Just Three Points Behind The Geordies!

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 BORO

BORO, today, maintained their three point gap just behind local rivals Newcastle and moved ahead of the Mackems after griding out an unexpected point away at Spurs, who unquestionably had defender Michael Dawson to thank for repeatedly denying a comfortable BORO win.

Spurs seized the game from the kick-off and always looked like bagging an early goal, something that Gareth Southgate will be hoping to stamp out of BORO's routine having conceded inside the first 10 minutes of the last two games in a row.

Dimitar Berbatov set the game alight and looked like causing problems for David Wheater and Emanuel Pogaetez in BORO's deffence, but his early efforts were thwarted and it was left for Jermiane Jenas to make a real threat to the BORO goal as his darting run had Schwarzer racing off of his goal line.

But Berbatov's trickery payed off just before the half hour mark as he found himself with back to goal at the left hand edge of the BORO box; he cleverly dragged back the ball and flicked it across goal to Aaron Lennon at the back post whose volley seemed, like Rooney's effort last week, destined for Mark Schwarzer but for a horrid deflection off the knee of Jonathan Grounds and into the net.

The game was an end-to-end affair and both sides looked to take chances but lacked real quality in the final third, with Spurs just edging it in the first half.

BORO came out with the determination to get an equaliser in the second half and the game really opened up. An early corner for BORO almost paved the way to a goal as Downing swung in from the right and found the giant David Wheater, his perfectly timed header was goal-bound until it was cleared off the line by Lennon.

Spurs really lost their vigour in the second half, but Berbatov should have made it 2-0 after a drifted cross from the right missed an off-form Robbie Keane and fell to his feet, the Bulgarian controlled well and lashed at goal when the ball deflected off Emanuel Pogatetz's arm, at close range, and onto the post. Schwarzer was rooted and Berbatov gutted not to be awarded a penalty for a hand ball decision that would have been extremely harsh if given.

Much was made about how Jonathan Woodgate's contribution would effect his former team's chances today, but it was Michael Dawson who was the real hero for Spurs as he went about his deffensive duties like a one man wall; throwing himself at every BORO attack to deny Alves, who might have had a hat-trick if it weren't for Dawson's tireless enthusiasm.

After replacing Malbranque, Spurs lost their width whilst Berbatov and Keane became almost redundant as they faded out of the action.

On the 69th minute BORO's golden boy Stewart Downing showed why he is number one after cutting in from the left, onto his weaker right foot he leathered a 30-yard effort towards goal and with a slight deflection from the head of Jermaine Jenas the ball found the far corner of Cerny's goal.

Juande Ramos turned desperate to take three points as he went 4-3-3, replacing Lennon with Darren Bent, but BORO seemed the likelier to score as Southgate introduced Adam Johnson, Rochemback and Tuncay and instantly saw his team take control with some calm and thoughtful passing moves.

But it was a long, down-field punt that almost gave BORO a second; as Alves got goal side of Dawson to latch onto Adam Johnson's clearance and slid his effort past the on-rushing Cerny only to see the ball roll agonisingly wide of the post.

BORO had a late panic when a late Spurs free-kick seemed to somehow catch Schwarzer wrong-footed as he spilled the effort but was quick enough to pounce on the ball before Keane.

Attendace: 36, 092
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Stewart Downing

BORO Rant

Lacking real class in the final third BORO showed their desperate need to bring in some proven attacking quality in the summer, but if Alves keeps improving he'll be a top player for us and if we can get Mido back and fresh for next season then we only need to get shot of Dong Gook Lee and bring in someone who can hold up the ball in the attacking areas of the field. We're looking solid in central deffence with Poggy and Wheats but really we could do with a decent left back, neither Taylor nor Grounds are premiership standard (for me) and we could do with another experienced centre back to add competition because Huth seems to have been a waste of money with his lack of appearances through injury. Despite a decent season, I think Rochemback's time is up and should make way for someone who is going to get forward and get the goals, we shouldn't be having so much pressure on Stewie Downing; top scorer and supplier, his performances will only benefit from another midfield goalscorer to take the work-load off of him a little. Oh, and for goodness sake if Schwarzer is dicking around with his contract talks then forget him, he's 35 and will only take a contract if it lasts till the next world cup!? Let him go and bring in someone who is going to move for the ball, if you look at many of the goals conceded by Schwarzer this season, he is rooted to the spot and doesn't even attempt to save them. He has undoubtedly been a quality keeper and one of the best in the league for a long time, but his time is running out, I only hope that Southgate doesn't let him go and think that Ross Turnbull or Brad Jones are able replacements; they are sub goalies at best, in this league.

Photos courtesy of BBC Sport (news.bbc.co.uk/sport)