Spurs 2 Manchester City 1: What went wrong, what went right?

Yes, Spurs opener was offside and came off his arm too. Anyone remember Drogba's handball 'goal' against city a couple of seasons ago? Why do these things happen to us? Is there an Xmas DVD on the way called 'I scored with my arm against City'? I can't understand the linesman not spotting at least the offside. Ireland got what he deserved, even though he probably didn't mean to lash out. Not going to complain about the result though - we didn't exactly take advantage of the poor Spurs centre-half pairing for example. Some positives for City - Spurs didn't show that much class themselves and come the cup tie, with Elano back... well, Spurs might as well stay in cocker-nee land cos their cup dream will be over by half time.

If you have watched Football First on Sky, they paused the game as Berbatov makes the flick through and Chimbonda is ON side, played on by the defender at the near post. As for handball, I'm not sure, they didn't show that bit in slow mo and it was too fast to say for sure, but it was certainly close. Also with regards your frequent bad fortune, if you have to go back 2 seasons for your last example you don't know the meaning of the word. As a Spurs fan I can pick 2 dreadful slip ups by the ref in the last 2 games, both of which denied us up to 5 points! Your tears are worth nothing here. You may have Elano back for the cup tie, but we should hopefully start with Defoe and will have Bale back as well, plus we play WAY better in the cups. So we'll do ok don't you worry!

City got 2 corners where Lee Y-P played the ball off a City player, Micah Richards headed the ball behind and got a goal kick. Ref and linesmen were poor but City got more than their share of it, we just took advantage. We've been screwed by refs, deflections, last minute goals and 30-yarders since August, we didn't deserve any luck. Yesterday we did because we were the better side. Yes City had injuries but we were also without our captain, top scorer and only quality left-footer.

Chimbonda's goal was a fraction offside but there was so little in it that it would be harsh to blame the lino. A very difficult call and, on balance, I'd rather that linos erred in favour of the attacking team. As to handball, again that would be a harsh call. After watching the TV replays on a number of occasions, I still couldn't be absolutely certain whether the ball came off Chimbonda's arm or off his chest. All we can be absolutely certain of is that Chimbonda was doing his level best to get OUT OF THE WAY of the ball but it just arrived too quickly at him. In that respect, if the ball did touch his arm, you could say that it was "ball to hand". And normally, in those circumstances, no foul is given. Incidentally, BBC also suggested that it shouldn't even have been a free kick. But, if you watch carefully, you will see that Fernandez' arm swings round and catches Berbatov in the face. So the ref was right.

As to how well each team played, I thought that, overall, the standard of play was poor. City were toothless up front. Tottenham had no movement or fluency - relying heavily on Berbatov's brilliance to create any openings.

Really a second rate game. Both teams started well but then the quality dropped and got ragged. On the plus side I though Kaboul did not have a bad game and this might do his confidence good, and Defoe looked sharper and more inventive when he came on. Berbatov is really a master practitioner he oozes class and worked hard. On tgh enegative side Lee looked weak and I thought he appears to be struggling, and I thought Bent was non-effective. On thinking over the last few games I am beginning to think Malbranque is non-effective. He works hard but rarely does he free up the strikers, I think this position needs looking at.

Malbranque has probably been our second best player over the season behind Keane and he put in another good performance yesterday!

[quote]You may have Elano back for the cup tie, but we should hopefully start with Defoe and will have Bale back as well[/quote] We certainly won't have Bale back. Just been announced that he will be out for at least three months. Just our luck!

The problem with malbranque is that he is out of position. I generally believe that if we stick him in the centre he cud be class, because if you notice he ALWAYS drifts into the middle when he plays on the left. He works hard, battles, never gives up, is creative and nearly always has a good game. If we do stick him in the middle then i suggest (if bale is injured) putting jenas on the left. I know he is still right footed but he's faster than malbranque and could effectively open up more space on that side for us. Am i the only one that sees this?????????????

You may well be correct about Malbranque as I have only seen a few games that have been on TV over here (Canada). However for someone who works hard, and he does, the pay-off does not appear to be there. I think there is a lack of creativity in mid-field and the strikers need that. Maybe as one comment suggests Malbranque being played on the left is the real problem. The really great player make there own time and space and I do not see that there at the moment.

I have watched every Man city game this season and this game was by far the most unintresting. Part from that the freekick before tottenhams first goal was wrong the scoorer was obviously offside and not close but clear offside. Mind you I also watched the flick on replay. Then it was handball. I think a draw would have been fair in the end. I just hope Tottenham can keep on winning point from the big 4 as well to keep City in the concurense in the top of the table. So good luck to Tottenham.