Spurs fight back to steer themselves through to the UEFA Cup knock-outs, while City put on another dismal showing but go through as group leaders, despite falling to another defeat…
Down at the Lane Harry was forced into a whole host of changes with Pavlyuchenko and Corluka ineligible, Jenas, King and Woodgate nursing injuries and Bent laid low with tonsillitis. Elsewhere, Lennon and Assou-Ekotto were due a rest and dropped to the bench. That all meant starts for Gunter and Gilberto in the full-back positons, while Zokora partnered Dawson in the centre of defence. Hulddlestone, O’Hara and Bale came into the midfield with Bentley. Modric played behind Campbell – the ineffective lone striker on the night.
Spartak needed to win the game to stand any chance of progressing and by half-time it looked good for them. Spurs started well but got caught on the break on two occasions and went in 2-0 down. Had NEC beaten Udinese by two clear goals, Spurs would have been dumped out. As it was, Redknapp’s side fought back to make the outcome of that match academic.
It was the introduction of Lennon for the hapless (hopeless?) Gilberto which sparked the revival. The winger has been in outstanding form of late and his arrival produced a first senior goal for Modric in Spurs colours. Bale then provided the cross for Hulddlestone to head home an equaliser.
Redknapp will make changes for the weekend trip to Newcastle. He will hope and pray to have both Woodgate and King available to him, given the ponderous display from the Zokora/Dawson pairing here. Lennon, Pavlyuchenko and Corluka wil be certain starters, while Assou-Ekotto will expect a recall. O’Hara could keep his place in midfield with Jenas sidelined.
While Spurs dragged themselves back into their tie, Man City struggled to muster any kind of performance in Spain against Santander. The home side needed a win to progress, while City were already safely through. The difference in motivation was evident as Hughes’ side were nothing short of dreadful again.
The City boss made numerous changes although it was still a strong lineup that took the field. Schmeicel come in for Hart in goal, Ben-Haim replaced Dunne in defence, while Garrido earned a recall at left-back. Fernandes returned form injury to replace Kompany in midfield and Ched Evans earned a start up front. Hamann also featured in midfield with Elano and Vassell, leaving Ireland on the bench. Robinho started just off the striker, with Wright-Phillips rested.
Defensively, City looked lost yet again – although the absence of Dunne didn’t help. The midfield never got hold of the game and Robinho, a surprise selection given his recent ankle injury, was largely anonymous – not for the first time away from Eastland -he was eventually replaced by Ireland at half-time and it was later revealed that he had suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury that kept him out a fortnight ago. Despite the 3-1 defeat though, City topped their group thanks to results elsewhere.
There will be changes for the trip to the Hawthorns but West Brom will surely fancy their chances after what they saw here. Ireland, Dunne and Kompany should start and Ball could return for Garrido at left back. Up front it’s anyone’s guess who Hughes turns to with Jo out of form, Benjani out and Sturridge still struggling for fitness. Evans could well earn another opportunity. Robinho was later revealed as a major doubt for the weekend as a result of picking up a further ankle injury in tonight’s game.