Sandro finally arrives at White Hart Lane

Sandro, the Brazilian new signing at Tottenham who angered Harry Redknapp by not turning up for the start of the new season, has finally arrived in north London. He slipped in under the radar during the hectic transfer window at White Hart Lane.

The defensive midfielder, who cost £5 million, from Internacional, has begun training with his new team-mates after staying on to appear for his country after winning the Copa Libertadores with his club.

Sandro, 21, is inspired by the prospect of performing in the Champions League with Spurs and said: "It is a pleasure to finally be here. I am extremely happy that I have been given the opportunity to join a club like Spurs.

"I cannot wait to get out on to the pitch and show all the fans what I can do. I am determined to make a positive impression on English football and help Spurs move on to a new level.

"Spurs are a team who are talked about a lot in Brazil. They are one of the biggest teams not only in England but also in Europe because of their history.

"I watched every game last season when Spurs were going for fourth place, cheering them on and hoping they would qualify. When they finally did achieve qualification it was an absolutely fantastic moment."

In an interview on the clubs official website he continued: "The Champions League is the best club competition in the world and I am looking forward to competing at this level. I know Spurs has everything that it takes to go further in the competition and I will do everything I can to help.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. It is a strong league played at great pace and I think my style of play will adapt quickly to this kind of football."

It has not been easy leaving Internacional, as he added: "It was a fantastic moment to win the Copa Libertadores. I was understandably delighted to win it with teammates who I have been with for many years.
"Internacional helped me grow as a footballer and a person from a very young age and it was a great achievement to leave on such a high.

"It was a fantastic achievement and now I hope to have many more successes with my new team. I have a fantastic opportunity here at Tottenham I am absolutely delighted to be here."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Spurs given permission to sign Van der Vaart

The Premier League have given Tottenham Hotspur permission to sign Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid for €11 million.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was alerted to the availability of Van der Vaart late on deadline day and acted quickly to thrash out personal terms with the midfielder.

The Premier League had investigated Spurs' claim that they had difficulties with the computer servers used in the transaction between themselves and Real, which hindered their attempts to submit the relevant paperwork on time.

The Premier League said in a statement: "The Premier League can confirm the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart's registration from Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur.''

A statement on Spurs' website read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Rafael Van der Vaart. The Holland international came through the ranks at Ajax and won two league titles during 141 appearances with the Eredivisie side, scoring 60 goals before leaving for Hamburg in the summer of 2005.

"The attacking midfielder, 27, was the Bundesliga side's leading scorer in his first season in Germany and went on to captain the side before joining Real Madrid ahead of the 2007/08 campaign. Rafael has been capped by Holland a total of 83 times, scoring 16 goals, since making his international debut against Andorra in 2001 at the age of 18.
"He has since represented the Netherlands at two European Championships and two World Cups, including this summer's tournament in South Africa where he featured five times in the side's run to the final."
Madrid have denied Redknapp's claim the player was subject of an €21 million bid from Bayern Munich.
Van der Vaart has already spoken of his delight at agreeing a deal and is ready to test himself in the Premier League.

"Four years at Spurs, for €11 million, I can hardly believe it myself," Van der Vaart told De Telegraaf. "It's a pity I cannot now play against Ajax in the Champions League but I will get to face FC Twente."
The speed of a deal came as a surprise to the player, who said: "The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think. But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club. I 'm totally happy."

Van der Vaart has played in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain and is now looking forward to a new chapter in his career.

"I am excited about playing in England. Whether it suits my style remains to be seen, but I think a good footballer can adapt and I am very proud of this transfer."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Gallas set for Spurs medical

Former Arsenal captain William Gallas will undergo a medical at Tottenham on Friday ahead of a free transfer move to White Hart Lane, Soccernet understands.

Gallas, 33, looks set to be added to Spurs' defensive ranks as Harry Redknapp looks to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window.

Spurs looked decidedly unconvincing at the back during their 3-2 Champions League qualifying play-off defeat to Young Boys, and the arrival of Gallas would offer them some much-needed top level experience.
Gallas has been available on a free transfer since June, having been released by Arsenal after being unable to agree a new contract at Emirates Stadium.

And the France international, who played for Les Bleus during their disastrous World Cup campaign, will become only the sixth player to have joined Spurs having played for their bitter north London rivals.
The last player to do so was David Bentley, while Rohan Ricketts, David Jenkins, Laurie Brown and Jimmy Brain are the others to have crossed the divide.

Gallas played for Arsenal for four years after moving from Chelsea in 2006, making 101 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Spurs on Cloud Nine

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe scored five times to send his side back into the Champions League places as Harry Redknapp's men threatened to rack up double figures against Wigan at White Hart Lane.



Paul Scharner appeared to handle when he grabbed Wigan's goal but there was no handball controversy as Defoe was in such rampant form, with Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar grabbing the other goals.

The clash was played on a Sunday following an agreement between the clubs so players could rest after the international break - and Defoe seemed the freshest of the players on display by grabbing his goals in the second half.

