Tottenham Hotspur – Blackburn Rovers

1. With Chelsea crushing QPR, Tottenham are in desperate need of a win against Blackburn to keep their top-four hopes alive. Rovers on the other hand, could potentially climb out of the relegation zone. Game on at 1600 BST.

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1023/rafaelvandervaartceleb_275x155.jpg"><br> Rafael van der Vaart scored a match-winning brace against Rovers at Ewood Park last October and he starts today.

3. Spurs fans might be getting a little worried about what missing out on the Champions League could mean. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1056714/bale-drops-first-hint-he-could-ask-to-leave-spur" target="_blank">Gareth Bale has said he may consider his future</a> while <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1057521/harry-redknapp-has-doubts-over-luka-modric-future-at-spurs?cc=5739" target="_blank">Harry Redknapp says he's unsure about Luka Modric's future.</a>

4. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp makes four changes: Younes Kaboul, Danny Rose, Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor come back in from the side that lost at QPR. Ledley King and Jermain Defoe drop to the bench while Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Scott Parker miss out through injury. Blackburn manager Steve Kean named an unchanged side from thei

5. Blackburn manager Steve Kean names an unchanged side from their 2-0 victory over Norwich. Rovers have lost their last five games against Spurs but a win could see them exit the bottom three on goal difference.

6. 1'

   <b>We're off..</b>

7. 2'

   Very nearly another opening goal inside a minute! Modric drives into the area and crosses, and Lennon hits the side-netting from four yards out.

8. 3'

   Blackburn operating with a back five it looks like.

9. 4'

   Now Lennon beats Olsson and crosses to the near post but Givet makes the interception. Corner.

10. 5'

    Blackburn have barely got out of their half yet.

11. 6'

    Great run from Sandro, who beats four players before Givet blocks his cross. The ball bounces back off the prostrate Brazilian and goes out for a goal kick.

12. 7'

    The Yak is already desperately lonely up front.

13. 8'

    Sandro hits the bar! A fizzing shot from the edge of the box, Robinson is beaten but it strikes the bar. Adebayor and Van der Vaart can't turn it home.

14. 9'

    Robinson claims Walker's cross as Adebayor lurked at the back post.

15. 10'

    Tottenham enjoying 76% possession so far, as Van der Vaart is fouled.

16. 11'

    Superb hold up play from Yakubu as he releases Hoilett, then Pedersen fails to find a colleague after Walker had given the ball away. A really good opening wasted.

17. 12'

    The corner is cleared to Hoilett who flicks into Dunn but Kaboul clears the danger.

18. 13'

    Spurs break quickly and Adebayor puts Lennon through but his left footed effort is half cross half shot and Blackburn clear.

19. 14'

    A decent spell of possession for Blackburn, who seem to have weathered the early storm. For now.

20. 15'

    Adebayor is penalised for handball.

21. 16'

    Superb control from Bale, over his head, and a cross with the outside of his left boot, but Givet nods clear.

22. 17'

    Sandro barges Yakubu off the ball - he's had a great first 15 minutes.

23. 18'

    Walker through into the box now but again, a poor cross allows Dunn to clear.

24. 19'

    Sandro in strongly on Pedersen. He got the ball but the collision after was nasty.

25. 20'

    Another very poor cross from Rose. He and Walker are seeing plenty of the ball wide but neither had picked out a decent centre yet.

26. 22'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Van der Vaart wheels away in celebration!

27. 22'

    Another one that just pokes over the line as Bale's header came back off the bar and VDV volleys in. Hanley got a block in but the ball was a yard over. Well done linesman.

28. 23'

    It whould have been two. What a terrible effort from Lennon! He charges at three Blackburn defenders and finds space but from 18 yards out whacks a shot woefully wide.

29. 24'

    Tottenham had three on three in that last attack. Blackburn's five man defence going walkies.

30. 25'

    Blackburn need to dig in here. Concede a second and the floodgates could be open.

31. 26'

    A break in play as Sandro chucks up on the turf. Not nice for him, or for us to have to watch.

32. 28'

    Steve Kean looking a little perplexed on the sidelines. He needs to change this.

33. 29'

    Bale twists and turns and crosses but hits it right at Robinson.

34. 30'

    Lovely control from Adebayor, he feeds Sandro but the midfielder takes a touch before shooting and the chance is lost.

35. 31'

    A better effort from Sandro this time but another block. The pressure on Blackburn is relentless.

36. 32'

    About 25 passes already in this Tottenham move.

37. 34'

    Not much space for Spurs to operate in in the centre of the pitch so they are dedicated to getting it wide. The ref blows for a Totenham free kick when Bale was off and running at the byline.

38. 35'

    Rovers have just got to hang in until half time and pray they don't concede again. Kean has to do something to give them more impetus.

39. 36'

    Hoilett almost closes down Gallas as he passes the ball back to Friedel.

40. 37'

    Good ball from Modric to find Rose in the area but Robinson was on his toes and comes out swiftly to block the defender's effort.

41. 38'

    The sun pops out on a topsy turvy day weather wise. It was chucking it down ten minutes ago.

42. 39'

    Formica gives the ball away. I forgot he was even playing.

43. 40'

    Handball against Lowe as Spurs tried to break down the flank again. Free kick 40 yards out, left of centre.

44. 41'

    Formica is involved for the secod time this half, shanking a clearance behind for a corner.

