Back from my first Spurs game in about 6 years. I know, I'm sorry. I did my best. Thought I'd give my summary even though most of it has been said before.
First 15 minutes or so Stoke always looked more like scoring. Didn't see Crouch's handball in the build up but I've heard there was one. Still, it was one of those typical goals Spurs concede where the ball is in the box for ages without anyone taking decisive action. There was a lot of that in defence, and we gave the ball away cheaply. When we did manage to keep possession we struggled to get it into dangerous areas (credit Stoke's defending I guess), and when we did put crosses in only Adebayor seemed to attack the box. We had a few decent long range shots, but only one of them really troubled Sorenson. Movement was a bit static and we needed half time to instill some desire and focus back into the team, but then suddenly Stoke were 2 up without really having done that much, at least since the start of the half.
At this point I couldn't see us getting any result, and that 3-0 Stoke was more likely. I tried telling myself that this is new Spurs, we're never THAT bad these days, so I thought maybe we'd scramble to a 2-1 loss instead... Interesting substitutions, seemed to work - probably more about shape than personnel (Benny hadn't been at his best mind).
Still, after 15 minutes we weren't much closer to getting back in the game, until the penalty. My first reaction was that Modric had dived, though I've not seen it again. Surprised to see Ade step up to take it but assumed that this confidence was a good sign. It was. This set up a fantastic finale. Our fans were suddenly right up for it, as were out players. I really couldn't see us not scoring again, and even reckoned we might be slight favourites to win it. Balls fizzed across the box, shots were save or deflected behind, defenders were skinned, it was an exciting time for us. Parker went down in the box, but I never expected it to be given, especially so soon after the penalty. Kaboul was clearly fouled soon after, which was a stonewaller as far as I could see, then Ade scored and it felt great (for a couple of seconds) I wasn't surprised to see the offside flag, but having seen it since... wow, what an atrocious decision. Couldn't really see the handball on the line but apparently that was blatant too.
As for Kaboul's sending off, my first reaction was that he got the ball, so I was annoyed at even a free kick. I was however at the other end of the pitch so I assumed it was probably a good decision - I've since heard that both yellow were dubious. The sending off killed our chances really, and having expected all 3 results at various points in the game, it really felt disappointing to lose (the one game I go to ends our winning run. Gutted). It was nice to see a performance in the second half though.
I left feeling aggrieved at the ref, who seemed to give us nothing except the penalty - including two of the worst goal kick/corner decisions I've ever seen. I soon found out from the car radio about some of the things I'd missed, turning a bad officiating display into an abysmal one.
I also had to agree with another point raised on 606 a lot - Stoke's time wasting. Each throw in took at least 30 seconds to take - and it was exactly the same for corners, goal kicks, and even kicks out of hand. They got away with a solitary yellow card in the end. However ugly their style of play, at least it's mostly legal. This was stretching the rules to breaking point.
Anyway, speech over. A win next week and all is rosy again. And better hope Chelsea don't win tomorrow.
:baeshock: 
:harryblow: :defoe: 
:walker: :modricwtf: 
:bale: :harryagh: 
