Tottenham (Dempsey, Friedel) v Newcastle

Looks like Dempsey is starting at striker.

COYS!

A win and spurs go 3rd . Big game

Starting 11
Lloris, naughton, caulker, Dawson, walker, Parker, dembele, Lennon, holtby, bale, Dempsey

No yellow for Colocini?

EDIT- Bale scores off the FK after the foul on Clint. James Perch should have jumped. James Perch is pretty awful, regardless.

A nice Free Kick Goal by Bale! Spurs lead 1-0.

Bale scores a wicked dipper from a nicely drawn Fk from Dempsey !
Spurs looking very good. Clint's hold up play has been terrific

They are definitely trying to hit Dempsey with passes today, but they have been a little off so far. Seems better, to my eye, on the sharing side of things.

Rock on

I think this is Tottenham's best lineup; even when Adebayor and Defoe are available.

Edit: Besides the defense.

Clint had a hat trick last year against NCU. He looks comfortable out there as lead striker. Caulker is back in today after a few weeks off. Backline was almost undone by a cross.

Man, poor Clint, Holtby has two great chances that normally would have fallen to Clint as #2 striker.

3rd chance that Holby has f'ed up.

And Spurs fans call Clint wasteful.... what a joke

1-1/ Gouffran equalizes. Deflected goal - Friedel woulda had it.

Gourfan hits a deflected goal into top 90. Honestly, what Holtby should have done with one of his chances.

I dont know who is running NCU scouting, but he is doing a great job. Bizarre that no other EPL team has raided the top french league.

Macca just hit the nail on the head: it's cheaper to buy 5 French players than 1 or 2 English players.

EDIT - it is ironic, this "French Revolution" at Newcastle. Pardew used to rant about Wenger ignoring English talent and turning Arsenal into a French club.

i was wondering who would swing at that softball...got to set the boards up this early in the morning.

Probably putting a shot on frame would be a good start.

Want to have a laugh?

http://www.tottenhamhotspurs.tv/mat...tle-official-match-thread-sat-9th-feb-20.html

he didnt make any of those other than following the play. Still, those would normally fall to Clint. Clint's numbers indicate that one of every 3.8 shots is going in.

To Recap:

Bale with a sweet low cross into the box misses an onrushing dempsey by an inch. Cant help but think at Fulham in any year he buries that chance. Some minutes later, Clint is fouled by Kerry Von Erich which sets up a free kick that Bale nails. If Bale isnt careful, he might match the year Clint had for Fulham in 2011/2012.

NCU then started countering and crossing. Twice the Spuds backline was undone and on the second a 15 yard shot deflects off the defenders back and in the net. NCU probably the better team for the last 25min of the half.

Clint has been active, holding up the ball and distributing. Probably the most comfortable he has looked as lead striker while at the SPuds.

Hmmm. G'morning all. Coffee made, new DOCSIS 3.0 modem running, N900 wireless router humming. I'm ready for some soccer!!!! What's happened so far (ha!)?

Adebayor warming up

Walker just took a chunk out of Gouffran. Proper English.