45. 42'

    Off the bar - again! The corner is met by Gallas, who flicks his header onto the bar.

46. 43'

    Not a single effort on goal from Blackburn. Two on target from eight for Spurs.

47. 44'

    Blackburn win a free kick but it is the ball back in from Formica that finds the Yak in a bit of space but he is offside.

48. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> A breeze for Tottenham and Blackburn are in serious trouble. This is a game they have to win, but they haven't registered an attempt on target yet. Kean has to deliver one heck of a teamtalk.

49. Here is the link to that all important <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/live/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">live Premier League table</a>. Blackburn have two games left after this. Wigan at home and Chelsea away.

50. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0429/rafaelvandervaartceleb_275x155.jpg"><br>Rafael van der Vaart wheels away after Blackburn succumb to heavy Tottenham pressure

51. 46'

    We begin again....

52. 47'

    VDV very nearly slides in Adebayor but Orr reads it and intervenes promptly.

53. 48'

    Kaboul then trots upfield and has a pop but sends it spiralling wide.

54. 49'

    Lennon hits the side-netting again after Adebayor has miscontrolled a Modric pass. Modric not happy as he had space in the middle.

55. 51'

    Blackburn no nearer to getting a foothold in this game. Has Steve Kean seen the table?!

56. 52'

    Still all the time in the world for Modric and Sandro to ping the ball about, Bale and Lennon to skip down the wing.

57. 53'

    The thing is, Tottenham had won one in nine coming into this - their confidence was hardly sky high.

58. 54'

    Still, Kean doesn't have much on his bench in an attacking sense - Rochina and Goodwillie.

59. 55'

    Maybe they are waiting until they go 2-0 down to start going forward.

60. 56'

    A flashpoint between Rose and Formica. Needless.

61. 57'

    Having said all that, it is still only 1-0. The crowd ty to gee Spurs up, who have looked a little casual in the last five minutes.

62. 58'

    A shooting opportunity for Modric but his effort is not up to his usual standard.

63. 59'

    Still not one attempt on goal from Blackburn, who are three points adrift of safety.

64. 60'

    Robinson punts a free kick into the box as Blackburn send all their big men forward, but one of them commits a foul.

65. 61'

    Then as Spurs break, Bale sends a low shot wide of the target. Their shooting from range has been poor all afternoon.

66. 62'

    It is surely only a matter of time before Tottenham score the second. Lennon gets into the area and lays it off for Bale who crosses but VDV can't then connect with Walker's header across goal.

67. 63'

    All Blackburn can do when they get the ball is hoof it up to the Yak and hope he can make something happen.

68. 64'

    He wins a free kick on the halfway line this time and again Robinson will pump it into the box.

69. 65'

    Good play from Bale, who crosses early for Adebayor. The ball falls to Lennon, who plays it VDV and he tees up Modric but Dann blocks.

70. 66'

    A lot of head scratching at Blackburn's approach in the <i>Soccernet</i> office.

71. 67'

    We can only assume they will throw everything at Spurs in the last 20 minutes perhaps.

72. 68'

    Walker wins a free kick for Spurs on the right flank.

73. 69'

    Bale shoots from range and Robinson claims. Lennon is on the turf and that does not look good. He's been limping for about five minutes, having turned his ankle over in a challenge.

74. 71'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yakubu off?! Blimey. He doesn't look injured. Modeste replaces him.

75. 72'

    Lennon is back on. He needs to make his mind up that lad.

76. 73'

    Still no sign of the Blackburn onslaught that has to come. This has been woeful from Rovers.

77. 74'

    Dunn is late on Lennon, who is still limping. He shouldn't be on the pitch really.

78. 75'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Walker with a peach!

79. 75'

    A stunner of a free kick, right into the top corner, with vicious curl on it. And how predictable was that?

80. 76'

    That was a belter. And Blackburn deserve it because they have shown absolutely no fight or attacking intent in the entire match. Now it is probably too late.

81. 77'

    Walker is fast turning into a cult hero with a brilliant rescue and clearance near his own corner flag.

82. 78'

    A long throw into the box by Pedersen is claimed by Friedel.

83. 79'

    This win will take Tottenham into fourth spot on goal difference from Newcastle.

84. 80'

    Blackburn's fans look about as miserable as you can get.

85. 81'

    This result will be toasted by Bolton, QPR, Aston Villa and Wigan.

86. 82'

    A brilliant pass from Modric and Walker manages to keep it in but Givet can clear.

87. 84'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lennon finally admits defeat and is replaced by Dos Santos. Blackburn replace Dunn with Goodwillie.

88. 85'

    Very nearly Blackburn's first effort on target in the match as Walker sells himself and Olsson crosses but Gallas does well.

89. 86'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Sandro trots off after a good afternoon's work and Livermore comes on.

90. 87'

    Still Blackburn lack options up top. They have nothing to give.

91. 88'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Last change for Spurs as Defoe comes on for Van der Vaart.

92. 89'

    I wonder how Kean will defend this performance?

93. 90'

    Dos Santos is in on the act as he speeds down the right and crosses but Givet clears. Three minutes added.

94. 91'

    The usual long shot from Defoe. Not one of his best.

95. 93'

    <b>FULL TIME</b> The easiest possible victory for Tottenham, who reclaim fourth place in the table. Blackburn did not have a single shot on goal, not one. Flabbergasting how poor they were and how little ambition they showed. Surely now, they are going down.

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.