It is no coincidence that Arsenal's decline began with Dein's departure from the club. He also had a lot of influence behind the scenes at the PL and not surprisingly, Arsenal always seemed to mysteriously get the first and last game of the season at home and agaist weak opposition.
today … Spurs secured a place in the Champions League final with 3 second half goals courtesy of Lucas Moura v Ajax in Amsterdam. Ajax 2-3 Spurs 8 May, 2019
38 years ago today … Spurs met Manchester City at Wembley for what would be the 100th FA Cup final. Despite all the hoopla and pageantry of the big occasion, the game itself fell flat, with City doggedly controlling midfield and Spurs unable to get into stride. The lethal striking partnership of Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks was starved for service, and Tommy Hutchinson's first half goal for City looked like standing up. Gaffer Keith Burkinshaw removed the ineffective Ricky Villa with around 10 minutes remaining, whose despondency saw him head toward the locker room, rather than the bench, where decorum at the time dictated. It is thereby doubtful that he saw the equalizer, a deflected Hoddle freekick credited as an own-goal for the same Tommy Hutchinson, that would send the tie to a replay. It was shortly after the final whistle that Burkinshaw instructed the downcast Villa to get his head straight, as he intended to utilize him in the replay. Spurs 1-1 Manchester City 9 May, 1981
21 years ago today … Having secured safety the week prior, Spurs kicked off the last match of the season with settled nerves against Southampton at the Lane. Klinsmann signed off his second spell at the Lane with a scorcher to nullify Matt le Tissier's opener. But more significant than being Klinsy's final game was the fact that this appearance, coming off the bench with 10 minutes to go, would be charter Thread-of-Fame member Gary Mabbutt's last for Tottenham Hotspur. His reception from the crowd was rapturous, and would be repeated during the post-match lap of honour taken around the Lane. Legend. Spurs 1-1 Southampton 10 May, 1998
26 years ago today … Spurs hammered Arsenal 1-3 at Highbury in the final League fixture of the season. One from Teddy Sheringham and a brace from John Hendry saw Spurs leapfrog the neighbors and finish 8th to their 10th. Admittedly, 11 May hasn't been a particularly eventful date for Spurs … but winning an NLD away is always worth a mention. Arsenal 1-3 Spurs 11 May, 1993
38 years ago today … Keith Burkinshaw, true to his word, included Ricky Villa in the lineup for the replay for the FA Cup final. There had been plenty who argued against it, not only for his poor play in the final, but for the 'disrespectful' display when he'd been subbed off. But they'd been proved wrong within six minutes, as, following some brilliant buildup and shots from Ardiles (from around 1:18 in the video) and Archibald, it was Villa who pounced and gave Spurs the early lead. The lead wouldn't last long, though, as Steve Mackenzie leveled with a volley (from 2:20) that would've been talked about for yonks if it weren't for what was to come. Things stayed level until early in the second half when Chris Hughton's late arrival (from 4:00) brought down David Bennett in the box and Kevin Reeves gave City the lead from the spot. City had led for about 20 minutes when Glenn Hoddle (from around 5:55) played a cheeky ball over the defense for Steve Archibald to run on to. As the Scotsman brought it down and into shooting position, though, strike partner Garth Crooks stuck a boot in to guide it past an onrushing Joe Corrigan and level for Spurs. All of this merely set the stage for what was to come. You've all seen it before (in post #31 if not a zillion times before), but take a moment (from 6:44) to recognize Tony Galvin's long run up the left to set the great goal into motion … then just savour. Spurs 3-2 Manchester City 14 May, 1981
Apologies if you were referring to the Eddie Bailey testimonial at Enfield in '93, Lex, but I'm thinking the Cup final replay just edged it.
Villa's 2nd goal reminds me of how Modric used to tear apart midfields and how Son now tears apart defenders, both with unyielding possession in tight space.
In addition to the massively under-appreciated Eddie Baily Testimonial, two years ago on this day, Victor Wanyama & Harry Kane scored the last two Spurs goals at White Hart Lane (Wayne Rooney scored the final goal), to help Spurs defeat Manchester United 2-1 in WHL's final Premier League match. If you have ~47 minutes to spare, this is a fantastic video in honor of WHL. (It can't be watched with dry eyes.)
excellent insertion, Lex. rep and thanks. the old book I've been using for these only runs through around '98. whenever there's nothing in it of particular note for 'today's date', I'll pop on to topspurs.com and check the scores on those dates over the last 20 years, or so, to see if there's something worth including. in this case, I knew I'd be putting up the replay, as I'd kinda set the table for it last week, so I didn't check the more recent stuff. I should have. great post.
56 years ago today … Rumor has it that Bill Nicholson was pessimistic as Spurs entered their first European final against holders Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam. Dave Mackay had been ruled out with injury and Danny Blanchflower was crocked. Plus a harsh winter had caused a fixture pile-up that would make this Spurs' tenth game in 34 days. The manager's pre-match talk had made Atletico sound invincible until the captain - Blanchflower, who'd been selected despite his knock - reminded the group that Spurs were even better. So it was a confident team that took to the field and quickly showed their stuff. An early goal from Jimmy Greaves set the tone and when John White added a second in the 35th, Spurs looked like winners. But Atletico came out firing early in the second half, and had pulled one back inside of three minutes when Ron Henry handled on the line and Enrique Collar converted the penalty. The holders were on top and definitely in the game when their keeper let in the softest of goals from a Terry Dyson floater to settle the nerves for Tottenham. Another goal from Greaves and a late Dyson scorcher made the scoreline 5-1 as Spurs became the first British team to win a European tournament. Tottenham 5-1 Atletico Madrid 15 May, 1963
My favourite Motty gaffe was the famous "For those of you watching on black and white television, Spurs are in the yellow..."
Sadly neglected by the history books is our campaign the following year in the European Cup Winner's Cup Winner's Cup.
32 years ago today … This one's too painful to write about. The '86-87 team was probably my favorite Spurs team ever, and certainly among the best. That we came up with nothing in the end was a bitter pill to swallow - particularly as we were such heavy favorites going into that's year's FA Cup final. Clive Allen gave us the perfect start, and … as I said, it's too painful. Just watch … It's funny how much the Redknapp teams with Modric, Bale, and Van der Vaart reminded me of '87 (even though they never got to a final). They were simply too good to win nothing … but that's exactly what they won. Chrissy Waddle … [sigh] … Coventry City 3-2 (aet) Spurs 16 May, 1987