Much has been said after Spurs became the latest team to fall at the feet of Chelsea, but I think it is safe to assume two things, firstly that in their current form it will take something really special to beat the Blues, and secondly that Harry Redknapp will not be having a beer with Howard Webb any time in the near future.
Redknapp had another go at Webb in his post match interview, stating he, "cost us a game last season" with a ridiculous penalty decision and "has done so again today".
'Arry's never backwards in coming forwards when it comes to the Men In Black but he will have to be careful if he doesn't want another dressing down from the FA regarding his outspoken views.
He did acknowledge that Webb had apologised for the decision last season though...
The incident Redknapp was refering to was of course Webb awarding Manchester United a controversial penalty against Tottenham when Spurs were 2-0 up last April. The resulting goal inspired an impressive comeback from the eventual Champions who ended the game 5-2 winners.
This time Webb did not award the penalty but, this time, he should have.
If Webb didn't see it he can't give it but then he has not booked Keane for diving. He is not committing himself and sitting on the fence is not what refs are paid for.
Webb seemed to be indicating that he thought Keane had simply fallen over, not dived and was not brought down. In the end he gave a goal kick which does seem like a bit of a cop out.
Robbie Keane should have had a penalty but it I don't believe it would have changed the eventual outcome of them match. It might, however, have offered a tiny amount of consolation to stop the Blues achieving a clean sheet had the penalty been given and converted.
And you can understand Redknapp's frustration.
When the big boys come to play it is never an even playing field, generally because they usually simply have a higher caliber of player at their disposal.
This season Spurs arguably have more quality than they have had for quite some time and perhaps Harry was confident that if nothing else Spurs would deny Chelsea a clean sheet.
Chelsea, unlike Manchester United have had a relatively easy start to the season, not to take anything away from their 100% record as you can only beat the teams you face but their opening fixtures were hardly the most challenging they will face this season.
This season Spurs wanted to show that they are real contenders and even if they couldn't beat Chelsea it is always possible that Keane's penalty results in an equaliser and Spurs hang on for a draw. I still feel it is unlikely as Chelsea are such a well oiled machine at this point that anything less than 3 points would simply not compute.
First published on www.ComeOnSpurs.com on 21/9/2009
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