggled away from home last season, I expect that to improve with Sebastien Bassong looking good on his debut and I think they can come away with a point.

Verdict: Hull City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

12-Jan-1907 F.A. Cup 1 27,033 H D 0 - 0
17-Jan-07 F.A. Cup 1 Replay 18,000 A D 0 - 0 (Abandoned after 10 mins of Extra time, result stood)
21-Jan-07 F.A. Cup 1 2nd Replay 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Chapman
26-Sep-08 Division 2 12,000 A L 0 - 1
30-Jan-09 Division 2 21,000 H D 0 - 0
12-May-12 Tour - N L 0 - 2 (Match played in Brussels, Belgium)
25-Dec-19 Division 2 40,008 H W 4 - 0 Grimsdell (pen), Cantrell, Bliss (2)
26-Dec-19 Division 2 28,000 A W 3 - 1 Cantrell, Dimmock, Bell og
27-Mar-26 Friendly - A L 0 - 5
06-Oct-28 Division 2 28,737 H W 4 - 1 Scott, Osborne, Elkes (2)
15-Apr-29 Division 2 4,139 A D 1 - 1 Harper
21-Dec-29 Division 2 9,103 H D 2 - 2 Harper (2)
26-Apr-30 Division 2 6,396 A L 0 - 2
02-Sep-35 Division 2 25,603 H W 3 - 1 McCormick, Howe, Hunt DA
09-Sep-35 Division 2 9,616 A L 0 - 1
07-Apr-50 Division 2 66,889 H D 0 - 0
10-Apr-50 Division 2 38,345 A L 0 - 1
20-Feb-54 F.A. Cup 5 46,839 A D 1 - 1 Bennett
24-Feb-54 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 52,934 H W 2 - 0 Walters, Baily
04-Oct-77 Division 2 10,966 A L 0 - 2
26-Mar-78 Division 2 36,913 H W 1 - 0 Perryman
24-Jan-81 F.A. Cup 4 37,532 H W 2 - 0 Archibald, Brooke
15-Apr-88 Friendly - A L 1 - 2 Walsh
08-May-92 Friendly 9,994 A W 6 - 2 Barmby (2), Hendry (2), Turner, Samways
24-Jly-2004 Friendly 13,316 A D 2 - 2 Defoe (2)
05-Oct-08 FA Prem 36,062 H L 0 - 1
21-Feb-09 FA Prem 24,742 A W 2 - 1 Lennon, Woodgate
31-Jly-09 Asia Trophy Final N W 3 - 0 Keane (2, 1p), Lennon (Match played in Beijing, China)
19-Aug-09 FA Prem A
16-Jan-10 FA Prem H

LAST TIME WE MET...

Monday, 23 February 2009

Hull City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Jonathan Woodgate's 86th-minute header lifted Tottenham to 14th with a valuable victory at the KC Stadium.

They went ahead with a superb 20-yard effort from Aaron Lennon, who found space following a short corner.

But Hull looked dangerous in an entertaining first half and Michael Turner slid in to equalise after Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini fumbled a corner.

Both sides hit the woodwork but when a draw looked certain, Woodgate rose to head in Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross.

A year ago, Woodgate headed the winner at Wembley as Spurs lifted the Carling Cup.

In his 50th appearance for the club, he scored a goal that while not quite as crucial, could be hugely important in their battle for survival.

Five years ago this weekend Hull were losing at home to Torquay in the fourth tier of the English leagues, but having been in the top half of the table for much of their debut season in the Premier League, they are now embroiled in a multi-team relegation scrap.

The warning signs were evident for Spurs in the opening moments when Andy Dawson's inswinging corner from the right caused anxiety in the six-yard box, and set pieces remained a constant problem for the visitors.

Dawson found himself in the book within the opening seven minutes for two crude challenges on the pacy Lennon, but though Hull looked the more dangerous it was Spurs who took the lead with the first moment of genuine quality.

Ironically it stemmed from a set play, as Luka Modric worked a short corner with Robbie Keane and found Lennon on the edge of the area.

The diminutive winger had time to line up a shot, but his curling effort into the narrow gap available to the left-hand corner was exquisite.

Hull came right back, however, and Cudicini had to be alert to rush out and block with his legs to deny the charging Kamil Zayatte.

But the Italian goalkeeper flapped badly at another inswinging corner from the right, and after the ball ricocheted off Wilson Palacios, Turner slid in ahead of Ledley King to apply the finishing touch.

Spurs looked the more comfortable in possession but Hull were the more purposeful, with Daniel Cousin's volley dipping just over and an unmarked Sam Ricketts glancing a header wide.

Harry Redknapp had looked increasingly agitated by his team's failings and they would no doubt have felt the force of his frustrations as they emerged with more intent after the break.

Keane broke down the left and crossed for Palacios to hit a fierce volley heading straight for the corner, only for former Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner to block with his head.

A Modric free-kick was headed against the top of the bar by his compatriot Vedran Corluka but much of the second half lacked fluency.

It was not until midway through it that Hull tested the Spurs goal, Zayatte breaking free to glance another inswinging corner from the right against the outside of the post.

Woodgate's superb leap settled it, he had to leave the field shortly before the end with blood streaming from above his eye, but that endeavour helped to end a run of four away defeats and gave Spurs a key win.

For Hull it was a 10th league match without a victory and only four points separate them from 17th-placed Stoke.

Hull manager Phil Brown:

"I'm not worried about relegation. That's the wrong word. It's always been in the back of our minds.

"We can't lose games like that. We've got to learn the little details we need to pick up on.

"But I believe we have enough ability and character in the camp to get through this poor spell."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:

"We've got to play Monday and Thursday and we've got a cup final on Sunday. It's ludicrous.

"It showed why I rested players. People should understand that is why I do my job and that is why they do their job.

"They made it difficult in the first half, they worked their socks off and were always a big threat at set plays.

"But in the second half we created the better chances and were the better team and it's a terrific result for us."

Hull:

Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Marney, Ashbee, Zayatte (Geovanni 87), Kilbane, Garcia (Manucho 79), Cousin (Mendy 67).

Subs Not Used: Myhill, Doyle, Barmby, Halmosi.

Booked: Dawson, Ashbee.

Goal: Turner 27.

Tottenham:

Cudicini, Corluka, Woodgate (Dawson 89), King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Zokora 87), Jenas, Palacios, Modric, Keane, Bent (Pavlyuchenko 72).

Subs Not Used: Gomes, Bentley, Huddlestone, Chimbonda.

Booked: Modric.

Goals: Lennon 17, Woodgate 86.

Att: 24,742

Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

BBC Sport Player Rater men of the match: Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Hull's Michael Turner

Pre-Season 2009-10 Review & Liverpool Preview

2009-08-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR PRE-SEASON REVIEW & LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW

Spurs have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window so far with Peter Crouch re-joining the club from Portsmouth for a reported £10 million, the Sheffield United pair of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker joining the club for an estimated combined total of £10 million and Arsenal youngster Anton Blackwood coming on a 'free'. Sebastien Bassong signed from Newcastle United for an estimated £8 million.

Didier Zokora and Chris Gunter left Spurs for an estimated combined total of £10.4 million with Ricardo Rocha released, Fraizer Campbell returning to Manchester United after his season-long loan spell. Around a dozen youngsters were released by the club. Darren Bent was sold to Sunderland for a total fee of £16.5 million.

The first three pre-season friendlies all resulted in Spurs wins: 3-0 away to Exeter City, 3-0 away to AFC Bournemouth and 4-0 away to Peterborough United giving Harry's squad a solid start to the new season.

Spurs compete in the inaugural Wembley Cup against Barcelona and Celtic. First up was the game against Barcelona which resulted in a very creditable 1-1 draw but the match against Celtic resulted in a 2-0 defeat for Tottenham.

Spurs continued their pre-season matches by winning the FA Premier League Asia Tournament in China beating West Ham United 1-0 in the semi-final and Hull City 3-0 in the Final. This was followed by a 2-0 friendly defeat against South China in Hong Kong on 2nd August.

The only home friendly Spurs played was on 9th August against Greek Champions Olympiakos, which resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Tottenham with goals from Pavlyuchenko, Corluka and Defoe.

The 2009-10 season gets underway for real with a rare opening Premier League home game against Liverpool followed by two away fixtures at Hull City and West Ham United - the two teams Spurs beat in China in July.

Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at White Hart Lane in the first Premier League match of season 2009-10 on Sunday 16th August 2009, Kick-off 16:00.

Spurs finished 2008-09 in 8th place, while Liverpool finished as runners-up to Manchester United who equalled Liverpool's English record of 18 League Titles.

The two teams met three times last season with Spurs winning their home League game 2-1 and beating Liverpool at White Hart Lane 4-2 in the League Cup. Liverpool won the reverse Premier League game at Anfield 3-1 in the last match of the season.

PREVIOUS MATCHES:

26-Dec-1894 Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Hunter, Payne jnr, Payne snr
12-Apr-95 Friendly - H W 6 - 0 Wilkinson, Laycock, Hunter (2), McElhaney (2)
13-Nov-1909 Division 1 22,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
26-Mar-10 Division 1 15,000 A L 0 - 2
29-Oct-10 Division 1 12,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Humphreys
04-Mar-11 Division 1 25,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
11-Nov-11 Division 1 23,000 H W 2 - 0 Minter, Middlemiss
16-Mar-12 Division 1 15,000 A W 2 - 1 Newman, Mason
02-Nov-12 Division 1 15,000 A L 1 - 4 Minter
08-Mar-13 Division 1 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
29-Nov-13 Division 1 21,000 A L 1 - 2 Cantrell
04-Apr-14 Division 1 19,800 H D 0 - 0
31-Oct-14 Division 1 12,000 A L 2 - 7 Clay (pen), Bliss
06-Mar-15 Division 1 12,000 H D 1 - 1 Minter
25-Mar-21 Division 1 40,000 A D 1 - 1 Blis
28-Mar-21 Division 1 35,000 H W 1 - 0 Smith
22-Oct-21 Division 1 31,593 H L 0 - 1
29-Oct-21 Division 1 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
04-Nov-22 Division 1 35,068 H L 2 - 4 Clay (pen), Grimsdell
11-Nov-22 Division 1 29,000 A D 0 - 0
29-Mar-24 Division 1 22,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Apr-24 Division 1 22,470 H D 1 - 1 Grimsdell
13-Dec-24 Division 1 25,604 H D 1 - 1 Hargreaves
18-Apr-25 Division 1 12,000 A L 0 - 1
24-Oct-25 Division 1 29,952 H W 3 - 1 Osborne (3)
06-Mar-26 Division 1 26,355 A D 0 - 0
11-Dec-26 Division 1 26,640 H L 1 - 2 Blair
30-Apr-27 Division 1 15,756 A L 0 - 1
17-Dec-27 Division 1 21,234 H W 3 - 1 Osborne, Elkes (2)
28-Apr-28 Division 1 31,780 A L 0 - 2
23-Sep-33 Division 1 33,080 H L 0 - 3
03-Feb-34 Division 1 30,809 A L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
15-Dec-34 Division 1 24,688 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
27-Apr-35 Division 1 15,613 H W 5 - 1 Bolan, Hunt DA, Evans W (3)
06-Sep-50 Division 1 39,015 A L 1 - 2 Medley
05-May-51 Division 1 49,072 H W 3 - 1 Walters, Murphy (2)
01-Dec-51 Division 1 51,342 H L 2 - 3 Walters, Bennett
19-Apr-52 Division 1 36,898 A D 1 - 1 Duquemin
10-Sep-52 Division 1 49,869 A L 1 - 2 Baily
15-Sep-52 Division 1 37,319 H W 3 - 1 Groves (2), Harmer
12-Sep-53 Division 1 47,535 H W 2 - 1 Ramsay, Walters
23-Jan-54 Division 1 43,592 A D 2 - 2 Walters, Lock og
12-Apr-63 Division 1 54,463 A L 2 - 5 Jones, Dyson
15-Apr-63 Division 1 53,727 H W 7 - 2 Jones (2), Saul, Greaves (4, 1pen)
27-Mar-64 Division 1 57,022 H L 1 - 3 Norman
30-Mar-64 Division 1 52,904 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
28-Nov-64 Division 1 41,198 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-65 Division 1 50,760 A L 0 - 1
09-Apr-65 Division 1 28,441 H W 3 - 0 Saul, Low, Gilzean
18-Sep-65 Division 1 46,925 H W 2 - 1 Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves (2)
01-Apr-67 Division 1 53,135 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
06-May-67 Division 1 40,845 A D 0 - 0
04-Nov-67 Division 1 47,682 H D 1 - 1 Jones
09-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 54,005 H D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 53,658 A L 1 - 2 Jones
29-Apr-68 Division 1 41,688 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
19-Oct-68 Division 1 44,122 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
21-Dec-68 Division 1 43,843 A L 0 - 1
16-Aug-69 Division 1 50,474 H L 0 - 2
07-Oct-69 Division 1 46,518 A D 0 - 0
10-Oct-70 Division 1 44,547 H W 1 - 0 Peters
06-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 54,731 A D 0 - 0
16-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 Replay 56,283 H L 0 - 1
17-Apr-71 Division 1 46,363 A D 0 - 0
04-Sep-71 Division 1 50,124 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Peters
18-Dec-71 Division 1 43,409 A D 0 - 0
25-Nov-72 Division 1 45,497 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
06-Dec-72 League Cup 5 Replay 34,565 H W 3 - 1 Pratt, Chivers (2)
25-Mar-73 UEFA SF (2L) 46,919 H W 2 - 1 Peters (2)
31-Mar-73 Division 1 48,477 A D 1 - 1 Gilzean
10-Apr-73 UEFA SF (1L) 42,174 A L 0 - 1
22-Sep-73 Division 1 42,901 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Peters
04-Dec-73 League Cup 5 48,677 A D 1 - 1 Peters
08-May-74 Division 1 24,618 H D 1 - 1 McGrath
07-Sep-74 Division 1 47,538 A L 2 - 5 Perryman, Chivers
22-Mar-75 Division 1 34,331 H L 0 - 2
23-Aug-75 Division 1 42,729 A L 2 - 3 Jones, Duncan
13-Dec-75 Division 1 29,891 H L 0 - 4
18-Sep-76 Division 1 47,421 A L 0 - 2
09-Mar-77 Division 1 32,098 H W 1 - 0 Coates
02-Sep-78 Division 1 50,705 A L 0 - 7
22-Nov-78 Division 1 50,393 H D 0 - 0
17-Nov-79 Division 1 51,092 A L 1 - 2 Jones
08-Mar-80 F.A. Cup 6 48,033 H L 0 - 1
29-Mar-80 Division 1 32,114 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Hoddle (pen)
06-Dec-80 Division 1 39,545 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
25-Apr-81 Division 1 35,334 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle
13-Mar-82 League Cup Final 100,000 Wem L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Archibald
03-May-82 Division 1 38,091 H D 2 - 2 Perryman, Archibald
15-May-82 Division 1 48,122 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
21-Aug-82 Charity Shield 82,500 Wem L 0 - 1
27-Nov-82 Division 1 40,691 A L 0 - 3
30-Apr-83 Division 1 44,907 H W 2 - 0 Archibald (2)
12-Nov-83 Division 1 44,348 H D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle (pen)
10-Mar-84 Division 1 36,718 A L 1 - 3 Stevens
02-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A L 2 - 5 Thomas, Falco (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
09-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A D 1 - 1 Brazil (Royal Swazi Sun Challenge in Swaziland)
12-Oct-84 Division 1 28,599 H W 1 - 0 Crooks
31-Oct-84 League Cup 3 38,690 H W 1 - 0 Allen C
27-Jan-85 F.A. Cup 4 27,905 A L 0 - 1
16-Mar-85 Division 1 43,852 A W 1 - 0 Crooks
28-Sep-85 Division 1 41,521 A L 1 - 4 Chiedozie
03-Dec-85 SSS Cup Gp. 14,855 A L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
14-Jan-86 SSS Cup Gp. 10,078 H L 0 - 2 (Screen Sport Super Cup)
02-Mar-86 Division 1 16,436 H L 1 - 2 Waddle
11-Oct-86 Division 1 43,139 A W 1 - 0 Allen C
22-Mar-87 Division 1 32,763 H W 1 - 0 Waddle
28-Nov-87 Division 1 47,362 H L 0 - 2
23-Apr-88 Division 1 44,798 A L 0 - 1
17-Sep-88 Division 1 40,929 A D 1 - 1 Fenwick
26-Mar-89 Division 1 30,012 H L 1 - 2 Fenwick (pen)
29-Oct-89 Division 1 26,550 A L 0 - 1
21-Mar-90 Division 1 25,656 H W 1 - 0 Stewart
04-Nov-90 Division 1 35,003 H L 1 - 3 Lineker
11-May-91 Division 1 36,192 A L 0 - 2
18-Dec-91 Division 1 27,434 H L 1 - 2 Walsh
21-Mar-92 Division 1 39,968 A L 1 - 2 Stewart
31-Oct-92 FA Prem 32,917 H W 2 - 0 Nayim, Ruddock
08-May-93 FA Prem 43,385 A L 2 - 6 Sedgley, Sheringham
25-Aug-93 FA Prem 42,456 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham (2, 1pen)
18-Dec-93 FA Prem 31,394 H D 3 - 3 Samways, Hazard (pen), Caskey
26-Nov-94 FA Prem 35,007 A D 1 - 1 Ruddock og
11-Mar-95 F.A. Cup 6 39,582 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
22-Mar-95 FA Prem 31,988 H D 0 - 0
26-Aug-95 FA Prem 31,254 H L 1 - 3 Barnes og
03-Feb-96 FA Prem 40,628 A D 0 - 0
02-Dec-96 FA Prem 32,899 H L 0 - 2
03-May-97 FA Prem 40,003 A L 1 - 2 Anderton
08-Nov-97 FA Prem 38,006 A L 0 - 4
14-Mar-98 FA Prem 30,245 H D 3 - 3 Klinsmann, Ginola, Vega
10-Nov-98 League Cup 4 20,772 A W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
05-Dec-98 FA Prem 36,125 H W 2 - 1 Fox, Carragher o.g.
01-May-99 FA Prem 44,007 A L 2 - 3 Carragher o.g., Iversen
03-Jan-2000 FA Prem 36,044 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
09-Apr-00 FA Prem 44,536 A L 0 - 2
19-Nov-00 FA Prem 36,036 H W 2 - 1 Ferdinand, Sherwood
22-Apr-01 FA Prem 43,547 A L 1 - 3 Korsten
22-Sep-01 FA Prem 44,116 A L 0 - 1
27-Apr-02 FA Prem 36,017 H W 1 - 0 Poyet
26-Oct-02 FA Prem 44,084 A L 1 - 2 Richards
15-Mar-03 FA Prem 36,077 H L 2 - 3 Taricco, Sheringham
27-Aug-03 FA Prem 43,778 A D 0 - 0
17-Jan-04 FA Prem 36,104 H W 2 - 1 Keane (pen), Postiga
14-Aug-04 FA Prem 35,105 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
01-Dec-04 League Cup 5 36,100 H D 1 - 1 (a.e.t) Defoe (Spurs lost 4-3 on pens)
16-Apr-05 FA Prem 44,029 A D 2 - 2 Edman, Keane
10-Sep-05 FA Prem 36,148 H D 0 - 0
14-Jan-06 FA Prem 44,983 A L 0 - 1
23-Sep-06 FA Prem 44,330 A L 0 - 3
30-Dec-06 FA Prem 36,170 H L 0 - 1
07-Oct-07 FA Prem 43,986 A D 2 - 2 Keane (2)
11-May-08 FA Prem 36,063 H L 0 - 2
01-Nov-08 FA Prem 36,183 H W 2 - 1 Carragher o.g., Pavlyuchenko
12-Nov-08 League Cup 4 33,242 H W 4 - 2 Pavlyuchenko (2),Campbell (2)
24-May-09 FA Prem 43,937 A L 1 - 3 Keane
16-Aug-09 FA Prem H
09-Jan-10 FA Prem A

JERMAIN DEFOE ON LIVERPOOL:

Jermain Defoe quickly set his sights on Liverpool after one of the biggest nights of his life on the international stage.

The striker maintained his fine form in pre-season with both goals as a second half substitute as England came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Holland in Wednesday night's friendly at the Amsterdam Arena.

It was his biggest night for the Three Lions since grabbing a goal in a World Cup qualifier against Poland back in September, 2004 and means he's scored four of England's last five goals having bagged numbers four and five in the 6-0 win against Andorra in June.

But speaking after returning to England on Thursday, ‘JD' had already turned his attentions to our huge opening weekend fixture against the Reds at the Lane on Sunday.

"At that level every game is difficult anyway but when you play against top nations, the likes of Holland, Brasil, Argentina, it's always fantastic to get on the scoresheet and to get two goals was great for me," he said. "I was buzzing, as you could imagine.

"As soon as I woke up this morning I thought ‘yes, I'm ready for Liverpool' and I'm looking forward that game. All I want to do now is help us get off to a good start to the season.

"I always feel sharp in pre-season and that's been the one of the best parts of my game, working a yard of space and getting my shots off, so I've always had that even when I was younger but in terms of fitness and strength, I don't think I've ever felt this good.

"Maybe it's because I'm getting older and maturing as a player, I feel much stronger. I just want to keep that going and help the team get off to a positive start against Liverpool.

"It's such a big game for everyone, especially at this early stage of the season. The lads can't wait for it and we all feel it's game we can win.

"We're at home, we know the fans will be right behind us and it's all about our belief. We want to make a good start and we're after the three points."

HARRY LOOKS FORWARD TO LIVERPOOL

Harry Redknapp was impressed with the performance as we toppled Olympiacos 3-0 in Sunday's final pre-season friendly.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Jermain Defoe bagged the goals in the second half against the Greek champions at White Hart Lane.

Peter Crouch - who went close twice in the first half - and Sebastien Bassong made their Spurs debuts while Ledley King came through his first 45 minutes of the summer.

"It was another step up and I was well pleased with how we played," said Harry.

"It was a good performance and result against a good side who had a big result in the Champions League (beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 on aggregate) last week.

"I was particularly pleased with how we moved the ball around, our movement and all the strikers are looking sharp, so that's ideal for us.

"We have four strikers and they are all top players. Jermain scored, Pav scored, Crouchy was terrific for us in the first half and we all know what Robbie's about."

So the build-up to next Sunday's mouth-watering opener against Liverpool at home in the Barclays Premier League now starts in earnest.

"It's a tough one to start with but a great game to look forward to," added Harry. "Liverpool are a fantastic team but we're in good form as well. I'm sure it will be a terrific game."

SEBASTEIN BASSONG:

Sebastien Bassong will be available for selection for our Premier League season opener against Liverpool on Sunday.

The defender was handed a two-match suspension after being sent off whilst playing for Newcastle United against Fulham last May.

However, given he served the first game of his ban against Aston Villa on the final day of the previous campaign as a Newcastle United player, it meant the suspension continued to apply to Newcastle United games and was therefore satisfied when his former club visited West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the Championship season on Saturday.

PETER CROUCH:

Peter Crouch says he feels sharp and ready for the big kick-off after a promising debut on Sunday.

The striker played the first half of our final pre-season friendly against Olympiacos at the Lane and now has Liverpool in his sights on Sunday.

Although he was left frustrated in front of goal by a couple of near misses, Crouchy impressed with his all-round play and, naturally, his aerial ability.

"It was one of those days in front of goal I suppose but I was pleased with my performance," he said.

"It was my first 45 minutes of pre-season and it was good to get it out of the way. It's all about fitness and I feel sharp and ready for the season."

Crouchy started up front with Robbie Keane in a goalless first half before Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko took over in the second half and bagged a goal each in the 3-0 win, Vedran Corluka the other scorer.

"I've played with Roman, Robbie and Jermain in training and they are all fantastic players," added Peter. "We've four strikers battling it out for two spots, healthy competition and that has to be good for the club."

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS:

Jamie Carragher looks set to be fit for Liverpool's opening Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday.

The centre-half sparked fears that he would miss the start of the season when he limped out of Liverpool's pre-season friendly with a twisted ankle, but local media reports suggest that Carragher will be fit to face Spurs.

