Rate it!

0 votes

Robbie Keane put the visitors into the lead, pouncing on a rebound at the back post on 34 minutes, though a towering header at the back post from Ivan Campo soon after ensured the spoils were shared.

The result leaves the two sides in the bottom three.

Spurs boss Martin Jol had stated his belief in the pre-match build-up that the influx of new players over the summer had contributed to his side's poor start to the season, and duly left all of his summer signings out of the starting line-up.

Centre back Michael Dawson was a relieved man when he saw a mis-hit clearance flash over the bar early on, while his opposite number Abdoulaye Meite was forced into a fine block from a Dimitar Berbatov volley moments later.

The Bulgarian was the first player to test either 'keeper when he struck an acrobatic volley at the back post on 26 minutes, though Jussi Jaaskelainen was alive to the danger.

The home fans were then out of their seat on the half-hour mark as Nicolas Anelka almost seized on an error from Ricardo Rocha, though the big Portuguese recovered well to make a fine challenge on Anelka as he bore down on Paul Robinson.

Robbie Keane's opener on 34 minutes gave hope that the game would come to life, though incisive passages of play were few and far between, with Bolton's goal coming by way of a set piece, albeit impressively executed.

With Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon's pace on the flanks clearly being missed, Spurs struggled on their ventures into the Bolton half, and a low Teemu Tainio drive that Jaaskelainen tipped round the near post was the best they had to show for their dominance in possession.

Kevin Davies' physical presence caused problems among the Tottenham defence, though Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf were uncharacteristically quiet, perhaps starved of quality service.

Steed Malbranque and Jenas combined beautifully in the dying minutes to set up Keane for what would doubtless have been the winner, though the Irishman saw his left foot shot parried away by Jaaskelainen.

Eurosport