Argentinean legend turns out for an English club for one day
As a favour to his friend and international colleague, Diego Maradona agreed to play in Ossie Ardiles’ 1986 testimonial, which saw Tottenham beat Inter Milan 2-1.
The game - for which Maradona arrived late after being personally driven from his hotel by Ardiles - took place just a few weeks before the 1986 World Cup. Somehow, we don’t think the Argentinean coach would have received such a warm reception at an English ground in the weeks that followed.
Spurs put in huge dent in The Red’s league campaign
Yesterday’s bout between Tottenham and Liverpool was certainly a spectacle: Rafa waved his glasses around like a mentalist, a rousing chant of “You’re supposed to be in jail” rang around White Hart Lane as Steven Gerrard took his penalty and Tottenham fans were left with an extremely familiar feeling of over-confidence concerning the season ahead.
While most of us are delighted to welcome the drama of the Premier League back into our lives, there are some pangs of discomfort on Merseyside right now. Last season, Liverpool lost out on the title by four points, having lost just two games. Thanks to Tottenham’s impressive performance, they now go into the remainder of the season on the back foot.
On Friday, Fernando Torres told us that “it is games like Sunday’s at Tottenham where we need to show our real title intentions”. Did they do exactly that? Or is there still league winning potential in the Spaniard’s side?
A chance to get excited months before anything actually happens
Tottenham have finally been granted their wish to kick-off a Premier League campaign at home but Liverpool will be the visitors for their first opener at White Hart Lane since 2004.
Spurs fans can take some comfort though from the fact Arsenal have been given a challenging away game on the opening weekend against Everton.
Wolves are the only promoted side who start at home - against West Ham - and the last five to have done so have avoided defeat. Every new arrival who has opened their campaign on the road over the last three seasons has lost and Birmingham and Burnley face tough trips to Man United and Stoke.
Oasis frontman inflicts his charming personality on Spurs fans
Lacking the rapier wit of his older brother Noel, Liam Gallagher found an alternative way to communicate with football fans on Saturday.
The Oasis star and his untalented sibling Paul found themselves in an executive box at White Hart Lane to watch their beloved Manchester City, where they were subjected to abuse from the home supporters. “You’re just a shit Chas & Dave,” sang the Spurs fans below the box.
When Manchester City scored their 65th minute equaliser, Gallagher was quick to retaliate with some rather unfriendly hand gestures. At that point, a member of Spurs security staff stepped in:
A Tottenham source said: “Fans started getting a bit heated so a security official went to have a word with him. It was precautionary. He wasn’t chucked out and carried on watching from his box.”
Understandably, Gallagher wasn’t quite as piqued when Tottenham scored their 86th minute winner.
Tottenham first released official details of the proposed Northumberland Development Project last year, and have decided to whet our appetites with a few more pictures and details.
The 58,000 capacity stadium - which looks ever-so-slightly similar to another Premier League ground just down the road - will be the centrepiece of a complex that will include a luxury hotel, and a space for community events, such as street markets, performers, ice rink or educational activities.
Tottenham/Arsenal, Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1, Free £10 bet
Arsenal are on their longest unbeaten run of the season, yet Tottenham’s home form is relatively impressive under Harry Redknapp. Our friends at chickendinner give us five reasons why Spurs will take at least a point off their superior rivals on Sunday:
1. Arsene Wenger’s side have won just one of their last seven away matches in all competitions. They have drawn their last three matches in all competitions and five of their last eight league games.
2. Tottenham are unbeaten in three meetings with their North London rivals.
3. Spurs have lost just one of thirteen home games under Harry Redknapp, winning eight.
4. Redknapp went unbeaten in his five home league meetings with Arsenal while managing Portsmouth and Southampton.
Last month, the official Tottenham website posted details on their new stadium, and they have now added some splendid 3-dimensional images of the structure to be built on the 20-acre Northumberland Development Project. Knowing that people today feel uncomfortable with entertainment unless it is endorsed by a global corporation (Barclays Premier League, anyone?), they plan to sell the stadium’s name to the highest bidder. Either ‘Naming Rights’ is an airline we’ve never heard of, or no one has come forward with the cash.
When we first saw this stadium, we believed it to be a curvy interpretation of the Emirates, but according to Tottenham’s OS, the design echoes the “flowing lines of football”, whatever that means:
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