UEFA Cup, Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham

Sevilla recover to snatch win!

Robbie Keane netted a priceless away goal but Spurs still face a tough task to reach the Uefa Cup semi-finals after Sevilla hit back for a hard-fought win.

Spurs began the match in perfect fashion when Keane put them in front less than two minutes into the match tapping in at the second attempt after working himself into acres of space inside the box. But Sevilla got themselves right back into the match when former Spurs man Kanoute converted a controversial penalty and took the lead 15 minutes later as poor defending allowed Kerzhakov to direct a header into the back of the net.

With both teams enjoying a reputation for attacking football, there was always a feeling that the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán would be in for an explosive encounter. Few could have predicted how quickly the match would come to life though, Keane latching on to Dimitar Berbatov's perfect through-ball to stab past Andrés Palop, after the fit-again goalkeeper had parried the Irishman's initial effort.

Keane's ninth strike in as many games provoked a rousing response from the local fans, who answered coach Juande Ramos's call to support the cause. Their heroes did not take long to draw level either, scoring from their first chance as former Tottenham striker Kanouté calmly side-footed in a penalty after goalkeeper Paul Robinson was adjudged to have fouled Adriano Correia.

Frustrated, Martin Jol's men attempted to wrest back control through Berbatov, who curled a low shot towards the far corner from the edge of the area. Palop saved well, however, and the incredible pace continued when Pascal Chimbonda's strong shoulder barge prevented Kerzhakov from scoring, before Robinson produced a fantastic stop at full stretch from a long-range Jesús Navas piledriver.

As good as that save was, the England No1 was helpless on 36 minutes when the unmarked Kerzhakov headed in after Julien Escudé had nodded the ball dangerously across goal from the left. Michael Dawson then came close at the other end, launching himself at a Jermaine Jenas corner yet directing his header wide.

It seemed unlikely that the two rivals could keep up the same intensity after the break and so it proved, the game becoming more notable for niggling fouls. Maintaining a high line, the Premiership outfit now looked the more adventurous of the pair, and the energetic Keane reminded Sevilla of his presence in the 58th minute with a drive flashed narrowly beyond Palop's far post from wide on the left. That spurred the hosts into action, and Kanouté came close to grabbing a second as he drilled Adriano's low centre just off target soon after.

What had become a stop-start affair briefly livened up when Berbatov broke free down the left, only for his touch to let him down at the crucial moment. Both protagonists increasingly appeared content with the scoreline, though that did not stop Kanouté feeling he had missed a glorious opportunity when he deflected a header past the post from a great position. Tottenham's Didier Zakora and substitute Steed Malbranque both squandered chances to equalise late on, suggesting Jol's team must work on their finishing before next week.

Sevilla: Palop, Javi Navarro, David (Dragutinovic 68), Daniel, Escude, Renato (Marti 60), Poulsen, Adriano Correia, Kerzhakov, Kanoute, Jesus Navas.
Subs Not Used: Cobeno, Duda, Chevanton, Hinkel, Maresca.

Booked: David.

Goals: Kanoute 19 pen, Kerzhakov 36.

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Chimbonda, Dawson, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon (Malbranque 80), Zokora, Jenas, Tainio (Ghaly 84), Keane, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Mido, Defoe, Taarabt, Ifil.

Booked: Robinson, Tainio, Young-Pyo Lee, Zokora.

Goals: Keane 2.

UEFA Cup Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham goals video:

Premiership, Tottenham 3-1 Watford

Robinson on right end of freak goal as Spurs ease to win

That's why you're number one', roared the home crowd in praise of Paul Robinson, the unlikely scorer of Spurs' second goal. The Watford fans had contested the England goalkeeper's crown, but when Robinson's free-kick flew the length of the pitch, bounced in front of Ben Foster and into the net!!! to put Tottenham two goals ahead after Jermaine Jenas had opened the scoring.

Hossam Ghaly added a third for Totteham before Darius Henderson pulled one back in the last minute for doomed Watford.

But it was Robinson who took centre stage in a match that had been billed as a battle between England's top two keepers. His amazing effort owed more to luck than judgement, but Foster was left to rue a misjudgement that will hardly help his chances of displacing Robinson as his country's first choice stopper.

Robinson was almost certain to start England's forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers after coach Steve McClaren backed him this week, but the manner of the second goal of his career will have ended any lingering doubts.

Tottenham's victory moved them into sixth place and was the ideal preparation for Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea. In contrast, Watford look certain to go down after a defeat that left them 11 points from safety.

With that Chelsea clash in mind, Jol rested Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane.

But Spurs were still able to dominate the first half. Steed Malbranque created the first chance in the 17th minute when he got to the byline and cut a cross back, only for Mido to blast over.

Jenas was back in action after missing three matches with a groin injury and he looked determined to make up for lost time. He was at the heart of all Tottenham's best moments and he worked space for a volley that flashed wide from the edge of the area.

Jenas prompted another chance with a fine pass that picked out Jermain Defoe midway through the half. Defoe tested Foster with a smart snapshot, but the Watford keeper was equal to it.

Watford's only first half chance came from a generous piece of defending by the hosts. Pascal Chimbonda's pass went straight to Tamas Priskin but the Hungarian's shot was blocked for a corner.

