Same Old

As Spurs fans settled into their seats at the Reebok Stadium, they must have felt they were in seventh heaven, with the first game of a new Premiership season to look forward to and a big juicy gloat at the expense of their hated North London rivals, who had already been held to a battling draw at the Emirates by a modest but industrious Aston Villa side under new boss Martin O’Neill.

But that, unfortunately, was as good as it got. Bolton Wanderers took a 9th minute lead when Kevin Davies powered in Gary Speed’s cross and some four minutes later Ivan Campo’s low 40 yard drive flew past an embarrassed Paul Robinson as the new England manager watched with interest.

With 43% possession and just 5 goal attempts (only 2 of which were on target) this was far from the bright new start Spurs had been looking forward to.

Suddenly, they’re not crowing any more.