Spurs edge five-goal thriller

Sunday, 05, Mar 2006 06:19

Tottenham Hotspur claimed all three points against Blackburn Rovers in a thrilling encounter at White Hart Lane.

With fourth taking on sixth and the battle for Champions League qualification well and truly on, there was plenty to play for.

The game was lit up in the ninth minute when Robbie Keane gave Spurs the lead with a piece of individual brilliance.

Collecting a throw-in on the edge of the area, he flicked the ball over Robbie Savage's head, cut inside another challenge and slid the ball under Brad Friedel's body.

Four minutes before the interval, Keane got his and Tottenham's second of the afternoon, bundling the ball home after Friedel could only parry Mido's free-kick from the edge of the area.

Blackburn responded brilliantly though, grabbing a lifeline just before half-time. Craig Bellamy darted down the right wing and sent in a perfect cross for Florent Sinama Pongolle to head past Paul Robinson.

As the second half wore on, Blackburn seized the initiative, dominating possession and forcing Spurs further and further back inside their own half.

Robinson did brilliantly to keep out a long-range strike from David Bentley, but just a few minutes later, Blackburn got the equaliser they thoroughly deserved.

Ledley King misjudged a headed clearance allowing Sinama Pongolle to cut into the area and square the ball for Bellamy to fire home low and hard.

Rovers went from ecstasy to agony in the space of a few minutes though, as Spurs immediately retook the lead.

Aaron Lennon, who had come on for Edgar Davids, outpaced Michael Gray and his cross was met at the far post by Mido.

Rovers still had time for a handball claim to be turned down and a Michael Gray header that hit the top of the crossbar, but it just wasn't to be their day.