He will be partnered by either Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger, who have suffered with hanstring and back problems respectively. The Liverpool Echo claims that 'Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs'.

Carragher's return will banish nightmares of youngsters Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala or Mikel San Jose being forced to line up against Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.

Unsurprisingly, Steven Gerrard is also expected to be fit despite pulling out of England's friendly international with Holland.

TEAM NEWS

Steven Gerrard is doubtful for Liverpool with a groin injury but both Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) should feature.

New signing Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to play before September as he recovers from an ankle problem.

Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate is recovering from groin surgery while fellow centre-back Michael Dawson is out with an Achilles injury.

Sebastien Bassong could make his debut following an £8m move from Newcastle.

Tottenham

Suspended: None

Injured/unavailable: Bale (knee), Dawson (Achilles), Woodgate (groin)

Liverpool

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Carragher (ankle), Gerrard (groin), Skrtel (hamstring) Injured: Agger (back), Aquilani (ankle), Aurelio (knee), El Zhar (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

Liverpool face an early test of their title credentials with a trip to White Hart Lane, where Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League since last November.

The Reds suffered only two league defeats last season, the first a 2-1 reverse at Spurs that lifted Harry Redknapp's side off the bottom of the table.

Though Liverpool gained revenge on the final day, the damage had already been done, with a first league title since 1990 eluding the Reds despite 10 wins from their last 11 games.

Nine years after leaving White Hart Lane without a first team appearance to his name, Peter Crouch could make his Tottenham debut following his move from Portsmouth.

Like team-mate Robbie Keane, he will be hoping to prove a point to Rafael Benitez after being deemed surplus to requirements during a spell at Anfield.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Last season's 2-1 defeat is Liverpool's only loss in their last 10 league games against Tottenham.

• Spurs also beat the Reds in the fourth round of the League Cup on 12 November 2008.

Tottenham

• Spurs are chasing a seventh successive home league win. They are unbeaten in their last 11 top flight games at White Hart Lane. Everton were the last side to take maximum points at Spurs, winning 1-0 on 30 November 2008.

• Spurs made their worst start to a top flight season last year. When Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane at the end of October, Spurs were bottom of the table with two points from eight games. They picked up 49 points from the remaining 30 matches to finish eighth.

• Tottenham's last hat-trick against the Reds was scored by Jimmy Greaves, who scored four at White Hart Lane in a 7-2 win in 1963.

Liverpool

• The Reds have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 league games.

• Liverpool's tally of 77 league goals last season was their best since 1990/91.

• A win would make Liverpool the first team to reach 5,000 points in the top flight of English football.

• Jamie Carragher has scored only three Premier League goals since making his debut 11 years ago. He has also scored three own goals against Tottenham (two at White Hart Lane).

LEADING GOALSCORERS LAST SEASON

Darren Bent: 17 goals (12 league), Roman Pavlyuchenko: 14 goals (5 league)

Steven Gerrard: 24 goals (16 league), Fernando Torres: 17 goals (14 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Phil Dowd

Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey, Simon Beck

Fourth official: Stuart Attwell

LAST TIME WE MET...

Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool ended their campaign with a comfortable win in which Sami Hyypia appeared as a substitute late on in his final appearance for the Anfield club.

Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross for the opener in the first half.

Alan Hutton unluckily deflected a shot from Kuyt to make it 2-0 before Robbie Keane briefly silenced the home crowd when Liverpool's offside trap failed.

Yossi Benayoun made sure of the win, however, as Liverpool finished second and Spurs had to settle for eighth.

There was almost a fairytale ending for Finnish defender Hyypia, when - after a decade of service for Liverpool - he nearly scored a 36th goal for the club in his 454th appearance.

Rising majestically to fire a header at the Spurs goal, the Bayer Leverkusen-bound 35-year-old forced Heurelho Gomes into a scrambling save.

Liverpool started and finished the game strongly, while Spurs were generally outclassed and never looked like getting the victory they needed to give them a chance of scraping into the Europa League.

Benayoun was the most industrious player early on for the Reds and he fired over from close in after Kuyt had headed down a corner from Fabio Aurelio.

Torres was quiet initially but sparked into life after 27 minutes when he surged through from midfield and found himself clear just outside the box, only to see his attempt to steer a shot wide of Gomes thwarted by a challenge from Jermaine Jenas.

In making the tackle, Jenas injured himself and was unable to see out the half in his 150th appearance for Spurs. David Bentley eventually came on for him, but by then Spurs were a goal behind.

An error by Benoit Assou-Ekotto allowed Steven Gerrard to Dirk Kuyt down the right, and the Dutch international had time to switch to his left foot to pick out Torres at the far post.

The blond striker rose with perfect timing to elude his marker Hutton and powered in a header which rattled off the underside of the crossbar and into Gomes's net.

It was Torres's 50th Liverpool goal, and he has reached the landmark in fewer matches than some high-profile Liverpool strikers of yesteryear, such as Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.

Spurs did carve out one half-chance just before the break as Jermain Defoe beat the offside trap to race clear but Pepe Reina managed to block him on the right-hand edge of the penalty area.

The early part of the second half saw Tottenham continue to make the Liverpool defence work, with Luka Modric brought down by Daniel Agger, giving the visitors a tasty free-kick from the edge of the D.

Gareth Bale took it from a central position but Reina palmed his strike down in front of him, with no Spurs players able to get to the rebound in time.

Liverpool woke suddenly from their siesta and turned on the heat once again. Gerrard, twisting and turning in the Tottenham box, unsuccessfully claimed a penalty when his cross struck Vedran Corluka's outstretched arm.

Martin Skrtel's deflected shot went narrowly wide but soon it was 2-0 as the energetic Kuyt exchanged passes with Benayoun before rifling in a shot which would have gone wide of the post - but deflected in off the unlucky Hutton.

Xabi Alonso forced a save from Gomes and shots from Gerrard and the newly-introduced Albert Riera flew wide as Liverpool continued to press.

Unexpectedly, Keane gave Spurs brief respite by springing the offside trap and shooting past Reina.

However there was to be no twist in the tale, as Benayoun shrugged off the attentions of Ledley King to grab Liverpool's third. Moments later, Hyypia was sent on to a mass standing ovation for the final few minutes.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

"I was trying to keep Sami [Hyppia] on the bench until the last minute but I couldn't because the fans were pushing me. Working with Sami for five years I know he is a fantastic professional and hopefully he will do the same in Germany and then come back to us.

"Clearly he will have a position with us in two or three years if we're still here. But it's a little bit emotional and a little bit sad today.

"We knew it was important for the fans that we finished the season really well. When it's the last game it's difficult to keep working hard but I was impressed with [Javier] Mascherano who just kept running."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:

"It's been a hard season but it's terrific for us to finish where we have. Today we conceded some sloppy goals but it was a typical end-of season game.

"Our away form hasn't been good enough this season but you look at today, we brought in a couple of lads who don't play regularly and it shows us what we need next year if we're going to push up and close the gap on teams like Liverpool.

"It was nice to see Sami Hyypia come on. He got an unbelievable ovation from a fantastic club and its supporters."

Liverpool:

Reina, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Riera 66), Gerrard (Hyypia 84), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog 78).

Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, Degen.

Goals: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81.

Tottenham Hotspur:

Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Zokora, Jenas (Bentley 40), Bale (Bent 78), Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 70), Keane.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Gunter, Campbell, Chimbonda.

Booked: Corluka.

Goals: Keane 77.

Att: 43,937

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Liverpool's Sami Hyppia

PREVIEW: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

2009-05-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

Anfield, Liverpool
Sunday 24th May 2009, Kick Off 16:00
Premier League, Match 38

REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

COMMENT:

Spurs travel to Anfield on Sunday still in with an outside chance of grabbing 7th place in the Premier League and thus qualifying for the inaugural season of the UEFA Europa League in 2009-10.

The fact that this is so, given our absolutely appauling start to the season, speaks volumes for the way Harry Redknapp has turned our fortunes around and the effort put-in by the entire playing squad.

Liverpool lost out to Manchester United in the title race but will still be keen to give a good account of themselves, especially with Chelsea breathing down their necks for the runners-up spot.

Strangly enough, Spurs are in the happy position of already having beaten Liverpool twice this season and an unlikely third win at Anfield would be Tottenham's third "Double" of the League season to go with the scalps of West Ham United and Manchester City. We survived the entire League season without any club doing the "Double" over us.

The first match against Liverpool came at White Hart Lane in the League on 1st November with an own goal being the decisive strike in a 2-1 win.

It was rather more comfortable in the home League Cup fourth round fixture just 11 days later with Spurs playing perhaps some of their best football of the season to finish 4-2 winners with double braces from Fraizer Campbell and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Spurs will be without the services of Tom Huddlestone (knee operation), Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt on Sunday and I expect Harry to go all-out to win this one (a draw would be of no benefit to us) and field an attacking line-up with three strikers in use once again - To Dare Is To Do!

It's certainly been a funny old season! Tipped to be the best of the rest by most of the Media, Spurs found themselves rock bottom with just two points from their first eight Premier League matches. Adios Ramos, Hello Harry. We were still deep in relegation trouble at Christmas/New Year but a good run of results saw us gradually creep-up the League table.

Then there was the League Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley (who had already knocked us out of the FA Cup) and an honourable draw after extra time, only to lose-out on penalty kicks. The UEFA Cup was a distraction for Harry and a very young team did well against the Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk but not well enough to progress in the competition.

And so on to Anfield to wrap-up what has been in many ways an eventful yet ultimately disappointing season for Spurs fans. Oh well... there's always next season to look forward to!

TEAM NEWS:

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Jonathan Woodgate are doubts ahead of Sunday's final game of the season at Liverpool.

Left-back Benoit will undergo an assessment on a swollen knee, while fellow defender ‘Woody' is still struggling with the groin problem that forced him off in last weekend's victory over Manchester City.

Tom Huddlestone is recovering well after his knee operation earlier this week, but remains out along with Michael Dawson (ankle), Aaron Lennon (groin), Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt (both knee).

On a brighter note, Darren Bent returned to training today following the knee injury he picked up in last month's defeat at Manchester United.

In other news, Heurelho Gomes has been called up to the Brazil squad for their up-coming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, which kicks off on June 14 in South Africa.

The goalkeeper, who has been in fine recent form for Harry Redknapp's side, earned the last of his nine international caps in October 2006.

After his first season of Premier League football, Gomes is back in coach Carlos Dunga's plans alongside the likes of Kaka, Robinho and Anderson.

A Seleção will take on Uruguay in Montevideo on 6 June, before hosting group leaders Paraguay four days later in Recife.

Then, one day later, they will travel to South Africa ahead of the defence of their FIFA Confederations Cup crown. Brazil have been drawn in Group B alongside USA, Italy and Egypt.

BIG MATCH FACTS:

If Liverpool avoid defeat here, they will make Premier League history by being the first club to lose as few as two Premier League matches and not end up with the title. A draw would guarantee runners-up spot for the second time in the Premier League; the first was in 2001-02.

Tottenham must win to stand any chance of overhauling Fulham to finish seventh and land Europa League football next season.

Spurs ended last season's Premier League campaign with defeat to Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

It's six years since Liverpool ended a top-flight season with defeat; they are yet to lose a final day Premier League fixture at Anfield; Spurs have lost three of their last four last day away league fixtures.

Tottenham have already played Liverpool twice this season and have won them both; 2-1 in the reverse league fixture and 4-2 11 days later in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on 12 November at White Hart Lane. Roman Pavlychenko has scored a total of three goals in those two games.

Tottenham have only achieved one Premier League victory at Anfield. They prevailed 1-2 on 25 August 1993, when Teddy Sheringham scored both their goals - one from the penalty spot. Since then, the Londoners have drawn five and lost nine of 14 visits.

Distance between the clubs: 214 miles (344 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

LIVERPOOL

2nd 83 points
Highest achievable: 2nd (Merit payment: £14,440,000)
Lowest could fall: 3rd (£13,680,000)
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Missed out on a first Premier League title, despite boasting the sharpest attack in the division. More details

2. The current tally of 83 points is already their record total for a Premier League season; victory would give them 25 wins for the second time, and first since 2005-06 when a third placed finish was procured.

3. Unbeaten in 10 Premier League games; won nine and drawn one (28 points out of 30) since losing 2-0, away to Middlesbrough on 28 February; their only loss in 26 league games.

4. Chasing their 1,300th win in post-war league football.

5. Defeat in the reverse fixture is their only loss in nine league games against London clubs this season; defeat would mean Tottenham had become the only club to do the double over them this term.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

8th 51 points
Highest achievable: 7th (Merit payment: £10,640,000)
Lowest could fall: 9th (£9,120,000)
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Guaranteed a fourth top-half finish in five years.

2. Won four of the last six league games, kept clean sheets in four of six and failed to score in one of the last 12.

3. Lost for the first time in seven fixtures against 'Big Four' clubs this season when Manchester United came from behind to win 5-2 at Old Trafford on 25 April, but not recorded an away win against the elite quartet.

4. Won only four times on the road in this top-flight campaign, and four goals short of conceding 500 away from home all-time in the Premier League.

5. Already beaten West Ham and Manchester City home and away, and could also do the double over Liverpool.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

LIVERPOOL

Pepe REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.

Jamie CARRAGHER is the only other player to have started all of Liverpool's Premier League games this term.

Steven GERRARD is the club's top Premier League scorer, with 16 goals, a quarter of which were penalties.

Fernando TORRES and Andrei VORONIN have both made two Premier League appearances against Tottenham and have both scored on each occasion.

If he scores:-

TORRES will reach the milestone of 50 goals for Liverpool.

If selected:-

Martin SKRTEL will be making his 50th appearance for the Reds.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Robbie KEANE has scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances for Tottenham against Liverpool.

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.

BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance, and 300th in all club competitions.

Jermain DEFOE will be making his 300th career league appearance (Charlton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Tottenham and Portsmouth).

Jermaine JENAS will be making his 150th appearance in a Tottenham shirt.

KEANE faces Liverpool, where he spent just seven months from July last year, before returning to White Hart Lane in February for £12m. He made just 28 appearances (19 Premier League) for the Merseysiders, scoring seven goals (five league).

HEAD TO HEAD

Tottenham's league loss at the Lane on 1 November ended Liverpool's eight-match unbeaten sequence against Tottenham in the Premier League.

The Londoners have not done the double over the Reds since 1986-87.

Spurs need to score three times to total 150 league goals against Liverpool.

Liverpool inflicted on Spurs their club record league defeat; 7-0 at Anfield on 2 September 1978.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Liverpool 61 wins, Spurs 36, Draws 34
Prem: Liverpool 15 wins, Spurs 8, Draws 10

at Liverpool only
League (inc PL): Liverpool 41 wins, Spurs 5, Draws 19
Prem: Liverpool 10 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 5

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
7 October 2007 - Ref: Mark Halsey
Liverpool scorers: Voronin 12, Torres 90
Spurs scorers: Keane 45, 47

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool
1 November 2008 - Ref: Phil Dowd
Spurs scorers: Carragher 70 og, Pavlyuchenko 90
Liverpool scorer: Kuyt 3

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Liverpool are at home and they'll want to sign of with a victory and run Manchester United as close as possible so I think they'll beat Tottenham. But it should be an open and entertaining affair

Harry Redknapp has done a fantastic job at Tottenham when you consider where they were when he took over.

I think they'll be a huge threat next season because they will add to their squad and those players will be of the highest quality.

Verdict: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Sunday's final League game of season 2008-09 will be the 155th meeting between Liverpool and Spurs. The two clubs contested the 1982 League Cup Final at Wembley and the subsequent Charity Shield that August.

Here are the results of the previous 154 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

26-Dec-1894 Friendly - H W 3 - 0 Hunter, Payne jnr, Payne snr
12-Apr-1895 Friendly - H W 6 - 0 Wilkinson, Laycock, Hunter (2), McElhaney (2)
13-Nov-09 Division 1 22,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
26-Mar-10 Division 1 15,000 A L 0 - 2
29-Oct-10 Division 1 12,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Humphreys
04-Mar-11 Division 1 25,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
11-Nov-11 Division 1 23,000 H W 2 - 0 Minter, Middlemiss
16-Mar-12 Division 1 15,000 A W 2 - 1 Newman, Mason
02-Nov-12 Division 1 15,000 A L 1 - 4 Minter
08-Mar-13 Division 1 20,000 H W 1 - 0 Middlemiss
29-Nov-13 Division 1 21,000 A L 1 - 2 Cantrell
04-Apr-14 Division 1 19,800 H D 0 - 0
31-Oct-14 Division 1 12,000 A L 2 - 7 Clay (pen), Bliss
06-Mar-15 Division 1 12,000 H D 1 - 1 Minter
25-Mar-21 Division 1 40,000 A D 1 - 1 Blis
28-Mar-21 Division 1 35,000 H W 1 - 0 Smith
22-Oct-21 Division 1 31,593 H L 0 - 1
29-Oct-21 Division 1 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
04-Nov-22 Division 1 35,068 H L 2 - 4 Clay (pen), Grimsdell
11-Nov-22 Division 1 29,000 A D 0 - 0
29-Mar-24 Division 1 22,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Apr-24 Division 1 22,470 H D 1 - 1 Grimsdell
13-Dec-24 Division 1 25,604 H D 1 - 1 Hargreaves
18-Apr-25 Division 1 12,000 A L 0 - 1
24-Oct-25 Division 1 29,952 H W 3 - 1 Osborne (3)
06-Mar-26 Division 1 26,355 A D 0 - 0
11-Dec-26 Division 1 26,640 H L 1 - 2 Blair
30-Apr-27 Division 1 15,756 A L 0 - 1
17-Dec-27 Division 1 21,234 H W 3 - 1 Osborne, Elkes (2)
28-Apr-28 Division 1 31,780 A L 0 - 2
23-Sep-33 Division 1 33,080 H L 0 - 3
03-Feb-34 Division 1 30,809 A L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
15-Dec-34 Division 1 24,688 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
27-Apr-35 Division 1 15,613 H W 5 - 1 Bolan, Hunt DA, Evans W (3)
06-Sep-50 Division 1 39,015 A L 1 - 2 Medley
05-May-51 Division 1 49,072 H W 3 - 1 Walters, Murphy (2)
01-Dec-51 Division 1 51,342 H L 2 - 3 Walters, Bennett
19-Apr-52 Division 1 36,898 A D 1 - 1 Duquemin
10-Sep-52 Division 1 49,869 A L 1 - 2 Baily
15-Sep-52 Division 1 37,319 H W 3 - 1 Groves (2), Harmer
12-Sep-53 Division 1 47,535 H W 2 - 1 Ramsay, Walters
23-Jan-54 Division 1 43,592 A D 2 - 2 Walters, Lock og
12-Apr-63 Division 1 54,463 A L 2 - 5 Jones, Dyson
15-Apr-63 Division 1 53,727 H W 7 - 2 Jones (2), Saul, Greaves (4, 1pen)
27-Mar-64 Division 1 57,022 H L 1 - 3 Norman
30-Mar-64 Division 1 52,904 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
28-Nov-64 Division 1 41,198 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-65 Division 1 50,760 A L 0 - 1
09-Apr-65 Division 1 28,441 H W 3 - 0 Saul, Low, Gilzean
18-Sep-65 Division 1 46,925 H W 2 - 1 Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves (2)
01-Apr-67 Division 1 53,135 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
06-May-67 Division 1 40,845 A D 0 - 0
04-Nov-67 Division 1 47,682 H D 1 - 1 Jones
09-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 54,005 H D 1 - 1 Greaves
12-Mar-68 F.A. Cup 5 Replay 53,658 A L 1 - 2 Jones
29-Apr-68 Division 1 41,688 A D 1 - 1 Greaves
19-Oct-68 Division 1 44,122 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
21-Dec-68 Division 1 43,843 A L 0 - 1
16-Aug-69 Division 1 50,474 H L 0 - 2
07-Oct-69 Division 1 46,518 A D 0 - 0
10-Oct-70 Division 1 44,547 H W 1 - 0 Peters
06-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 54,731 A D 0 - 0
16-Mar-71 F.A. Cup 6 Replay 56,283 H L 0 - 1
17-Apr-71 Division 1 46,363 A D 0 - 0
04-Sep-71 Division 1 50,124 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Peters
18-Dec-71 Division 1 43,409 A D 0 - 0
25-Nov-72 Division 1 45,497 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
06-Dec-72 League Cup 5 Replay 34,565 H W 3 - 1 Pratt, Chivers (2)
25-Mar-73 UEFA SF (2L) 46,919 H W 2 - 1 Peters (2)
31-Mar-73 Division 1 48,477 A D 1 - 1 Gilzean
10-Apr-73 UEFA SF (1L) 42,174 A L 0 - 1
22-Sep-73 Division 1 42,901 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Peters
04-Dec-73 League Cup 5 48,677 A D 1 - 1 Peters
08-May-74 Division 1 24,618 H D 1 - 1 McGrath
07-Sep-74 Division 1 47,538 A L 2 - 5 Perryman, Chivers
22-Mar-75 Division 1 34,331 H L 0 - 2
23-Aug-75 Division 1 42,729 A L 2 - 3 Jones, Duncan
13-Dec-75 Division 1 29,891 H L 0 - 4
18-Sep-76 Division 1 47,421 A L 0 - 2
09-Mar-77 Division 1 32,098 H W 1 - 0 Coates
02-Sep-78 Division 1 50,705 A L 0 - 7
22-Nov-78 Division 1 50,393 H D 0 - 0
17-Nov-79 Division 1 51,092 A L 1 - 2 Jones
08-Mar-80 F.A. Cup 6 48,033 H L 0 - 1
29-Mar-80 Division 1 32,114 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Hoddle (pen)
06-Dec-80 Division 1 39,545 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
25-Apr-81 Division 1 35,334 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle
13-Mar-82 League Cup Final 100,000 W L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Archibald
03-May-82 Division 1 38,091 H D 2 - 2 Perryman, Archibald
15-May-82 Division 1 48,122 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
21-Aug-82 Charity Shield 82,500 W L 0 - 1
27-Nov-82 Division 1 40,691 A L 0 - 3
30-Apr-83 Division 1 44,907 H W 2 - 0 Archibald (2)
12-Nov-83 Division 1 44,348 H D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle (pen)
10-Mar-84 Division 1 36,718 A L 1 - 3 Stevens
02-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A L 2 - 5 Thomas, Falco
09-Jun-84 Tour/RSSC - A D 1 - 1 Brazil
12-Oct-84 Division 1 28,599 H W 1 - 0 Crooks
31-Oct-84 League Cup 3 38,690 H W 1 - 0 Allen C
27-Jan-85 F.A. Cup 4 27,905 A L 0 - 1
16-Mar-85 Division 1 43,852 A W 1 - 0 Crooks
28-Sep-85 Division 1 41,521 A L 1 - 4 Chiedozie
03-Dec-85 SSS Cup Gp. 14,855 A L 0 - 2
14-Jan-86 SSS Cup Gp. 10,078 H L 0 - 2
02-Mar-86 Division 1 16,436 H L 1 - 2 Waddle
11-Oct-86 Division 1 43,139 A W 1 - 0 Allen C
22-Mar-87 Division 1 32,763 H W 1 - 0 Waddle
28-Nov-87 Division 1 47,362 H L 0 - 2
23-Apr-88 Division 1 44,798 A L 0 - 1
17-Sep-88 Division 1 40,929 A D 1 - 1 Fenwick
26-Mar-89 Division 1 30,012 H L 1 - 2 Fenwick (pen)
29-Oct-89 Division 1 26,550 A L 0 - 1
21-Mar-90 Division 1 25,656 H W 1 - 0 Stewart
04-Nov-90 Division 1 35,003 H L 1 - 3 Lineker
11-May-91 Division 1 36,192 A L 0 - 2
18-Dec-91 Division 1 27,434 H L 1 - 2 Walsh
21-Mar-92 Division 1 39,968 A L 1 - 2 Stewart
31-Oct-92 FA Prem 32,917 H W 2 - 0 Nayim, Ruddock
08-May-93 FA Prem 43,385 A L 2 - 6 Sedgley, Sheringham
25-Aug-93 FA Prem 42,456 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham (2, 1pen)
18-Dec-93 FA Prem 31,394 H D 3 - 3 Samways, Hazard (pen), Caskey
26-Nov-94 FA Prem 35,007 A D 1 - 1 Ruddock og
11-Mar-95 F.A. Cup 6 39,582 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
22-Mar-95 FA Prem 31,988 H D 0 - 0
26-Aug-95 FA Prem 31,254 H L 1 - 3 Barnes og
03-Feb-96 FA Prem 40,628 A D 0 - 0
02-Dec-96 FA Prem 32,899 H L 0 - 2
03-May-97 FA Prem 40,003 A L 1 - 2 Anderton
08-Nov-97 FA Prem 38,006 A L 0 - 4
14-Mar-98 FA Prem 30,245 H D 3 - 3 Klinsmann, Ginola, Vega
10-Nov-98 League Cup 4 20,772 A W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
05-Dec-98 FA Prem 36,125 H W 2 - 1 Fox, Carragher o.g.
01-May-99 FA Prem 44,007 A L 2 - 3 Carragher o.g., Iversen
03-Jan-00 FA Prem 36,044 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
09-Apr-00 FA Prem 44,536 A L 0 - 2
19-Nov-00 FA Prem 36,036 H W 2 - 1 Ferdinand, Sherwood
22-Apr-01 FA Prem 43,547 A L 1 - 3 Korsten
22-Sep-01 FA Prem 44,116 A L 0 - 1
27-Apr-02 FA Prem 36,017 H W 1 - 0 Poyet
26-Oct-02 FA Prem 44,084 A L 1 - 2 Richards
15-Mar-03 FA Prem 36,077 H L 2 - 3 Taricco, Sheringham
27-Aug-03 FA Prem 43,778 A D 0 - 0
17-Jan-04 FA Prem 36,104 H W 2 - 1 Keane (pen), Postiga
14-Aug-04 FA Prem 35,105 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
01-Dec-04 League Cup 5 36,100 H D 1 - 1 (a.e.t) Defoe (Spurs lost 4-3 on pens)
16-Apr-05 FA Prem 44,029 A D 2 - 2 Edman, Keane
10-Sep-05 FA Prem 36,148 H D 0 - 0
14-Jan-06 FA Prem 44,983 A L 0 - 1
23-Sep-06 FA Prem 44,330 A L 0 - 3
30-Dec-06 FA Prem 36,170 H L 0 - 1
07-Oct-07 FA Prem 43,986 A D 2 - 2 Keane (2)
11-May-08 FA Prem 36,063 H L 0 - 2
01-Nov-08 FA Prem 36,183 H W 2 - 1 Carragher o.g., Pavlyuchenko
12-Nov-08 League Cup 4 33,242 H W 4 - 2 Pavlyuchenko (2),Campbell (2)
24-May-09 FA Prem A

LAST TIME WE MET...

Tottenham 4-2 Liverpool
League Cup Round Four, Wednesday, 12 November 2008

Carling Cup holders Tottenham strode into the quarter-finals with a clinical win over Liverpool in a thrilling tie.

Three goals in six first-half minutes put the hosts in control, Roman Pavlyuchenko drilling in the opener.

Fraizer Campbell then got his first goals in a Spurs shirt when he clipped home before heading in from 12 yards.

Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia headed in replies for Liverpool after Heurelho Gomes errors, but Pavlyuchenko tapped in his second in between to wrap it up.

It was an excellent performance from a home side that have been rejuvenated almost beyond recognition under Harry Redknapp, and only three matches now stand between the north Londoners and a return to Wembley where they won the trophy last season.

Liverpool, with some justification, may point to the fact that their side featured 10 changes to the side that beat West Brom at the weekend - but then Spurs themselves had made seven changes to the team that overcame Manchester City on Sunday.

Still, from the off only one side appeared to be in it.

Spurs were effervescent, closing Liverpool down at every opportunity and stringing passes together with a confidence that was so absent under Juande Ramos's reign this season.

Ryan Babel was a bright spark for Liverpool, epitomised by an excellent run into the home box, dribbling past three players, before the attack petered out.

But that was it, with Fernando Torres ineffective on his return from injury, and Spurs took full advantage in a stunning six-minute spell to end the half.

Lennon had come closest to rewarding Tottenham's dominance in the first half hour when he cut inside and saw his shot blocked well by Daniel Agger - but few expected what was to come.

Pavlyuchenko and Campbell had also gone close early in the match and it was that combination that broke the deadlock, the latter latching onto Gareth Bale's pass, out-muscling Sami Hyypia and laying the ball back for the Russian to hammer home.

Three minutes later and it was 2-0 as Campbell made the most of a collision between Reds keeper Diego Cavalieri and Andrea Dossena to collect Jamie O'Hara's pass and roll home.

When Campbell headed in Lennon's far-post cross on the stroke of half time, Spurs fans were in dreamland, but Liverpool were thrown a lifeline at the start of the second 45 when Plessis caught Spurs keeper Gomes in no man's land and headed in Babel's corner.

Liverpool's renaissance lasted precisely four minutes, though, as Pavlyuchenko tapped into after Didier Zokora's shot had been deflected.

If Tottenham thought they could relax, they reckoned without another woeful spot of keeping from Gomes, Hyypia the one to benefit this time as the defender nodded in Babel's corner with the Brazilian flapping.

And the mood at White Hart Lane was further dampened minutes later when Gomes went down heavily under Phillipp Degen's challenge and had to be stretchered off after over seven minutes of treatment.

Liverpool sensed an opportunity to get back into the match but, despite Nabil El Zhar causing problems, the visitors' best hope appeared to be when Degen went down under Bale's challenge in the box late on - but replays showed the defender clearly got the ball.

As it was, Spurs saw out a deserved win - their second over Rafael Benitez's side in a fortnight - to make it five victories and a draw for the hosts under Redknapp so far.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:

"It was a good win and a good performance - even if we could have done better on corners!

"That's 18 goals we've scored in my five matches in charge - we're bringing in Les Ferdinand as a striking coach and I've told him if we stop scoring it's his fault!

"In all seriousness, though, I've been so pleased with the players. They have tremendous quality and want to win every game - the desire is brilliant.

"Winning's a great habit and we have three strikers who are firing on all cylinders. I'm happy."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

"We did not play well, we did not defend well, and we did not deserve anything from the game.

"In the second half we were a little better, in commitment and in our quality, but after the first half it was impossible.

"I'm happy with my selection - the side was good, we just didn't perform. The only bonus from the match is that Fernando Torres played some minutes, which is good."

Tottenham:

Gomes (Cesar 74), Hutton, Dawson, Corluka, Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko (Boateng 90), Campbell (Bent 90).

Subs Not Used: Bentley, Modric, Gunter, Rocha.

Booked: Pavlyuchenko, Campbell.

Goals: Pavlyuchenko 38, Campbell 42, 45, Pavlyuchenko 52.

Liverpool:

Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Degen (Darby 84), Babel, Leiva Lucas, Ngog, Plessis (Alonso 66), Torres (Insua 56), El Zhar.

Subs Not Used: Gulacsi, Riera, Benayoun, Carragher.

Booked: Plessis, Torres, Babel, Leiva Lucas.

Goals: Plessis 49, Hyypia 63.

Att: 33,242

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

2009-05-11T03:59:00.000-07:00

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 16th May, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 37

REFEREE: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

COMMENT:

Tottenham entertain Manchester City in the last home match of season 2008-09 fresh from a hard-earned point at Goodison Park against a very good Everton side, while City lost to United 0-2 in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Spurs are in touching distance of their best defensive home record in League history with just 9 goals conceded in the previous 18 home matches this season. The current record lowest number of goals conceded was 11 in the old Second Division way back in 1919-20.

That season was the first to be played after World War One and it saw our bitter rivals Arsenal steal our Top Flight position due to some very underhand means. Spurs bounced straight back up to the First Division as Champions of Division Two.

Indeed, Spurs have kept a clean sheet in each of the last six home Premier League matches and have only conceded a total of four goals at White Hart Lane in the 14 matches Harry Redknapp has been in charge of Spurs for...

We have already beaten Manchester City away 2-1 this season in November, thanks to a Darren Bent brace and a win on Saturday would be our second "Double" of the season to add to the one achieved over West Ham United.

Our record against City has generally been pretty good with 16 Premier League wins to our credit, four draws and just the three defeats in the 23 matches played between the two clubs so far.

Spurs have won nine of the last ten meetings against City.

Spurs are currently in 8th place and still pushing for the remaining UEFA Europa League place, although Fulham look to be firm favourites at the moment.

TEAM NEWS:

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Didier Zokora are both fit again after injury to face Manchester City on Saturday.

Left-back Benoit sat out last weekend's game at Everton with a foot injury, and midfielder Didier missed the trip with a groin problem.

However, Aaron Lennon (groin), Darren Bent (knee), and Michael Dawson (ankle) remain sidelined. Giovani Dos Santos, meanwhile, will sit out due to illness.

Jamie O'Hara and Adel Taarabt have both undergone knee operations and will not feature again this season.

And Wilson Palacios is currently back home in Honduras with his family due to personal reasons.

At Friday's press conference, manager Harry Redknapp said: "Wilson's still back home with his family. When he's ready to return, he will, I'll leave that decision to him.

"His family is the most important thing and he has to make sure he is at home taking care of them at the moment."

Tottenham (from):

Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Huddlestone, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto, Zokora, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Keane, Campbell, Chimbonda, Corluka, Defoe, King, Woodgate, Bostock, Parrett, Gilberto.

Man City's Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been struggling with a knee problem, has returned to training and could be on the bench.

Robinho is out with a groin injury, so Martin Petrov is in line to start.

Man City (from):

Given, Hart, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Fernandes, Ireland, De Jong, Kompany, Petrov, Bojinov, Caicedo, Evans, Berti.

BIG MATCH FACTS:

Two of the four clubs involved in the race for seventh spot and Europa League football clash at White Hart Lane. Indeed victory for Tottenham would extinguish the hopes of Manchester City.

City have won one more Premier League game than Spurs, yet find themselves two places below them in the table.

While Premier League matches involving the Citizens have yielded more goals than any other club (104 - 56 for, 48 against), top-flight games at White Hart Lane have produced fewer goals than any other ground (28 - 19 for, nine against).

Tottenham are vying for a fifth successive Premier League win over Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Another victory here would secure their sixth double over the Citizens in this league, and first since 2006-07.

Distance between the clubs: 202 miles (325 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

8th 48 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.

2. Won three of five Premier League games, losing one of them; 5-2, away to Manchester United on 25 April.

3. The goalless draw, away to Everton, in their last outing was the first time they had failed to score in 11 top-flight matches.

4. Their last four league victories have been by a 1-0 scoreline.

5. Five points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing. Already accumulated two more points that their total last season.

6. Dropped just eight points from winning positions, drawing one and losing two. Only Chelsea has dropped fewer (seven).

7. Gained twice as many points at home than away; 32 at the Lane, 16 on the road.

8. Won their last five home league games, and not conceded in six. This is their best sequence at the Lane since seven successive victories between 1 October and Boxing Day 2006.

9. Not beaten a North-West club in seven attempts in this league, since the 1-0 home victory over Blackburn on 23 November. Picked up just two of the 21 subsequent available points.

10. Already beaten West Ham, and could also do the double over Manchester City and Liverpool, who they visit on the last day.
Fixtures

MANCHESTER CITY

10th 47 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Victory would mean they had totalled 50 Premier League points under Mark Hughes.

2. Never finished higher than eighth (2004-05) in their 11 Premier League seasons.

3. The current total of 47 points from 36 games is eight points down on this stage last season, but maximum points from the last two games will mean they finish the campaign two points down on their total last season.

4. Won all nine league games in which clean sheets have been kept; lost all 10 top-flight games in which they have failed to score, and the only club not to have registered a goalless draw in this Premier League season.

5. One of four clubs not to have won a Premier League game in which the opening goal has been conceded, and only recouped three Premier League points from losing positions, courtesy of three draws.

6. Lost four of last five away league games, and won one of 16; 1-2 against Everton at Goodison Park on 25 April. Sunderland is the only other club they have beaten on their league travels.

7. Failed to score in six of their eight top-flight matches on the road in 2009, scoring just three goals.

8. Only picked up only 11 points away from the City of Manchester Stadium, as opposed to 36 at Eastlands.

9. Lost their last three away league games against London clubs, and gained one point out of 12 on the road against clubs from the capital, without scoring in the last three.

10. Already lost home and away to Manchester United and Chelsea. Tottenham, and Bolton, who they entertain on the last day, could still do the double over them.
Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.

BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance, and 300th in all club competitions.

Vedran CORLUKA will be facing a former club. The 23 year old Croatia international made 47 appearances (38 in the league) and scored one league goal for Manchester City between August 2007 and his £8.5m move to White Hart Lane in September last year.

MANCHESTER CITY

ROBINHO is the club's top Premier League scorer with 14 goals.

If he scores:-

Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will reach the milestone of 50 club career goals (Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea).

If selected:-

Danny MILLS will be playing two days before his 32nd birthday.

If on the field from the outset:-

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will be making his 200th career league start (Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea).

HEAD TO HEAD

Manchester City's only victory in 11 Premier League visits to Tottenham was 0-2 on 18 April 2003, with goals from David Sommeil and Joey Barton.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 44 wins, Man City 45, Draws 30
Prem: Spurs 16 wins, Man City 3, Draws 4

at Spurs only
League (inc PL): Spurs 29 wins, Man City 14, Draws 16
Prem: Spurs 8 wins, Man City 1, Draws 2

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester City
9 December 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Spurs scorers: Keane 10, Berbatov 32
Man City scorer: Mpenza 40

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
9 November 2008 - Ref: Mike Dean
Man City scorer: Robinho 16
Spurs scorers: Bent 29, 64
Sent Off: Fernandes 26, Dunne 83 (Man City), Assou-Ekotto (Spurs) 89

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):

Spurs are pushing for Europe. They got a good point at Everton and their home form is very, very good.

City are iffy, at best, on the road, although they looked OK at times against Manchester United.

This match is one for neutrals - it'll be a good game of football.

Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Manchester City

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday's game will be the 138th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

The two clubs contested the 1981 FA Cup Final in a replayed match at Wembley which will go down as one of the competition's greatest-ever matches.

Here are the results of all the previous 137 games with Spurs' score shown first:

16-Jan-09 F.A. Cup 1 20,000 A W 4 - 3 Morris (pen), Minter (2), Steel R
27-Dec-10 Division 1 28,000 H D 1 - 1 Tull
03-Jan-11 Division 1 10,000 A L 1 - 2 Kennedy
05-Apr-12 Division 1 39,800 A L 1 - 2 Newman
08-Apr-12 Division 1 20,000 H L 0 - 2
25-Dec-12 Division 1 30,000 A D 2 - 2 Cantrell, Middlemiss
26-Dec-12 Division 1 20,000 H W 4 - 0 Minter, Cantrell (3)
27-Sep-13 Division 1 30,513 H W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Cantrell
24-Jan-14 Division 1 30,000 A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
31-Jan-14 F.A. Cup 2 36,256 A L 1 - 2 Bliss
26-Sep-14 Division 1 13,000 A L 1 - 2 Sparrow
15-Mar-15 Division 1 6,000 H D 2 - 2 Minter, Sparrow
12-Feb-21 Division 1 32,000 H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock
09-Mar-21 Division 1 30,000 A L 0 - 2
04-Feb-22 Division 1 20,000 A D 3 - 3 Wilson, Bliss (2)
11-Feb-22 Division 1 43,000 H W 3 - 1 Grimsdell, Bliss, Dimmock
18-Feb-22 F.A. Cup 3 53,810 H W 2 - 1 Wilson, Bliss
03-Mar-23 Division 1 27,963 H W 3 - 1 Walden, Seed, Handley
14-Mar-23 Division 1 25,000 A L 0 - 3
01-Jan-24 Division 1 24,000 A L 0 - 1
21-Apr-24 Division 1 11,739 H W 4 - 1 Elkes, Lindsay, Hargreaves (2)
10-Nov-24 Division 1 10,781 H D 1 - 1 Smith
02-May-25 Division 1 10,000 A L 0 - 1
05-Sep-25 Division 1 35,594 H W 1 - 0 Seed
16-Jan-26 Division 1 25,244 A D 0 - 0
11-Jan-30 F.A. Cup 3 37,000 H D 2 - 2 Osborne, Cook
14-Jan-30 F.A. Cup 3 Replay 37,716 A L 1 - 4 Thompson
02-Dec-33 Division 1 38,021 A L 0 - 2
14-Apr-34 Division 1 24,576 H W 5 - 1 O'Callaghan (2), Hunt GS (2), Evans W
03-Nov-34 Division 1 28,802 A L 1 - 3 Evans W
12-Jan-35 F.A. Cup 3 48,983 H W 1 - 0 Evans W
16-Mar-35 Division 1 43,572 H D 0 - 0
05-Nov-38 Division 2 47,998 A L 0 - 2
11-Mar-39 Division 2 27,426 H L 2 - 3 Hitchens, Hall GW
28-Sep-46 Division 2 55,253 H D 0 - 0
01-Feb-47 Division 2 41,645 A L 0 - 1
06-Oct-51 Division 1 58,163 H L 1 - 2 Bennett
16-Feb-52 Division 1 39,080 A D 1 - 1 Walters
27-Aug-52 Division 1 33,621 A W 1 - 0 Duquemin
01-Sep-52 Division 1 41,113 H D 3 - 3 Ramsey (pen), McClellan, Robb
24-Oct-53 Division 1 37,577 H W 3 - 0 Duquemin, Robb (2)
30-Jan-54 F.A. Cup 4 51,182 A W 1 - 0 Bennett
17-Mar-54 Division 1 9,984 A L 1 - 4 Marchi
11-Dec-54 Division 1 27,052 A D 0 - 0
05-Mar-55 Division 1 35,358 H D 2 - 2 Duquemin (2)
12-Nov-55 Division 1 24,094 A W 2 - 1 McClellan, Dunmore
17-Mar-56 F.A. Cup SF 69,788 SF L 0 - 1
24-Mar-56 Division 1 31,622 H W 2 - 1 Brooks (pen), Smith R
22-Aug-56 Division 1 32,718 A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Brooks
29-Aug-56 Division 1 33,443 H W 3 - 2 Medwin, Harmer (pen), Smith R
28-Sep-57 Division 1 22,497 A L 1 - 5 Brannigan og
08-Feb-58 Division 1 37,539 H W 5 - 1 Smith R (3), Brooks, Robb
01-Nov-58 Division 1 30,601 A L 1 - 5 Smith R
21-Mar-59 Division 1 34,493 H W 3 - 1 Medwin, Smith R, Jones (pen)
31-Oct-59 Division 1 45,506 A W 2 - 1 Mackay, Jones
16-Apr-60 Division 1 49,767 H L 0 - 1
10-Oct-60 Division 1 58,916 H D 1 - 1 Smith R
25-Feb-61 Division 1 40,278 A W 1 - 0 Medwin
14-Oct-61 Division 1 40,561 H W 2 - 0 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones
03-Mar-62 Division 1 31,706 A L 2 - 6 Greaves (2)
01-Sep-62 Division 1 48,758 H W 4 - 2 Blanchflower (pen), Medwin, Greaves, Jones
11-May-63 Division 1 27,784 A L 0 - 1
08-Oct-66 Division 1 32,551 A W 2 - 1 Gilzean (2)
25-Feb-67 Division 1 33,832 H D 1 - 1 Robertson
09-Dec-67 Division 1 35,792 A L 1 - 4 Greaves
04-May-68 Division 1 51,242 H L 1 - 3 Greaves (pen)
12-Oct-68 Division 1 38,019 A L 0 - 4
14-Dec-68 Division 1 28,462 H D 1 - 1 England
01-Mar-69 F.A. Cup 6 48,872 A L 0 - 1
13-Sep-69 Division 1 41,644 H L 0 - 3
13-Dec-69 Division 1 29,216 A D 1 - 1 Johnson
26-Sep-70 Division 1 42,490 H W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers
01-May-71 Division 1 19,761 A W 1 - 0 Perryman
28-Aug-71 Division 1 33,683 A L 0 - 4
08-Jan-72 Division 1 36,470 H D 1 - 1 Peters
16-Sep-72 Division 1 31,755 A L 1 - 2 Peters
10-Feb-73 Division 1 30,944 H L 2 - 3 Chivers (2)
15-Dec-73 Division 1 17,066 H L 0 - 2
02-Feb-74 Division 1 24,652 A D 0 - 0
21-Aug-74 Division 1 31,549 A L 0 - 1
28-Aug-74 Division 1 20,079 H L 1 - 2 Peters
18-Oct-75 Division 1 30,554 H D 2 - 2 Jones (2)
22-Nov-75 Division 1 31,457 A L 1 - 2 Osgood
11-Dec-76 Division 1 24,608 H D 2 - 2 Taylor (2)
07-May-77 Division 1 37,919 A L 0 - 5
23-Sep-78 Division 1 43,471 A L 0 - 2
03-Feb-79 Division 1 32,037 H L 0 - 3
01-Sep-79 Division 1 30,901 H W 2 - 1 Jones, Hoddle
12-Jan-80 Division 1 34,837 A D 1 - 1 Hoddle
22-Oct-80 Division 1 28,788 A L 1 - 3 Hoddle
13-Dec-80 Division 1 23,883 H W 2 - 1 Archibald, Hoddle
09-May-81 F.A. Cup Final 100,000 W D 1 - 1 Hutchinson og
14-May-81 F.A. Cup Final Replay 96,000 W W 3 - 2 Villa(2), Crooks
26-Sep-81 Division 1 39,085 A W 1 - 0 Falco
20-Feb-82 Division 1 46,181 H W 2 - 0 Hoddle (2, 1pen)
11-Sep-82 Division 1 32,483 H L 1 - 2 Mabbutt
05-Feb-83 Division 1 26,357 A D 2 - 2 Gibson, Brooke (pen)
16-Aug-84 Friendly - A W 2 - 0 Roberts (pen), Galvin
31-Aug-85 Division 1 27,789 A L 1 - 2 Miller
18-Jan-86 Division 1 17,009 H L 0 - 2
30-Aug-86 Division 1 23,164 H W 1 - 0 Roberts
15-Apr-87 Division 1 21,460 A D 1 - 1 Claesen
28-Aug-89 Division 1 32,004 A D 1 - 1 Gascoigne
13-Jan-90 Division 1 26,384 H D 1 - 1 Howells
25-Aug-90 Division 1 33,501 H W 3 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker (2)
15-Dec-90 Division 1 31,236 A L 1 - 2 Gascoigne
19-Oct-91 Division 1 30,502 H L 0 - 1
01-Feb-92 Division 1 30,123 A L 0 - 1
28-Oct-92 League Cup 3 18,399 A W 1 - 0 Samways
28-Nov-92 FA Prem 25,496 A W 1 - 0 Watson
07-Mar-93 F.A. Cup 6 34,050 A W 4 - 2 Nayim (3), Sedgley
24-Mar-93 FA Prem 27,247 H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Nayim, Turner
21-Aug-93 FA Prem 24,535 H W 1 - 0 Sedgley
11-Dec-93 FA Prem 21,566 A W 2 - 0 Dozzell (2)
22-Oct-94 FA Prem 25,473 A L 2 - 5 Dumitrescu (2, 1pen)
11-Apr-95 FA Prem 27,410 H W 2 - 1 Howells, Klinsmann
19-Aug-95 FA Prem 30,827 A D 1 - 1 Sheringham
13-Jan-96 FA Prem 31,438 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
23-Sep-00 FA Prem 36,069 H D 0 - 0
10-Feb-01 FA Prem 34,399 A W 1 - 0 Rebrov
23-Dec-02 FA Prem 39,563 A W 3 - 2 Perry, Davies, Poyet
18-Apr-03 FA Prem 36,075 H L 0 - 2
28-Sep-03 FA Prem 46,842 A D 0 - 0
03-Dec-03 League Cup 4 31,727 H W 3 - 1 Anderton, Postiga, Kanoute
25-Jan-04 F.A. Cup 4 47,000 A D 1 - 1 Doherty
03-Feb-04 F.A. Cup 4 Replay 30,400 H L 3 - 4 King, Keane, Ziege
12-Apr-04 FA Prem 35,282 H D 1 - 1 Defoe
11-Dec-04 FA Prem 45,805 A W 1 - 0 Kanoute
19-Mar-05 FA Prem 35,681 H W 2 - 1 Defoe, Keane
04-Jan-06 FA Prem 40,808 A W 2 - 0 Mido, Keane
08-Apr-06 FA Prem 36,167 H W 2 - 1 Stalteri, Carrick
17-Dec-06 FA Prem 39,825 A W 2 - 1 Davenport, Huddlestone
13-May-07 FA Prem 35,426 H W 2 - 1 Keane, Berbatov
09-Dec-07 FA Prem 35,646 H W 2 - 1 Chimbonda, Defoe
15-Mar-08 FA Prem 40,188 A L 1 - 2 Keane
18-Dec-07 League Cup 5 38,564 A W 2 - 0 Defoe, Malbranque
09-Nov-08 FA Prem 41,853 A W 2 - 1 Bent (2)
16-May-09 FA Prem H

LAST TIME WE MET....

Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League, Sunday 9th November 2008

Darren Bent scored twice as 10-man Tottenham continued their good recent run against nine-man Manchester City.

Robinho fired the opener for the home side in the 15th minute before Gelson Fernandes was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Bent ran clear and slotted home to equalise for Spurs and then sidefooted his second on the hour.

City captain Richard Dunne was shown a straight red and Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto was dismissed late on.

The result extends Tottenham's unbeaten run under Harry Redknapp to five matches and will be particularly sweet for the man himself - only six weeks ago his Portsmouth side were thumped 6-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

When the initial anger regarding the sendings off subsides, City manager Mark Hughes will be left to reflect on the fact that his side remain consistent only in their inconsistency.

Fuelled by their newfound confidence, Tottenham started the stronger and had the lions' share of possession, and they forged the game's first real chance through the sprightly Luka Modric, who curled a decent long-range effort just past Joe Hart's left-hand post.

However, in what was essentially Manchester City's first real attack and against the run of play, they opened the scoring.

Gomes could only parry a shot from Darius Vassell from the right side of the penalty area and Robinho was on hand to fire into the largely unguarded net.

The wind was taken out of the home side's sails, though, when Fernandes was sent off following a second yellow card.

He was first booked after 18 minutes for unsporting behaviour and then six minutes later was controversially shown red for an illegal challenge on David Bentley, whose dismissal changed the course of the match.

Shortly after, City defender Dunne completely missed an innocuous-looking long-ball forward and allowed Bent to race clear before calmly slotting the ball under the advancing Hart for his 10th of the season.

After the break Tottenham were able to funnel their numerical advantage into a domination of possession. However, real openings were rare and City, with the bit between their embittered teeth, punched above their reduced weight.

City's resilience was only brief, though, and Bent did grab his second of the game on 63 minutes. Jermaine Jenas held a long ball up and laid the ball off to the onrushing striker who expertly slotted his shot inside the far post.

As befitting a £32m player, Robinho continued to offer City hope and Gomes was forced to palm aside his 25-yard shot on 75 minutes.

City were reduced to nine men with 10 minutes to go when Dunne capped a horrible afternoon by dragging down Bent when the striker was through on goal.

Tottenham were themselves reduced to 10-men late on when Assou-Ekotto was shown a second yellow for a rash foul on Pablo Zabaleta.

City pushed hard for an equaliser but it was Tottenham who came closest to adding to the score when counter-attacking substitute Aaron Lennon found Bent in space, only for his shot to be saved.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes:

"We started very brightly but losing Gelson made it very difficult for us.

"I'm not sure he's made any contact and the referee needs to take into consideration the conditions.

"I thought the players showed fantastic character and we really forced the issue and Spurs were hanging on at the end."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:

"It's been a fantastic couple of weeks for us.

"Today was a big game for us and I thought we started the game well and suddenly found ourselves 1-0 down but we got back in and started playing.

"It was a funny old day with the three sendings off."

Man City:

Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Fernandes, Vassell (Hamann 31), Robinho, Mwaruwari.

Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Onuoha, Elano, Jo, Evans, Ben-Haim.

Sent Off: Fernandes (26), Dunne (83).

Booked: Fernandes.

Goals: Robinho 16.

Tottenham:

Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Modric (Lennon 71), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Hutton, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell, Dawson, O'Hara.

Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (89).

Booked: Zokora, King, Assou-Ekotto.

Goals: Bent 29, 64.

Att: 41,893

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:

Tottenham's Darren Bent

PREVIEW: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

2009-05-04T02:05:00.000-07:00

Goodison Park, Liverpool
Saturday 9th May 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 36

REFEREE: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

COMMENT:

Spurs travel to Everton for their penultimate away League fixture of 2008-09 on Saturday and Everton are the only team in the Premier League who could possibly do the 'Double' over Spurs this season, having already won at White Hart Lane in November in what was Harry Redknapp's only home defeat so far.

Last season, three teams did the 'Double' over Spurs - Arsenal, Birmingham City & Newcastle United, while Spurs had double League wins over Portsmouth, Derby County and Reading.

Tottenham have only chalked-up the one 'Double' so far this season (against West Ham United) but have the potential to add both Manchester City and Liverpool to the list before the season is over.

A deflected shot from Steven Pienaar proved decisive in that game which Spurs were very unlucky to come away empty-handed. Until a few years ago, the Everton League fixtures were pretty much a guaranteed six points for Spurs but the tables have been turned recently and Spurs have gone the last three fixtures without a win against the Merseysiders.

Everton are in fine form under David Moyes and are ahead of Aston Villa for fifth place while Spurs are also in with a chance of UEFA Europa League football next season if they can nick seventh spot off West Ham United, Fulham and Manchester City, who we play at home after the Everton game.

Tottenham's recent home League form has been quite remarkable - 6 consecutive clean sheets including 5 wins - and they're on course to set a new all-time club record of the fewest home goals conceded in a League season. So far, Spurs have conceded just 9 League goals at home so far this season with the all-time record standing at 11.

However, Everton must be odds-on to win this one, as Tottenham's away form has been very patchy this season. I suspect Harry will be more than happy to come away with a point.

Darren Bent and Michael Dawson are both out injured but aside from that, Harry has a full squad to choose from. I suspect he'll opt for a partnership of Keane & Defoe upfront with Pavlyuchenko making an appearance at around the hour mark.

TEAM NEWS:

Everton right-back Tony Hibbert has been ruled out with the neck injury that caused him to miss the Toffees' victory at Sunderland last weekend.

Defender Lars Jacobsen and midfielder Leon Osman face late fitness tests.

Everton (from):

Howard, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Neville, Fellaini, Vaughan, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha, Jo, Rodwell, Nash, Yobo, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling.

Tottenham's Aaron Lennon (groin), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (foot) and David Bentley (hamstring) look set to miss out along with Jamie O'Hara (knee).

Didier Zokora is also out with a groin injury, with Michael Dawson and Darren Bent already on the sidelines.

Tottenham (from):

Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Huddlestone, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Modric, Keane, Campbell, Chimbonda, Corluka, Defoe, King, Woodgate, Bostock, Parrett, Gilberto.

Everton manager David Moyes praises Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:

"I'm looking forward to seeing Harry. He has done a brilliant job at Tottenham and turned them around since he took over.

"I think Harry has got them a bit tougher and tighter but they will continue to play Tottenham-type football.

"I don't think you could have doubted the squad of players. Most people in the country would have been tipping them to finish in the top six this year.

"It shouldn't be a surprise to people that they are now doing well. In people like Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas they have some fabulous football players."

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas:

"They always pack out the midfield, they have a holding midfield player and the forwards drop off in there as well.

"They aren't scared of putting in a tackle, they win headers that's how David Moyes likes his teams to play.

They're a tough side to play, very consistent and tough to beat at Goodison although we've had a good record there in recent seasons. We're on a good run and we're looking forward to it."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

FA Cup finalists Everton are already assured of a place in Europe and involved in a scrap with Aston Villa for fifth place to determine which club goes into the play-Off round for the Europa League and which will have to contest a third Qualifying Round tie. The Toffees, who will enter the play-off round anyway if they win the FA Cup, lie two points behind Villa with three to play.

Carling Cup runners-up Tottenham are one of four clubs pursuing a seventh placed finish and possible entry into Europe. Spurs are one point below West Ham, who currently hold seventh place.

This match pits the club to have lost the most matches in Premier League history (Everton, 251 defeats) against the one to have let in most goals (Spurs, 888 conceded).

Tottenham's 0-1 loss in the reverse fixture on 30 November was Harry Redkanpp's first home defeat in charge.

Everton have only beaten Tottenham twice in home Premier League matches and have recorded one victory in the last 11 against them at Goodison; 3-1 on 9 April 2004.

Despite failing to score in their last two games against Everton, the Londoners have gained more victories (17), scored more goals (51) and secured more points (62) against Everton than any other club in the Premier League.

Distance between the clubs: 215 miles (345 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

EVERTON

6th 56 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 6th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ever-presents in the Premier League; never finished higher than fourth (2004-05) or lower than 17th, and averaging 12th.

2. Never finished consecutive seasons in the top-half of the Premier League until last year - now they're certain to register three in a row, and could equal last terms fifth place.

3. The current total of 56 points after 35 games is six points down on last season, when fifth in the table.

4. Victory here would only be their second home win against a current top-half club; the first was against Fulham.

5. The 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in their most recent outing at Goodison Park brought an end to an eight-match unbeaten home sequence.

6. Already recorded home and away victories over Bolton, Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom, and could also complete the double over West Ham, Fulham and Tottenham.

7. Their last three fixtures are all against London opposition. Of the seven already played against clubs from the capital, the first, away to Arsenal, was lost. The next three were won against Fulham (h), West Ham (a) and Tottenham (a), and the most recent three were drawn, against Chelsea (h), Arsenal (h) and Chelsea (a).

8. Still to host West Ham and visit Fulham, after this.
Fixtures

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

10th 47 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 10th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won six of the last nine.

2. Five points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing.

3. Completed 10 Premier League games since failing to score; the longest current run of any club.

4. Dropped just eight points from winning positions, drawing one and losing two. Only Chelsea has dropped fewer (seven).

5. Lost the last two on the road, conceding seven goals in the process.

6. Four goals short of conceding 500 away from home in the Premier League.

7. Won four away league games this term. Three of those were against clubs currently in the top-half (Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City), and one against a bottom-half side (Hull).

8. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.

9. Their home games have produced fewer goals than any other club (28; 19 for, nine against), and their away matches have yielded more than any other club in the Premier League (55; 23 for, 32 against).

10. A home fixture against Manchester City and a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool remain after this.
Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES

EVERTON

Tim HOWARD is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Everton's league and cup matches this season.

Tim CAHILL and Marouane FELLAINI are the club's leading Premier League scorers with eight goals each.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.

BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance, and 300th in all club competitions.

Jermain DEFOE will be making his 250th Premier League appearance (West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth).

HEAD TO HEAD

Tottenham have not lost in four Premier League visits to Everton; they won three in a row, then it was 0-0 last season.

Three points would see the Merseysiders doing the double over Tottenham for the first time in the Premier League. The last league season they defeated Spurs home and away was 1985-86.

The club playing at home has not won in six Premier League meetings between these sides.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Everton 46 wins, Spurs 53, Draws 44
Prem: Everton 5 wins, Spurs 17, Draws 11

at Everton only
League (inc PL): Everton 30 wins, Spurs 17, Draws 24
Prem: Everton 2 wins, Spurs 7, Draws 7

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
30 January 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Everton
30 November 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Everton scorers: Pienaar 51

MARK LAWRENSON'S (BBC) PREDICTION:

Everton had disastrous results at home at the start of the season but since then they've been very tough to beat at Goodison Park.

Tottenham will go there and play but Everton are solid even without the injured Phil Jagielka, who has been their rock at the back.

Verdict: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday's game will be the 163rd encounter between Everton and Spurs, who have never met before in a major English domestic Cup Final. In fact, the two teams have never met in over 40 years of competing in the League Cup.

They have played together in some exotic locations though, including Vienna, Prague and even Argentina!

The only other match played at a neutral venue was the 1995 FA Cup Semi-Final at Elland Road, home of Leeds United.

Here are the results of the previous 162 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

Friendly 22-Apr-1897 - H W 2 - 1 Lanham, Newbigging
Friendly 01-Jan-02 - A L 1 - 3 Smith
F.A. Cup 1 06-Feb-04 25,000 A W 2 - 1 Woodward, Balmer og
Tour 07-May-05 - A L 0 - 2 (Vienna)
Tour 16-May-05 - A L 0 - 1 (Prague)
F.A. Cup 1 11-Jan-08 21,000 A W 0 - 1
Tour 05-Jun-09 - A D 2 - 2 Tull, Middlemiss (Palermo, Argentina)
Tour 19-Jun-09 - A L 0 - 4 (Palermo, Argentina)
Division 1 04-Sep-09 20,000 A L 2 - 4 Minter, Middlemiss
Division 1 08-Jan-10 24,000 H W 3 - 0 Steel R, Middlemiss (2)
Division 1 01-Sep-10 22,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Apr-11 20,000 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Sep-11 25,000 A D 2 - 2 J McTavish, Young
Division 1 30-Dec-11 24,500 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Sep-12 22,000 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 01-Jan-13 30,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter (2)
Division 1 22-Nov-13 22,000 H W 4 - 1 Bauchop, Bliss (2), Middlemiss
Division 1 28-Mar-14 15,000 A D 1 - 1 Sparrow
Division 1 02-Sep-14 9,000 H L 1 - 3 Cantrell
Division 1 01-Jan-15 17,000 A D 1 - 1 Bliss
Division 1 12-Mar-21 30,000 H W 2 - 0 Archibald, Seed
Division 1 27-Apr-21 23,000 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Feb-22 34,871 H W 2 - 0 Wilson, Dimmock
Division 1 15-Mar-22 30,000 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 04-Sep-22 24,262 H W 2 - 0 Seed, Bliss
Division 1 01-Jan-23 20,000 A L 1 - 3 Lindsay
Division 1 12-Apr-24 14,606 H L 2 - 5 Walden, Lindsay
Division 1 19-Apr-24 20,000 A L 2 - 4 Lindsay, Raitt og
Division 1 13-Sep-24 35,039 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 17-Jan-25 30,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Sep-25 37,506 A D 1 - 1 Dimmock
Division 1 23-Jan-26 22,805 H D 1 - 1 Thompson
Division 1 28-Aug-26 28,324 H W 2 - 1 Blair, Osborne
Division 1 15-Jan-27 35,986 A W 2 - 1 Blair, Dimmock
Division 1 01-Oct-27 7,716 H L 1 - 3 Townley
Division 1 11-Feb-28 29,149 A W 5 - 3 O'Callaghan (4), Dimmock
Division 2 25-Oct-30 25,265 A L 2 - 4 Smy (2)
Division 2 16-Mar-31 30,205 H W 1 - 0 Harper
Division 1 21-Oct-33 35,082 A D 1 - 1 Evans W
F.A. Cup 3 13-Jan-34 45,637 H W 3 - 0 Howe, Hunt GS, Evans W
Division 1 03-Mar-34 26,121 H W 3 - 0 Hunt GS (3)
Division 1 25-Aug-34 50,586 H D 1 - 1 Hall GW
Division 1 29-Dec-34 25,851 A L 2 - 5 McCormick, Hall AG
F.A. Cup 5 20-Feb-37 57,149 A D 1 - 1 McCormick
F.A. Cup 5 Replay 22-Feb-37 46,972 H W 4 - 3 Meek, Morrison (3)
F.A. Cup 5 11-Feb-50 72,921 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 11-Nov-50 47,125 A W 2 - 1 Baily, Medley
Division 1 31-Mar-51 46,651 H W 3 - 0 Walters, Bennett, Murphy
Division 1 04-Dec-54 31,554 H L 1 - 3 Baily
Division 1 09-Apr-55 42,219 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 17-Sep-55 42,851 A L 1 - 2 Walters
Division 1 21-Jan-56 37,119 H D 1 - 1 Smith R
Division 1 25-Dec-56 27,761 H W 6 - 0 Medwin, (2), Harmer (pen), Smith R (2), Stokes
Division 1 26-Dec-56 20,172 A D 1 - 1 Robb
Division 1 09-Nov-57 39,999 H W 3 - 1 Brooks, Smith R, Harmer (pen)
Division 1 05-Apr-58 30,149 A W 4 - 3 Smith (2), Clayton (2)
Division 1 11-Oct-58 37,794 H W 10 - 4 Ryden, Medwin, Harmer, Smith R (4), Stokes (2), Robb
Division 1 28-Feb-59 36,782 A L 1 - 2 Jones
Division 1 21-Nov-59 39,432 H W 3 - 0 Jones (pen), Harris og, King og
Division 1 09-Apr-60 57,959 A L 1 - 2 Jones
Division 1 20-Aug-60 50,393 H W 2 - 0 Smith R, Allen
Division 1 17-Dec-60 61,052 A W 3 - 1 Mackay, White, Allen
Division 1 04-Nov-61 54,234 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 24-Mar-62 47,343 H W 3 - 1 Jones, White, Greaves
Division 1 01-Dec-62 60,626 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 20-Apr-63 67,650 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 26-Oct-63 65,386 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 07-Mar-64 41,923 H L 2 - 4 Allen, Dyson
Division 1 29-Aug-64 55,148 A L 1 - 4 Jones
Division 1 19-Dec-64 41,994 H D 2 - 2 Greaves (2)
Division 1 09-Sep-65 40,022 A L 1 - 3 Mullery
Division 1 01-Jan-66 36,953 H D 2 - 2 Knowles, Saul
Division 1 22-Mar-67 50,108 A W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 27-Mar-67 46,917 H W 2 - 0 Mullery, Gilzean
Division 1 23-Aug-67 53,809 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 29-Aug-67 57,790 A W 1 - 0 Saul
Division 1 17-Aug-68 56,570 A W 2 - 0 Greaves, Chivers
Division 1 08-Mar-69 44,882 H D 1 - 1 Morgan
Division 1 17-Dec-69 28,494 H X 0 - 0 (Match Abandoned 29th minute, floodlight failure)
Division 1 11-Mar-70 27,764 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 14-Mar-70 51,533 A L 2 - 3 Gilzean, Bond (pen)
Division 1 28-Nov-70 44,301 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 30-Jan-71 42,105 H W 2 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers
Division 1 06-Nov-71 40,005 H W 3 - 0 Pratt, Chivers (2)
F.A. Cup 5 26-Feb-72 50,511 A W 2 - 0 Gilzean, Peters
Division 1 01-Mar-72 21,601 A D 1 - 1 Peters
Division 1 16-Dec-72 31,129 A L 1 - 3 Neighbour
Division 1 24-Feb-73 27,427 H W 3 - 0 Gilzean, Chivers, Pearce
Division 1 03-Nov-73 37,827 A D 1 - 1 Perryman
Division 1 30-Mar-74 19,839 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 09-Nov-74 29,052 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 01-Feb-75 40,912 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 10-Dec-75 18,638 H D 2 - 2 Pratt, Duncan
Division 1 24-Feb-76 18,126 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 30-Oct-76 26,047 H D 3 - 3 McAllister, Osgood (pen), Pratt
Division 1 26-Mar-77 32,549 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 30-Dec-78 44,572 A D 1 - 1 Taylor
Division 1 05-May-79 26,077 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
Division 1 24-Nov-79 31,079 A D 1 - 1 Jones
Division 1 19-Apr-80 25,245 H W 3 - 0 Miller, Ardiles, Galvin
Division 1 01-Nov-80 26,223 A D 2 - 2 Archibald (2)
Division 1 04-Apr-81 27,208 H D 2 - 2 Galvin, Crooks
Division 1 19-Sep-81 31,219 H W 3 - 0 Hughton, Roberts, Hoddle (pen)
Division 1 30-Jan-82 30,709 A D 1 - 1 Villa
Division 1 04-Sep-82 30,563 A L 1 - 3 Archibald
Division 1 03-Jan-83 28,455 H W 2 - 1 Gibson (2)
F.A. Cup 5 19-Feb-83 42,995 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Sep-83 29,125 H L 1 - 2 Falco
Division 1 21-Jan-84 17,990 A L 1 - 2 Archibald
Division 1 25-Aug-84 35,630 A W 4 - 1 Falco, Allen C (2), Chiedozie
Division 1 03-Apr-85 48,108 H L 1 - 2 Roberts
Division 1 26-Aug-85 29,750 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 01-Feb-86 33,178 A L 0 - 1
SSS Cup SF 1L 05-Feb-86 7,548 H D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 5 04-Mar-86 23,338 H L 1 - 2 Falco
SSS Cup SF 2L 19-Mar-86 12,008 A L 1 - 3 (a.e.t) Falco
Division 1 27-Sep-86 28,007 H W 2 - 0 Allen C (2)
Division 1 11-May-87 28,287 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 05-Sep-87 32,389 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 09-Mar-88 18,662 H W 2 - 1 Fairclough, Walsh
Division 1 03-Dec-88 29,657 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 22-Apr-89 28,568 H W 2 - 1 Walsh (2)
Division 1 22-Aug-89 34,402 A L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 09-Dec-89 29,374 H W 2 - 1 Stewart, Lineker
Division 1 18-Nov-90 23,716 A D 1 - 1 Howells
Division 1 24-Apr-91 21,675 H D 3 - 3 Allen, Mabbutt, Nayim
Division 1 05-Oct-91 29,505 A L 1 - 3 Lineker
Division 1 25-Apr-92 36,340 H D 3 - 3 Stewart, Minton, Allen
FA Prem 05-Sep-92 26,503 H W 2 - 1 Allen, Turner
FA Prem 10-Feb-93 16,164 A W 2 - 1 Mabbutt, Allen
FA Prem 03-Oct-93 27,487 H W 3 - 2 Sheringham, Anderton, Caskey
FA Prem 26-Mar-94 23,460 A W 1 - 0 Sedgley
FA Prem 24-Aug-94 24,553 H W 2 - 1 Klinsmann (2)
FA Prem 17-Dec-94 32,813 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup SF 09-Apr-95 38,226 Elland Road, Leeds L 1 - 4 Klinsmann (pen)
FA Prem 22-Oct-95 33,629 A D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 02-Dec-95 32,894 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 24-Aug-96 29,669 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 12-Apr-97 36,380 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 29-Nov-97 36,670 A W 2 - 0 Vega, Ginola
FA Prem 04-Apr-98 35,646 H D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 29-Aug-98 39,379 A W 1 - 0 Ferdinand
FA Prem 28-Dec-98 36,053 H W 4 - 1 Ferdinand, Armstrong (3)
FA Prem 14-Aug-99 34,539 H W 3 - 2 Sherwood, Iversen, Leonhardsen
FA Prem 15-Jan-00 36,144 A D 2 - 2 Armstrong, Ginola
FA Prem 05-Sep-00 36,010 H W 3 - 2 Rebrov (2, 1 pen), Ferdinand
FA Prem 13-Jan-01 32,290 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 20-Aug-01 29,503 A D 1 - 1 Anderton
FA Prem 19-Jan-02 36,056 H D 1 - 1 Ferdinand
FA Prem 17-Aug-02 40,120 A D 2 - 2 Etherington, Ferdinand
FA Prem 12-Jan-03 36,070 H W 4 - 3 Poyet, Keane (3)
FA Prem 04-Oct-03 36,137 H W 3 - 0 Kanoute, Poyet, Keane
FA Prem 09-Apr-04 38,086 A L 1 - 3 Carr
FA Prem 02-Oct-04 38,264 A W 1 - 0 Pamarot
FA Prem 01-Jan-05 36,102 H W 5 - 2 Marney (2), Ziegler, Mendes, Keane
FA Prem 15-Oct-05 36,267 H W 2 - 0 Mido, Jenas
FA Prem 15-Apr-06 39,856 A W 1 - 0 Keane (pen)
FA Prem 26-Aug-06 35,540 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 21-Feb-07 34,121 A W 2 - 1 Berbatov, Jenas
FA Prem 14-Aug-07 35,716 H L 1 - 3 Gardner
FA Prem 30-Jan-08 35,840 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 30-Nov-08 35,742 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 09-May-09 A

LAST TIME WE MET...