It takes his tally to 15 for Spurs and England this season and it means his club have scored more than five goals in five matches during the current campaign.

They were his first goals too since his needless dismissal against Portsmouth last month, which Spurs boss Redknapp criticised him for.

Redknapp will also be encouraged by his team looking more balanced following the return of England winger Lennon after missing three matches with an ankle injury.

Croatia midfielder Kranjcar was on the other flank, meaning Redknapp ditched his recent diamond formation and started with Robbie Keane on the bench following his World Cup efforts with Republic of Ireland last week.

Keane returned from international duty drained earlier in the season and after Thierry Henry's infamous handball for France earlier this week, Redknapp had been debating whether his skipper was mentally and physically ready to start.

Instead, he went with Crouch and Defoe in attack and it did not take long for them to get in their stride.

Wilson Palacios, making his first appearance against Wigan since leaving the club in January, started the move for the ninth-minute opener by feeding Lennon on the right, with the England winger sending over a gorgeous cross between goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and centre-back Titus Bramble. Crouch was at the back post to head home.

Lennon almost added a second immediately after creating the opener, forcing Kirkland to save his volley on the rebound after Emmerson Boyce cleared off the line to deny Defoe.

Kirkland also saved from Palacios at full stretch after a 25-yard drive, while Wigan's response was a volley from Mohamed Diame that flew wide.

Wigan had not won in London since 2006 when they defeated West Ham - and the threat Spurs posed meant it appeared unlikely they would break that run. Tom Huddlestone was the next to go close, with a drive that shaved Kirkland's post.

The visitors, however, kept looking for the counter-attack and Jason Scotland forced Heurelho Gomes to save at his near post after former Spurs full-back Erik Edman fed him the ball on the edge of the area. Charles N'Zogbia also went just over with a curling effort and got closer with a free-kick.

Defoe struck the bar before the break, then burst into a scoring frenzy after the restart.
The first came from another Lennon cross, with Defoe getting in front of Bramble and crashing his finish into the roof of the net. His second strike came after Palacios' ball forward was totally missed by Boyce, with Defoe keeping his cool to finish slot his finish into the far post.

Then came Scharner's moment of controversy. Hugo Rodallega crossed the ball from the left and the Austrian midfielder clearly used his hand to control before lashing past Gomes and into the roof of the net.

The Spurs bench were furious with referee Peter Walton for letting the goal stand - but Defoe restored the three-goal cushion with his hat-trick straight away.

Lennon crossed again and this time Defoe volleyed home at the near post, meaning he wrapped up his treble in just seven minutes - still short of Robbie Fowler's record when the Liverpool favourite struck in under five.

Lennon added the fifth himself after Crouch smuggled the ball out to his team-mate from a congested penalty area, with the winger angling his finish into the far post.

Defoe, in full flow now and demanding the ball, grabbed his fourth 21 minutes from the end by latching on to Vedran Corluka's ball and firing home off the post.

His fifth came after a mistake by Edman, with Defoe finishing through Kirkland's legs. Bentley's free-kick accounted for the eighth goal, his effort going in off the bar. Kranjcar's goal, the ninth, also went in off the woodwork.


Source: ESPN Soccernet, November 22, 2009

Harry hails Spurs "exhibition"

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp hailed his side after powering to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Redknapp said: "It was a terrific exhibition of attacking football. The movement, passing, pace - I played with four forwards and really took it to them. We looked dangerous every time we had the ball.

"Defoe looked almost unplayable, his form is absolutely electric. He looks stronger than I have ever seen him and I have known him since he was 14. He has done a lot of work in the gym in the summer and he looks even more explosive.

"If he continues to play like that he has got no problems." Redknapp, however, was not getting carried away with a London derby against West Ham to come this weekend.

He added: "It's nice to have a good start but it's only two games. We've got to keep going."

The only downside for Spurs was the loss of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes Gomes thigh injury in the first half.

Redknapp said: "We will have to wait and see if he is going to be out long term. If he is we will have to look at that because that only leaves me (Carlo) Cudicini."

Hull manager Phil Brown had no complaints after admitting his side were outplayed.

Brown said: "From a neutral's point of view you have probably seen a team in the top four this season, no doubt.

"We didn't apply ourselves from minute one or get close enough to Tottenham to keep ourselves in the game.

"I thought there was a gulf between the two teams in terms of class, quality and the performance.

"Every player on the field of play for Tottenham was outstanding.

"That's one of the best performances I have seen in the Premier League.

" Brown afterwards admitted that his hopes of signing striker Alvaro Negredo from Real Madrid were over after the player opted to stay in Spain, with Sevilla and Real Zaragoza reportedly interested.

Hull, however, will give a trial to Bosnian right-back Sanel Jahic this week with a view to signing him from Greek side Thessaloniki.

