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Spurs 2 Leeds 2 - report
By Andy Baggott
January 25 2010
Leeds produced arguably the result of the round for the second time, with a last gasp draw at high flying Spurs. It was a richly deserved equaliser, but boy did they make us wait.
Tottenham started like a runaway train – the visitors really had to batten down the hatches and cope with a hell of a battering.  Shots flew in from all angles, and if goalkeeper Casper Ankergren hadn’t been in top form, the tie could have been over within 10 minutes.  A tip over the bar was soon followed by sprawling effort to keep out the impressive Bale’s free kick.  Kranjcar was next to test the Leeds keeper, but it was a penalty save that topped the lot.  Jermain Defoe hit the spot kick low to Casper’s left, but the big Dane got down superbly to keep it out.  Spurs continued to push, with Crouch winning header after header, but the intensity could not carry on.  Slowly, Leeds got back into the game.  Robert Snodgrass, playing in the hole behind Beckford, came more into the game.  He hit a great right footed shot that Gomez clawed away.  Next Beckford dragged one wide, before Snoddy put the striker through again, but his dippy volley was again well saved.  Back came Spurs, but Leeds dug deep – Patrick Kisnorbo, once again throwing his body on the line for the cause – surely there can’t be a better centre back in League one – or a better value for money signing anywhere.With half time approaching, the home side edged in front.  Kranjcar’s shot was kept out by Ankergrens foot, but the rebound fell to crouch who rifled home. The second half, and Leeds came out firing, and grabbed a leveller.  Snodgrass’s corner wasn’t dealt with by Spurs, and a Beckford forced the ball home from close range.   Harry Redknapp decided to wheel out the big guns – first Palacious, then Pavlyuchenko and Keane were summoned from the bench – each one costing at least 10 times the amount of the entire Leeds team combined.  It soon paid dividends – Pavlyuchenko scoring the goal of the game, slotting home after his superb step over had created the gap.  Leeds began to look tired, but continued to press – Kilkenny in the centre spraying the ball around and probing for the space.  90 minutes came and went – and with it the announcement of 5 extra minutes.  In the very last one, a final attack.  Howson hit a superb long pass to Beckford.  The striker stepped over and drove for the by line – where Dawson upended him – penalty shout – penalty given.  Was it?  Even with countless replays, opinion is divided – but Alan Wiley, the man with the whistle (and boy did we know it, 6 Leeds players booked in what was never a dirty game), gave it. Now as Leeds fans know – penalties aren’t our strong point, with a string of recent misses behind us.  Beckford stepped up, as I dropped to my knees, hands clenched together, willing it in – he hit it into the top corner – pandemonium – Leeds had done it, and got the draw. A superb cup tie, played at a hectic pace.  Tottenham undoubtedly had the quality, but Leeds never gave up, and were richly rewarded.  The replay is next Wednesday, with the winners having a trip to Bolton…

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25 Jan, 2010 12:14 Report
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Spurs 2 Leeds 2 - report
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