Struggling Spurs suffer defeat away at Udinese
Darren Bent missed Spurs' best chance in Italy
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Thursday, 23, Oct 2008 10:18
Tottenham's nightmare start to the season continued as they crashed to a 2-0 defeat away at Udinese in the Uefa Cup this evening.
A disastrous mistake from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes gifted the Italian side a penalty which Antonio Di Natale converted. Any chance Spurs had of getting anything from the game ended when Jamie O'Hara needlessly got himself sent-off as the home side added a second through Simone Pepe.
Under-pressure Jaunde Ramos made a ruthless decision in leaving out summer signing David Bentley, which may have come as a result of negative comments made by the England international regarding the dire situation the club find themselves in.
The Spurs coach did have some good news in selection as he was able to recall club captain Ledley King at the heart of the defence.
King was needed early on as Udinese looked very comfortable on the ball and poured forward. But for all their possession, the Italians failed to find the killer ball ealry on and the best effort they had was a Andrea Coda header which went harmlessly wide.
Tottenham slowly got into the game and enjoyed some good possession in midfield. But they shot themselves in the foot as Gomes gave away a penalty. The Brazilian slipped as he tried to control a back pass and this allowed Fabio Quagliarella to get to the ball. Gomes then wrestled the striker to the ground to give away the spot-kick. Italian international Di Natale scored from the spot.
Gomes did manage to redeem himself at the start of the second-half when he dived low to save a Quagliarella shot which was heading for the back of the net.
Ramos would have been left seething with O'Hara after he got himself sent-off. The midfielder, who had been impressive for Spurs, was booked for a foul on Alexis Sanchez on 57 minutes, he then went in for a clumsy tackle less than a minute later and was given his marching orders as a result.
Tottenham had a good chance to grab an equaliser, but Darren Bent saw his goal-bound header saved by Samir Handanovic. That was the best it got for Spurs as Udinese deservedly added a late second goal through Pepe.