FA Cup Half time report: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Charlton Athletic
Starting XI for Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Palacios, Sandro, Townsend, Pavlyuchenko and Defoe.
Subs: Pletikosa, Hutton, Lennon, Jenas, Van der Vaart and Modric.
Starting XI for Charlton Athletic: Elliot, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Semedo-c32875, Doherty, Wagstaff, Dailly, Racon, McCormack, Anyinsah and Fry.
Subs: Worner, Llera, Abbott, Reid, Sodje, Fortune and Jenkinson.
It was astonishing to see these two sides being paired up like this. After all, it was only three years ago Charlton Athletic was in the Premier League, playing Tottenham every season. There was nothing to choose between the two sides
in the first half, despite Spurs enjoying most of the possession.
In the early proceedings, it was Charlton who attacked more aggressively than Spurs. The visitors attacked in numbers but having the defensive pairing like Bassong and Dawson meant it would be a hard job to score. A foul on Sandro resulted
in a free kick.
The Charlton wall held up well as Tottenham tried the free-kick. It was a good hit from Kranjcar, with plenty of curl – but was wide of the target, drifting past the right hand post. Possession stats showed that Spurs enjoyed 73% of possession
but still couldn’t find the goal.
In the 28th minute, Defoe came close - his shot was cleared off the line by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-c9045 Dailly - and the veteran managed to make a crucial stop for the visitors to keep them in game. Spurs got close yet again when
Kranjcar picked up a rebound from Doherty and passed it to Pavlyuchenko. The player then managed a cross but put the header wide.
Charlton got close to scoring in the dying moments of the match when Racon managed a close range effort. The goalkeeper the managed a brilliant save to deny the visitors a chance to score.
It can be expected that Redknapp would have to bring in the likes of Modric or Van Der Vaart to find the opening goal in second half. The side is currently lacking creativity which both Modric and Van Der Vaart possess in abundance.
The first half was strangely silent. That has to be credited to Charlton as they've largely nullified the threat of Spurs. Redknapp's side have had the better of the game, but he'll need to change things around in break to end the deadlock.
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