12/17, Keller: Carling Cup, Tottenham H. v Middlesbrough {R}

Kasey apt to start in this quarterfinal-round knockout tie in the Carling Cup. And looking to aid his team in doing a much better job than in the 4-0 Premiership defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.

Spurs got into a last-eight position with a 3-1 home win over Manchester City in the fourth round, following up a 1-0 extra-time win over West Ham and a 3-0 away win against Coventry City in the rounds before that.

Middlesbrough have arrived at this stage by beating Everton on PK's in the last round, preceded by wins over Wigan 2-1 away and Brighton 1-0 AET in the previous rounds.

Kickoff is at 11:45 a.m. PT/2:45 p.m. ET (6:45 a.m. Melbourne time for me here).

No TV coverage that I'm aware of, either in the USA or here in Australia; hoping that any of our European-based posters can aid us in any visual PbP duties.

Same old song-and-dance with regard to the webcasts-- both Spurs' and Boro's sites offer streaming audio webcasts via annual pay-subscription packages, but The BBC's Radio Five and CapitalGold have proven to be a bit hit-or-miss with their straming webcast coverage in Carling Cup matches so far this season-- sometimes they don't block a game after kickoff, sometimes they do. Worth a shot, nonetheless.

All the usual text update sources-- Soccernet, sportinglife.com, the BBC, and others-- should provide minute-by-minute updates.

News roundup-- as brief as it might be-- coming right up...

 

* * *I'm William, and this is the news* * *

• [*]Keller alarm at Spurs' search for new 'keeper -- ThisIsLondon.com
  Pinched this from the Tottenham forum, thought it would be appropo to discuss here
  
  [*]Match preview -- sportinglife.com
  
  [*]Spurs stars held post-drubbing meeting -- sportinglife.com
  And their defenders, in particular...
  
  [*]Pleat won't rush back injured stars -- sportinglife.com
  
  [*]King prepared to play the waiting game -- sportinglife.com
  
  [*]Match preview -- Soccernet
  
  [*]Konchesky spared "horrible" return -- Soccernet
  
  [*]McClaren urges Cup perspective -- Soccernet
  Mentions some stats about Boro's recent defensive trends... maybe a worrying factor for Spurs?
  
  [*](Rohan) Ricketts signs new Spurs deal -- skysports.com
  
  [*]Pleat ready to splash cash -- skysports.com
  
  [*]McClaren: (Michael) Ricketts is the key -- skysports.com
  
  [*]Match preview -- The BBC
  
  [*]Match preview -- 4thegame.com
  
  [*]Pleat's call to fans -- Spurs' official site, spurs.co.uk

 

Kasey starts.

Lineups per sportinglife.com...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
13. Kasey Keller
2. Steve Carr
3. Mauricio Taricco
30. Anthony Gardner
36. Dean Richards
7. Darren Anderton
16. Paul Konchesky
26. Ledley King
27. Rohan Ricketts
9. Frederic Kanoute
10. Robbie Keane

Subs
24. Robert Burch (GK)
8. Helder Postiga
12. Gary Doherty
11. Stephane Dalmat
14. Gustavo Poyet

MIDDLESBROUGH
1. Mark Schwarzer
15. Danny Mills
3. Franck Queudrue
28. Colin Cooper
6. Gareth Southgate
7. George Boateng
10. Juninho
27. Boudewijn Zenden
14. Gaizka Mendieta
17. Michael Ricketts
9. Massimo Maccarone

Subs
35. Bradley Jones (GK)
24. Andrew Davies
5. Chris Riggott
8. Szilard Nemeth
19. Stewart Downing

 

So much for Boro's fantastic defensive record of late... the early goal breaks that down, as long as Spurs can keep their shape in front of Keller for 88 minutes.

Details on the goal, from sportinglife.com's tracker...

Goal by Darren Anderton (Tottenham) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of penalty area (18 yards).Tottenham 1-0 Middlesbrough. Assist (cross) by Steve Carr (Tottenham) from right channel.

 

I'll try and fill in with the text updates that I have, in the meantime.

Halftime, 1-0 to Spurs, on the second-minute goal to Darren Anderton.

Keller hasn't been forced into any saves yet, and has just been responsible for distribution and organising his defence.

Boro have had chances and half-chances, five shots in all so far, but all their shots have been off-target.

 

Second half starts, with a couple of subs due to injuries...

Tottenham -- Doherty for Richards

Middlesbrough -- Downing for Maccarone

No cards dished out in the first half as well.

 

Keller forced into his first save...

50th min. -- Cross by Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough), header by Michael Ricketts (Middlesbrough) from left channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Kasey Keller (Tottenham).

 

Once it's back up and floing well, let me know. Would rather rely on someone with a more accurate description than the text updates I've got here.