UEFA Cup Preview: Tottenham - Sevilla

Tottenham Hotspur (7th in Premiership) v Sevilla (2nd in la Primera)
When: 20:45 (CET) - Thursday, April 12, 2007
Where: White Hart Lane, London.
Tottenham will take heart from Manchester United's stunning performance as they look to overturn a first leg deficit against Sevilla at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
The north Londoners will probably not be aiming to beat the high-flying Spaniards by the seven goals that the Red Devils put past Roma, but the emphasis on attacking from the start will be the same.
An early goal in the first leg gave the north Londoners' a head-start, but they were pegged back by a dubious penalty and then beaten by Aleksandr Kerzhakov's header.
That spot-kick decision that saw Sevilla draw level on the night has been a talking point ever since the game last week and the Spurs players have already said that it is an inspiration for the second encounter.
Just over 36 hours after that match in Spain, Martin Jol's side met Chelsea in the Premiership and were beaten by a single goal, but that may actually work in their favour.
Preparation Time
The Lilywhites have had all week to focus on what is, arguably, their biggest game of the campaign so far and tiredness can no longer be said to be a factor.
Sevilla had to wait until Sunday evening to play their following league fixture and the goalless draw at home to Racing Santander put a dent in the Andalucians' title challenge.
Both Jol and his Sevilla counterpart, Juande Ramos, rested players for their domestic outings and they will hope that the choice pays dividends.
While form may not count for much in what will be a hotly contested encounter, Spurs have made their own stadium a daunting place for visiting teams to go.
If Jol is to build a dynasty then he made it clear when he was first appointed that one of his main aims was to make White Hart Lane into a fortress.
Home Front
With 11 league wins, one draw and four defeats he is close to ensuring that his ambition comes true, while in Europe Spurs do still have a 100 per cent record on their own patch.
As for Sevilla their away form this term can only be described as inconsistent as they hold an incredible record of five wins, five draws and five defeats.
Ramos' side have scored 19 times on their travels, but also let in 16 goals in 15 matches, so they will have to well-drilled at the back to deny Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov a successful evening.
One of the key reasons that Spurs are pushing for a UEFA Cup place rather than a top four spot is their defence, however, as 18 goals conceded at home is not impressive.
Add to that the 27 let in on the road and it is clear to see why Ledley King's return has been so hotly anticipated and why the manager wants to add to his rearguard in the summer.
TEAM NEWS
Tottenham Hotspur: With King set to return from an injury that has seen him unable to play since Boxing Day, Jol was hoping to have a strong defence. He has received one piece of bad news in the run-up to the game, however, as right-back Paul Stalteri has suffered a hip injury. The Canadian's absence could see the home team field Teemu Tainio on the right, with Pascal Chimbonda moving to the left, and Steed Malbranque coming into midfield.
Probable Starting XI: Robinson; Tainio, Dawson, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.
Sevilla: Andrés Palop has been ruled out of the game after he picked up a calf injury and is set to be replaced by the squad's second choice goalkeeper, David Cobeño. Up front, Sevilla's leading scorer in Europe this season, Ernesto Chevantón, is also sidelined after he suffereda knock during the goalless draw with Racing at the weekend.
Probable Starting XI: Cobeño; Hinkel, Navarro, Escudé, Castedo; Alves, Poulsen, Maresca, Correia; Renato; Kanouté.

Champions League Reaction: Crouch Reflects On Job Done

Liverpool's match-winner Peter Crouch agreed that the Reds' quarter-final second-leg victory over 10-man PSV Eindhoven was not a Champions League classic.
The Premiership side were already three up from the first leg, and most observers - including, possibly, PSV themselves - seemed to regard the second-leg as no more than a formality.
But Crouch's second-half goal ensured that Liverpool won both legs with a 4-0 aggregate to set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea."I don't think it was much of a spectacle but we did a job, got the result," Crouch told Sky Sports."We did most of the work in the first leg obviously and it was just a case of seeing it out today, and that's what we did well."It was a strange game. All the lads were up for it. If it had stayed 0-0, I'm sure you would've seen more urgency."Regarding his own contribution, Crouch admitted he was thrilled with his recent form. He said: "I've been pleased with my form in the Champions League. It's a fantastic competition."Hopefully I can keep that run going."Ironically, the semi-final will pit Crouch and his Liverpool team-mates against the side he supported as a boy - Chelsea.The England striker said: "It's going to be a special occasion. We've had that tie before and hopefully we'll have the same outcome."He added: "My dad will be pleased. It's local for him as well so it'll be a special occasion for myself, my family and everyone connected with Liverpool."I won the FA Cup last year and hopefully can go one better this year."Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised his team's professionalism."We knew that it would be difficult because the mentality of the players when you are controlling the game, you don't concede any chances and you be more relaxed."Of Crouch, Benitez said: "Now he has the confidence all strikers need."I hope he can keep scoring goals until the end of the season."Looking ahead to the Chelsea clash, Benitez added: "We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are a very good team."But we know that if we play to our level, we can beat them."And he feels it may be "a little bit" of an advantage to be playing the first leg at Stamford Bridge.But he warned: "Chelsea are a good team playing away now, as you could see the other day against Valencia."

