Eagles Of Death Metal – Chase The Devil
Nothing like a good “North London derby” to fill my lazy Wednesday. Forget the tactical mind games of the Champion’s League, both teams need the win, not only for personal glory (as in any derby worthy of such a name), but also for the three points. Arsenal needs to believe in the title race and overtake Manchester United, Tottenham wants the fourth place and a good position before facing the Citizens. Both teams are flooded with injuries, both teams hate each other, great.
Nothing like a good “North London derby” to fill my lazy Wednesday. Forget the tactical mind games of the Champion’s League, both teams need the win, not only for personal glory (as in any derby worthy of such a name), but also for the three points. Arsenal needs to believe in the title race and overtake Manchester United, Tottenham wants the fourth place and a good position before facing the Citizens. Both teams are flooded with injuries, both teams hate each other, great.
Tottenham: Gomes – Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou Ekotto – Rose, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale – Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.
Arsenal: Almunia – Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy – Denilson, Diaby – Eboue, Nasri, Rosicky – Bentdner
Arsenal: Almunia – Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy – Denilson, Diaby – Eboue, Nasri, Rosicky – Bentdner
In a noisy and vibrating White Heart Lane, the game starts with a succession of fouls (how British of them): whether in defence, in attack, in midfield, in the stands, everyone is fighting for the ball. Campbell puts his head on a corner kick and almost silences all the fans, but that’s without counting on Assou-Ekotto, standing at the post (2nd). The game proceeds, Bale eats Sagna once, Vermaelen blocks the first shot, Dawson responds accordingly, Redknapp gets cozy in his triple chins. Corner kick for the Spurs, Almunia punches away, far from the box, but no luck, a certain 19-year-old named Daniel Rose, at his EPL debut tonight, is at the fall of the ball. No questions asked, the volley is fired; the ball travels at 111km/h, past Almunia and into the net (10th), 1-0. Needless to say, the stadium erupts. Needless to say, who knows what the odds were for that ball to be on target and not outside the stadium. Still, a magnificent goal. As an answer Arsenal rushes towards the goal immediately, with Nasri at the steering wheel, offering the usual triangular one touch passes along with a persistent refusal to make passes that exceed 10 meters in length (shots included). Bale eats Sagna twice, Defoe murders Denilson gently, Modric fights with Diaby and Arsenal take control of ball possession. Bale (finally) gets Sagna’s elbow in the face whilst his teammates wait for the supersonic counter attack to kill the game. Then fate slaps Wenger on the other cheek (he shouldn’t have offered it in the first place…): At the twentieth minute Vermaelen, unable to continue playing because of a calf injury, yields his slot for Sylvestre. Arsenal don’t let themselves be brought down by such (awful) news, but Bendtner’s shot is too weak (27th), the wingers are too static, Huddlestone becomes a brick wall and Nasri is no Fabregas (yet). By the 35th minute, the referee finally realizes the multitude of fouls left unpunished and takes out three yellows in a matter of two minutes. One more free kick sent into the stands by Arsenal, one more ugly tackle, one more wave of “bouhs” when Campbell touches the leather (remarkable discipline by the Spurs’ fans), two whistles and the half time.
At the half time show, both Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s upcoming games are relentlessly repeated. “Yes, okay, they both will meet Manchester City, now show me that goal again”.
