Adam boosts Blackpool's survival

Posted Sunday, May 08, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - Charlie Adam boosted Blackpool's survival hopes by scoring a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur—just 70 seconds after seeing a spot-kick saved at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

The point left Blackpool just above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference with two games left to secure their top-flight status following promotion via the playoffs last season.

But a draw dealt a blow to Spurs's hopes of catching Manchester City in the race for fourth place and the Champions League spot that comes with it.

To make matters worse for Spurs, star defender Gareth Bale was carried off on a stretcher as a result of a tackle by Adam—who could have been sent-off for the challenge.

It looked as if Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes might be the undisputed man-of-the-match after a string of fine saves.

But the erratic Brazilian's career in English football was summed up when, after brilliantly saving Adam's first penalty, he fumbled a corner and then brought down Gary Taylor-Fletcher to set up the Tangerines' 76th minute goal.

Tottenham only rescued a point thanks to Jermain Defoe's equaliser a minute before normal time.

Spurs' next two games are away at City on Tuesday and then away at Liverpool on Sunday, May 15. Defeat at Eastlands would make a top-four finish mathematically impossible.

Tottenham, beaten by Real Madrid in this season's Champions League quarter-finals, had started impressively, however.

Michael Dawson, the captain, saw a shot from distance deflected just over before Bale forced Matthew Gilks, the Blackpool goalkeeper, into a diving save at the expense of another corner.

Luka Modric, the Croatia midfielder, came close soon afterwards as Blackpool fought tenaciously to stay in the game.

Gomes had been a spectator for the first 20 minutes but was suddenly called into action when a shot from Sergey Kornilenko, the Ukraine forward, was deflected into Adam's path.

Tottenham had tried to buy the Scotland play-maker on deadline day in January and Adam showed why with a first-time effort Gomes did well to save.

Adam then forced Gomes into another save, with the Brazilian having to beat away a fierce drive from distance as the first half ended with Tottenham just about the better side but without a goal.

The introduction of Aaron Lennon, for Russia forward Roman Pavlyuchenko at the break, pepped Tottenham up and the England winger instantly set Rafael van der Vaart up for a chance he put over.

Bale did the same with the next one but was much closer with his next attempt, after David Vaughan had gone close for Blackpool at the other end.

The Wales international was hurt however in a challenge by Adam and needed lengthy treatment before being taken off, with Peter Crouch replacing him.

DJ Campbell missed a golden chance to fire Blackpool ahead only for Gomes to save before Spurs managed to give away two penalties in as many minutes.

Dawson stuck out an arm to concede the first but Gomes denied Adam only to bring down Taylor-Fletcher straight away after he had failed to catch a cross—and this time Adam made no mistake.

Defeat would have been a huge setback for Spurs but a fine strike from Defoe with a minute to go ensured they collected a point.

The England international received the ball up 30 yards from goal and advanced before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.