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Everton

Premier League, Sunday 30th November 2008 (Attn: 35,742)

Steven Pienaar's deflected effort early on in the second half was the only thing that separated the sides as we were defeated by Everton at White Hart Lane.

It was only our second defeat under Harry Redknapp's management, a first at home, and it puts the brakes on our climb up the Barclays Premier League table.

With the exception of Didier Zokora, who replaced the injured Jermaine Jenas, Harry Redknapp stuck with the same side that defeated Blackburn Rovers at The Lane seven days before.

Ledley King, Aaron Lennon, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Benoit Assou-Ekotto all returned to the starting XI having sat out Thursday's UEFA Cup win over NEC Nijmegen.

As with the Blackburn game, this was a tight affair, and neither side could really stamp their authority on proceedings during the first half.

Tom Huddlestone went close with smart 16-yard effort on nine minutes before a lengthy spell in which the game was mainly played out in the middle of the park.

We were certainly holding our own in that particular battle, and we were the first to break out of it on 34 minutes.

Zokora picked up the ball and went on one of his trademark runs before picking out Lennon on the right side of the box, who should have done better with his chance that he blazed over.

The visitors then had their first effort on goal five minutes later, when Marouane Fellaini picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and hit a stinging shot which Heurelho Gomes palmed away.

We failed to clear our lines and the ball eventually came back to Fellaini on the edge of the box who had another shy on goal, again straight at Gomes, but this time the Brazilian held on.

But the best chance of the half fell to Darren Bent four minutes before the break, and our top scorer should have done much better with the opportunity.

Assou-Ekotto played a ball into the box with evaded Pavlyuchenko but fell to Bent 10 yards out, whose first time shot was tame and straight at Tim Howard.

He was nearly made to pay for the missed opportunity on the stroke of half-time when Tim Cahill swung in an excellent cross from the left and Louis Saha, an early replacement for the injured Yakubu, put his free header straight at Gomes.

We started the second half brightly when Assou-Ekotto hit a fantastic 30-yard strike only inches over, but we were to suffer the ultimate setback on 51 minutes.

The ball ran to South African midfielder Pienaar on the left-hand side of our box, and his shot struck Corluka to send the ball spinning away from Gomes and into the back of the net.

It was a bitter blow but we were determined to bounce back immediately, and Pavlyuchenko perhaps should have levelled two minutes later.

David Bentley deceived the defence by playing his free-kick from wide in low to the unmarked striker, who leaned back slightly and blazed his first-time shot well over from 10 yards.

At the other end, Pienaar went for his second of the match with a fierce 20-yard strike on 61 minutes, which Gomes parried away, but Everton have their goalkeeper Howard to ultimately thank for taking home the three points.

Bentley played a low ball in across the face of goal from the right on 73 minutes which Pavlyuchenko slid in on the end of, only for the American stopper to make a fantastic reflex save to deny the Russian.

Victor Anichebe, who had replaced Saha after yet another injury worry for the visitors, fired just inches wide in the closing stages as we went searching for the elusive equaliser.

But Everton stood firm in the face of a constant barrage of high balls into their box, and deservedly took the points back to Merseyside from The Lane for the third season in a row.

Spurs (4-4-2):

Gomes; Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto (Bale, 68); Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone (Boateng, 76), Bentley; Pavlyuchenko, Bent (Campbell, 62)

Subs not used: Cesar, Gunter, Dawson, O'Hara

Everton (4-4-1-1):

Howard; Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott; Osman (Baines, 89), Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar; Cahill; Yakubu (Saha, 11 (Anichebe, 71))

Subs not used: Nash, Castillo, Rodwell, Gosling

PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

2009-04-29T01:24:00.000-07:00

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 2nd May 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 35

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

COMMENT:

Tottenham take on West Bromwich Albion for the 135th time in the penultimate home Premier League game on Saturday with a very impressive record of five consecutive clean sheets and four wins at White Hart Lane. We first played them in an FA Cup Semi-Final in 1901 on our way to winning the FA Cup for the first time in our history.

The Baggies are currently six points adrift of Hull City at the bottom of the League table and look odds-on of being relegated, despite some fighting performances in recent weeks.

Spurs, of course, come into the match fresh from a very disappointing defeat at Old Trafford in a game very much of two halves. We dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes and went two goals up through Darren Bent and Luka Modric after some fine work again by Aaron Lennon, who was the provider of everything good down the right wing once more. A very poor penalty decision in the second half against Heurelho Gomes opened the floodgates to a period of United domination during which they chalked-up four more goals as the Spurs defence caved-in.

West Brom have already beaten Spurs at the Hawthorns 2-0 in the last game of 2008 and will fancy their chances of getting something from the match on Saturday.

The 134 matches played so far have seen Spurs win 53, West Brom win 54 and 27 drawn games.

TEAM NEWS:

Tottenham have strikers Jermain Defoe (personal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (back injury) returning to the squad.

Fraizer Campbell is in contention having been ineligible for the league match at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur(from):

Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Keane, Palacios, Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Chimbonda, O'Hara, Hutton, Defoe.

West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Shelton Martis is set to deputise.

Graham Dorrans is battling to overcome a foot injury, while fellow midfielder James Morrison is again ruled out with a heel problem.

West Brom (from):

Carson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Robinson, Brunt, Greening, Koren, Dorrans, Simpson, Fortune, Kiely, Teixeira, Menseguez, Valero, Mulumbu, Wood, Bednar, Cech, Do-Heon.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray:

"We could lose on Saturday but win the last three games and it might be enough to stay up, depending on the results of other teams.

"But we could win all four games and it still might not be enough.

"I don't get overly concerned or worried about it."

BIG-MATCH FACTS:

Tottenham can put another nail in West Brom's coffin and enhance their own chances of a seventh placed finish and possible European football by claiming a fifth consecutive home league win. They boast the best current home form in the highest league.

On the day Spurs let a two-goal lead transform into a 5-2 thrashing by Manchester United at Old Trafford, no thanks to referee Howard Webb, West Brom reignited hopes of a last ditch survival bid with Saturday's 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Hawthorns. But the Baggies have only managed back-to-back wins once this season, and have not won nor scored in London.

Another defeat for Tony Mowbray's side could leave them just one point short of their third relegation from the Premier League and second after just one season. They are set to become the Premier League's 24th side to go down the season after promotion.

But West Brom travel in search of their second double of the campaign. They've already beaten Middlesbrough home and away, and ended 2008 with a 2-0 victory over Spurs at the Hawthorns.

Albion have not won at White Hart Lane in 25 years, since an odd goal in five top-flight triumph on 3 November 1984.

Distance between the clubs: 126 miles (203 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

10th 44 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 11th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. In danger of their first back-to-back defeats in 14 Premier League outings, since losing away to West Brom and Wigan on 28 December 2008 and 11 January 2009 respectively.

2. Three points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing.

3. Need one victory to take their total of wins in top-flight football to 1,200.

4. Conceded 888 goals all-time in the Premier League.

5. Completed nine Premier League games since failing to score; the longest current run of any club.

6. Won the last four home league games against Middlesbrough, Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle, and not conceded in five at home or 483 minutes (eight hours three minutes) since James Beattie netted Stoke's consolation in the 3-1 win on 27 January. Also, not lost in nine at the Lane; won five and drawn four since Everton's 0-1 triumph on 30 November - their only reverse in 13 on home soil.

7. White Hart Lane has witnessed fewer Premier League goals than any other ground this season; 27 (18 for, nine against - which is 1.59 per game). Last season the ground saw the highest number of top-flight goals (80, 46 for and 34 against).

8. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.

9. Not yet been 'doubled' this season, but Everton, as well as West Brom could complete home and away victories over them.

10. Still to visit Liverpool on the last day of the season, 24 May. The full run-in is:- Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

20th 28 points
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 19th
Lowest could fall: 20th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Ended an 11-match winless run in the Premier League with victory over Sunderland last Saturday.

2. Not achieved back-to-back victories in 27 outings, since Middlesbrough (a) and Fulham (h) were defeated on 27 September and 4 October respectively.

3. Kept just two clean sheets in 12 league games.

4. Three short of conceding 250 goals all-time in the Premier League.

5. On an unrivalled 14-match winless run away from home; picked up just three points from the 42 available since a 0-1 victory over Middlesbrough on 27 September - their only away maximum all season.

6. This will be the clubs' 75th away match in Premier League history; they have only won six so far.

7. Without victory in 11 top-flight visits to London; only ever managed two Premier League wins in the capital (at West Ham on 11 September 2002, and Charlton on 19 March 2005).

8. The current total of 28 points after 34 games matches their return three years ago, when one off the foot, They remained in that position and were ultimately relegated.

10. The run-in after this:- Wigan (h), Liverpool (h) and Blackburn (a).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.

BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Scott CARSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Brom's Premier League matches this season.

Chris BRUNT is the Baggies' leading Premier League scorer with seven goals.

If selected:-

Filipe TEIXEIRA will be making his 50th appearance for West Brom.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spurs are looking to avenge the 2-0 loss at the Hawthorns in December. Defeat would see the Baggies doing the double over them for the first time since 1981-82.

Spurs need to score three times to total 100 goals in home league games against West Brom.

Both these clubs have scored 195 goals against each other in all competitions.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 41 wins, WBA 48, Draws 24
Prem: Spurs 3 wins, WBA 2, Draws 2

at WBA only
League (inc PL): Spurs 27 wins, WBA 14, Draws 15
Prem: Spurs 2 wins, WBA 0, Draws 1

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
28 December 2008 - Ref: Steve Tanner
WBA scorers: Bednar 83, Beattie 90
Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (Spurs) 35

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are very good at home and create an awful lot of chances and I think on the day they will just be a little too strong for the Baggies.

West Brom had a great win last week against Sunderland, but they can really struggle on the road. Both sides play decent, attractive football though so it could be an entertaining clash.

Verdict: Tottenham, Hotspur 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

HARRY'S SPURS RECORD AT WHITE HART LANE:

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

FA Cup SF 08-Apr-01 46,000 VP W 4 - 0 Brown (4)
FA Cup 1 07-Feb-03 25,641 H D 0 - 0
FA Cup 1 Replay 11-Feb-03 35,000 A W 2 - 0 Dryburgh,Woodward
Division 2 07-Nov-08 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 2 13-Mar-09 35,000 H L 1 - 3 Woodruff
Division 1 09-Sep-11 31,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
Division 1 06-Jan-12 4,000 A X 0 - 0 Match Abandoned after 57 mins - Fog
FA Cup 1 13-Jan-12 22,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 13-Mar-12 12,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Mar-13 34,000 H W 3 - 1 Cantrell, Bliss (2)
Division 1 24-Mar-13 20,000 A L 1 - 4 Middlemiss
Division 1 06-Dec-13 24,000 H W 3 - 0 Bauchop (2), Middlemiss
Division 1 11-Apr-14 15,000 A D 1 - 1 Cantrell
Division 1 28-Sep-14 8,500 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Fleming
Division 1 06-Apr-15 6,000 A L 2 - 3 Steel R, Cantrell
Charity Shield 15-May-20 3,600 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Feb-21 16,000 A L 1 - 3 Seed
Division 1 26-Feb-21 38,000 H W 1 - 0 Bliss
Division 1 21-Jan-22 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 30-Jan-22 30,000 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Wilson
Division 1 21-Oct-22 26,188 H W 3 - 1 Skinner, Walden, Brooks
Division 1 28-Oct-22 23,000 A L 1 - 5 Seed
Division 1 01-Dec-23 23,048 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 08-Dec-23 23,000 A L 1 - 4 Seed
Division 1 08-Sep-24 17,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 22-Sep-24 16,281 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Apr-26 27,914 H W 3 - 2 Seed, Dimmock (2)
Division 1 05-Apr-26 15,365 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Sep-26 31,236 H W 3 - 0 Blair, Osborne, Seed
Division 1 12-Feb-27 15,388 A L 0 - 5
Division 2 22-Dec-28 12,609 A L 2 - 3 Crompton, O'Callaghan
Division 2 04-May-29 15,789 H W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
Division 2 18-Apr-30 25,228 H L 0 - 2
Division 2 21-Apr-30 13,989 A L 3 - 4 Osborne, Harper, Finch og
Division 2 22-Nov-30 17,923 A W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-31 40,850 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 28-Mar-31 49,921 H D 2 - 2 O'Callaghan, Smailes
Division 1 04-Nov-33 32,292 A W 2 - 1 Howe, Evans W
Division 1 17-Mar-34 26,393 H W 2 - 1 O'Callaghan, Evans W (pen)
Division 1 17-Nov-34 20,416 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 30-Mar-35 29,161 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 24-Sep-38 24,996 A L 3 - 4 Hall GW, Morrison, Hall AE
Division 2 28-Jan-39 38,190 H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Morrison
Division 2 02-Sep-39 16,021 H W 4 - 3 Morrison (3), Dix (Season Abandoned due to WWII)
Football Lge Sth 22-Sep-45 24,433 A L 0 - 5
Football Lge Sth 29-Sep-45 31,403 H W 4 - 2 Acquroff (2), Lyman (2)
Division 2 07-Sep-46 34,970 A L 2 - 3 Bennett, Medley
Division 2 04-Jan-47 40,537 H W 2 - 0 Burgess, Walters
Division 2 23-Aug-47 32,521 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 20-Dec-47 40,219 H D 1 - 1 Cox
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-48 71,853 H W 3 - 1 Cox, Duquemin (2)
Division 2 11-Sep-48 32,279 A D 2 - 2 Duquemin, Bennett
Division 2 22-Jan-49 62,566 H W 2 - 0 Baily, Jones
Division 1 28-Oct-50 44,543 A W 2 - 1 Walters, Medley
Division 1 17-Mar-51 45,353 H W 5 - 0 Bennett, Duquemin (3), Baily
Division 1 25-Aug-51 51,544 H W 3 - 1 Bennett (2), Medley
Division 1 22-Dec-51 29,962 A L 1 - 3 Murphy
Division 1 23-Aug-52 56,552 H L 3 - 4 Ramsey (pen), Bennett, Duquemin
Division 1 20-Dec-52 18,698 A L 1 - 2 Dicker
Division 1 05-Sep-53 42,959 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 16-Jan-54 48,812 H L 0 - 1
FA Cup 6 13-Mar-54 51,049 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 09-Oct-54 45,547 H W 3 - 1 Ramsey (pen), McClellan (2)
Division 1 27-Apr-55 16,617 A W 2 - 1 Brooks, Baily
Division 1 26-Dec-55 32,430 H W 4 - 1 Norman, Brooks, Duquemin (2)
Division 1 27-Dec-55 31,381 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 08-Dec-56 36,098 H D 2 - 2 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 09-Mar-57 30,602 A D 1 - 1 Stokes
Division 1 04-Apr-58 56,166 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 07-Apr-58 26,556 A W 2 - 0 Medwin, Clayton
Division 1 29-Nov-58 21,753 A L 3 - 4 Dunmore, Smith R (2)
Division 1 18-Apr-59 36,805 H W 5 - 0 Smith R (4), Brooks
Division 1 26-Aug-59 54,114 H D 2 - 2 Medwin, Smith R
Division 1 02-Sep-59 35,924 A W 2 - 1 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 26-Nov-60 39,017 A W 3 - 1 Smith R (2), Allen
Division 1 29-Apr-61 52,054 H L 1 - 2 Smith R
Division 1 02-Dec-61 28,701 A W 4 - 2 Medwin, White, Allen, Howe og
FA Cup 5 17-Feb-62 53,539 A W 4 - 2 Smith R (2), Greaves (2)
Division 1 21-Apr-62 53,512 H L 1 - 2 Saul
Division 1 13-Oct-62 32,753 A W 2 - 1 Marchi, Jones
Division 1 02-Mar-63 41,193 H W 2 - 1 Smith R (2)
Division 1 26-Dec-63 37,189 A D 4 - 4 Jones, Smith R, Greaves (2)
Division 1 28-Dec-63 47,863 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 19-Sep-64 36,993 H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 23-Jan-65 23,718 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 30-Oct-65 43,658 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Division 1 07-May-66 22,586 A L 1 - 2 Clayton
Division 1 26-Dec-66 37,969 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 27-Dec-66 39,129 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Nov-67 29,033 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 01-Mar-68 31,318 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 21-Aug-68 35,746 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 07-Apr-69 24,173 A L 3 - 4 Knowles, Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 15-Nov-69 28,340 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Morgan
Division 1 28-Mar-70 25,890 A D 1 - 1 Peters
League Cup 4 28-Oct-70 31,598 H W 5 - 0 Peters (3), Gilzean (2)
Division 1 12-Dec-70 26,584 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 17-Feb-71 22,695 H D 2 - 2 Mullery (pen), Gilzean
League Cup 2 08-Sep-71 26,203 A W 1 - 0 Pearce
Division 1 20-Nov-71 31,895 H W 3 - 2 England, Gilzean (2)
Division 1 08-Apr-72 20,862 A D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 16-Aug-72 19,175 A W 1 - 0 Peters
Division 1 11-Nov-72 25,875 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 02-Oct-76 23,461 A L 2 - 4 Jones, Taylor
Division 1 12-Mar-77 28,834 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 07-Oct-78 33,068 A W 1 - 0 Taylor
Division 1 14-May-79 24,789 H W 1 - 0 Villa
Division 1 22-Sep-79 29,914 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle (pen)
Division 1 09-Feb-80 26,319 A L 1 - 2 Hoddle
Division 1 29-Nov-80 27,372 H L 2 - 3 Lacy, Perryman
Division 1 02-May-81 20,549 A L 2 - 4 Smith, Falco
Division 1 07-Nov-81 32,436 H L 1 - 2 Crooks
League Cup SF (1L) 03-Feb-82 32,238 A D 0 - 0
League Cup SF (2L) 10-Feb-82 47,241 H W 1 - 0 Hazard
Division 1 27-Mar-82 20,151 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 04-Dec-82 26,608 H D 1 - 1 Wile og
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-83 38,208 H W 2 - 1 Gibson, Crooks
Division 1 23-Apr-83 14,879 A W 1 - 0 Archibald
Division 1 07-Sep-83 14,830 A D 1 - 1 Roberts
Division 1 17-Mar-84 22,385 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 03-Nov-84 24,494 H L 2 - 3 Chiedozie, Hazard
Division 1 23-Feb-85 15,418 A W 1 - 0 Falco
Division 1 05-Oct-85 12,040 A D 1 - 1 Waddle
Division 1 08-Mar-86 10,841 H W 5 - 0 Mabbutt, Falco (2), Galvin, Waddle
Friendly 19-Feb-88 - A L 1 - 4 Walsh
Friendly 03-Aug-92 8,078 A W 2 - 0 Hendry, Nayim
FA Prem 08-Dec-02 35,958 H W 3 - 1 Ziege, Keane, Poyet
FA Prem 21-Apr-03 26,899 A W 3 - 2 Keane (2), Sheringham
FA Prem 24-Aug-04 27,191 A D 1 - 1 Defoe
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-05 22,441 A D 1 - 1 Defoe (pen)
FA Cup 4 Replay 12-Feb-05 27,860 H W 3 - 1 Keane (pen), Defoe (2)
FA Prem 20-Apr-05 35,885 H D 1 - 1 Keane
FA Prem 28-Dec-05 27,510 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 27-Mar-06 36,152 H W 2 - 1 Keane (2, 1pen)
FA Prem 28-Dec-08 26,344 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 02-May-09 H

LAST TIME WE MET...

West Brom 2-0 Tottenham, Premier League, Sunday, 28 December 2008

West Brom boosted their Premier League survival prospects with a valuable home win over 10-man Tottenham.

Roman Bednar's header put the home side in front on 83 minutes when he latched on to Marek Cech's long ball to beat Heurelho Gomes from 10 yards.

And substitute Craig Beattie clinched the points with an injury-time second.

Spurs had been reduced to 10 men when left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp on Gianni Zuiverloon after 34 minutes.

The victory was West Brom's second in a row at home, six points which could prove crucial as the Baggies attempt to stave off the threat of relegation.

But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will be counting down the days until the January transfer window opens with the match highlighting his need to bolster his impotent strikeforce, who have now scored just one goal in their past four Premier League games.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray recalled first-choice strikers Bednar and Luke Moore, both of whom were rested in the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Boxing Day, while Cech and Iglesias Borja Valero earned rare starts.

Redknapp rested Ledley King, with Jonathan Woodgate returning to the centre of defence, while Jermaine Jenas replaced the injured Tom Huddlestone in midfield.

The home side made the brighter start as Gomes had his palms stung by a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box by Borja Valero on 13 minutes, brought about after Michael Dawson had crudely brought down Moore on the run, a foul which earned him a yellow card.

A dire first half was summed up by statistics showing more yellow cards than shots on target, although the complexion of the match was significantly altered when Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp.

The left-back raised his studs as he attempted to tackle Gianni Zuiverloon, although the challenge seemed to lack malice.

But the offence took place right in front of referee Steve Tanner, who had no hesitation as he reached for the red card, much to the incredulity of the Frenchman.

Assou-Ekotto's absence forced Redknapp into impromptu changes, with Didier Zokora slotting in at left-back, while Luka Modric retreated into a deeper position in midfield, leaving Darren Bent as a solitary figure up front.

While Spurs dealt with their one-man disadvantage without too many concerns in the remaining 11 minutes of the half, the opening exchanges after the interval were quite the opposite.

Gomes pulled off a brilliant save diving to his left to tip over Chris Brunt's curling free-kick from the edge of the box on 47 minutes, before denying Zuiverloon three minutes later.

Despite attractive interchanges in midfield, Spurs looked utterly toothless in attack, rarely testing goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Inevitably, as the second half progressed, the Baggies began to pound Gomes' goal and Dawson had to come to Spurs' rescue when his outstretched leg blocked Zuiverloon's byline cross, with Moore lurking unmarked inside the six-yard box on 65 minutes.

The pressure eventually told when Bednar shrugged off his marker Dawson to get on the end of Cech's raking long ball and score from 10 yards out.

The defender was outraged, claiming he had been pushed as he went up to challenge, but referee Tanner ignored Dawson's protests as the Baggies rejoiced.

And substitute Beattie clinched the three points when he was sent through by James Morrison in the final minute of injury time for three priceless points.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on Benoit Assou-Ekottu's red card:

"We played with 10 men for a long time and I thought we did okay. We controlled enough of the game and still had lots of the ball.

"We wouldn't have got beaten with 11 men, that's for sure.

"We'll pick ourselves up, brush ourselves down and start all over again on Monday."

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray on Tanner's performance:

"I have no comment on the referee. Some games as a coach you sit there and have thoughts but I've not been as brave as Harry and said anything.

"I think we all abide by the officials. We agree with some decisions, we don't agree with others.

"The bottom line is you hope to get the big ones right. I was very surprised when a red card was given but the referee saw it was and you have to live with that."

West Brom:

Carson, Zuiverloon (Hoefkens 72), Olsson, Barnett, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Brunt (Dorrans 65), Borja Valero (Beattie 80), Bednar, Moore.

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kim, MacDonald, Donk.

Booked: Morrison, Brunt, Zuiverloon.

Goals: Bednar 83, Beattie 90.

Tottenham:

Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora (Campbell 86), Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 69), Modric (Bale 75), Bent.

Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gunter, Taarabt, Obika.

Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (35).

Booked: Dawson, Jenas.

Att: 26,344

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:
Tottenham's Vedran Corluka

PREVIEW: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

2009-04-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

Old Trafford, Manchester
Saturday 25th April 2009, Kick Off 17:30
Premier League, Match 34 (33 for United)

REFEREE: Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

COMMENT
Spurs prepare for their Saturday evening visit to Old Trafford with the knowledge that they now have the best home defensive record in the Premier League, with just 9 goals conceded in the 17 matches played at White Hart Lane this season. The season's home fixtures will finish with the visits of West Bromwich Albion and then Manchester City.

Tottenham are unbeaten so far in League matches against the "Big Four" clubs and face Liverpool at Anfield later this season. With a very hectic series of fixtures for United, Spurs must fancy their chances of getting something from the match, although it's been far too long since we registered a win at Old Trafford.