Second half starts with another explosion: as Arsenal was slowly settling in their possession game, Tottenham scores a second. After a torrid counter attack led by Modric, Defoe fixes all the Arsenal defence (even the players not near him) and slips some caviar to Bale who just has to beat Almunia on a one-on-one. 2-0, 47th. Arsenal is astounded as the “Spurs come marching in”, louder and louder. Rock’n Roll. Bale looses his best friend Sagna to see Walcott appear. Immediately the Arsenal squad understands the importance of his speed and all the passes veer to the right side of the pitch where the swift winger can deliver. Tottenham can now relax and wait for the usual counter attack leaving the Boys Band to play around with the ball. The Walcotteffect almost works when Bendtner sends a shot just wide of Gomes’ goal (66th). Something seems to be missing within the growing Arsenal side. Van Persie and Gudjohnsen both appear on the pitch. The Icelandic is the first to put himself in the spotlight by missing an almost easy tap-in goal that would have sealed the game in not time (69th) after yet another maestro conduction by Modric. It’s official, by the 70th minute, Arsenal have finally started playing. The incomplete passes reveal themselves treacherous as they constantly allow the Spurs to clear. Finally though, the adjustments are made. The danger first hits Gomes when Van Persie inherits a good pass from Diaby, the combination chesting-shot is perfectly executed; the Brazilian keeper’s save just as well (81st). Van Persie hasn’t had enough: free kick about 25 meters out, shot heading straight to the opposing 7, but Gomes is there again (84th). On the succeeding corner, Campbell tries his header once more, but Gomes is again there. A hat-trick of saves. The goal seems inevitable, and finally, after yet another triangulation Van Persie-Walcott-Bendtner, the Great Dane scores (85th). 2-1. The fans chant louder, Modric pushes his ball just a bit too far, Gomes pulls out another XXL save on Van Persie, Gudjohnsen forgets to pass and Sylvestre trips on the ball one last time. Three whistles, 2-1 final score and the stadium explodes. More than ten years after, Tottenham finally appropriates itself a derby, and the Spurs couldn’t have found a better time. For Arsenal, things have turned bleak in this end of season, even with a decisive Van Persie back to business.
Grades:
Tottenham – 7: Eternal contender and loser, Tottenham finally seems to have found a balance in the squad. Yet, I cannot help but wonder if they had planned all this or if it just happened by luck. A good game, solid defensively and impressively intense; like a good hour and half of heavily distorted guitar.
Gomes – 7.5: Bored during the first half, Gomes saved the team more than once during the second. Used to be laughed at, is now feared.
Kaboul – 6.5: Although not the most gifted player technically, Kaboul did a great job of containing Arsenal’s wings. Not one decent cross from Clichy, coincidence?
Dawson – 7: Impeccable tonight, strong and tactically intelligent (for once?)
King – 6: Did the job, but as his name suggests, sent his servant (Dawson) to do all the dirty work.
Ekotto – 6.5: Like his left side counterpart, the right back performed well in blocking any perforation attempt with a great intensity. Suffered a bit more against Walcott (who wouldn’t?)
Rose – 6: Apart from that stunning goal, not much.
Huddlestone – 6.5: Dirty, strong, ruthless, a defensive midfield that who to do it all on his own.
Modric – 7: His Cruyff-ian movements and vision speak for themselves.
Bale – 6: Delivered a good fight tonight, scored an important goal.
Defoe – 6: A bit subdued in this derby, delivered a delicious assist and never gave up pressing.
Pavlyuchenko – 6: or The Resurrection: we finally some saw of the Roman that made him so precious at the Euro 2008; strong worker, good participation in the game, now all he needs to do is to keep piling those goals.
.Bentley – 5: Replaced Rose, didn’t show much, right midfield cursed position at Tottenham?
.Gudjohnsen – 5.5: I think I know why they let him go from Barcelona: this guy never passes the ball.
.Crouch – 5: Added some inches to the pitch.
Gomes – 7.5: Bored during the first half, Gomes saved the team more than once during the second. Used to be laughed at, is now feared.
Kaboul – 6.5: Although not the most gifted player technically, Kaboul did a great job of containing Arsenal’s wings. Not one decent cross from Clichy, coincidence?
Dawson – 7: Impeccable tonight, strong and tactically intelligent (for once?)
King – 6: Did the job, but as his name suggests, sent his servant (Dawson) to do all the dirty work.
Ekotto – 6.5: Like his left side counterpart, the right back performed well in blocking any perforation attempt with a great intensity. Suffered a bit more against Walcott (who wouldn’t?)
Rose – 6: Apart from that stunning goal, not much.
Huddlestone – 6.5: Dirty, strong, ruthless, a defensive midfield that who to do it all on his own.
Modric – 7: His Cruyff-ian movements and vision speak for themselves.
