Tottenham Hotspur – Liverpool

1. Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of this afternoon's game between Tottenham and Liverpool. An early chance to gauge the Reds' title credentials, and Spurs' wholly optimistic blather about the top four. Kick off is at 4pm.

2. Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Keane and Defoe. Subs from: Cudicini, Hutton, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Naughton and O'Hara.

3. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard and Torres. Subs from: Cavalieri, Voronin, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Dossena and Ayala.

4. This should be interesting. Liverpool firmly believe this can be the year they finally land the title, while Tottenham are setting their sights on Europe when they should really be focusing on avoiding a nightmare start to the season, like they've endured in the two previous years.

5. Another brilliantly observed minute's applause for Sir Bobby Robson is duly completed, and the game is about to start in equally brilliant sunshine.

6. 1'

   We're off..

7. 2'

   Keane's first involvement against his former side (blink and you'll have missed his spell on Merseyside) is a lovely piece of control and a tidy ball wide for Lennon.

8. 3'

   Assou-Ekotto balsts one goalwards after a Spurs corner fell to him on the edge of the box. It flies wover.

9. 4'

   Torres tricks himself by the corner flag, putting the ball out for a goal kick and having a little chuckle.

10. 5'

    Torres slips past Assou-Ekotto now and gets a clip but no foul given. Slightly harsh.

11. 6'

    Babel gets in with a ball over the top that Bassong just watched. King gets back to help mop up after the dutchman's control let him down.

12. 8'

    Skrtel is in swiftly on Defoe, then Palacios tracks Johnson down the right to concede a corner.

13. 9'

    Insua has the ball pinched by Defoe then he is fould by Mascherano. Spurs free kick. Bright and lively start to the game.

14. 10'

    Now Torres and Palacios clatter into either other. Palacios finds himself some space and is lucky to get a corner via a deflection.

15. 11'

    Huddlestone is penlised for a ball-winning tackle. Ref Phil Dowd didn't like the way he went into it. Non-contact sport these days. I despair.

16. 13'

    Johnson clips in a neat cross that King does well to reach before Torres.

17. 14'

    Keane is shackled by Skrtel near the corner flag as he looked to link up with Modric.

18. 15'

    Now Skrtel and Carragher both challenge for a ball and collapse in a heap. The Spurs fans liked that. Nasty cuts on both of them. Carragher is going off for stitches by the looks of it.

19. 16'

    What will Liverpool do if they both have to leave the field? Lucas and Mascherano at centre back anyone?

20. 17'

    Mascherano and Johnson are centre backs for the minute. Now Skrtel returns..

21. 18'

    Spurs desperately trying to get the ball in the box but Insua does well to block Lennon's cross. Carragher is back now with a Steve Foster-style headband.

22. 20'

    Skrtel is still wincing from the Carra challenge as Spurs win a free kick on the right flank.

23. 21'

    Poor ball from Modric that is deflected by Mascherano and Spurs now have a throw in, that trundles along to Lennon who bottles his effort and dribbles it wide.

24. 22'

    Carragher launches one up towards Torres who can't reach it. Liverpool labouring already?

25. 24'

    We could do with a decent chance. That'd be nice.

26. 25'

    Ooh, first yellow of the game goes to Aaron Lennon for a nasty, and late tackle on Skrtel, who is still not happy after that earlier clash with Carragher.

27. 26'

    Torres is limping now after a tackle with Bassong. Walking wounded for Liverpool.

28. 27'

    Huddlestone looks for Defoe in the channel but Carragher is across with an excellent challenge before the striker could shoot.

29. 28'

    Its just not happening for either side at the minute. Spurs look more likely but they aren't clicking, wheras Liverpool look toothless with Torres isolated.

30. 30'

    Gerrard gets a yard of space and has a crack but scuffs it wide of the poat. Not a bad effort. Stevie G has been quiet too, apart from the shot I just described.

