MATCH REPORT: Priceless points squandered as Spurs collapse

From Ewood Park blackburn r 2 McCarthy 82, Ooijer 89 tottenham 1 Keane 30 pen Att: 21,891 SPURS conceded two goals in the last eight minutes to squander three priceless Premier League points at Ewood Park on Saturday. Harry Redknapp s men led

From Ewood Park

blackburn r 2

McCarthy 82, Ooijer 89

tottenham 1

Keane 30 pen Att: 21,891

SPURS conceded two goals in the last eight minutes to squander three priceless Premier League points at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp's men led 1-0 through Robbie Keane's first-half penalty. Indeed, they controlled the game for long periods but were unable to grab a second goal. Then, the Lilywhites fell to pieces when Wilson Palacios was sent off for a second bookable offence 10 minutes from time.

Spurs went into the game as the division's form team - unbeaten in their last six games - and victory would have given them an outside chance of securing a Europa League spot next season.

Tottenham survived an early scare when El-Hadji Diouf headed wide from close range before having another effort blocked.

The visitors grew in confidence and Ledley King flicked a header wide from Luka Modric's corner.

Shortly afterwards, former Spur Paul Robinson came to Rovers rescue, beating away a well-struck drive from Darren Bent after he was put through by Palacios.

Spurs breakthrough came in controversial circumstances on the half hourmark. Aaron Lennon's attempted cross from the right struck Gael Givet's arm and referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot, despite no confirmation from a better placed linesman.

Keane made generous use of the penalty spot in placing the ball before beating Robinson low to his right.

Rovers pushed centre half Christopher Samba up front for the second half after replacing the injured striker Jason Roberts with defender Andre Ooijer. Both were to play big parts in the game.

Spurs had chances to put the match beyond reach before going into meltdown after Palacios's unlucky dismissal. First, Samba outmuscled Jonathan Woodgate to set up Benni McCarthy for the equaliser.

Then, after Heurelho Gomes had turned over a shot from Stephen Warnock, he and the defence failed to deal with Diouf's corner and Ooijer scrambled home from close range.

SPURS MAN OF THE MATCH: Wilson Palacios. Most influencial player until his unlucky sending off.

Team: Gomes 5, Corluka 6, King 6, Woodgate 6, Assou-Ekotto 6, Palacios 7, Jenas 6, Modric 6, Lennon 6 (Zokora 83), Keane 6, Bent 6. Not used: Cudicini, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Huddlestone, Dawson, Chimbonda. Sent off: Palacios.

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