EPL, England, Features, Ian John, Leagues, Regions POSTS

Crouch shines as Spurs claim Champions League spot

Published by Ian John on August 26, 2010

" align="left" style="margin: 5px 10px 0px 0px;" width="360px" height="215px" />

A hat-trick from England striker Peter Crouch and a single strike from Jermain Defoe, albeit with the aid of a sneaky arm in the build up, was more than enough for Tottenham Hotspur to complete their revival from 3-0 down against Swiss side Young Boys and register a 6-3 aggregate victory; a victory which will take them into the draw for the league phase of the Champions League, which will be drawn on Friday in Monaco.

The game was played in torrential weather but Spurs made light of the conditions and of their Swiss opponents. Barely four minutes had elapsed when Gareth Bale’s first corner was not dealt with well by Young Boys, the Welshman received the ball back and lofted a ball to the back post for an unmarked Crouch to head home.

The goal drew Spurs level 3-3 on aggregate but ahead on the away goals ruling, but it never seemed likely that Spurs would need that assurance to make the next stage. Just before half time Defoe added a contentious second. The finish was brilliant, a drilled curling left foot shot from the edge of the box past the keeper, but in the build up Defoe clearly used his hand (which was missed by all five officials present). Indeed the England man seemed almost embarrassed to celebrate his goal, checking first that the referee and assistant weren’t going to disallow it.

It didn’t matter. Crouch nodded home a third in the second half and then finished the rout and his personal treble from the spot. 4-0 on the night, a place in the Champions League stages and at least £23 million guaranteed money to bolster the Harry Redknapp transfer fund.

And Harry may need to use that money very soon. Spurs keeper Gomes picked up an injury during the game taking a kick downfield, although it doesn’t look too serious. This still leaves Spurs with Carlo Cudicini as their first choice at the moment and Harry may wish to address that. He may also consider bringing in a new face to help with the six extra games that the club will now face over the last few months of 2010 as they try to qualify from the League stages, maintain their Premier League form and also participate in the Carling Cup.

However the real winner on the night was the clubs bank balance. It is fairly self-evident from the same names that crop up in the Champions League each year, that gaining entry to the competition is the easiest way to stay at the top of your domestic game. The reason simply being the finance that it generates for your team. With Manchester City having their own alternative source of riches and Liverpool falling away, the added money will be a huge boost for Spurs as they attempt to maintain their Champions League place next season.

It will also be interesting to see what the draw brings. Although Tottenham cannot end up in the same group as another English side, they could end up in a group alongside the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan, AC Milan or Bayern Munich from pot A, while they could also draw Roma, Real Madrid, Valencia or Benfica from pot B. Alternatively, if the fates are kinder, then they could get Lyon from pot A (who are no pushovers – ask Liverpool) and Panathinaikos from pot B.

With a strong squad, good form and A favourable draw, Spurs European adventure may continue yet for some time. They may not have the team to win it, but they can qualify from the group stages and after that, anything can happen and the longer they stay in the competition the more they maximise their revenue from it, which then gives them even greater chance of qualifying for the competition again next season.

It looks like being an interesting draw in Monaco on Friday.

Readers Rating: