Myhill heroics ensure spoils are shared

Posted Sunday, January 17, 2010 by PA

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp endured a frustrating 500th game as a Barclays Premier League manager after heroics from Boaz Myhill in a goaless draw earned Hull a valuable point at White Hart Lane.

Myhill pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Spurs, who equalled their club record of five consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League but will disappointed not to find a way past Hull's goalkeeper.

Hull, meanwhile, have not won in seven games but will see the draw as a point gained after withstanding pressure and threatening to follow the example of Stoke and Wolves, who won at Spurs' ground earlier in the season.

Aside from a couple of long-range efforts, there was little in the way of entertainment for large spells of the first half for fans who waded through torrential rain to get to the stadium. The first meaningful goal-mouth action of the match came when Myhill pulled off the first of his stunning double saves, nine minutes before the break.

Wilson Palacios carried the ball towards goal and saw his low drive saved before the rebound fell for Robbie Keane, who got a powerful shot away that needed tipping over.

Then Luka Modric sent Jermain Defoe through but Myhill denied the striker by staying on his feet as long as possible before blocking.

The second half brought another twin stop from Myhill. This time Modric volleyed on target and the Wales international parried, then blocked Keane's follow-up effort.

Hull gave Spurs a warning when Sebastien Bassong's clearance fell for Stephen Hunt and he slipped Nick Barmby through - but the finish went into the side-netting.

Modric forced Myhill into another save when he headed on target, while the playmaker went closer still with his next effort, angled towards the top corner, but Myhill saved again.

Spurs had a late penalty shout turned down when George Boateng appeared to use his hand to block a powerfully drilled shot from Niko Kranjcar, while substitute Peter Crouch saw a late close-range header brilliantly saved by Myhill's instinctive block.