FA Premier League - Sunday 23rd November 2008
Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
ROMAN PAVLYUCHENKO maintained Tottenham's recent revival under Harry Redknapp with an early strike against ten-man Blackburn at White Hart Lane, writes Mark Ritson.
After suffering a slight blip last weekend with defeat away at Fulham, Harry Redknapp's side have clawed their way out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Pavlyuchenko partnered Darren Bent up front, and opened the scoring after nine minutes when Aaron Lennon supplied the Russian to strike past ex-Tottenham goalkeeper, Paul Robinson.
And he nearly could have had a second with a glancing header from a David Bentley free-kick, only to see the ball crash back off the post.
The home side continued to show a new breed of confidence as Spurs' all-English midfield dominated this match from start to finish, notably through Tom Huddlestone and Lennon.
Rovers boss Paul Ince has not had the best of starts to his managerial reign at Ewood Park, and his sides chances were dealt with a further blow minutes remaining before half-time, as Martin Olsson saw red for his second bookable offence.
Heurelho Gomes, who has come under much criticism in recent matches, dropped Rovers' first corner and was never convincing throughout. Even the home fans cheered ironically when he did make a clean catch. In all fairness the Brazilian stopper did not have much to do all game.
Spurs continued to play attacking and flowing football, as Aaron Lennon was a constant menace to Blackburn's full-backs, whilst David Bentley, playing against his former side, was in superb form delivering some wonderful crosses for Bent and Pavlyuchenko.
Blackburn offered little going forward and one has to wonder whether Paul Ince can turn things around at a club who found stability under Mark Hughes' time in charge, as Spurs should have won this match by more than just the one goal.
Rovers now sit second-bottom in the Premier League without a win in eight games, whilst another victory for Spurs see them leap up into 14th position as Harry Redknapp looks to make an assault on the top six.
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