Source: ESPN Soccernet, 20 August, 2009

Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 1 Liverpool

Title hopefuls Liverpool suffered defeat in their first game of the new Barclays Premier League campaign as Sebastien Bassong scored on his debut in a 2-1 victory for Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez had spent the summer plotting how to overhaul champions Manchester United, having fallen just short last season in the quest for a first title since 1990.

New arrival Glen Johnson, who cost £17million from Portsmouth, started at right-back, Dutchman Ryan Babel was chosen ahead of Yossi Benayoun with Spain forward Fernando Torres expected to again provide the goals along with captain Steven Gerrard, fit following a groin problem.

Given title rivals United had won earlier on Sunday afternoon, coupled with victories on Saturday for both Chelsea and, most impressively, Arsenal, there was little margin for error if Liverpool were to avoid playing catch up after just one match.

However, the Reds never really got going, with Torres particularly disappointing.

Indeed, Liverpool should have been more than 1-0 down at half-time had Anfield old boy Robbie Keane not missed a couple of clear chances before full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto smashed in a 25-yard effort past Pepe Reina.

Although the visitors were handed a lifeline back into the match when Johnson was upended by keeper Heurelho Gomes to give away a penalty, which Gerrard converted on 54 minutes, Spurs soon regained the lead as Bassong, an £8million signing from Newcastle, headed in a free-kick from Luka Modric.

While there is, of course, plenty of football left to be played between now and May, Benitez knows his men will have to do much, much better if they are to finish ahead of the rest.

After a slow start, there was a stoppage on 14 minutes when Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher collided heads after both jumping for a high ball.

The English defender had to go off for treatment on a bloody gash, before returning with some heavy bandages.

Gerrard let fly with a 25-yard effort, which was just wide of Gomes' right-hand post.

Spurs then really should have gone ahead on 30 minutes.

Wilson Palacios got away down the right, and looped the ball across to the far post.

Modric lofted it back into the six-yard box, where Keane arrived with a diving header - but one which was straight at Reina, who reacted brilliantly.

The Liverpool keeper then denied his former team-mate once again, this time standing up well as Keane tried a chip.

On 44 minutes, Skrtel gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position, some 25 yards out, when he fouled Palacios.

Tom Huddlestone drove his effort into the defenders - but the ball fell kindly for Assou-Ekotto, who promptly smashed it back into the top corner.

Liverpool regrouped at half-time and produced a flowing move when Dirk Kuyt touched the ball back to Torres, who laid it on for Gerrard, but the England midfielder struck his low shot just wide from 20 yards.

A fine fingertip save from Reina then denied Palacios a second goal for Spurs following a rasping 25-yard drive towards the top right corner.

Liverpool found a way back into the match when they were awarded a penalty on 54 minutes.

Johnson was upended by Spurs keeper Gomes as the full-back burst into the right side of the box, and Gerrard stepped up to fire the ball past the Spurs keeper.

Tottenham looked to respond straight away, with Defoe's shot on the turn blocked by Carragher.

The defender was then booked for a foul on the striker as the home side pressed again.

It proved a costly free-kick to concede, as from it, Spurs regained the lead on 59 minutes.

Modric, from the right, floated the ball over through a crowded penalty area, where Bassong got up to head into the corner and mark his debut in style.

On 67 minutes, Liverpool replaced Babel with Benayoun as Benitez opted for `Plan B', while Spurs sent on summer signing Peter Crouch for Keane.

Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty when substitute Andriy Voronin went down following a shoulder challenge by Assou-Ekotto - but this time, referee Phil Dowd was not interested.

Tempers frayed on the Liverpool bench, with assistant boss Sammy Lee sent to the stands for continued protests.

Spurs sign Newcastle defender Bassong

Tottenham Hotspur have bolstered their defence with the signing of centre-back Sebastien Bassong from Newcastle United.

The two clubs agreed a fee believed to be upwards of £8m, with the player penning a long-term contract at White Hart Lane.

The 23-year-old is suspended for the first two games of the new season following his sending-off against Fulham at the end of last term.

A statement from Spurs read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer of Sebastien Bassong to the club, following the player successfully completing a medical examination and agreeing personal terms."

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp had been keen to bring in reinforcements at the back, with Michael Dawson set to miss the start of the new season through injury and Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate also doubtful.

"Jonathan Woodgate is struggling and I think he may have to have an operation," Redknapp said earlier this week.

"I think he may have to have another hernia operation. He had one at the end of last season but obviously it has not worked so he may have to go back in again.

"I don't see (Michael Dawson) or Woody being fit for the start of the season.

"We are still looking to improve the squad. If I can still get one or two in to make us strong and if we can do that then it will be good."

Redknapp admitted his admiration of Bassong during his team's pre-season trip to China, saying: "I like Bassong, he is a young player with a good future and a good central defender."

The Frenchman, who is also qualified to play for Cameroon, moved to St James' Park in July 2008 from Metz and made 34 appearances for the Magpies in his debut campaign in England.

He becomes the fourth summer signing for Redknapp following the acquisitions of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth and Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker from Sheffield United.

Source: ESPN Soccernet