Spurs fail to sparkle ahead of Madrid clash - 7M sport

Spurs fail to sparkle ahead of Madrid clash



I have a say

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

WIGAN (AFP) - Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw at struggling Wigan on Saturday as the visitors failed to sparkle ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

Harry Redknapp's side face Real in the first leg of their quarter-final in Spain on Tuesday and they will have to improve significantly on this lacklustre effort to get a result against Jose Mourinho's men.

Spurs, without injured stars Gareth Bale and William Gallas, left the DW Stadium knowing they were fortunate to avoid defeat as substitute Connor Sammon missed a late chance to steal the points for bottom of the table Wigan.

The stalemate did little for either team as Wigan are now two points from safety and fifth placed Spurs are three points behind Manchester City in the race to secure the top four finish needed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

After just five minutes Wigan midfielder Tom Cleverley swung in a cross only for goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to get there a fraction ahead of Hugo Rodallega.

Spurs responded and Roman Pavlyuchenko appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge by James McCarthy, while Jermaine Jenas's shot was saved by Ali Al Habsi.

Wigan's Victor Moses curled a shot over the top and he then had an appeal for a penalty dismissed by referee Andre Marriner after appearing to have his legs clipped by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Gomes had to be alert early in the second half to turn away Cleverley's shot from an acute angle after Charles N'Zogbia had supplied the opening.

Redknapp decided to shake things up in the 57th minute with Peter Crouch replacing the ineffective Jermain Defoe.

Crouch was quickly into the action and found space on the edge of the area in the 65th minute only to send his effort high over the bar.

Tottenham were beginning to step up a gear but Crouch cleared the bar with a header in the 75th minute.

Wigan should have clinched victory with three minutes to go when substitute Mohamed Diame released Sammon but he directed his shot straight at Gomes.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.