Draw new win as St Totteringham day arrives
By Boris Mellor - April 21 2007
Spurs fans celebrated as they won their cup final, so did their players. In case anyone had any doubt as to whom the victors were, P*ss Poor Viewing’s p*ss poor commentators declared that Arsenal would feel that they lost.
Now I am sure they felt disappointed but in the cold light of tomorrow morning they will find in the Sunday press that it was actually a draw, and that they should have scored at least five. The Gunners hit the post twice, the cross bar once, Gilberto had two good shots deflected, Adebayor had a perfectly good goal ruled offside and missed an open goal, as did the Beast.
Now Spuds might have won their final (Irony. Ed) but they failed to stop the arrival of St Totteringham day, which is earlier this year than last.
So a Happy St Totteringham day to all our readers.
In my preview yesterday I stated:
“Wenger believes that this is the closest Spurs have got to Arsenal in a long time, but I have to disagree with the great man. Last year was the closest they ever got, they nearly took the CL place off the Gunners, and there is no chance of that this year.”
Not only was this one of the most comprehensive second halves I have ever seen Arsenal play against the old enemy. If it were scored on points, like boxing, the referee would have stopped it to save the Totts from further embarrassment.
Unfortunately, the domination was not turned into goals, and let us not repeat the old canard about over elaboration; it was mainly a matter of shooting that was not sharp enough. However, they are getting closer.
Gallas nearly gifted Berbatov a goal in the very first minute when he tried to lob back to Lehmann and did not see the Spurs player. Fortunately Berbatov chipped the ball wide of goal. Spurs would have a couple of more chances but as the half progressed the Gunners got back into the game. Indeed Arsenal should have had a goal when a great strike by Adebayor was ruled offside. Freddy was given offside, a highly doubtful decision.
Not long after Arsenal reverted to type and allowed the Paxo Chicken man a scrappy goal from a corner. What is it about his face that makes me want to throw a brick through the TV screen?
In the second half it was Arsenal’s turn to make good use of dead ball situations with goals by Toure and Adebayor. The second was a great header by Adebayor, who in spite of being crowded in by defenders was able to glance the ball in. Adebayor’s 77-minute goal should have settled the match, but in the fifth minute of 4 minutes added time Jenas hit a great strike from 30 yards out. Maybe Fabregas should have gone to him, but Cesc was tiring fast and it did not look that dangerous, the shot went through a whole crowd of defenders.
Considering the torrid week that Arsenal have endured, considering that the manager and team have all walked out (according to Ian Wright), it was a spirited and skilful performance; a sting in the tail – yes, but its important to take the positives out of it. The team played very well for whole lengths of the game. The back four were much improved, Diaby and Fabregas were awesome. Ros and Hleb kept pressing the opposition, and Adebayor is looking on top form again.
Three points next week and we are home and dry; meanwhile Spurs will have to struggle for 7th place having dropped two points at home.
It might be their cup final, but it is not ours.