Rafa excited by American dream

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has welcomed the positive effect new American owners George Gillett and Tim Hicks have had on the club.

Earlier this week the pair completed their takeover at Anfield, acquiring more than 98% of shares in just eight weeks to be able to take the club into private ownership.
The US duo have promised to back Benitez in the transfer market, as well as provide the funds for a new stadium in nearby Stanley Park, and the Spaniard has welcomed their input so far.
"I think it's very positive. I hope that they will try to do the best for the club because when you want to buy a club and you want to invest big money it means that you want to be successful and that you want to win everything," said Benitez.
A week ago the Liverpool boss underlined his commitment to the club by dismissing speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid and he re-iterated his desire to stay at Anfield and work with the American tycoons to make the Reds a genuine force in English football once again.
"I think that can be really good for us. If everything is going in the right direction I think it can be a very good time for all of the people involved," he told the League Managers' Association's website.
"I am really happy here and everything is okay and I think it can be a very good opportunity for doing something for the (Liverpool) history."
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FA backs under-fire McClaren

The Football Association urged England fans Thursday to lay off beleaguered coach Steve McClaren.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick said fans had every right to be frustrated after England's unconvincing 3-0 European Championship qualifying win over Andorra on Wednesday, which came four days after a dour 0-0 draw against Israel.
"I do, however, feel that there is a line to draw between acceptable criticism and personal vilification and abuse," Barwick said in a statement. "One's fair, the other isn't."
Fans chanted "What a load of rubbish" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" during Wednesday's game in Barcelona. They showered McClaren with abuse as he walked off the field after the scoreless first half. Even after the win, they shouted "Still want McClaren out."
"This past week has shown just how the fortunes of the England team get people's emotions fired up," Barwick said. "England matters and we wouldn't want - or expect - it any other way.
"Everyone has the right to give their opinion - that's the beauty of the game - and the England fans, the most dedicated group of supporters in the world, are entitled to air theirs."
McClaren stormed out of a news conference after the Andorra game after just two questions.
"Gentlemen, if you want to write whatever you want to write, you can write it because that is all I am going to say," he said. "Thank you."
The former Middlesbrough manager - who replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup - has been lampooned and mocked by Britain's media.
"I know how hard Steve and everyone connected to the team is working," Barwick said. "He's a strong man and I know from speaking with him just how determined he is to deliver success for England."
After England failed to score in the first half against a part-time side ranked 163rd in the world, Steven Gerrard scored twice and Kevin Nugent once to save McClaren's job - for the time being.
"The first half was one of the most difficult 45 minutes I've ever experienced in an England shirt," Gerrard said.
But the anti-McClaren campaign hasn't died down. British bookmakers on Thursday offered 11-8 odds that McClaren will no longer be coach by the end of the qualifying period for the 2008 championship.
His assistant, Terry Venables, and Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill are joint favorites to replace McClaren at 5-1.
"Nothing could dispel the memory of the most shapeless, dispiriting, depressing evening English football has endured for decades, a night of near-disaster that was utterly unacceptable," The Mirror newspaper said Thursday.

Captain John Terry pleaded with fans to support the team and McClaren.
"We take full responsibility and it's just not fair to hear some of those chants, especially during the game," Terry said. "Every single one of us took it in - and it wasn't nice."
Wayne Rooney hasn't scored in a competitive England match since the 2004 European Championship - 16 games ago. He will miss England's next match against Estonia on June 6 after picking up a yellow card against Andorra.
Attacking midfielder Frank Lampard missed the game with a wrist injury amid rumors he had been dropped because his style of play did not get the best out of Gerrard.
England is in danger of missing out on a major soccer tournament for the first time since 1994. Croatia leads Group E with 13 points, while England, Israel and Russia all have 11. Croatia and Russia have played a game less than England.
In its previous three games, England drew 0-0 at Israel, lost 2-0 to Croatia and drew 0-0 with Macedonia.
"McClaren's resources include a handful of top-class players, but there is something rotten in the national team, something that goes far deeper than the Gerrard versus Frank Lampard debate, or the age-old left-sided problem," The Times wrote. "Maybe it has more to do with the psyche of English footballers and an environment in which underachievement, for whatever reason, appears endemic."

