Martins Inspires Win At Spurs

Glenn Roeder knew that the odds were stacked against his side at White Hart Lane. As usual, his squad was so ravaged by injuries to key players that Nicky Butt bravely offered to play despite the fact that he had spent most of the week in bed with ‘flu. On top of that, there was Spurs’ formidable home record to contend with and predictably the home side attacked from the first whistle, dominating possession and forcing fine saves by Shay Given from Berbatov and Defoe.

Things got even worse in the 13th minute when Malbranque crossed for Defoe to slide the ball in from short range and despite the fact that the Spurs striker was offside, the linesman kept his flag down and the goal stood. It seemed like the prelude to a goal fest.

But Newcastle stood firm and when Huntington equalised from a narrow angle just two minutes later it was the signal for a more even contest. Unfortunately, early in the second half a great block by Solano broke kindly for Berbatov, who hustled the ball in to restore Spurs’ lead and offer home fans the prospect of an easy finish.

Three minutes of magic from Obafemi Martins put paid to that. With some 20 minutes remaining, he produced an unstoppable shot from 25 yards and almost immediately set up Nicky Butt to cap a courageous performance by grabbing the winner, though in the time that remained there were chances at both ends as Sibierski went close and Defoe hit the post.