Spurs 6, Reading 4: Spurs Win, But Berbatov's Future in Doubt

When I woke up this morning, I didn't believe that Spurs would end 2007 having scored 11 goals in two games.

Nor did I believe that Dave Kitson would "go nuts", or that Steve McClaren would lead England to a European Championship.

Well, we can dare to dream.

Reading and Spurs have produced more domestic goals, for and against, than any other teams in the Premiership. True to form, they generated six goals in 14 spectacular minutes of lacklustre defending and scintillating attacking this weekend.

"This match was 90 minutes of crazy football," said Tottenham manager Juande Ramos.

The thrills started early, with Steed Malbranque picking out Robbie Keane on a slide-rule through ball, which left Keane to find Dimitar Berbatov across the goal mouth for the score.

Spurs' attack has excelled this season, but their defense has blundered. Paul Robinson was to be left out in the cold again, with a poor punch from a Nicky Shorey set piece that left Kalifa Cisse to pick his spot of the open goal and even the score at 1-1 going into the break.

Tom Huddlestone's set-piece frailty was shown in the 53rd minute when he lost Ivar Ingimarsson on a Shorey corner. Ingimarsson happily headed past a flailing Robinson.

Jermain Defoe was introduced for Ledley King, and soon after broke down the right wing and crossed the ball to Graeme Murty, who uncharacteristically miscued the ball into the path of the ever-eager Berbatov for a strike into the top right corner.

Moments later, Spurs were in disarray again following another Shorey corner, which Dave Kitson flicked into the back of the net after having lost Younes Kaboul. Spurs once again equalised on a corner, which Jermaine Jenas headed to Berbatov, who cooly turned and fired the ball past Marcus Hahnemann.

Kitson later broke away from Spurs' disillusioned back three via a beautiful through ball from Stephen Hunt, who lobbed the ball superbly over an outstretched Robinson. Malbranque equalised almost immediately, turning on the edge of the box and expertly curling a shot past Hahnemann.

Spurs were on their way to a fifth when they were awarded a penalty after Ibrahima Sonko was adjudged to have tripped Keane. Keane dispatched the try to the Hahnemann's right, only for the keeper to parry the ball straight to Defoe, who headed the ball past Hahnemann.

Reading were furious, as they believed Defoe was encroaching—and replays confirmed they had the right to be upset.

Berbatov was again to be a hero, scoring his fourth following a through ball from Kaboul to make the final 6-4 to Spurs, following their 5-1 drubbing of Fulham only a few days ago.

Berbatov's was the name on everybody's lips after the match, but his future was cast in doubt by Ramos' postgame comments.

"The chairman knows that I want Berbatov to stay," Ramos said. "If it were up to me we would not lose him, but there are different circumstances and factors that we need to take into account, such as the player's opinion and feeling."

Losing Berbatov would mean a bleak future after Tottenham's resurgence—and Defoe may be moving towards the exit door too.

As I see it, Spurs need a lesson in personnel management. Berbatov has scored eight goals in the league this term, and without his prowess and skill Spurs would lose undoubtedly their biggest attacking threat.

With a handful of suitors offering the Bulgarian the prospect of Champions League football, which he is fully eligible for, he could well be on his way out. Be it in January or the next two years, we as Spurs fans know such a "magnificent" talent may need to move on to find a stage more suitable for his talent.

And if you do go, Berbatov, with my heart let me say thank you...for being perfect.