5/2/2011

Tottenham v Bolton

Super Sub Seal win for Spurs

Niko Kranjcar fired home a late winner for Tottenham to steal a victory against an unlucky Bolton

Spurs couldn't have asked for a better opening start as Rafaelf van der Vaart gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot, after Corluka's stab was blocked by the hand of Kevin Davies. Moments later van der Vaart made a return trip to the spot when Arron Lennon's run was ended by the clumsy challenge from Rickets. The spurs number 11 slotted home from the spot, only to be forced to retake after Palacios was deemed to have encroached. van der Vaart's second attempt flew wide past the Bolton post to keep Spurs lead to a single goal.

The rest of the half saw White Hart Lane watched an entertaining match that swung from end to end, both teams having periods of possession in each others half, pressing but rarely creating a threatening challenge for either keeper.

After the break both sides continued to press but with little effect until, on 54 minutes, Bolton drew level, Mark Davies playing in Daniel Sturridge and the Bolton new boy, in his first start for the club, curled his strike underneath Gomes in the Spurs goal. Bolton too might feel they might have had a penalty of their own, when Garry Cahill was tripped by Pienaar just inside the Spurs penalty area, but referee Mark Clattenburg booked the Bolton man for diving.

Jenas came closest to providing Spurs with second as his curled freekick hit the outside of Jaaskelainen's goal frame. Bolton came forward late and looked like they might find a winner but with no final ball, their efforts went to waste. Spurs continued to counter attack into the dying minutes, and just when it looked like the points would be shared, substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko played in fellow sub Niko Kranjcar, who fired from 20 yards, into the top right hand corner.

Spurs will feel lucky to have all 3 points and now will look to see what happens in tomorrows big match at Stanford Bridge.