31. 31'

    What a save! Modric picked up a long cross in the area and hooked it back in and Keane has a free header six yards from goal but it is too near Reina and he pulls off a marvellous save.

32. 32'

    Now Lennon and Mascherano collide at full tilt and they crumple in a heap. Not a dirty game so far but plenty of injuries. Masch is going to get booked here.

33. 33'

    Huddlestone tries a curler from the free kick and it is deflected behind for a corner off Babel.

34. 34'

    Another chance for Keane another save for Reina! Gerrard misses a ball in midfield, Modric slots in Keane and he tries a dink but Reina stays tall and saves.

35. 35'

    Defoe rises from the corner and flashes a powerful header just wide. Spurs are in control now. The game has woken up.

36. 36'

    From the replay it looks as if Keane's effort was going wide anyway. He should have scored two in five minutes. That would have learnt Rafa.

37. 37'

    Kuyt wins possession and Gerrard wins a corner after his cross is deflected.

38. 38'

    Gerrard's corner is cleared and as Babel refeeds him he wins a throw in off Huddlestone. First bit of pressure from Liverpool.

39. 39'

    Excellent header from Glen Johnson as Lennon and Palacios combined nicely down the right. Keane was waiting to pounce, or nod it wide, you choose.

40. 40'

    Now Babel crosses first time for Torres but Gomes claims.

41. 42'

    Huddlestone directs a Carragher clearance into the path of Keane who is absolutely free 16 yards out but he blazes his shot over the bar. Three woeful efforts from Keane, who is crumbling against his former club.

42. 43'

    Palacios is brought down by Skrtel on the edge of the box and Spurs have a good chance to get the goal they deserve before half time.

43. 44'

    GOAL! Assou-Ekotto! What a hit!

44. 44'

    An absolute scorcher from the left back! Huddlestone's free kick hits the wall and as it pops out Assou-Ekotto belts one into the top corner! Spurs have the lead they deserve.

45. 45'

    Four added minutes to allow for the string of injuries we've had.

46. 45'

    Kuyt gets in with a ball over the top but his control allows Gomes to sneak in and claim, then Torres hits a poor ball to Babel. Liverpool have woken up.

47. 45'

    That's half time and Spurs thoroughly deserve their lead. Keane should have provided it - twice - but a thunderbolt from the left back got him out of jail.

48. 46'

    We begin again....

49. 47'

    Liverpool win themselves an early corner. Surely they won't lookas impotent this half?

50. 48'

    What a brilliant run from Aaron Lennon - he skipped past two Liverpool players and dashed 50 yards into the penlaty area but just lost control at the vital second and was intercepted.

51. 49'

    Two good examples there of Liverpool's malaise. First Gerrard telegraphs a jink inside the area then Torres loses control under very little pressure. At least the skipper responds with a low drive just wide of the post.

52. 50'

    Skrtel gets a card for bringing Keane down before he even received the ball. He had stitches in his jaw at HT we are told.

53. 52'

    Mascherano also got a talking to for tugging Huddlestone's shorts a moment ago. 'One more and you're off,' he was told.

54. 53'

    Now Palacios fires one in from 25 yards and Reina tips over the bar. A good effort and a decent save.

55. 55'

    Liverpool penalty! Johnson brought down by Gomes!

56. 55'

    GOAL! Gerrard slams it right down the middle.

57. 56'

    A great run from Johnson, who jinked inside two Spurs players and drew Gomes into the foul, though why the keeper felt the need to rush out and challenge only he knows. Johnson was level with the six yard box and ten yards wide of goal. Yellow card for the keeper.

58. 57'

    Defoe turns on the box edge and Carragher does well to block. Liverpool clear the corner.

59. 58'

    Now Carragher gets booked for pulling back Defoe, who got the right side of him. A yellow all day long.

60. 59'

    GOAL! Bassong! Spurs lead again!