Frank dropped by England - Reports

Frank Lampard was fit to play in England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra but was dropped by coach Steve McClaren, according to reports.
Lampard suffered a hairline fracture to his wrist after being struck by a ball in training on Monday, but was passed fit to play with a protective cast by England physios.
However, according to a number of daily newspapers, McClaren decided not to play the Chelsea midfielder, and picked Owen Hagreaves and Steven Gerrard in central midfield.
Lampard tried to fly straight home after being omitted, but was told to stay and return to England with the rest of the squad.
Chelsea chiefs were keen to bring Lampard straight back to London to check on the injury, and offered to send a private jet, but he was made to stay with the England squad for the game in Barcelona.
However, McClaren claims that Lampard was not dropped from the side, and was merely left out as a precaution.
McClaren said: "It is not worth taking the risk with his injury. Of course he wants to play, but he understands the situation and is here to support the team."
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Mark Hughes

Full Name : Leslie Mark Hughes
Date of Birth : 1st Nov 1963
Place of Birth :Wrexham, Wales
Position :Forward
Height :5ft 9
United debut :30/11/1983vs Oxford (A)

Hughes's United Record 1983-86 & 1988-95

League : 336 (9),120
FA Cup : 45(1),18
League Cup : 37(1),16
Europe : 30(3),9
Other games : 5,1
Total : 453 (14),164

Hughes's International Record 1983-2000
72 Caps for Wales - 16 Goals

Honours with United
1994 F.A. Cup

1994 F.A. Premier League

1993 F.A. Premier League

1992 League Cup

1991 European Cup Winners Cup

1990 F.A. Cup

1985 F.A. Cup

Biography

Mark Hughes must go down as one of the most exciting and talented forwards in the modern era of English football. A scorer of some truly spectacular goals, especially with his glorious bicycle kick, "Sparky" Hughes was the sort of player that ensured a game was never dull. One of his great talents was holding the ball up while waiting for his team mates to arrive as the oncoming reinforcements. In fact such was his strength and power it seemed he could hold onto that ball forever and his opponents still wouldn't get it off him.

This enabled United to create the fast-flowing counter attack that characterised the team in the early to mid 1990s. Chuck the ball at him and it would stick to his chest, head, thigh or arse. He loved the way that opponents would just bounce off him and if they got in to close he could turn quickly, leaving them for dead to fire in a lethal shot. He was also a great passer with an ability to drop off deep and act as a playmaker. And who could forget that fiery Welsh temper that would sometimes emerge in the heat of battle.

Born in Wrexham, he joined United as a Youth team player and quickly rose to the first team as a prolific goal-scorer in United's infamous 1984 season. The club roared off to a ten point lead at the start of the season but form deserted the team and Hughes with United finishing a disappointing 4th. Hughes' talents now made him one of the hottest talents in England. After winning an FA Cup medal in 1985 and PFA Young Player of the Year award he attracted the attention of Europe's big clubs.
He was sold to Barcelona in 1986 for £2 million, however the intense pressure of the giant Nou-Camp crowds and huge expectations made for unhappy times - Hughes would get his revenge on Barca's fans in 1991. He even went out on loan to Bayern Munich for a time but it was clear his future lay back in England.



Alex Ferguson was first in the queue when Barca put Hughes up for sale and brought him back to United in 1988 for £1.6 million. It was business as usual as Hughes returned to his best form again. His excellent form meant he won PFA Player of the Year in both 1989 and 1991. Hughes soon became an established International for Wales playing over 65 times. (After a year as their team captain, in 1999 he took over from Bobby Gould as Welsh Manager)

However, it was his wondrous goals that fans loved the most. They are too many to list, but his best include the amazing bicycle kick for Wales against Spain, a superb narrow-angled winner in the Cup Winners' Cup Final against Barcelona, the looping volley lashed home against Manchester City in 1989, a belter at home to Sheffield Wednesday in 1994 and the volley to equalise against Oldham in the desperate last seconds of the 1994 FA Cup semi-final, the goal that saved United's 1994 season during the peak of his career. Hughes also scored twice in the 1990 FA Cup Final and the 3rd goal against Chelsea in the 1994 Final.

In the mid and late 1980s when Manchester United were at a low ebb, Sparky was something to be proud of, a class act that any great team would love to have. When the glory years of Cantona arrived, Hughes deservedly got his starring role in the limelight and was an integral part of the two League title wins and Double of 1994. It was claimed on Cantona's arrival that the two would never work together, yet the Hughes-Cantona partnership worked brilliantly from the start.

Then, aged 32 Alex Ferguson unexpectedly sold him in the summer of 1995 to Chelsea, where he went on to win the FA Cup and become the only player to ever win four FA Cup winner's medals. At the time United fans were as angry with the manager as perhaps they have ever been, for selling the man who had been an Old Trafford icon for over a decade.

Seeing Mark Hughes in the blue of Chelsea and Everton or stripes of Southampton has never seemed quite right. While he has gone on to carve out a successful managerial career with Wales and Blackburn, he will always be remembered marauding through defences in the red of his beloved Manchester United. As Alex Ferguson once said, "A warrior you could trust with your life".

Red Devils 'desperate' for title

Red Devils 'desperate' for title
Paul Scholes admits Manchester United are 'desperate' to recapture the Premiership title ahead of the visit of north-west neighbours Bolton on Saturday.

The Reds' lead was whittled down to six points by Chelsea's win at Manchester City on Wednesday, and the former England man knows how important a win will be against the Trotters.

He told Inside United: "After not doing so well in the Premiership over the last couple of years, we are more determined than ever to lift the trophy this year."

He added: "The league is the major trophy, your bread and butter. We have not had that trophy for four years now - that's too long. It is a trophy we desperately want to win back."

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