Move Run Sports

Another game at St James Park against a Spurs side who have had a pretty good start to the season as well. Also a team we always play well against at home, usually producing some very good matches, this one was no different really. The first half we saw some good play, but lack of shots on goal by either side looked like the score was going to be 0-0 at half time.

But that was not the case when Steven Taylor brought down Emmanuel Adebayor in the box to see Spurs awarded a penalty. Obviously in the stands the fans were not happy with the decision but after a second viewing at half time people admitted it was a pen. Taylor didn’t get near the ball – he didn’t have to make the challenge though as the striker was heading away from the goal.

The second half, we really looked up for it and meant business pulling the score back to 1-1 when Demba Ba popped up and scored again. Great run of goal-scoring form for the striker at the moment, which we would have never thought possible after his first few appearances for the club!

For then on we looked more comfortable with the ball, Cheik Tiote had to be the most impressive player on the pitch. The man is back after a slow start (by his standards) to the season. He really has to be our most important player, also hasn’t picked up as many cards as this time last season as well. Which is a massive plus!

When a team has a striker with Defoe’s finishing ability on the bench it is always going to be a nervous time when he comes onto the pitch. Which was rightly so when he scored with his third touch (or something like that). A good turn and finish which didn’t give Krul a chance!

But it wasn’t all over yet and up stepped Shola Ameobi to really show what he can do . . . well in one moment, the turn, the shot, the goal . . . to make it 2-2. It really was such a fantastic goal, mainly because it came from pretty much nothing and was in the back of the net so quickly after the turn. But why can’t he do this all the time? When he comes off the bench he looks so lazy and unfit, hardly making an effort to run or win the ball. Then he gets the ball and scores a truly brilliant goal. The now 30-year-old striker has always and will always be frustrating. But he helped us get a point on Sunday!

After we got the equalizer it really did look like we could have nicked a win, after a lot of possession and a kind of goal mouth scramble which wasn’t really meant to be. A draw was a fair result in what was a good game from both teams. Great to see Hatem Ben Arfa come off the bench again, surely he is not too far from a start! Also first appearance for the first team for Davide Santon!