Bale – 6: Delivered a good fight tonight, scored an important goal.
Defoe – 6: A bit subdued in this derby, delivered a delicious assist and never gave up pressing.
Pavlyuchenko – 6: or The Resurrection: we finally some saw of the Roman that made him so precious at the Euro 2008; strong worker, good participation in the game, now all he needs to do is to keep piling those goals.
.Bentley – 5: Replaced Rose, didn’t show much, right midfield cursed position at Tottenham?
.Gudjohnsen – 5.5: I think I know why they let him go from Barcelona: this guy never passes the ball.
.Crouch – 5: Added some inches to the pitch.
Arsenal – 5: Asleep for most of the game, the Gunners woke up only too late to find an impressive Gomes. The title evades Arsenal yet another year.
Almunia – 5: Had two saves to make, made neither, wasn’t helped by his defence either.
Sagna – 5: Nothing defensively, nothing offensively, bland.
Campbell – 5: For his return home, Sol performed quite well next to his sons.
Vermaelen – 6: Was the saviour of the team, until he hurt himself.
Clichy – 5.5: Hyper active on his left side, Gael played and intense game but was confronted to a dominant opposition.
Denilson – 5: Time for the grades, and I realize I don’t have anything to say about him, good or bad thing?
Diaby – 6: Could become a monster, a Vieira 2.0, if a) he wasn’t injured all the time and b) he didn’t have to worry about defence so much.
Eboue – 4: His polyvalence put him everywhere on the field tonight, but Emmanuel was never up to par at any position.
Nasri – 5.5: Fabregas’ shoes are harder to fill in that it seems, yet Samir tried relentlessly to bring the danger to the Tottenham box. Should try to shoot, just once? Maybe? No? Ok…
Rosicky – 4: A night to forget for King Tomas (see: his shot hitting the corner flag)
Bentdner – 6: Stranded for most of the game, when the support came, he put one in. Seems like Nicklas is acquiring a taste for his position.
.Sylvestre – 4: Once again, Robocop showed us that metal feet are no good in football.
.Walcott – 6: Once again the catalyser, Theo can rely on a hallucinating speed that can make any defender crumble. A good assist and good intentions.
.Van Persie – 7: After hitting the Chiellini wall, the Dutchman returned with fashion, being the most dangerous man on his side. Two things: 1) Arsenal’s season would have been completely different had he been present, 2) Holland is happy.
TFO
Almunia – 5: Had two saves to make, made neither, wasn’t helped by his defence either.
Sagna – 5: Nothing defensively, nothing offensively, bland.
Campbell – 5: For his return home, Sol performed quite well next to his sons.
Vermaelen – 6: Was the saviour of the team, until he hurt himself.
Clichy – 5.5: Hyper active on his left side, Gael played and intense game but was confronted to a dominant opposition.
Denilson – 5: Time for the grades, and I realize I don’t have anything to say about him, good or bad thing?
Diaby – 6: Could become a monster, a Vieira 2.0, if a) he wasn’t injured all the time and b) he didn’t have to worry about defence so much.
Eboue – 4: His polyvalence put him everywhere on the field tonight, but Emmanuel was never up to par at any position.
Nasri – 5.5: Fabregas’ shoes are harder to fill in that it seems, yet Samir tried relentlessly to bring the danger to the Tottenham box. Should try to shoot, just once? Maybe? No? Ok…
Rosicky – 4: A night to forget for King Tomas (see: his shot hitting the corner flag)
Bentdner – 6: Stranded for most of the game, when the support came, he put one in. Seems like Nicklas is acquiring a taste for his position.
.Sylvestre – 4: Once again, Robocop showed us that metal feet are no good in football.
.Walcott – 6: Once again the catalyser, Theo can rely on a hallucinating speed that can make any defender crumble. A good assist and good intentions.
.Van Persie – 7: After hitting the Chiellini wall, the Dutchman returned with fashion, being the most dangerous man on his side. Two things: 1) Arsenal’s season would have been completely different had he been present, 2) Holland is happy.
TFO
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