Tottenham Hotspur near to UEFA Cup
Berbatov goal helps Spurs beat Charlton Athletic and move to Europe
Tottenham Hotspur defeated Charlton Athletic to move closer to UEFA Cup qualification while Charlton are relegated from the Premiership, Berbatov and Defoe scored.
A match of great importance to both teams but for very different reasons was decided by two moments of magic from Spurs’ Bulgarian International striker, Dimitar Berbatov. First after seven minutes he shrugged off the attention of the Charlton defender to make his way into the penalty and strike the ball past Scott Carson in the Charlton goal and put Spurs one ahead. Then on ninety minutes he laid on a through pass to substitute Jermain Defoe to score and ensure Spurs’ victory and three vital points.
Both teams went into the game needing three points, although Charlton Athletic’s cause was the more essential. Charlton had to win to have any chance of avoiding relegation from the Premiership as any other result simply wouldn’t be good enough. Spurs were looking for a win to qualify for Europe and lift them into a UEFA Cup place although with two more games to play a point wouldn’t have a disaster.
Spurs opened brightly and Berbatov gave them the lead after seven minutes and for the next twenty minutes Spurs dominated possession and threatened to over run Charlton. However, as the half wore on the home team came more into the game and put Spurs’ defence under increasing pressure but without creating any real chances or forcing Paul Robinson to make a save.
In the second period Charlton continued to press but without causing any alarm to the Tottenham defenders. However, with Spurs poor defensive record this season and their inability to keep a clean sheet, there was always encouragement for Charlton. In spite of the Charlton pressure Spurs, with Berbatov and Robbie Keane, always had the chance of a goal on the break.
As time wore on things became more desperate for Charlton who had to score twice to avoid relegation while Spurs were content to hold on for the single goal victory. Then with Charlton pushing forward a through ball from Berbatov found Defoe who had replaced Keane and the former Charlton youngster put the result beyond doubt.
The three points lifted Spurs above Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Portsmouth into sixth place in the Premiership and just one behind Everton but with a game in hand. The place in next season’s UEFA Cup is in their own hands and they meet Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane on Thursday evening. Blackburn have an outside chance of snatching a UEFA Cup place so it will be a close, tense match.
For Charlton Athletic their attempt to avoid relegation is over. They have struggled all season and have tried three managers – Iain Dowie, Les Reed and Alan Pardew but only in recent weeks have they shown any sign of a revival but it came too late to save them.
With Watford and Charlton relegated, the final place will be decided next Sunday. Wigan Athletic, West Ham United and Sheffield United are the three teams who have to raise their game to avoid the drop. Sheffield entertain Wigan while West Ham have to visit Old Trafford where Manchester United will be looking to celebrate their ninth Premiership title win in style.
