Match Report: Spurs 1 Burnley 0 (still all to play for).
It was a fascinating Sunday, not only for football but also for travelling. We got three points out of Burnley – just – while City drew with the Spammers and Everton lost to Brentford in a 3-2 thriller. The big game will be tonight (Monday) when Newcastle face Woolwich at home.
The stupid times they put on these matches make travelling very awkward. I had to leave at 5.45 to get to Mel’s, then a two and a half-hour drive to make sure I get to Tottenham by 9 am (when the doors open). Just imagine if you had to travel from Burnley to Tottenham. It will be either an overnight stay or a very early morning start… probably a 3 am one. Granted, I understand they are targetting the Asian countries… but still… the FA and the TV authorities have no consideration for the English fans.
The match…
Harry Kane’s penalty saw off a Burnley side as we moved above Arsenal into fourth place. We will all be waiting for the Newcastle/ Woolwich game with bated breath. I am sure every Spurs fan and neutral will be a Magpies fan for that game.
Kane’s spot-kick in first-half stoppage time proved enough to give us three vital points in our bid for a top-four spot.
As for Burnley, they fall to 18th and into the relegation zone following Leeds’ draw with Brighton.
Thoughts…
Burnley had to endure some intense (no doubt a wigwam and tepee one) early pressure… but then began to find their way before it swung on to a penalty, awarded on half-time.
That came about when Davinson Sanchez’s attempted to flick on a ball in the Burnley box and then saw the ball brush against Ashley Barnes’ outstretched arm. He turned to the referee, but he initially ignored him.
Referee Kevin Friend (no friend of the clarets) did not spot the incident, and Harry Kane went close to turning in a Ryan Sessegnon pull-back as play continued before VAR jumped in to help us out. Referee Friend consulted his monitor, then pointed to the spot, and Kane made no mistake, shooting into the bottom corner.
After the break, their keeper Nick Pope made two brilliant saves from Son to keep the game in the balance.
We all implored the referee to blow the final whistle as Burnley pumped balls into our box in the closing seconds, and we finally got our wish as we held on for a significant victory.
This last game of the season’s performance brought none of the ecstasies that had greeted our win over Arsenal on Thursday, but we dug in to ensure it got the same result.
We had players with a stomach bug – Hugo Lloris, who played the 90 minutes, plus his deputy Pierluigi Gollini, winger Dejan Kulusevski and midfielder Harry Winks who were all on the bench.
Our bid to finish fourth is still not in our own hands, but we have put the pressure on the Woolwich-Gunners now, with only seven days of the season left to go.
I must say, the way we started the game, it did appear that we would swamp Burnley, who didn’t even manage to touch the ball in our area… that is until the 25th minute.
As for Burnley, they wasted an excellent opportunity to take the lead when Maxwel Cornet ran clear, only to shoot straight at our keeper, but we endured at the back, and our frustration continued to grow – until VAR handed Kane the chance to make the kill.
After the game, we stayed behind and cheered the players, their wives and other Tottenham complimentary staff. Then I made my way down to the Spurs lounge and chatted with the others; finally, Mel and I left at 3am.
The traffic was so bad and slow that I finally arrived at Janette’s home at 8.30 pm (that was after dropping Mel off). It was a long and tiring day.
This morning (Monday), I left Janette’s home to get back to mine but will return tonight to watch the game between Newcastle and Woolwich.
Next important game; Newcastle v Woolwich (tonight/ Monday)… then to the season’s final weekend. That will decide who wins the league, who will finish third and fourth and who will be the third team to get relegated.
COYS!
Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books, Spurs handbooks, Spurs programmes etc.
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
