Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas insists that his team were in control from start to finish in the 5-2 North London derby defeat against Arsenal yesterday.
Tottenham went into the crucial fixture after suffering two consecutive defeats at the hands of Wigan Athletic and Manchester City respectively.
The Spurs boss had been looking forward to the encounter, and had reassured the Spurs faithful that the importance of the game was not lost on him. This was to be the manager’s first taste of the popular and historic rivalry between both teams.
This was also a different derby, with new names and faces in both teams. Tottenham had the likes of Steven Caulker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 and Santi Cazorla. This was
to be the first North London derby for all these players, and they definitely showed the passion and zest that is typical of such games.
Tottenham had been in control at the start, and scored the first goal through http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505, and Arsenal quickly capitalized on Spur’s 10-man disadvantage.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 started the second half in similar fashion, thought Tottenham did play better and looked like they were eventually making their
way back into the game.
However, Arsenal scored two more goals through http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422 got a consolation for the visitors. The score line was 5-2 and meant completely different things for both teams.
It marks Tottenham’s third consecutive defeat in the league, but looks set to be a huge morale and confidence booster for Arsenal.
Speaking to the press after the game, Villas-Boas said:
“I wouldn’t give too much importance to the sending off. We are very proud of what we did here today. The score line is big for Arsenal but the game was not so big. It was big on our side. We are proud of what we did with eleven men and we’re proud of what
we did with ten men.”
“I think we were on top from the first minute to the last. I certainly compliment Arsenal for what they did but I think we played with great passion, ambition and desire.”
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