Spurs put on another classy European show as Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon take up Gareth Bales’ role of chief destroyer to dispose of Werder Bremen. Over in Glasgow meanwhile, United come out on top against Rangers – Wayne Rooney returning to scoring ways with a late penalty. Here’s the notes on last night’s events…
Harry Redknapp left Rafael Van der Vaart out of his lineup, forcing a switch to 4-4-2 with Peter Crouch coming into the side alongside Roman Pavlyuchenko. Van der Vaart was nursing knocks to both shin and ankle following the victory at Arsenal, with some reports suggesting that the Dutchman would have played had the tie been a decisive affair. Redknapp however, indicated that his playmaker was far from close to be fit, hinting that he could be a doubt for the weekend clash with Liverpool at the Lane..
“Van der Vaart wasn’t close to being available. He went for a scan and then knew he wouldn’t be available.”
Spurs also lost Jermaine Jenas to a calf injury after 19 minutes last night and he will go into the weekend clash with Liverpool as a major doubt. Wilson Palacios came off the bench to replace him and would seem set to earn a start against Roy Hodgson’s side as a result.
Jermain Defoe came off the bench to replace Pavlyuchenko on the hour mark and looked sharp enough to indicate that he could go into the starting lineup at the weekend. Much will depend on the fitness of Van der Vaart however. Ironically, Tottenham’s two best performers in the 3-0 win were Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon. The latter outshone Gareth Bale on the flanks, providing assists for two of the goals with some effervescent wing play. Modric meanwhile scored a very “Rafa-like” goal, feeding off a Peter Crouch knock-down to turn his man and slot home smartly.
Should Van der Vaart be fit, you would expect Redknapp to bring him in on the right-flank, with Defoe paired with Crouch and Lennon dropping to the bench. The performance of Lennon on the night however, will give the Spurs boss plenty to think about ahead of the visit of Liverpool.
Redknapp will now take his side to Holland to face FC Twente on December 7 with the chance to top the group if they can match Inter Milan’s scoreline against the Dutch. Spurs travel to Birmingham prior to that tie in Gameweek 16 and it will be interesting to see if the Spurs boss rests or rotates for that league encounter.
Man United were far less convincing in Glasgow but Wayne Rooney’s calmly taken spot-kick proved enough for Alex Ferguson’s side to seal their progress.
Ferguson started with a make-shift back four, resting the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrcice Evra and Rafael. Further up the field however there were big gun involved as Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov were paired in attack. Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs, returning from injury, were included in an experienced midfield.
The performance of Rooney will come under the greatest scrutiny from a Fantasy Manager’s perspective. The striker looked lively enough, showing no signs of being troubled by his recent ankle injury. Sharpenss is still understandably lacking however, as acknowledged by Ferguson in his post-match comments.…
“It wasn’t the easiest night for him having missed couple of chances. There’s still some rustiness in his game. He needs matches and he’ll get them as we try to get him to his level. But this a good start for him.”
Rooney himself was suitably pleased with his late winner and expressed his desire to return to scoring ways…
“Obviously it is a bit of a relief for me to score. Hopefully I can build on this now, I hope I can go on a goalscoring run.”
Rooney would seem a certain starter against Blackburn this weekend as Ferguson looks to give him more pitch time. The first choice back four will surely be restored with Rafael again likely to seal the start at right-back. Giggs and Scholes could all end up benched having started this game as Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park return to the reckoning.