Chimbonda got it right a few moments later though when his assist allowed Jenas to break the deadlock in the 41st minute. The French defender's cross picked out Jenas and he buried a header beyond Foster for his fifth goal in seven appearances.

Tottenham, Jenas goal:

Tottenham had won six of their previous seven matches, scoring 23 goals in the process, but they sealed victory here in the most bizarre manner after 63 minutes.

Foster had just saved well from Tom Huddlestone and when Robinson launched a huge clearance from well inside the Tottenham half there seemed to be little danger. But Foster, on loan from Manchester United, couldn't read the bounce and was left to hold his head in shame as the ball looped over him into the net.

Robinson's amazing goal:

Ghaly's fine low strike in the 85th minute rubbed salt into Foster's wounds and Henderson's last minute tap-in was no consolation for the visitors.

Tottenham, Ghaly goal:

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee (Stalteri 80), Ghaly, Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque (Lennon 71), Mido, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Berbatov, Keane.

Goals: Jenas 41, Robinson 63, Ghaly 85.



Watford: Foster, Mariappa, Doyley, Shittu, Powell, Chambers (Kabba 77), Mahon, Williams (Rinaldi 62), Smith, Priskin (Henderson 56), Bouazza.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Williamson.

Goals: Henderson 89.

Chelsea to face Tottenham in FA Cup quarters

Favourites Chelsea will play Tottenham Hotspur in what is likely to be an extremely lively FA Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge next month following the draw made on Monday.
Manchester United will play at either Middlesbrough or second division West Bromwich Albion if they beat Reading in their fifth round replay.
Arsenal will be at home against Manchester City if they beat Blackburn Rovers in their fifth round replay at Ewood Park while Plymouth Argyle, of the second division, will play Premier League strugglers Watford in a repeat of their famous 1984 semi-final which Watford won 1-0. That was Plymouth's only semi-final appearance while Watford went on to the final for the only time where they lost 2-0 to Everton. Chelsea lost to Spurs in the league for the first time in 16 years in their last meeting at White Hart Lane in November and will be desperate to avenge that defeat in the all-London derby on either March 10 or March 11. Chelsea reached the last eight with a 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday - their third successive home victory in this season's competition - while Spurs beat Chelsea's west London neighbours Fulham by the same score on Sunday. The sides have only met eight times in the Cup in the last 97 years, with Spurs beating Chelsea 2-1 in the 1967 Cup final. Chelsea beat Spurs 4-0 in their last FA Cup meeting in a quarter-final tie in 2002.

FA Cup sixth round draw (ties played over weekend of March 10 and 11):
Middlesbrough or West Brom vs. Manchester United or Reading
Arsenal or Blackburn vs. Manchester City
Chelsea vs.Tottenham
Plymouth vs. Watford

Jol planning Spurs dynasty

Martin Jol believes he can emulate Sir Alex Ferguson's success at Manchester United if he is allowed enough time to finish developing his young squad.

For the first time in Jol's two-and-a-half-year reign, serious questions have been raised about his ability to turn Tottenham into consistent challengers for major honours.

A dispiriting run of six league games without a win, combined with a League Cup semi-final exit against Arsenal, has put the Dutchman under pressure to ensure his side advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a win at Fulham on Sunday.

But, while sections of the club's demanding fanbase are growing disenchanted, Jol is not concerned about his job security because he believes his squad's blend of youth and experience is close to blossoming.

All he wants to be given is a chance to reap the rewards in the same way that Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were at United and Arsenal.

"I have no fear about getting sacked," said Jol.

"To be honest I would love to be here in a few years time and do a Ferguson or a Wenger."
"I feel we are capable of doing that. We have got good young players and experienced players."

"We are not as good as I would like yet, not like Arsenal or Liverpool. But I feel it is only a matter of two or three players."

"Last year we changed six or seven players. Then we did the same this year. I feel we are close. It is only a few little pieces."

"Thierry Henry has done unbelievable things at Arsenal and you need players like that."

"We have Adel Taarabt coming from France. He is amazing on the ball, like Zinedine Zidane. In a couple of years he could be one of the best players in the league."

Jol knows the expectations at Spurs mean any slump in form quickly becomes a crisis rather than the blip it might be seen as elsewhere.

But the former uncompromising player for English side West Brom is adamant that pressure only drives him on.

"The only thing I hate is when the supporters are not happy with us," Jol said. "The burden we have got is that everyone is talking about trophies."

"The 1991 team that won the FA Cup with Terry Venables are seen as legends here. They only won three of their last 24 matches, but because they won the Cup people say they are legends."

"There is more pressure because it is Spurs and we are expected to do well. It is a big compliment because clubs like Manchester City and Aston Villa don't have that."
"Everybody expects more of us and I hate not fulfilling their hope and expectation. I want to be successful because it is an addiction."

While Fulham boss Chris Coleman would love to have the transfer budget Jol enjoys, he is well aware that making big money signings can lead to unrealistic expectations.

Coleman said: "Martin has brought in a lot of good young players for a lot of money and that has inevitably raised expectations"

"But the pressure is always on managers if they don't buy the right players.
"From our point of view, we have never had that much money to spend so we have to get it right first time."

"We have to be very methodical in how we go about signing people because we can't afford to make many mistakes".
"I can't just sign a bad player, go back to the chairman and ask for another two million pounds because it doesn't work like that at this club."