Injuries to Ledley King and Michael Dawson could mean that Vedran Corluka will continue to partner Jonathan Woodgate in central defence with Alan Hutton starting on the right and Benoit Assou-Ekotto continuing his fine season for Spurs on the left.

Jermain Jenas was absent for the win over his old club Newcastle and Tom Huddlestone proved to be a worthy replacement by having an excellent match partnering Wilson Palacios in central midfield. Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric should complete Tottenham's midfield for Saturday.

Upfront, Robbie Keane as team captain is sure to start and Darren Bent, who is now on 16 goals for the season, will probably get the nod from Harry over both Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who didn't feature against Newcastle due to an injury.

TEAM NEWS:

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is in line to make his first Premier League start since October after recovering from a foot injury.

Rio Ferdinand is also set to play after being rested for the 2-0 midweek win over Portsmouth but fellow defenders Gary Neville and John O'Shea are out.

They both picked up knocks as United returned to the top of the table.

Tottenham, who are unbeaten in six games against the top four this season, look set to be without Michael Dawson.

The defender picked up an ankle injury in last weekend's 1-0 victory over Newcastle.

But his team-mate Jonathan Woodgate is confident that Spurs can continue their good run.

"You can see how well we've played against the top four," he said.

"We haven't been beaten by any of the top sides in the league this season and we have beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home.

"Our record against the top four is impeccable."

However, Tottenham's record at Old Trafford in the Premier League is less impressive with only three draws from 16 visits.

And United could be fired up even more for their 1730 BST kick-off on Saturday as a victory for Liverpool, whose game at Hull starts at 1500 BST, will return them to the top of the table on goal difference.

Midfielder Michael Carrick reaffirmed United's desire to secure a third successive league title and equal Liverpool's record of 18 overall.

"We are in a good position but we will not get complacent," he said.

"There are some hard games left, starting against Tottenham, and we know Liverpool are still a threat.

"In a lot of people's eyes last week we were not going to win the title. All of a sudden the same people are now saying it is a given.

"There are a lot of matches to play and there may be more twists and turns. Hopefully there aren't but we must be ready for them."

"It is win at all costs now. If we can now beat Tottenham we really will be in a good position."

Scans have revealed that Michael Dawson has suffered a partially torn left ankle ligament.

The 25-year-old defender was forced off with the injury in last weekend's victory against Newcastle United and is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has also been ruled out of this weekend's trip to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

The striker is still suffering from the back injury that kept him out of last weekend's win against Newcastle, although scans have revealed no long-term damage.

Fellow frontman Fraizer Campbell is ineligible to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan deal from United.

BIG MATCH FACTS:

Manchester United and Tottenham face each other for the fourth time this season, and the first since the Red Devils' penalty shoot-out victory in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on 1 March, when they played 120 minutes without a goal.

By the time this Saturday evening kick off gets underway, United may have been displaced from the top of the table once again on goal difference by Liverpool. But Sir Alex Ferguson's quest for a hat-trick of league titles, an 11th Premier League crown and a record-equalling 18th English top-flight championship will still be within their grasp, with a game in hand on their rivals (away to Wigan on 13 May).

Harry Redknapp has worked wonders with Spurs, guiding them from the bottom of the table when he took over in October to the fringe of the European places. Indeed the Londoners go into this weekend's round of matches just one point behind seventh placed West Ham.

Manchester United have not lost any of their last 15 Premier League matches against Tottenham, since the Londoners' 3-1 home victory on 19 March 2001.

Spurs have never won a Premier League match at the Theatre of Dreams, and have only picked up three points from the 48 on offer there. Their most recent league victory at Old Trafford was on 16 December 1989, when Gary Lineker scored the only goal of the game for Terry Venables' team.

Harry Redknapp is keen not to become the 10th different Tottenham manager to fail to pick up three points at Old Trafford.

Distance between the clubs: 197 miles (317 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

MANCHESTER UNITED

1st 74 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won 12 Premier League matches in 2009, including the last three; more than any other club.

2. Won more Premier League matches than any other club this season (23). More details

3. Failed to score in one of the last 16.

4. This is their 58th match of the season; more than any other top-flight club.

5. Two points down on this same stage last season, when top of the table.

6. Gone 16 league games since a goalless draw; the last being away to Spurs on 13 December.

7. On the longest current sequence of 24 matches in the Premier League without a score draw; the 1-1 stalemate at Everton on 25 October being the most recent.

8. The only home points dropped this season have been courtesy of defeat to Liverpool (1-4, 14 March), and an early draw with Newcastle (1-1, 17 August).

9. Denied victory by only eight clubs in their 32 Premier League matches this season, one of which is Tottenham.

10. This match precedes the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Thereafter the league run-in is:- Middlesbrough (a), Manchester City (h), Wigan (a), Arsenal (h) and Hull (a).

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

9th 44 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could realistically fall: 10th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won the last two against West Ham and Newcastle; both by 1-0 margins at home.

2. Not won three on the bounce since April Fools' Day 2007, when a 1-0 home triumph over Reading was the last in a five-match winning sequence.

3. The 2-1 defeat, away to Blackburn on 2 April is their only league loss in nine since January.

4. Four points up on this same stage last season, when they were 11th in the table - their final placing.

5. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.

6. Need a victory to total 1,200 wins in top-flight football.

7. Lost fewer Premier League points from winning positions than any other club; just five (one draw, one defeat).

8. Won four away league games this term. Three of those were against clubs currently in the top-half (Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City), and one against a bottom-half side (Hull).

10. Still to visit Liverpool on the last day of the season, 24 May. The full run-in is:- WBA (h), Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

MANCHESTER UNITED

Edwin VAN DER SAR is leading the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with 19 clean sheets.

Cristiano RONALDO is one of three Premier League players to have scored as many as 21 club goals this season; the others are Nicolas ANELKA of Arsenal and Steve GERRARD of Liverpool.

RONALDO is Manchester United's top Premier League scorer with 15 goals, and leads the race jointly with Chelsea's Nicolas ANELKA for the Barclays Golden Boot.

Paul SCHOLES needs a double to reach 100 Premier League goals - all for United.

Ryan GIGGS is a hat-trick shy of 150 goals for Manchester United.

GIGGS has scored more Premier League goals against Tottenham than against any other club, with the exception of one. His total of seven, equals his return against Southampton.

If selected:-

GIGGS will be making his 800th appearance in Manchester United colours.

Tomasz KUSZCZAK will be making his 50th career Premier League appearance (West Brom and Manchester United).

Dimitar BERBATOV will be facing a former club. The 28 year old international forward made 102 appearances (70 in the league) and scored 46 goals (27 league) for Spurs between July 2006 and his controversial £30.75m transfer to Manchester United last September.

Michael CARRICK will be facing a former club. The 27 year old England international midfielder made 75 appearances (64 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs between August 2004 and his £18.6m move to Old Trafford in July 2006.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 11.

If he scores:-

BENT will reach the milestone of 50 career Premier League goals.

BENT is also a hat-trick shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

If selected:-

GILBERTO will be playing on his 33rd birthday.

Frazier CAMPBELL is on loan from Manchester United and therefore ineligible to play.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spurs have failed to beat Manchester United in 18 attempts in all competitions, including their three previous meetings this season.

United have won twice as many league matches against Tottenham (70) as they have lost to them (35).

The 32 Premier League matches between these clubs have yielded 83 goals. Spurs have only managed three clean sheets; both via goalless draws at Old Trafford on 15 March 1995 and 4 January 2005, and at the Lane last December.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 70 wins, Spurs 35, Draws 38
Prem: Man United 23 wins, Spurs 3, Draws 7

at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 47 wins, Spurs 10, Draws 14
Prem: Man United 13 wins, Spurs 0, Draws 3

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
25 August 2007 - Ref: Howard Webb
Man Utd scorer: Nani 68

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United
13 December 2008 - Ref: Mike Dean

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are an unfinished work but much-improved under manager Harry Redknapp. They create chances but give teams the chance to score.

They will go to Old Trafford and try to play and because of that United will win. They can afford another slip up in the title race which, as I said earlier, is theirs to lose.

Verdict: Manchester United 2-0 Totenham Hotspur

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday evening's match will be the 174th meeting between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur - the two traditional 'glamour clubs' of English football.

Most recently, they met in the 2009 League (Carling) Cup Final at Wembley when United won on penalties after a goalless match after extra time.

Previously, the clubs contested the 1967 Charity Shield which resulted in a 3-3 draw and featured a spectaclar goal from Tottenham's legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

as NEWTON HEATH

F.A. Cup 1 28-Jan-1899 13,721 H D 1 - 1 Joyce
F.A. Cup 1 Replay 01-Feb-1899 6,000 A W 5 - 3 McKay, Joyce (2), McNaught, Smith

as MANCHESTER UNITED

Division 1 11-Sep-09 32,275 H D 2 - 2 Steel R (2, 2pens)
Division 1 22-Jan-10 8,000 A L 0 - 5
Division 1 22-Oct-10 28,000 H D 2 - 2 Minter, Humphreys
Division 1 15-Mar-11 13,000 A L 2 - 3 Birnie, Humphreys
Division 1 04-Nov-11 26,000 A W 2 - 1 Minter, Middlemiss
Division 1 09-Apr-12 14,000 H D 1 - 1 Bliss
Division 1 19-Oct-12 12,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 31-Mar-13 12,762 H D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 04-Oct-13 39,000 A L 1 - 3 Middlemiss
Division 1 07-Feb-14 28,000 H W 2 - 1 Minter, Cantrell
Division 1 21-Nov-14 11,000 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Cantrell
Division 1 27-Mar-15 7,000 A D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 25-Sep-20 52,000 A W 1 - 0 Grimsdell
Division 1 02-Oct-20 34,600 H W 4 - 1 Walden (2), Seed (2)
Division 1 08-Oct-21 36,113 H D 2 - 2 Wilson (2)
Division 1 15-Oct-21 40,000 A L 1 - 2 Dimmock
F.A. Cup 2 03-Feb-23 38,333 H W 4 - 0 Lindsay, Handley (3)
Division 1 17-Oct-25 26,496 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 4 30-Jan-26 43,653 H D 2 - 2 Thompson, Lindsay
F.A. Cup 4 Replay 03-Feb-26 46,929 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 27-Feb-26 25,466 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Dec-26 37,287 H D 1 - 1 Dimmock
Division 1 27-Dec-26 50,665 A L 1 - 2 Handley
Division 1 24-Sep-27 13,952 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 04-Feb-28 23,545 H W 4 - 0 O'Callaghan, Armstrong (2), Dimmock
Division 2 12-Sep-31 9,557 A D 1 - 1 Rowley
Division 2 23-Jan-32 19,139 H W 4 - 1 Davies (2), Hunt GS, O'Callaghan
Division 2 10-Sep-32 23,333 H W 6 - 1 Brain, Hunt GS (2), O'Callaghan, Evans W (2, 1pen)
Division 2 06-Jan-33 20,661 A L 1 - 2 Evans W
Division 2 21-Sep-35 34,718 A D 0 - 0
Division 2 05-Feb-36 20,085 H D 0 - 0
Division 2 09-Oct-37 31,189 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 19-Feb-38 34,631 A W 1 - 0 Sargent
Division 1 09-Sep-50 60,621 H W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 1 13-Jan-51 45,104 A L 1 - 2 Baily
Division 1 22-Sep-51 70,882 H W 2 - 0 Bennett, Medley
Division 1 26-Jan-52 42,668 A L 0 - 2
Tour 14-Jun-52 - A W 5 - 0 Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, Medley
Tour 15-Jun-52 - A W 7 - 1 McClellan, Bennett (2), Duquemin (4)
Division 1 01-Nov-52 44,286 H L 1 - 2 Walters
Division 1 25-Mar-53 20,215 A L 2 - 3 Walters, McClellan
Division 1 26-Sep-53 52,837 H D 1 - 1 Duquemin
Division 1 13-Feb-54 37,289 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 08-Sep-54 35,162 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 15-Sep-54 31,041 A L 1 - 2 McClellan
Division 1 22-Aug-55 28,713 A D 2 - 2 Gavin (pen), Stokes
Division 1 31-Aug-55 27,453 H L 1 - 2 Clarke
Division 1 24-Nov-56 57,724 H D 2 - 2 Harmer (pen), Robb
Division 1 06-Apr-57 60,583 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 30-Nov-57 43,307 A W 4 - 3 Smith R (3), Blanchflower og
Division 1 12-Apr-58 59,836 H W 1 - 0 Harmer (pen)
Division 1 20-Sep-58 62,277 A D 2 - 2 Smith R (2)
Division 1 07-Feb-59 47,401 H L 1 - 3 Norman
Division 1 12-Sep-59 55,641 A W 5 - 1 Mackay, Harmer, Smith R (2), Dunmore
Division 1 23-Jan-60 62,602 H W 2 - 1 Smith R (2)
Division 1 03-Sep-60 55,442 H W 4 - 1 Smith R (2), Allen (2)
Division 1 16-Jan-61 65,535 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 09-Sep-61 57,135 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 20-Jan-62 55,225 H D 2 - 2 Greaves (2)
F.A. Cup SF 31-Mar-62 65,000 SF W 3 - 1 Medwin, Greaves, Jones
Division 1 20-Oct-62 51,314 H W 6 - 2 Medwin (2), Greaves (3), Jones
Division 1 09-Mar-63 43,416 A W 2 - 0 Saul, Jones
Division 1 09-Nov-63 57,513 A L 1 - 4 Gregg og
ECWC 2 (1L) 03-Dec-63 57,447 H W 2 - 0 Mackay, Dyson
ECWC 2 (2L) 10-Dec-63 59,597 A L 1 - 4 Greaves
Division 1 21-Mar-64 56,292 H L 2 - 3 Brown L, Greaves (pen)
Division 1 26-Sep-64 53,362 A L 1 - 4 Robertson
Division 1 06-Feb-65 58,639 H W 1 - 0 Henry
Division 1 16-Oct-65 58,051 H W 5 - 1 Johnson, Clayton, Gilzean, Greaves, Robertson
Division 1 18-Dec-65 39,511 A L 1 - 5 Jones
Division 1 10-Sep-66 56,295 H W 2 - 1 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 14-Jan-67 57,365 A L 0 - 1
Charity Shield 12-Aug-67 54,106 A D 3 - 3 Jennings, Robertson, Saul
Division 1 23-Sep-67 58,779 A L 1 - 3 Gilzean
F.A. Cup 3 27-Jan-68 63,500 A D 2 - 2 Chivers (2)
F.A. Cup 3 Replay 31-Jan-68 57,200 H W 1 - 0 (a.e.t) Robertson
Division 1 03-Feb-68 57,690 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
Division 1 28-Aug-68 62,649 A L 1 - 3 Greaves
Division 1 09-Oct-68 56,205 H D 2 - 2 Jones, Gilzean
Division 1 22-Nov-69 53,053 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 13-Apr-70 41,808 H W 2 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers
Division 1 05-Dec-70 55,693 H D 2 - 2 Gilzean, Peters
Division 1 06-Feb-71 48,416 A L 1 - 2 Peters
Division 1 13-Nov-71 54,058 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 04-Mar-72 54,814 H W 2 - 0 Perryman, Chivers
Division 1 28-Oct-72 52,497 A W 4 - 1 Peters (4)
Division 1 24-Mar-73 50,017 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 10-Nov-73 42,756 H W 2 - 1 Knowles, Chivers
Division 1 23-Mar-74 36,278 A W 1 - 0 Coates
Division 1 06-Sep-75 51,641 A L 2 - 3 Chivers, Jones
Division 1 17-Jan-76 49,189 H D 1 - 1 Duncan
Division 1 04-Sep-76 60,723 A W 3 - 2 Coates, Pratt, Moores
Division 1 12-Feb-77 46,946 H L 1 - 3 Jones
Division 1 16-Dec-78 52,026 A L 0 - 2
F.A. Cup 6 10-Mar-79 51,800 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
F.A. Cup 6 Replay 14-Mar-79 54,510 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Apr-79 36,665 H D 1 - 1 Jones
League Cup 2 (1L) 29-Aug-79 29,163 H W 2 - 1 Pratt, Hoddle
League Cup 2 (2L) 05-Sep-79 48,292 A L 1 - 3 Armstrong
Division 1 01-Dec-79 51,389 H L 1 - 2 Hoddle
F.A. Cup 3 05-Jan-80 45,207 H D 1 - 1 Ardiles
F.A. Cup 3 Replay 09-Jan-80 53,762 A W 1 - 0 Ardiles
Division 1 12-Apr-80 53,151 A L 1 - 4 Ardiles
Division 1 06-Sep-80 40,995 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 17-Feb-81 40,642 A D 0 - 0
League Cup 2 (1L) 07-Oct-81 39,333 H W 1 - 0 Archibald
League Cup 2 (2L) 28-Oct-81 55,890 A W 1 - 0 Hazard
Division 1 21-Nov-81 35,534 H W 3 - 1 Roberts, Hazard, Archibald
Division 1 17-Apr-82 50,724 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 13-Nov-82 47,869 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 11-May-83 32,803 H W 2 - 0 Roberts, Archibald
Tour/RSHT 04-Jun-83 - A L 1 - 2 Archibald
Tour/RSHT 11-Jun-83 - A W 2 - 0 Perryman, Mabbutt
Division 1 16-Dec-83 33,616 A L 2 - 4 Brazil, Falco
Division 1 12-May-84 39,790 H D 1 - 1 Archibald
Division 1 20-Oct-84 54,516 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Mar-85 42,918 H L 1 - 2 Falco
Division 1 16-Nov-85 54,575 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 19-Apr-86 32,357 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 07-Dec-86 35,267 A D 3 - 3 Mabbutt, Allen C, Moran og
Division 1 04-May-87 36,692 H W 4 - 0 Thomas M (2), Allen C (pen), Allen P
Division 1 26-Sep-87 47,601 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 23-Feb-88 25,731 H D 1 - 1 Allen C
Friendly/Test 28-Mar-88 - H L 2 - 3 Archibald, Hodge
Division 1 01-Oct-88 29,318 H D 2 - 2 Walsh, Waddle
Division 1 05-Feb-89 41,423 A L 0 - 1
League Cup 3 22-Nov-89 45,759 A W 3 - 0 Lineker, Samways, Nayim
Division 1 16-Dec-89 36,230 A W 1 - 0 Lineker
Division 1 21-Apr-90 33,317 H W 2 - 1 Gascoigne, Lineker
Division 1 01-Jan-91 29,399 H L 1 - 2 Lineker (pen)
Division 1 20-May-91 46,791 A D 1 - 1 Hendry
Division 1 28-Sep-91 35,087 H L 1 - 2 Durie
Division 1 02-May-92 44,585 A L 1 - 3 Lineker
FA Prem 19-Sep-92 33,296 H D 1 - 1 Durie
FA Prem 09-Jan-93 35,648 A L 1 - 4 Barmby
FA Prem 16-Oct-93 44,655 A L 1 - 2 Caskey
FA Prem 15-Jan-94 31,343 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 27-Aug-94 24,502 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 15-Mar-95 43,802 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 01-Jan-96 32,852 H W 4 - 1 Sheringham, Campbell, Armstrong (2)
FA Prem 24-Mar-96 50,508 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 29-Sep-96 54,943 A L 0 - 2
F.A. Cup 3 05-Jan-97 52,495 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 12-Jan-97 33,026 H L 1 - 2 Allen
FA Prem 10-Aug-97 26,359 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 10-Jan-98 55,281 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 5 02-Dec-98 35,702 H W 3 - 1 Armstrong (2), Ginola
FA Prem 12-Dec-98 36,097 H D 2 - 2 Campbell (2)
FA Prem 16-May-99 55,189 A L 1 - 2 Ferdinand
FA Prem 23-Oct-99 36,072 H W 3 - 1 Iversen, Scholes o.g., Carr
FA Prem 06-May-00 61,629 A L 1 - 3 Armstrong
FA Prem 02-Dec-00 67,583 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 19-May-01 36,072 H W 3 - 1 Korsten (2), Ferdinand
FA Prem 29-Sep-01 36,038 H L 3 - 5 Richards, Ferdinand, Ziege
FA Prem 06-Mar-02 67,059 A L 0 - 4
FA Prem 21-Sep-02 67,611 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 27-Apr-03 36,073 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 20-Dec-03 35,910 H L 1 - 2 Poyet
FA Prem 20-Mar-04 67,634 A L 0 - 3
FA Prem 25-Sep-04 36,103 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 03-Jan-05 67,962 A D 0 - 0
FA Prem 22-Oct-05 67,856 A D 1 - 1 Jenas
FA Prem 17-Apr-06 36,141 H L 1 - 2 Jenas
FA Prem 09-Sep-06 75,453 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 04-Feb-07 36,146 H L 0 - 4
FA Prem 26-Aug-07 75,696 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 02-Feb-08 36,075 H D 1 - 1 Berbatov
F.A. Cup 4 27-Jan-08 75,369 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 13-Dec-08 35,862 H D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 4 24-Jan-09 75,014 A L 1 - 2 Pavlyuchenko
League Cup Final 01-Mar-09 88,217 Wembley D 0 - 0 (AET Spurs lost 1-4 on pens)
FA Prem 25-Apr-09 A

SPURS ODYSSEY PREVIEW:

Could Spurs spring a surprise?

Every season brings one or two fixtures where we have not visited a club in a league fixture for over 18 months. This year the trip to Old Trafford falls into that category, as our last Premier League trip was 20 months and two managers ago. When we went there in August 2007, Martin Jol was still in charge, under pressure because of a poor start, and yet we did have more points on the board than United at that stage. Nani scored the 68th minute pile-driver that separated the teams. Despite our failure to have won a Premier League game at Old Trafford, there have been some close games - most controversially of course the one featuring Pedro Mendes' "goal" in January 2005...

We have met United three times already though this season, and we have been to Old Trafford too. In December we played the home league game, after the arrival of Harry Redknapp, and while he was still in his "honeymoon period" with Spurs. We kept one of our 10 home league clean sheets that day, with many thanks to an impressive performance by Gomes, who had already won over the home fans who had doubted him earlier in the season.

In January, when both sides played "Cup teams", Pavlyuchenko scored an early goal to silence the Old Trafford crowd, but United came back to progress in the Cup from which they were eliminated in last week's semi-final.

It will of course be a different United side we face tomorrow, with as many big guns taking part as possible, although United are in a very busy period, with their home semi-final Champions League game next week against Ar5ena1 to follow. Having won one of his games in hand on Wednesday night, maybe Sir Alex will hold back one or two players for mid-week, although despite such absences and in juries, any side that Sir Alex puts out can be formidable.

Gary Neville and John O'Shea picked up injuries the other night, but Owen Hargreaves is the only other definite absentee.

United started this season slowly due to missing a game or two, but took hold of the league leadership firmly until a recent blip which saw them lose at home to arch-rivals Liverpool and away to Fulham in consecutive games. It is not often that United lose consecutive league games "in anger", but now they have got the lead back, and with one game still in hand (at Wigan), they are firm favourites to retain their title.

It wasn't so long ago that we Spurs fans dreaded our run-in with this game and two further away games in Liverpool to face when we feared we were in a survival race. Now, our Premier League status is assured, and on form we are in fact currently above United, so we can relax and approach this game in a confident frame of mind.

Michael Dawson will be missing, and we must hope that Ledley King can play tomorrow. Jermaine Jenas may still be out with his hamstring, and if fit would surely get the nod above Huddlestone in a game where combat will be sharp in the midfield. Pace will be very much required too!

The Spurs team will be eager to face Berbatov, but of course he would be well up for a performance against his former team and with pressure being brought to bear upon him by United fans after his penalty miss last week, and a perceived lazy approach to the game. As we know too well, that languid style camouflages great skill and panache. I look forward to Woodgate versus Berbatov with relish again!

It appears that Harry Redknapp has four fit strikers this week, so he has the sort of selection dilemma that we did not have in the first half of the season, which was the core of our problematic results until Defoe, then Keane returned in January.

Could Spurs spring a surprise tomorrow? It's a question that has often been asked before only to be met by failure.

Maybe it could happen on Saturday evening, but I'm going to sit on the fence and predict a 1-1 draw.

