Nicola Berti returned to haunt his former boss Roy Hodgson as he played a
major role in Spurs' stunning 3-0 victory at Ewood Park today.
The free transfer from Inter Milan gave struggling Tottenham a 36th minute
lead when he took advantage of a defensive mix up between Colin Hendry and
Stephane Henchoz.
And then in the penultimate minute he found acres of space to cross to
substitute Chris Armstrong who made it 2-0.
Winger Ruel Fox completed the scoring three minutes into injury time to give
coach Christian Gross a desperately-needed boost.
From the outset Blackburn had appeared to be red-hot favourites to take the
three points and increase the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the
Premier League.
But Spurs did not read the script and eventually ran out easy winners, despite
losing both Les Ferdinand and Clive Wilson to second half injuries.
Gross had recalled David Howells to the first team and moved Frenchman David
Ginola forward to partner Ferdinand in the Spurs' attack, Armstrong starting on
the bench.
Blackburn were without 16-goal striker Kevin Gallacher and Hodgson recalled
teenager Damien Duff.
Rovers also welcomed back long-term injury victim Martin Dahlin, who was one
of the substitutes.
The early stages of the game were dominated by Rovers fans' support for Chris
Sutton's decision to withdraw from the England B squad.
The 24-year-old was cheered with his every touch and was greeted by chants of
"Sutton for England".
In the second minute he almost rewarded their loyalty with an early assist. A
Hendry free-kick was headed on by the 15-goal striker into the path of new
partner Duff. But Sol Campbell - one man always sure of an England A place - was
swift to snuff out the threat.
Three minutes later Sutton was again involved when he charged forward on to
Stuart Ripley's excellent long pass. But this time it was Ramon Vega who was
first to the ball.
Berti should have given the visitors an eighth minute lead but he lashed Allan
Nielsen's pass across goal.
It wasn't until the 24th minute when Sutton finally lost his marker Campbell.
Henchoz's through-ball was perfect but the former Norwich striker was judged to
be in an offside position.
Twelve minutes later and very much against the run of play, Spurs snatched the
breakthrough. Fox raced to the by-line and put over a cross which both Hendry
and Henchoz somehow managed to avoid.
The ball dropped on to Nielsen's heel and that deflection gave Berti just
enough time to fire under Tim Flowers.
Rovers almost snatched an early second half equaliser. Ripley beat off the
challenge of Wilson to cross into the six-yard area. Duff waited but Stephen
Carr appeared from nowhere to clear the ball off the toe of the young Irishman.
Six minutes later the home side should have restored parity. Ripley jinked
between Nielsen and Wilson before crossing to the head of Sutton. The striker
nodded back across goal but Tim Sherwood's header was pushed over the bar by the
impressive Espen Baardsen.
Hendry almost played Gary Croft into trouble just inside his own half with a
poor 54th minute header. But the former Grimsby defender remained cool and
steered the ball away from the incoming Fox.
On the hour a Ripley cross was met by Sutton. The striker turned Vega
beautifully inside the area but midfielder Sherwood could not connect with his
colleague's pass and Campbell easily cleared the danger.
It was that miss which spurred Hodgson into bringing on Swedish international
Dahlin for Croft. Jason Wilcox switched to left back allowing teenager Duff his
favoured role of left winger. The result was almost instantaneous.
Dahlin's presence in the area for Duff's 63rd minute corner baffled the Spurs'
backline, Sherwood was all alone but could only direct his header wide.
In the 68th minute Spurs suffered a double blow. Ferdinand left the field
after appearing to fall awkwardly and at the same time Wilson was stretchered
off after a seemingly-innocuous challenge.
In the 79th minute Howells had to clear Sherwood's six-yard header from under
his own cross-bar - it was a similar effort to Alan Shearer's first goal for
Newcastle v Stevenage on Wednesday but this one was not given and questions are
sure to be asked.
Six minutes later Berti wrapped up the three points when he dashed down the
right flank and placed a perfect cross to the feet of Armstrong.
The striker - whose season has been devastated by an ankle injury - controlled
the ball then lashed it beyond Flowers' outstretched right hand.
But Tottenham were not finished.
Three minutes into injury time Fox danced around Jeff Kenna on the right of
the area and fired home a spectacular drive across Flowers to give Spurs their
biggest victory of the season - and maybe their most important.
Teams
Blackburn: Flowers, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry, Ripley, Sutton,
Wilcox, McKinlay (Bohinen 82), Croft (Dahlin 62), Henchoz, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Flitcroft, Broomes, Fettis.
Booked: McKinlay.
Tottenham: Baardsen, Howells, Fox, Nielsen (Clemence 67),
Ferdinand (Armstrong 70), Carr, Ginola, Vega, Wilson (Brady 71),
Campbell, Berti.
Subs Not Used: Calderwood, Grodas.
Booked: Vega, Nielsen, Carr.
Goals: Berti 37, Armstrong 89, Fox 90.
Att: 30,388
Ref: G P Barber (Pyrford).
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