Double Bubble

Spurs made a welcome return to White Hart Lane, and a welcome return to the style of football I love, with a 3-1 win over fellow Londoners QPR. After the nervy and discordant display at Blackburn Rovers the week before, it was markedly better game that had Bale finally on the score sheet this season, and our seventh undefeated game in a row.

As per usual, Spurs started very strongly, and but for the fine goalkeeping display from QPR's Paddy Kenny, we could have been at least 2-nil up within the first 10 minutes, with both VdV & Adebayor going close. It was clear that the result was never going to be in any doubt, and Tottenham didn't have too long to wait before we went ahead. Adebayor linked nicely with Van der Vaart on the right, who fed a clever ball in-field to Lennon, who easily picked out the unmarked Bale coming in from the left, who lashed the ball into the back of the net.

Bale very nearly scored a second a minute later from a well executed run & cut-back from BAE, but ended up putting it over the bar. Our second goal had a certain element of luck associated with it as Leadley Kings wild off-target shot landed right at the feet of an onside Van der Vaart, who easily slotted past the helpless keeper, for his fifth goal in as many games.

As is the Tottenham way, instead of nailing our advantage and scoring a hatful of goals, the Spurs team gave out a collective sigh, as if to say, "well that's it, we have done enough", and proceeded to take their foot off the gas. This was not helped by QPR's manager Warnock shuffling his pack at half time and adding a bit more steel to his attack by adding the extra man up front, and consequently applying more pressure on the Spurs Defence. This paid dividends 15 minutes into the second half when new boy Bothroyd easily nodded-in a corner in front of a static defence and a Goalkeeper that didn't do more than flap at the ball. Disappointing.

If we had continued to play the way we did after Blackburn scored last week, I could see QPR getting back in to this game. I think the the difference this weekend was that Spurs were playing in front of a home crowd, and instead of letting our heads-drop, the team upped their tempo and started playing with some intensity again. VdV had a couple more chances before an excellent move, again involing VdV, Lennon & Bale culminated in an excellently dispatched side foot into the top corner. The relief was palpable, and at 3-1 I could now start to enjoy the game again, which was made more enjoyable as I had a bet on a Spurs win and more than 4 goals... Double bubble...

Even though QPR are firmly rooted in the lower half of the league, this was a good game for Spurs that helped to highlight some of the progress we have made since the poor start against the Manc's. It was good to see Bale starting to recapture some of his mojo, and Lennon being involved in most of what was good about the game. Even though he didn't score, Adebayor also played well enough for a mention as did Parker & Walker. What was most pleasing to see was the all-round teamwork exhibited by all the Spurs players, that bodes well for the rest of the season.

My Player Ratings are: -

• Friedel - 7.0 - Maybe could have done more to stop the goal, but not bad overall.
• Bale - 8.5 - The Welsh Monkey God's best performance this season. More Please...
• Kaboul - 7.5 - Good performance, works well with Leadley
• King - 7.5 - Accomplished performance from our irregular hero
• Walker - 7.0 - Not as much influence on this game as previous games, but still strong
• Assou-Ekotto - 6.5 - Bit of a mismatch marking Bothroyd at the corner, but solid otherwise
• Lennon - 8.0 - Looked good coming in off the wing for both of Bales goals. Sweet....
• Parker - 8.0 - Central pivot around which a strong team performance was delivered
• Sandro - 6.0 - Always good to see our Brazilian 'Destroyer', even if it was for only a few minutes
• Van der Vaart - 8.0 - Great Goal and a full 90 minutes, who would have guessed...?
• Modric - 7.5 - Nothing too flashy this week just a solid game for the team
• Adebayor -7.5 - Should have scored, but on balance contributed more than he missed