LAST TIME WE MET...

Tottenham's dream of a back-to-back Wembley success in the 2009 Carling Cup Final ended in heartbreak as Spurs were defeated 4-1 on a penalty shoot-out by Manchester United.

For the second year in a row, we fought bravely and went toe-to-toe on the biggest stage with first class opposition in a tense and thrilling encounter in which neither side could break the deadlock in 120 minutes of football.

But on this occasion, there was to be no glory at the end of it as the brave Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley suffered the misfortune of missing their spot kicks, while United netted all of theirs.

Nonetheless, the lads can once again hold their heads high after we proved to ourselves the level of performance we can achieve as we turn our attention back to fighting our way out of trouble in the Premier League.

We didn't have the best of starts to our day as last year's Wembley match-winner Jonathan Woodgate failed a late fitness test on an Achilles injury and was ruled out of the Final.

He and the cup-tied Carlo Cudicini, Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane were the only absentees from the side that defeated Hull in the league last Monday.

Heurelho Gomes remained in goal from the week's UEFA Cup tie, Roman Pavlyuchenko continued on his quest to score in every round of this season's competition by partnering Darren Bent up-front, Didier Zokora came into midfield, and Michael Dawson partnered captain Ledley King at the back.

As was the case last year, our throng of fans were magnificent from start to finish, with our end of the stadium awash with blue and white and Cup Final flags being waved proudly by all.

On the pitch, United had the better of the first half and were on the attack from the early stages.

The first effort on goal was a trademark Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick that sailed over on six minutes, and the same player put an effort straight at Gomes from inside the box a minute later after good build-up play by Nani and Carlos Tevez.

Young midfielder Darron Gibson came closest for them on 13 minutes with a crashing 25 yard drive that whistled just past the post after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had blocked a Tevez shot.

And Nani forced Gomes into his first real save of the afternoon on 16 minutes, the Brazilian doing well to tip a low shot around the post. But as the half continued we grew in confidence.

Our first meaningful attack came on 18 minutes when Aaron Lennon was found on the overlap by Vedran Corluka. The winger beat opposing goalkeeper Ben Foster to the ball and pulled back for the waiting Pavlyuchenko, but Rio Ferdinand got in to clear in the nick of time.

And despite the United skipper hitting an ambitious 30-yard effort onto the roof of our net on 24 minutes, you could argue we finished the half in the ascendancy.

Luka Modric slid in Bent for his first shot on goal in the 30th minute, which deflected nicely into the hands of Foster, and Lennon had another run at the defence on 32 minutes, with Jonny Evans intercepting his eventual low cross in the danger zone.

We carried this confidence into the second half when Jermaine Jenas played a neat one-two with Lennon on 57 minutes before curling a shot with the outside of his right foot just over from the edge of the box.

United's best chance came on 61 minutes when Evans hit goalwards after a scramble in the box, but an unmarked Tevez could only turn the ball wide from six yards.

The talking point of the match came on 68 minutes when Ronaldo went down in the box under a challenge from King but was promptly booked for diving by referee Chris Foy. Replays showed our skipper did not win the ball, but it was unclear to see whether the current World Footballer of the Year was already on his way down before contact was made.

On 71 minutes came our best chance. After a spell of pressure, Assou-Ekotto played a ball towards the unmarked Modric in the box, who allowed it to run for Lennon. The winger took his time before firing at goal, but Foster did well to palm the shot away just out of the reach of the lurking Bent.

The only save Gomes had to make in the second half was from a 75th minute shot from substitute Anderson, but by the end of 90 minutes, we had really come into our own.

Our football was flowing with Modric pulling the strings from off the front and Lennon looking a constant threat.

However, it was so nearly heartbreak in the final moments of normal time when Ronaldo was given space to run at the defence before crashing a fierce shot against the inside of Gomes' near post.

We escaped, and for a second year running, more extra time drama at Wembley was upon us.

Into the first period our tired legs started to show. Jenas had given his all in midfield and was replaced by Gareth Bale, and Lennon's non-stop running caused a tweak as he came off for Bentley.

The outstanding Dawson was also suffering after over-stretching when clearing, but bravely carried on the for the final 10 minutes.

Both sides had chances in the added half an hour. Tevez headed a Patrice Evra cross just wide before the break, Bent had a shot saved by the legs of Foster on 116 minutes, and Evra hit one from the edge of the box that sailed inches over just before the end.

But unlike last year, there was to be no extra time winner, and for the first time at the new Wembley, a major Cup Final was to be decided by the lottery of penalty kicks.

The kicks were to be taken at end at which the United fans were situated. After Ryan Giggs netted the first penalty, O'Hara, who had come on as a 65th minute substitute for Pavlyuchenko, stepped up to have our first kick saved by Foster.

Tevez put United further in front before Corluka pegged one back for us, but after Ronaldo slotted his spot kick home, there was further heartbreak as Bentley put his chance wide.

It was left to Anderson to win the Carling Cup for United, and he duly did as our brave attempt the retain the trophy ended in the most painful fashion.

Spurs (4-4-2):

Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon (Bentley, 102), Zokora, Jenas (Bale, 99), Modric; Pavlyuchenko (O'Hara, 65), Bent

Subs not used: Alnwick, Gunter, Huddlestone, Taarabt

Man Utd (4-4-2):

Foster; O'Shea (Vidic, 76), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs, 91), Nani; Welbeck (Anderson, 56), Tevez

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Eckersley, Possebon, Park

PREVIEW: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

2009-04-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Sunday 19th April 2009, Kick Off 13:30
Premier League, Match 33

LIVE on SKY SPORTS 1 / HD1

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Alan Shearer selects a Newcastle side for the third time and is still seeking a first win. The Magpies are on their joint longest winless sequence of the season of seven matches, and deep in relegation trouble.

Spurs have won five of seven league games, and lost one of eight. They've been upwardly mobile under Harry Redknapp, who's taken them out of the mire and to the verge of a Europa League place.

The Magpies' only win in eight Premier League games in London since December 2007 was a 1-4 victory over Tottenham on 30 March last year. Indeed Newcastle are hunting a third successive Premier League win at Tottenham to complete the double for the fifth time over Spurs in this league and the third season in a row.

Newcastle have scored more Premier League goals against Tottenham than any other club (55).

Distance between the clubs: 284 miles (458 kilometres)
Newcastle make the longest journey of any club playing Premier League football this weekend.

CLUB FORM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Going into this round of matches: 9th 41 points

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. The 2-1 defeat, away to Blackburn on 2 April is their only league loss since January.

2. Two points up on this same stage last season, when they were 11th in the table - their final placing.

3. Undefeated in eight home league games; won four and drawn four since losing 0-1 to Everton on 30 November - their only loss in 12 at the Lane.

4. Won the last three top-flight matches at White Hart Lane, against Middlesbrough, Chelsea and West Ham.

5. Not won four home league games on the bounce since 19 January last year.

6. Not conceded in four home league matches, or in 393 minutes (six hours 33 minutes) of Premier League football at White Hart Lane since James Beattie's consolation for Stoke in the 3-1 victory on 27 January.

7. White Hart Lane has seen fewer Premier League goals than any other ground this season; 26 in 16 (17 for, nine against - which is 1.63 per game). It is the second best home defence in the highest league, on a ground that saw the highest number of top-flight goals last term (80, 46 for and 34 against).

8. Won one of the last seven Premier League games against North-East clubs; 4-0, home to Middlesbrough on 4 March.

9. Could yet lose home and away to three clubs; Everton, West Brom and Newcastle.

10. The run-in includes trips to the top two, in their next and last matches respectively. The full list is:- Manchester United (a), WBA (h), Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Going into this round of matches: 18th 30 points

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Drawn three and lost four of the last seven Premier League matches, since beating West Brom 2-3 at the Hawthorns on 7 February 2009; their only maximum in 14.

2. Kept one clean sheet in 15 top-flight matches, courtesy of the goalless home draw with Everton on 22 February.

3. The current tally of 30 points after 32 matches is their lowest ever in the Premier League, and five points down on last season - their previous lowest.

4. The draw specialists of the Premier League. More details

5. Their lowest ever finish in a Premier League campaign was 14th in 2004-05.

6. Won one of their last seven away league games (at the Hawthorns).

7. Lost 50% of their away league games (eight), and scored a goal a game on average (16 in 16).

8. Gained just one point from four league visits to London this season, courtesy of a goalless draw with Chelsea at the Bridge on 22 November.

9. Already done the double over West Brom, and could do likewise to Aston Villa and Portsmouth, as well as Tottenham.

10. The five-match run-in after this includes another six-pointer against Portsmouth on 27 April. Then they still have to play two of the top five clubs. The full list is:- Portsmouth (h), Liverpool (a), Middlesbrough (h), Fulham (h), and Aston Villa (a).

KEY PLAYER NOTES

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 10.

BENT is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals.

If selected:-

Jermaine JENAS will be facing a former club. The 26 year old England international midfielder made 152 appearances (110 in the league) and scored 12 goals (nine league) for Newcastle between February 2002 and August 2005.

Jonathan WOODGATE will also be opposing former clubmates. The 29 year old England international made 37 appearances (28 in the league) for the Magpies between January 2003 and his £13.4m move to Real Madrid in August 2004.

Michael DAWSON will be making his 200th career league appearance (Nottingham Forest and Tottenham).

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Fabricio COLOCCINI is the only remaining player to have started every one of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season.

Michael OWEN is the club's top Premier League scorer with eight goals.

If selected:-

Habib BEYE will be making his 50th appearance in Newcastle colours.

Danny GUTHRIE will be playing the day after turning 22.

If on the field from the outset:-

Shola AMEOBI will be making his 150th start for the Magpies.

HEAD TO HEAD

Before losing to Newcastle in the reverse fixture in December, Tottenham knocked the Magpies out of the Carling Cup; winning a third round tie 1-2 at St James' Park on 24 September, courtesy of goals from Roman Pavlychenko and Jamie O'Hara.

There's never been a goalless draw in 31 Premier League matches between these clubs.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 54 wins, Newcastle 47, Draws 28
Prem: Spurs 11 wins, Newcastle 16, Draws 4

at Tottenham only
League (inc PL): Spurs 33 wins, Newcastle 20, Draws 11
Prem: Spurs 8 wins, Newcastle 6, Draws 1

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Newcastle United
30 March 2008 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Spurs scorer: Bent 26
Newcastle scorers: Butt 45, Geremi 52, Owen 65, Martins 83

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Newcastle United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
21 December 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner
Newcastle scorers: N'Zogbia 12, Duff 90
Spurs scorer: Modric 29

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:

Tottenham are now looking up instead of down and will attack at home which will mean they create chances but leave themselves open at the back.

The changes Alan Shearer made with 25 minutes to go in the match against Stoke last week made a big difference and I feel Newcastle may have turned a corner.

Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Newcastle United

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Sunday's game will be the 144th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

Here are the results of the previous 143 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

F.A. Cup 2 18-Feb-05 19,013 H D 1 - 1 Walton
F.A. Cup 2 Replay 28-Feb-05 26,755 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 06-Nov-09 26,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 19-Mar-10 25,000 H L 0 - 4
Division 1 17-Sep-10 36,000 H L 1 - 2 Minter
Division 1 21-Jan-11 22,000 A D 1 - 1 Minter
Division 1 25-Nov-11 37,541 H L 1 - 2 Newman
Division 1 30-Mar-12 21,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Nov-12 26,000 H W 1 - 0 Cantrell
Division 1 29-Mar-13 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 15-Nov-13 23,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Mar-14 20,000 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 03-Oct-14 12,000 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 02-Apr-15 18,000 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Dec-20 30,000 A D 1 - 1 Cantrell
Division 1 27-Dec-20 54,500 H W 2 - 0 Bliss, Dimmock
Division 1 05-Nov-21 34,448 H W 4 - 0 Grimsdell, Seed (3)
Division 1 12-Nov-21 20,000 A W 2 - 0 Seed, Lindsay
Division 1 18-Nov-22 30,300 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Nov-22 25,000 A D 1 - 1 Lindsay
Division 1 19-Jan-24 25,649 H W 2 - 0 Poynton, Elkes
Division 1 26-Jan-24 27,000 A D 2 - 2 Clay (pen), Osborne
Division 1 06-Dec-24 28,000 A D 1 - 1 Elkes
Division 1 11-Apr-25 23,144 H W 3 - 0 Lane, Dimmock (2)
Division 1 14-Nov-25 23,391 A L 1 - 3 Seed
Division 1 25-Mar-26 11,774 H W 1 - 0 Dimmock
Division 1 27-Nov-26 33,325 H L 1 - 3 Dimmock
Division 1 16-Apr-27 32,151 A L 2 - 3 Sanders, Dimmock
Division 1 03-Sep-27 41,038 A L 1 - 4 O'Callaghan
Division 1 07-Jan-28 34,731 H W 5 - 2 Osborne (4), Dimmock
Division 1 11-Nov-33 41,379 H W 4 - 0 Hunt GS (2), Evans W (2)
Division 1 24-Mar-34 26,246 A W 3 - 1 Hunt GS (3)
F.A. Cup 4 26-Jan-35 61,195 H W 2 - 0 Hunt GS (2)
Division 2 07-Sep-35 47,442 H L 1 - 2 Howe
Division 2 04-Jan-36 35,389 A W 4 - 1 Morrison, Bell, Evans W (2)
Division 2 12-Sep-36 28,314 A W 1 - 0 Morrison
Division 2 09-Jan-37 30,505 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 11-Sep-37 25,577 H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Morrison
Division 2 02-Feb-38 11,249 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 17-Sep-38 39,694 H W 1 - 0 Whatley (pen)
Division 2 01-Mar-39 18,503 A W 1 - 0 Hall AE
Division 2 14-Sep-46 52,213 H D 1 - 1 Bennett
Division 2 18-Jan-47 62,876 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 06-Dec-47 57,950 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 24-Apr-48 44,164 H D 1 - 1 opponent og
Division 1 18-Nov-50 70,336 H W 7 - 0 Ramsey (pen), Walters, Bennett, Baily, Medley (3)
Division 1 07-Apr-51 41,241 A W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 1 01-Sep-51 52,541 A L 2 - 7 Scarth, Bennett
Division 1 29-Dec-51 55,219 H W 2 - 1 Walters, Medley
F.A. Cup 4 02-Feb-52 69,009 H L 0 - 3
Division 1 30-Aug-52 59,629 A D 1 - 1 McClellan
Charity Shield 24-Sep-52 27,760 H W 2 - 1 Bennett, Murphy
Division 1 03-Jan-53 52,648 H W 3 - 2 Burgess (2), Duquemin
Division 1 19-Sep-53 53,056 A W 3 - 1 Walters, Baily, Robb
Division 1 06-Feb-54 35,798 H W 3 - 0 Walters, Robb (2)
Division 1 16-Oct-54 45,306 A D 4 - 4 Baily (2), McClellan (2)
Division 1 30-Apr-55 37,262 H W 2 - 1 Gavin, Stokoe og
Division 1 24-Sep-55 41,096 H W 3 - 1 Clarke, Stokes (2)
Division 1 04-Feb-56 29,597 A W 2 - 1 Robb, Duquemin
Division 1 10-Nov-56 51,722 H W 3 - 1 Smith R (2), Robb
Division 1 23-Mar-57 37,955 A D 2 - 2 Medwin, Stokes
Division 1 31-Aug-57 37,742 A L 1 - 3 Smith R
Division 1 28-Dec-57 51,649 H D 3 - 3 Norman, Harmer (pen), Stokes
Division 1 06-Sep-58 41,805 H L 1 - 3 Medwin
Division 1 17-Jan-59 32,503 A W 2 - 1 Dunmore (2)
Division 1 22-Aug-59 40,782 A W 5 - 1 Brooks (2), Jones (3)
Division 1 19-Dec-59 32,824 H W 4 - 0 Blanchflower, Norman, White, Jones
Division 1 29-Oct-60 51,369 A W 4 - 3 Norman, Jones, White, Smith R
Division 1 22-Mar-61 46,470 H L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 23-Oct-65 42,430 A D 0 - 0
Division 1 15-Jan-66 27,490 H D 2 - 2 Knowles, Weller
Division 1 27-Aug-66 35,780 A W 2 - 0 Mackay, Robertson
Division 1 31-Dec-66 27,948 H W 4 - 0 Mackay, Greaves (2), Venables
Division 1 02-Dec-67 34,494 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 27-Apr-68 30,281 A W 3 - 1 Gilzean, Chivers (2)
Division 1 28-Sep-68 30,469 A D 2 - 2 Mullery, Pearce
Division 1 02-Apr-69 22,528 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 18-Oct-69 33,287 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Division 1 28-Feb-70 34,827 A W 2 - 1 Pearce, Chivers
Division 1 21-Nov-70 38,873 H L 1 - 2 Chivers
Division 1 20-Feb-71 31,718 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 18-Aug-71 42,715 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 22-Jan-72 30,113 A L 1 - 3 Gilzean
Division 1 30-Aug-72 27,912 A W 1 - 0 Kinnear
Division 1 28-Apr-73 21,721 H W 3 - 2 Chivers (2, 1pen), Peters
Division 1 27-Oct-73 31,259 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 11-May-74 21,601 A W 2 - 0 Chivers, Gilzean
Division 1 07-Dec-74 23,422 H W 3 - 0 Knowles (2), Chivers
Division 1 11-Jan-75 39,679 A W 5 - 2 Knowles, Conn (3), Duncan
Division 1 04-Oct-75 33,290 A D 2 - 2 Pratt, Duncan
L.C. Cup SF (1L) 14-Jan-76 40,215 H W 1 - 0 Pratt
L.C. Cup SF (2L) 21-Jan-76 49,657 A L 1 - 3 McAllister
Division 1 24-Apr-76 29,649 H L 0 - 3
Division 1 25-Aug-76 24,022 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 26-Feb-77 30,236 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 08-Dec-84 29,695 H W 3 - 1 Roberts (pen), Falco (2)
Division 1 06-May-85 29,702 A W 3 - 2 Leworthy, Hoddle, Crook
Division 1 07-Sep-85 23,883 H W 5 - 1 Falco, Chiedozie (2), Hoddle, Hazard
Division 1 22-Mar-86 30,645 A D 2 - 2 Hoddle, Waddle
Division 1 25-Aug-86 25,381 H D 1 - 1 Allen C
F.A. Cup 5 21-Feb-87 38,033 H W 1 - 0 Allen C (pen)
Division 1 25-Mar-87 30,836 A D 1 - 1 Hoddle
Division 1 19-Aug-87 26,261 H W 3 - 1 Allen C, Waddle, Hodge
Division 1 23-Jan-88 24,616 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 03-Sep-88 32,977 A D 2 - 2 Fenwick, Waddle
Division 1 31-Dec-88 27,739 H W 2 - 0 Walsh, Waddle
FA Prem 14-Aug-93 34,565 A W 1 - 0 Sheringham
FA Prem 04-Dec-93 30,780 H L 1 - 2 Barmby (pen)
FA Prem 03-Dec-94 28,002 H W 4 - 2 Sheringham (3), Popescu
FA Prem 03-May-95 35,603 A D 3 - 3 Barmby, Klinsmann, Anderton
Friendly/Test 12-Aug-95 17,288 H L 0 - 2
FA Prem 29-Oct-95 32,257 H D 1 - 1 Armstrong
FA Prem 05-May-96 36,589 A D 1 - 1 Dozzell
FA Prem 07-Sep-96 32,594 H L 1 - 2 Allen
FA Prem 28-Dec-96 36,308 A L 1 - 7 Nielsen
FA Prem 04-Oct-97 36,709 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 25-Apr-98 35,847 H W 2 - 0 Klinsmann, Ferdinand
FA Prem 24-Oct-98 36,047 H W 2 - 0 Iversen (2)
FA Prem 05-Apr-99 36,655 A D 1 - 1 Anderton (pen),
F.A. Cup SF 11-Apr-99 53,609 OT L 0 - 2 (a.e.t)
FA Prem 09-Aug-99 28,701 H W 3 - 1 Iversen, Ferdinand, Sherwood
FA Prem 28-Nov-99 36,460 A L 1 - 2 Armstrong
F.A. Cup 3 12-Dec-99 33,116 H D 1 - 1 Iversen
F.A. Cup 3® 23-Dec-99 35,415 A L 1 - 6 Ginola
FA Prem 26-Aug-00 51,272 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 01-Jan-01 34,500 H W 4 - 2 Doherty, Anderton (pen), Rebrov, Ferdinand
FA Prem 21-Oct-01 50,593 A W 2 - 0 Anderton, Poyet
FA Prem 30-Jan-02 35,798 H L 1 - 3 Iversen
FA Prem 29-Dec-02 52,145 A L 1 - 2 Dabizas og
FA Prem 29-Jan-03 36,084 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 13-Dec-03 52,139 A L 0 - 4
FA Prem 13-Mar-04 36,083 H W 1 - 0 O'Brien og
FA Prem 21-Aug-04 52,185 A W 1 - 0 Atouba
F.A. Cup 6 13-Mar-05 51,307 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 09-Apr-05 35,885 H W 1 - 0 Defoe
FA Prem 31-Dec-05 36,246 H W 2 - 0 Tainio. Mido
FA Prem 01-Apr-06 52,301 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 23-Dec-06 52,079 A L 1 - 3 Murphy
FA Prem 14-Jan-07 35,942 H L 2 - 3 Defoe, Berbatov
FA Prem 22-Oct-07 51,411 A L 1 - 3 Keane
FA Prem 30-Mar-08 36,067 H L 1 - 4 Bent
L.C. Cup 3 23-Sep-08 19,743 A W 2 - 1 Pavlyuchenko, O'Hara
FA Prem 21-Dec-08 47,982 A L 1 - 2 Modric
FA Prem 18-Apr-09 H

LAST TIME WE MET...

Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham

Premier League, 21st December 2008

Newcastle substitute Damien Duff scored a late winner against Tottenham to lift Joe Kinnear's side into mid-table.

The Republic of Ireland international played a fabulous one-two with Mark Viduka then kept his composure to slot the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Charles N'Zogbia gave Newcastle the lead when he collected a long pass from Shay Given and fired in.

Luka Modric equalised when he ran on to a Michael Dawson ball and sent his low effort past Given.

Newcastle's second successive win means they are now unbeaten in six and four points clear of a relegation zone they have been flirting with since the start of the season.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs will feel slightly aggrieved not to have gone back to the capital with at least a point, but the manager will take heart from the performances of his frontline, in particular Modric and the sublime Aaron Lennon.

They, along with David Bentley and Roman Pavlyuchenko, gave the lately solid Newcastle backline a good workout in the first half.

However, it was defender Dawson who almost came closest to opening the scoring when his looping header had to be pushed over by Given.

For the last 11 years, Newcastle have been used to having their Irish keeper bailing them out of trouble so when his pinpoint punt led to N'Zogbia's goal, it most certainly was one for the famous football scrapbook.

N'Zogbia still had to use his nous and strength to fend off the challenge of Benoit Assou-Ekotto then find the composure to slot the ball past the Spurs stopper.

The Magpies found their stride after the goal but there was one weak link in the team on the day - Ameobi.

The striker, who replaced the injured Obafemi Martins in the starting line-up, had already given the ball away on a handful of occasions before, what happened to be his final act, he was easily dispossessed by Dawson.

The defender's clearance ended up falling to the feet of Modric, who appeared to stay onside and in acres of space before running in on goal and firing past Given.

Ameobi was substituted for Viduka straight after the restart.

Kinnear's battlers survived until half-time with Given made to punch down Pavlyuchenko's firm 20-yard drive.

The second half of the match did not come to the boil until the last 20 minutes.

First Michael Owen blazed over for Newcastle from eight yards and at the other end substitute Frazier Campbell, who came on for Pavlyuchenko, just failed to connect with Lennon's cracking ball across the six-yard area.

Both teams were pressing for the win, but it with less than a minute remaining it was Newcastle who had the last cheer.

Duff, who had just been on for a few minutes, pounced on a loose clearance before finding Viduka on the edge of the area.

The Australian played the ball back to his team-mate with a sweet flick who in turn converted the ball past Gomes with one touch.