61. 59'

    Modric floats in the free kick and Bassong rises to nod past Reina! He was a Newcastle player a week ago, now he's potted one against Liverpool on debut. Not bad eh?

62. 60'

    Now Liverpool win a free kick on the left. The game is alive after that opening half an hour of dross.

63. 61'

    Gomes palms Gerrard's effort over the bar even though it was right at him. Another Gomes wobble?

64. 62'

    Gomes claims a looping ball and catches Torres with his boots, accidentally.

65. 63'

    Benayoun is preparing to come on.

66. 64'

    Insua knocks in a decent looking ball but there are no red shirts in the area.

67. 65'

    Keane darts past Lucas and has a pop but though it is speeding like a bullet, Reina gets right behind it.

68. 66'

    Johnson comes forward again - he's been Liverpool's best attacking player - and is chopped down by Assou-Ekotto, who is booked. Babel makes way for Benayoun.

69. 67'

    Now Keane makes way for Peter Crouch. If Spurs don't win this it is his fault.

70. 68'

    Good break from Spurs as Defoe feeds Lennon but his cross flashes past Crouch. Then Modric strikes one from the subsequent throw but it is well wide.

71. 70'

    King makes amends after his header went right to Torres. He then puts in a great tackle to win the ball back.

72. 72'

    Great ball in from Johnson and Torres can't quite get on top of it and his header flashes wide.

73. 73'

    Gerrard plays a nice one two with Benayoun and gets into the area but his left foot shot is weak and Gomes saves easily.

74. 74'

    Crouch wins his first header after Assou-Ekotto floated it in but it is right at Reina.

75. 75'

    Daniel Ayala comes on for Skrtel, who is still clearly struggling with his chin knock.

76. 77'

    Ooh, now you're in trouble Spurs, here comes Andriy Voronin!

77. 78'

    Benayoun works some space and hits a shot that deflects off Ledley King and out for a corner. Kuyt makes way for Voronin.

78. 80'

    Liverpool setting up camp in Spurs' final third now as their defence sinks ever deeper.

79. 81'

    Lennon gives Spurs' defence a breather after flying down the wing. His cross goes out for a throw before Palacios' cross is claimed by Reina.

80. 82'

    Johnson sends in a ball that hasn't enough whip on it and Bassong clears. Ledley King is hurting, big time. His knee is all bone no cartlidge you know. Nasty.

81. 83'

    King gets a vital touch on Gerrard's cross to prevent Torres tapping in. Pressure mounting.

82. 84'

    Jamie O'Hara is coming on to try and shore things up and Luka Modric comes off.

83. 85'

    Ayala tussles with Defoe on the byline and gives away a free kick.

84. 86'

    Decent Spurs defending as Benayoun charged towards the area on the break, he looked for Voronin who let it run a bit too far before he is blocked off by Assou-Ekotto. Rafa screams pen but Dowd says no.

85. 87'

    Now Torres cries pen as his cross hit Assou-Ekotto. Liverpool's fans go nuts but the Tottenham fans are laughing their heads off.

86. 88'

    Voronin drops deep and swings in an aimless ball that Gomes catches with a smirk.

87. 89'

    Our commentators are banging on incessantly about Liverpool's late goals last season. Leave it out boys. Now Sammy Lee has been sent to the stands. Ha ha.

88. 90'

    This is squeaky bum central now, last ditch tackles and interceptions aplenty. Gerrard's shot is blocked then Defoe bashes one out of play.

89. 91'

    Defoe makes way now and Pavlyuchenko is on.

90. 92'

    Now it gets shirty as Torres and Huddlestone and Bassong collide. Lucas shoves someone, Torres looks indignant. Referee intervenes. No cards.

91. 93'

    That is that! Liverpool open their Premier League account with a defeat! Great start for Spurs!

92. 93'

    Spurs have more points now after one game than they did after eight games last season! Thanks for your company. Bye for now.

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