My thoughts (as I'm viewing this match live on Australian free-to-air TV, via SBS)... Keller hasn't had much to do, except taking the odd cross from the air-- and Phillips' equalizer wasn't at all his fault, seeing that Spurs' defense basically let him in. The replays showed that Phillips was borderline-offside, by the way.
Anderton had missed a gilt-edged chance, and barely, at that, to put Spurs up 3-1, but put the shot wide on 53 minutes, or thereabouts. Doherty forces a big save out of Sorensen, 61st minute. Keller still with little to do; Spurs' defense well-organized. 62nd minute - dangerous free for Sunderland, 25 yards out... only four men in the wall, as designed by Keller, who grabs Phillips' curling free kick headed for the upper corner.
Spurs finally go up 3-1, with Davies finishing off a three-man move on 68 minutes. Poyet with a nice back-heeled nutmeg flick, carving open the defense, with Anderton also involved.
there is something you couldn't have said the past few weeks... of course this is sunderland we are talking about.
4-1, Spurs-- Sheringham with his 300th goal in English soccer, a free header off a corner, in the 84th minute. Champagne football by Spurs today, they could have won by an even wider margin, and Sunderland look like they're still in big trouble.
Good point-- even Phillips' goal had a bit of flukiness to it, such was the quality of Spurs' defensive play today, and a lot of that has to be credited to Keller's ability to organize the defenders in front of him. 4-1, Tottenham, full time.
Re: Re: Keller: Tottenham vs. Sunderland, 2/8 (R) What are you talking about? Sunderland have hit the back of the net 5 times in their last 2 league matches!
Can I get a confirmation of this? I concerned that babytiger may have been drunk during the game - no possible way Spurs defence could have been well organized.
Nah, I was drunk in the afternoon, after I BBQ'd lunch for me and my wife... got blasted on Aussie beer and blueberry vodka cruisers. But I was well sober at kickoff time, which was 2 a.m. Sunday morning here locally. I had plenty of time to recover, after all. Spurs' defense looked very well organized, and credit to Kasey for that. His organizational skills have always been on of his strengths, and Spurs' shape in the back looked really good. As I said, Keller hardly had to do anything other than setting up his defenders and picking the odd cross out of the air. I can't remember him making any difficult saves-- or many saves at all, for that matter.
I think we are getting a little carried away with Keller's performance this weekend. As much of a Keller-fan as I have always been, I have to give due credit to Dean Richard's return to the line-up. He has been sorely missed for several games, and is a welcome return to the lineup.
That's a good point, Andy. Richards is a rock in the back, and his return certainly makes Keller's job and his responsibilities a lot easier. After all, if the defense is well organized and limits the chances the opposition has, that makes the 'keeper's job a whole lot easier, and I do think Keller does deserve a fair bit of credit for that.
Definitely not trying to take anything away from Keller. Poor guy has been stranded on several occassions this season.
He has indeed, and it's good to see the defenders in front of him playing better, just on general principle.