Premier League - Spurs climb out of drop zone

Eurosport - Mon, 24 Nov 08:42:00 2008

Tottenham clambered out of the Premier League relegation zone after an early Roman Pavlyuchenko strike sealed a 1-0 win against Blackburn at White Hart Lane.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League - Spurs players celebrate after Roman Pavlyuchenko's winner against Blackburn - 0

Aaron Lennon was the undoubted man of the match after running Blackburn, and in particular Martin Olsson, ragged all afternoon.

The diminutive winger caught Olsson napping before laying the ball off for Pavlyuchenko's ninth-minute winner, which Blackburn never looked like cancelling out.

Harry Redknapp caused much furore by deploying the strike partnership of Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent - a combination which former coach Gus Poyet insisted could not function effectively - and the pair repaid his faith in abundance.

Lennon compounded Paul Ince's side's woes as he repeatedly skipped past Olsson before the full-back was finally dismissed by referee Howard Webb for two bookable offences.

David Bentley also got in on the act from the left, curling a delightful delivery on to the head of the Russian striker, whose attempt struck Paul Robinson's near post.

Much of the pre-match scrutiny was on Spurs' much-maligned keeper Heurelho Gomes. His afternoon was only spoiled through having to endure ironic cheers from the home fans every time he touched the ball.

However that did not happen often, as Blackburn failed to create clear-cut chances to test the Brazilian shot-stopper: Benni McCarthy stabbing a shot narrowly over the bar in the first half and Roque Santa Cruz missing in similar fashion in the second were isolated incidents.

Jermaine Jenas was industrious in the Spurs midfield, his powerful running complementing the pace and guile of Lennon and the precise passing of Bentley.

Ince, however, will have been dismayed at his side's lack of creativity and conviction.

While Redknapp's side have completed their escape from the bottom three, Blackburn drop to 19th spot and are now without a win in their last six games.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport

Comment 28 - 47 of 47

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  1. stuie_6 - Tottennham were the first team to win the double in the 20th century... but it had been done twice before in 1889 (PNE) and 1897 (Aston Villa)

    From oyster250, on Mon 24 Nov 5:30PM

  2. interesting comments, Stevenwclow otherwise known as Not-so-Nostradamus. Isn't it time for your afternoon nap at kindegarten?

    From oyster250, on Mon 24 Nov 5:25PM

  3. I hate to rain on your parade stuie_6,They are not the first English team to win the double.You have to look further north

    From Nick P, on Mon 24 Nov 5:05PM

  4. Good on yer aitch a true Londoner and a brilliant motivator. Ask the Pompey fans what they thought you were like when you were there.

    From john b, on Mon 24 Nov 12:08PM

  5. Colinwilliammitchel, great at being the first english team to win a european title also great at winning the f.a.cup and league double before any other english team.

    From john b, on Mon 24 Nov 12:00PM

  6. stevenwclow, should not the letter N in ure non-d-plume be taken from where it is and put on the end where it should belong.

    From john b, on Mon 24 Nov 11:46AM

  7. I was pleased to see Paul Robinson get a good reception and start to look confident again. Shame we can't have Lennon and Bentley on the right!

    From tedbarby, on Mon 24 Nov 10:01AM

  8. to 27......No, he's not the Messiah........He's a very naughty boy.

    From nick, on Mon 24 Nov 9:57AM

  9. i think harry houdinie is working his magic abit like at pompey who won da fa cup watch were win carling cup 4 sure

    That's right Gillam 85 - Aim real high - DORK!!!

    From H C, on Mon 24 Nov 8:55AM

  10. Here we go again. An average team win a few games and suddenly they are going to the Champions League, and the top 4 are finished. What a laugh. Remember Man City last year? Wake up spurs fans

    From walkingsex1, on Mon 24 Nov 8:46AM

  11. Could it be everyone is scared now that we are coming back to form. We beat Liverpool twice this season and none of the top 5 have managed to beat us and i dont think they will. COME ON YOU SPURS!

    From Calv, on Mon 24 Nov 8:29AM

  12. Well done boys,keep it up!!
    Harry make sure Jenas stays awake, he must cut out those lazy passes he makes in midfield giving the ball up so cheaply!!

    From Wayne, on Mon 24 Nov 8:05AM

  13. stevenwclow shut up you div

    From alan, on Mon 24 Nov 7:51AM

  14. SPURS WILL BE RELEGATED AND GOING TO THE 2 DIVISION AND NOT EVEN GOING TO CARLING CUP AND FA CUP

    From stevenl, on Mon 24 Nov 7:43AM

  15. I have ben a Spurs surporter for over 40 years, and I would like to say thank Harry Rednapp, but I think you should consider getting a new goalkeeper.

    From Brian, on Mon 24 Nov 7:36AM

  16. Bentley for captain!

    From Guang Yan, on Mon 24 Nov 6:04AM

  17. Spurs are gaining confidence. Message to ALL EPL teams WATCH OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From starman_123, on Mon 24 Nov 4:02AM

  18. yeah!!
    spurs beat blackburn...
    i love u pavlyuchenko..
    superb finish by him...

    From arif_isateenagerboy2625, on Mon 24 Nov 3:44AM

  19. Hope 'Arry does not over do it in his first year in charge at Spurs but it would be funny if WHUFC & Spurs won qualification into the CL next year :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Mon 24 Nov 1:35AM

  20. HARRY IS NOT THE MESSIAH!!! HES A VERY NAUGHTY BOY ;)

    From Jamie, on Mon 24 Nov 1:10AM
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