Newcastle:

Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Duff 88), Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Ameobi (Viduka 30), Owen.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Geremi, Taylor, Edgar, Carroll.

Booked: Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Duff.

Goals: N'Zogbia 12, Duff 90.

Tottenham:

Gomes, Corluka, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zokora, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko (Campbell 64), Modric.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Bale, Gunter, Taarabt, Boateng, O'Hara.

Booked: Huddlestone, Modric.

Goals: Modric 29.

Att: 47,982

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

BBC Sport Player Man of the Match:

Tottenham's Luka Modric

Match Preview Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

2009-04-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 11th April 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 32

PREVIOUS MATCHES:

Saturday's game will be the 235th meeting between Spurs and West Ham.

Here are the results of the previous 234 games with Spurs' score shown first:

(as Thames Ironworks)

Thames & Medway League 03-Sep-1898 H W 3-0 McKay, Cameron, Bradshaw
Thames & Medway League 16-Mar-1899 A L 1-2 Joyce
Southern Lge 04-Nov-1899 H W 7-0 Morris 2, Pratt 3, Copeland, Kirwan
Southern Lge 10-Mar-1900 A D 0-0

(as West Ham United)

Southern Lge 27-Oct-00 5,000 H D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 16-Feb-01 5,000 A W 4 - 1 Brown, Stormont (2), Hyde
Western Lge 14-Oct-01 7,000 H W 2 - 1 Cameron, Copeland
Southern Lge 02-Nov-01 14,000 A W 1 - 0 Jones JL
London Lge 16-Dec-01 2,000 A L 1 - 3 Gilhooley
Southern Lge 15-Feb-02 9,000 H L 1 - 2 Copeland
Western Lge 10-Mar-02 3,000 A D 1 - 1 Brown
London Lge 21-Apr-02 2,000 H D 2 - 2 Brown (2)
S/Charity Cup Final 08-Sep-02 2,000 N W 2 - 1 Houston, Kirwan
London Lge 20-Oct-02 4,000 A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 01-Nov-02 9,000 H D 1 - 1 Copeland
London Lge 15-Dec-02 3,000 H W 4 - 0 Tait (pen), Hughes (pen), Barlow, Kirwan
Southern Lge 14-Feb-03 10,000 A L 0 - 1
Western Lge 16-Feb-03 4,000 H W 1 - 0 Rainbird
Western Lge 19-Mar-03 - A D 0 - 0
Southern Lge 21-Nov-03 8,000 H W 2 - 1 Jones J., Kirwan
Western Lge 14-Dec-03 - H W 4 - 1 Jones J. (3), Copeland
London Lge 18-Jan-04 - H W 2 - 0 Jones J., Brearley
Southern Lge 19-Mar-04 8,000 A W 2 - 0 Walton (2)
London Lge 21-Mar-04 - A W 1 - 0 Warner
Western Lge 18-Apr-04 - A W 1 - 0 Jones J.
Southern Lge 24-Sep-04 13,000 A D 0 - 0
Western Lge 24-Oct-04 - H L 0 - 1
S/Charity Cup SF 09-Jan-05 - H W 10 - 0 Tait (pen), Brearley (2), Woodward (5), O'Hagan (2)
Southern Lge 21-Jan-05 14,000 H W 1 - 0 Kirwan
Western Lge 27-Mar-05 - A D 1 - 1 Walton
Southern Lge 23-Sep-05 1,400 H W 2 - 0 Chapman (2)
Western Lge 06-Nov-05 - A L 1 - 4 Berry
Southern Lge 27-Jan-06 18,000 A W 1 - 0 Kyle
Western Lge 26-Mar-06 1,000 A W 1 - 0 Whyman
Southern Lge 01-Sep-06 16,000 H L 1 - 2 Dow
Western Lge 08-Oct-06 4,000 A L 0 - 5
S/Charity Cup1 22-Oct-06 8,000 H W 2 - 0 Stansfield, Reid
Southern Lge 29-Dec-06 13,000 A L 2 - 4 Woodward, Reid
Western Lge 08-Apr-07 - H W 4 - 0 Chapman, Whyman (3)
Southern Lge 07-Sep-07 10,000 A D 1 - 1 McNair
Western Lge 07-Oct-07 5,000 H W 2 - 1 Bull, Pickett
Western Lge 04-Nov-07 - A W 3 - 1 Steel, Reid (2)
Southern Lge 04-Jan-08 13,000 H W 3 - 2 Pass, Payne, Pickett
LonCharCup2 30-Nov-08 3,000 A W 2 - 0 Walton, Steel D
London Comb1 18-Sep-15 8,000 H D 1 - 1 Rance
London Comb1 27-Nov-15 4,000 H W 3 - 0 Morris, Bliss (2)
London Comb2 05-Feb-16 8,000 A L 0 - 2
London Comb2 29-Apr-16 7,000 H D 1 - 1 Bliss
London Comb 04-Nov-16 3,000 Hi L 1 - 2 Bliss
London Comb 04-Nov-16 8,000 A L 1 - 5 Thwaites
London Comb 27-Jan-17 7,000 Ho D 0 - 0
London Comb 24-Mar-17 12,000 A L 0 - 3
Friendly 05-May-17 - A D 3 - 3 Potter, Banks, Barnard
London Comb 29-Sep-17 8,000 A L 0 - 1
London Comb 24-Nov-17 7,000 Hi W 2 - 0 Banks (2)
London Comb 19-Jan-18 3,000 A D 2 - 2 Banks (2)
London Comb 16-Mar-18 10,000 Hi L 0 - 5
London Comb 21-Sep-18 8,000 A W 1 - 0 Thomas
London Comb 16-Nov-18 600 Ho L 1 - 4 Rance
London Comb 11-Jan-19 13,000 A L 0 - 2
Victory Cup 1 01-Mar-19 9,000 Hi W 3 - 1 Minter (2), Banks
London Comb 08-Mar-19 17,170 Ho L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup 3 21-Feb-20 47,642 H W 3 - 0 Grimsdell, Wilson (2)
Division 2 13-Mar-20 25,691 A L 1 - 2 Grimsdell (pen)
Division 2 22-Mar-20 26,000 H W 2 - 0 Cantrell, Dimmock
Lon Prof Charity Fund 12-Sep-21 11,000 A L 0 - 1
Lon Prof Charity Fund 02-Oct-22 7,000 H W 2 - 1 Clay (pen), Wilson
Friendly 07-May-23 - H W 5 - 2 Lindsay, Handley (3), Dimmock
Division 1 09-Feb-24 30,000 A D 0 - 0
Friendly 23-Feb-24 - A D 1 - 1 Thompson
Friendly 17-Mar-24 - A D 1 - 1 Lindsay
Division 1 22-Apr-24 18,153 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 22-Nov-24 30,000 A D 1 - 1 Elkes
Division 1 28-Mar-25 29,321 H D 1 - 1 Seed
Division 1 07-Nov-25 35,259 H W 4 - 2 Osborne (3), Elkes
F.A. Cup 3 09-Jan-26 49,800 H W 5 - 0 Osborne (2), Dimmock (3)
Division 1 20-Mar-26 29,423 A L 1 - 3 Osborne
Friendly 03-May-26 - A D 1 - 1 Blair
F.A. Cup 3 08-Jan-27 44,417 A L 2 - 3 Handley, Dimmock
Division 1 15-Apr-27 42,010 H L 1 - 3 Handley
Division 1 18-Apr-27 21,354 A W 2 - 1 Handley, Dimmock
Division 1 05-Nov-27 35,099 H W 5 - 3 Handley, O'Callaghan (2), Osborne, Elkes
Division 1 17-Mar-28 33,908 A D 1 - 1 Osborne
Friendly 08-Dec-30 - A W 2 - 1 Davies, Bellamy
Division 2 17-Dec-32 45,129 H D 2 - 2 O'Callaghan, Hunt GS
Division 2 21-Apr-33 31,706 A L 0 - 1
F.A. Cup 4 27-Jan-34 51,747 H W 4 - 1 Hunt GS (2), Evans W (2)
Division 2 09-Nov-35 40,245 A D 2 - 2 Morrison (2)
Division 2 14-Mar-36 57,417 H L 1 - 3 Hunt GS
Division 2 29-Aug-36 31,906 A L 1 - 2 Morrison
Division 2 26-Dec-36 34,190 H L 2 - 3 Meek, Miller
Division 2 20-Nov-37 47,000 H W 2 - 0 Sargent, Gibbons
Division 2 02-Apr-38 30,031 A W 3 - 1 Sargent, Gibbons, Miller
Division 2 29-Oct-38 51,170 H W 2 - 1 Lyman (2)
F.A. Cup 4 21-Jan-39 42,716 A D 3 - 3 Sargent, Morrison, Duncan
F.A. Cup 4 Replay 30-Jan-39 50,798 H D 1 - 1 Sargent
F.A. Cup 4 Second Replay 02-Feb-39 50,468 Hi L 1 - 2 Morrison
Division 2 04-Mar-39 20,832 A W 2 - 0 Hall GW, Duncan
Friendly 07-Oct-39 - H L 0 - 2
FL South A 04-Nov-39 7,800 A L 1 - 2 Hall GW
FL South A 26-Dec-39 4,276 H L 0 - 1
FL South C 10-Feb-40 7,500 A L 0 - 2
FL South C 06-Apr-40 15,000 H L 2 - 6 Howe, Morrison
Reg Lge Sth 31-Aug-40 2,000 H L 2 - 3 Burgess (2)
Reg Lge Sth 07-Sep-40 2,600 A X 4 - 1 Abandoned 80mins (Air Raid) Burgess (3), Duncan
LonWarCup 01-Feb-41 4,691 H L 1 - 2 Broadis
LonWarCup 08-Feb-41 5,200 A L 2 - 3 Hall, Gibbons
London WarLge 06-Dec-41 8,493 H D 1 - 1 Broadis
London WarLge 14-Mar-42 7,986 A W 3 - 2 Broadis (2), Gibbons
Football Lge Sth 19-Sep-42 10,160 A L 1 - 3 Ludford
Football Lge Sth 19-Dec-42 9,741 H W 2 - 0 Hall, Ludford
Football Lge Sth 18-Sep-43 12,148 A D 3 - 3 O'Donnell (2), Rowley
Football Lge Sth 01-Jan-44 40,997 H W 1 - 0 Cox
Football Lge Sth 26-Aug-44 14,379 H D 2 - 2 O'Donnell, Stevens
Football Lge Sth 02-Dec-44 23,000 A W 1 - 0 Gilberg
LgeSth Cup G3 10-Feb-45 21,000 A L 0 - 1
LgeSth Cup G3 03-Mar-45 29,838 H W 4 - 0 Burgess, Martin, Gibbons (2)
Football Lge Sth 08-Sep-45 26,437 A D 1 - 1 Burgess
Football Lge Sth 15-Sep-45 34,342 H L 2 - 3 Gibbons (2)
Division 2 19-Oct-46 34,341 A D 2 - 2 Bennett, Foreman
Division 2 17-May-47 37,503 H D 0 - 0
Division 2 08-Sep-47 25,732 A D 1 - 1 Jordan
Division 2 15-Sep-47 33,415 H D 2 - 2 Jordan, Bennett
Division 2 25-Sep-48 38,132 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 19-Feb-49 62,980 H D 1 - 1 Bennett
Division 2 05-Nov-49 31,734 A W 1 - 0 Walters
Division 2 25-Mar-50 51,124 H W 4 - 1 Walters (2), Bennett, Medley
Friendly 16-Apr-53 - A L 1 - 2 Walters
F.A. Cup 6 03-Mar-56 69,118 H D 3 - 3 Harmer (pen), Duquemin, Robb
F.A. Cup 6 Replay 08-Mar-56 34,911 A W 2 - 1 Harmer, Duquemin
Division 1 25-Dec-58 26,178 A L 1 - 2 Smith R
Division 1 26-Dec-58 43,817 H L 1 - 4 Stokes
F.A. Cup 3 10-Jan-59 56,252 H W 2 - 0 Smith R, Jones
Division 1 09-Sep-59 58,909 H D 2 - 2 Smith R, Jones
Division 1 14-Sep-59 36,831 A W 2 - 1 Marchi, Smith R
Division 1 24-Dec-60 65,930 H W 2 - 0 White, Dyson
Division 1 26-Dec-60 34,351 A W 3 - 0 White, Allen, Brown og
Division 1 23-Aug-61 50,434 H D 2 - 2 Dyson (2)
Division 1 28-Aug-61 36,274 A L 1 - 2 Allen
Division 1 25-Aug-62 32,527 A W 6 - 1 Medwin, White, Greaves (2), Jones, Lyall og
Division 1 22-Dec-62 44,650 H D 4 - 4 Smith J, Mackay (3)
Division 1 28-Sep-63 51,667 H W 3 - 0 Mackay, Jones, Brown og
Division 1 08-Feb-64 36,838 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 12-Sep-64 36,730 A L 2 - 3 Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 16-Jan-65 50,054 H W 3 - 2 Greaves (2), Dyson
Division 1 08-Apr-66 50,635 H L 1 - 4 Gilzean
Division 1 25-Apr-66 32,232 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 2 14-Sep-66 34,000 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 12-Nov-66 57,157 H L 3 - 4 Greaves (pen), Gilzean, Venables
Division 1 09-May-67 35,758 A W 2 - 0 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 26-Aug-67 55,831 H W 5 - 1 Mullery, Greaves (2, 1pen), Saul, Jones
Division 1 23-Dec-67 32,122 A L 1 - 2 Robertson
Division 1 14-Sep-68 35,802 A D 2 - 2 Greaves, Gilzean
Division 1 19-Apr-69 50,970 H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Tour 15-May-69 - A W 4 - 3 Greaves (2), Pearce, Morgan
Division 1 06-Sep-69 40,561 A W 1 - 0 Pearce
Division 1 20-Dec-69 28,375 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 15-Aug-70 53,640 H D 2 - 2 Gilzean (2)
Division 1 17-Oct-70 42,322 A D 2 - 2 Mullery, England
Division 1 27-Dec-71 53,868 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 01-Apr-72 30,763 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Sep-72 51,291 H W 1 - 0 Lampard og
Division 1 26-Dec-72 37,397 A D 2 - 2 Peters, Pearce
Division 1 08-Sep-73 30,888 A W 1 - 0 Chivers
Division 1 29-Dec-73 33,176 H W 2 - 0 Pratt, Chivers
Division 1 14-Sep-74 27,959 H W 2 - 1 England, Chivers
Division 1 26-Dec-74 37,682 A D 1 - 1 Peters
Division 1 25-Aug-75 36,567 A L 0 - 1
League Cup 4 12-Nov-75 49,161 H D 0 - 0
League Cup 4 Replay 24-Nov-75 38,443 A W 2 - 0 (a.e.t) Young, Duncan
Division 1 07-Feb-76 32,832 H D 1 - 1 Duncan
Division 1 06-Nov-76 28,997 A L 3 - 5 Hoddle, Osgood (pen), Duncan
Division 1 01-Jan-77 44,972 H W 2 - 1 Osgood (pen), Duncan
Friendly 04-Dec-78 - A L 2 - 4 Holmes, Pratt
Friendly/Test 30-Apr-79 - H D 2 - 2 Villa, Ardiles
League Cup 5 02-Dec-80 36,003 A L 0 - 1
Friendly/Test 11-May-81 - H L 2 - 3 Hazard, Gibson
Division 1 02-Sep-81 41,200 H L 0 - 4
Division 1 10-May-82 27,667 A D 2 - 2 Hoddle (pen), Brooke
Division 1 20-Nov-82 41,960 H W 2 - 1 Archibald (2)
Division 1 01-Jan-83 33,383 A L 0 - 3
Friendly/Test 21-Aug-83 - H D 1 - 1 Brazil
Division 1 03-Sep-83 38,042 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 31-Dec-83 30,939 A L 1 - 4 Stevens
Friendly 18-May-84 - A L 1 - 4 Archibald
Division 1 26-Dec-84 37,186 H D 2 - 2 Mabbutt, Crooks
Division 1 06-Apr-85 24,435 A D 1 - 1 Ardiles
Division 1 26-Dec-85 33,835 H W 1 - 0 Perryman
Division 1 31-Mar-86 27,497 A L 1 - 2 Ardiles
Friendly 12-May-86 - A L 1 - 5 Allen C
Division 1 26-Dec-86 39,019 H W 4 - 0 Hodge, Allen C (2), Waddle
League Cup 5 27-Jan-87 28,648 A D 1 - 1 Allen C
League Cup 5 Replay 02-Feb-87 41,995 H W 5 - 0 Allen C (3, 1pen), Hoddle, Claesen
Division 1 20-Apr-87 23,972 A L 1 - 2 Allen C
Division 1 19-Sep-87 27,750 A W 1 - 0 Fairclough
Friendly/Test 20-Oct-87 - H D 2 - 2 Allen P, Archibald
Division 1 28-Dec-87 39,456 H W 2 - 1 Fairclough, Waddle
Friendly 21-Aug-88 - A L 0 - 2
Division 1 17-Dec-88 28,365 A W 2 - 0 Thomas, Mabbutt
Division 1 01-Apr-89 28,375 H W 3 - 0 Fenwick (pen), Nayim, Stewart
Friendly/Test 17-Aug-90 17,456 H W 4 - 1 Lineker (2, 1pen), Gascoigne, Nayim
Friendly 12-Nov-90 10,443 A L 3 - 4 Stewart (2), Houghton
Division 1 26-Oct-91 23,946 A L 1 - 2 Lineker
Division 1 01-Apr-92 31,809 H W 3 - 0 Lineker (3)
FA Prem 28-Dec-93 20,787 A W 3 - 1 Dozzell, Hazard, Anderton
FA Prem 04-Apr-94 31,502 H L 1 - 4 Sheringham (pen)
FA Prem 29-Oct-94 26,271 H W 3 - 1 Klinsmann, Sheringham, Barmby
FA Prem 14-Jan-95 24,578 A W 2 - 1 Sheringham, Klinsmann
FA Prem 30-Aug-95 23,516 A D 1 - 1 Rosenthal
FA Prem 12-Feb-96 29,781 H L 0 - 1
FA Prem 02-Nov-96 32,975 H W 1 - 0 Armstrong
FA Prem 24-Feb-97 23,998 A L 3 - 4 Sheringham, Anderton, Howells
FA Prem 13-Aug-97 25,354 A L 1 - 2 Ferdinand
FA Prem 17-Jan-98 30,284 H W 1 - 0 Klinsmann
FA Prem 28-Nov-98 26,044 A L 1 - 2 Armstrong
FA Prem 24-Apr-99 36,089 H L 1 - 2 Ginola
FA Prem 07-Aug-99 26,010 A L 0 - 1
FA Prem 06-Dec-99 36,233 H D 0 - 0
FA Prem 11-Sep-00 33,282 H W 1 - 0 Campbell
FA Prem 31-Jan-01 26,048 A D 0 - 0
F.A. Cup 6 11-Mar-01 26,048 A W 3 - 2 Rebrov (2), Doherty
FA Prem 24-Nov-01 32,780 A W 1 - 0 Ferdinand
FA Prem 13-Apr-02 36,038 H D 1 - 1 Sheringham
FA Prem 15-Sep-02 36,005 H W 3 - 2 Davies, Sheringham (pen), Gardner
FA Prem 01-Mar-03 35,049 A L 0 - 2
League Cup 3 29-Oct-03 36,053 H W 1 - 0 (a.e.t) Zamora
FA Prem 19-Nov-05 36,154 H D 1 - 1 Mido
FA Prem 07-May-06 34,970 A L 1 - 2 Defoe
FA Prem 21-Oct-06 36,162 H W 1 - 0 Mido
FA Prem 04-Mar-07 34,966 A W 4 - 3 Defoe (pen). Tainio, Berbatov, Stalteri
FA Prem 25-Nov-07 34,966 A D 1 - 1 Dawson
FA Prem 08-Mar-08 36,062 H W 4 - 0 Berbatov (2), Gilberto, Bent
FA Prem 06-Dec-08 34,277 A W 2 - 0 King, O'Hara
FA Prem 11-Apr-09 H

LAST TIME WE MET...

Monday 8th December 2008, Premier League

West Ham United 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Ledley King's first goal since December 2005 and a stunning strike from Jamie O'Hara sealed a valuable three points on the road at Upton Park on Monday night.

The skipper's last contribution to the goal charts was against Portsmouth and his header against the Hammers set the tone in a match where maximum points were richly merited after the momentum was seized in the second half.

There was a real chance to get the night off to flying start when Aaron Lennon pinged back across goal to where David Bentley was waiting to roll into the path of the returning Luka Modric. From a central position the Croatian opted for precision rather than power, but his radar was askew on this occasion and it was an easy field for Robert Green.

The lively beginning was not built on and both sides struggled when it came to keeping possession in the first 20 minutes - particularly in the final third. Green's next sight of ball came when a Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross was headed at him by Bentley.

West Ham did have the ball in the net off Jermaine Jenas, with referee Mr Foy spotting the fact that the midfielder was being knocked about and duly ruled out any home lead.

The contest continued to stutter with either side establishing authority until Bentley latched onto a headed clearance and lashed the ball goalwards on the half-volley with Green forced into a smart reaction save.

Control was being exerted in the approach to half-time and the home crowd were increasingly venting their collective frustration. A low cross from Lennon skidded across goal and Roman Pavlyuchenko stuck out a leg at the far post but ended up hitting it.

Also increasing was the influence of Modric, clearly the most influential player on the pitch in the first half, gliding across the surface and seemingly almost always in a position to receive the ball.

Lucas Neill smashed across goal in the opening exchanges of the second half, with Julien Faubert unable to make any sort of connection, but West Ham did appear to emerge with something of a spring in their step.

It was Lennon who rocked them back on their heels with a speedy dash before he was bundled off the ball before Modric speculated from distance with an effort that was foiled high in the air by Green.

There then looked to be a strong case for handball against Herita Ilunga from Vedran Corluka's cross, but Mr Foy might not have been in the best position to spot.

By this time Darren Bent was in the thick of the action having replaced Pavlyuchenko, while West Ham swapped Faubert in a popular move with Mark Noble. A brilliant incisive move involving Jenas and Lennon led to Bent being presented with a scoring chance in front of goal just after the hour, but his sidefooted effort did not find the target or do the move justice.

The quality was now on show with most of the approach work from the team in white shirts, although execution of the final ball was proving a frustration. This couldn't be levelled at Assou-Ekotto when his sliderule pass across goal picked out Bent on the turn, but the striker was quickly outnumbered.

Didier Zokora then made a dash for it and unleashed a shot that Green did well to save low to his left.

The deadlock was then broken by a these days unlikely goalscorer. A magnificent cross from the right by Lennon was met by the head of King, who nodded downwards and beat the despairing dive of Green.

Substitute David Di Michele tried to force the issue shortly after his introduction but was denied by a determined block from Jonathan Woodgate in front of goal.

Apart from this the flow was towards the goal guarded by Green and Lennon was not too far away from adding to the lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

Heurelho Gomes denied Neill and then Di Michele from point blank range with fine saves before West Ham were caught with a counter-punch when Corluka picked out the substitute O'Hara who let rip from 20-odd yards and arrowed the ball into the top corner to complete a fine night's work.

West Ham:
Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Mullins (Di Michele 73), Parker (Tristan 83), Faubert (Noble 58), Cole, Bellamy.

Subs Not Used:
Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Davenport, Collison.

Booked: Behrami, Noble.

Tottenham:
Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 81), Modric, Pavlyuchenko (Bent 54).

Subs Not Used:
Cesar, Bale, Huddlestone, Dawson, Boateng.

Goals: King 68, O'Hara 90.

Att: 34,277

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on a perceived handball by Benoit Assou-Ekotto when his side were 1-0 down:
"It was a clear penalty when it was 1-0. The referee is a human being, he can make mistakes.

"Unfortunately for us it was a disappointing game because it was one we all wanted to win.

"I understand the fans' frustration. We gave everything to make them happy."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"I want to see West Ham win every week [when they are not playing Spurs] but that was a great result for us tonight.

"We were good value and deserved to win even after missing some great chances... Modric in the first minute and Pavlyuchenko hitting the post.

"We passed the ball well tonight at times and eventually we got the goal."