OK.
Within 2 mins of the game starting one of the boro fans knocked another one out, about 5 feet away from us. Clean out. One punch. Blood everywhere, the guy's unconscious on the floor, police and stewards come running over so the attacker legs it up into the stand. Then some idiot at the back starts moaning cos everybody is stood up trying to make sure this bloke is alright. So there's more shouting, threats, police have to tell everybody to calm down. Mental. I was hoping that boro scored first, and it didn't help that we seemed to be surrounded by the biggest baldest men I have ever seen.
Anyway the first half wasn't as exciting. Quite even really. Spurs had most of the ball but there was lots of scampering about and no real end product. Boro had the better chances, with Alves and Tuncay looking particularly effective. Wheater scored but it was disallowed for a foul, which didn't endear the referee to the boro faithful. The half finished as it started, with me looking around nervously waiting for the punches to start flying.
Oh, have I mentioned how pretty Bentley is? Honestly, the man looks like Clark Kent or something. And the brylcreem!! My goodness, he should get himself in an advert. He is seriously missing a trick. He did seem to be playing left wing though, which was weird. But yeah, you can imagine how well his sculpted good looks went down with the bruisers around me. To be fair to him he put up with it all but his corners were pretty awful and, like the rest of the team, he looked good but there wasn't much threat.
Second half was much better. More chances at both ends. Jones made a couple of very good saves - looks like he'll be more than capable of filling Schwarzer's oversized boots. But I honestly couldn't see where a goal was coming from, which just goes to show what I know.
Berbatov came on to a chorus of "he's going to man utd". He didn't look particularly bothered to be fair, and I'm sure he didn't want to be injured.
In the end it was Wheater who scored the opener. Alves, who ran at the defence all afternoon, hit the bar and Wheater was there to whack in the rebound. Big sigh of relief from me, everybody's happy. Wheater gets mobbed on the touchline by the supporters. One of the women stewards just picks em off him and pushes them back. For a minute it looks like one of them is going to be ejected but the police just have a quiet word and tell him not to go round hugging david wheater. Meanwhile Alves is doing a little dance on his own on the goalline. It was quite sweet.
Second goal was a little fortuitous. One of the boro players slices his shot and it hits mido and flies into the back of the net. Mido's a bit of a folk hero on teesside for some reason. He runs over to the corner flag, everybody goes mental. Honestly, it was a bit like I imagine VE day was. Mido is there pointing at the crowd and they are LOVING him. Hugs and kisses all round. Carnival atmosphere. Big bald men smiling - the lot. I'm feeling a lot more relaxed. Somebody calls me "mate", I've arrived. I'm accepted.
Last few minutes play out, Tottenham score a goal up the other end but I didn't really see it. Sorry. Even the Spurs fans don't celebrate much. There are a couple of anxious moments afterwards but Boro see it out. They were pretty good today, counter attacking at pace, nice direct football. Spurs were very pretty but too complicated... and the defence looked a little suspect. Boro are a big physical side and Spurs' collection of very fast midgets seemed to have trouble coping, particularly with Wheater - who was my MOTM.
Right, I promised ratings...
Jones - a couple of very very good saves - 8
Taylor - not sure - 6
Pogatetz - decent. Finished with a bandage on his head. Nice - 7
Huth - very big - 7
Wheater - immense. They love him. I can see why. - 9
O'Neill - one of those unsung players. He did a couple of very good things. - 8
Downing - decent crosses, did well - 8
Tuncay - again, really good. Tricky, quick, likes his backheels - 8
Shawky - no idea. Heard his name a few times but nothing of note - 6
Alves - ran at defenders all day, few good shots - 8
Aliaidiere - quick - 7
Mido - it must be galling for spurs to lose to a goal scored by an ex-player but, when you have as many ex-players as spurs do then I imagine the chances are pretty high - 8
Gomes - looked OK actually. Came for a couple of crosses, didn't have a chance with the goals - 8
Zokora - right back? - 5
Woodgate - takes it up the nose - 6
Dawson - oh dear - 4
Assou-Ekotto - very small. Ran fast - 6
Modric - anonymous - 4
Bentley - have I mentioned how pretty he is? - 5
Lennon - very small. Ran fast - 6
Santos - very small. Ran fast - 6
Bent - needed more service - 6
Jenas - almost forgot him, not a good sign - 6
