Football Dissected

For a full 90 minutes it seemed as if Derby County had no idea what the term defending meant. Time and again they allowed Spurs players too much time on the ball, too much time to look up to see the options, and when players like Tom Huddlestone and Robbie Keane are given that much freedom, then sooner or later they’re going to put the ball into the back of the net. The first goal was probably the worst goal to concede not only because it was within the first 2 minutes of the game and thereby setting the tone of the rest of match, but also because of the poor marking. Steed Malbranque stood just outside the box without a single defender near him and surprise, surprise, Jermaine Jenas squared the ball to him and Malbranque rifled it into the bottom corner of the net. The other two goals came in quick succession, a second for Malbranque just four minutes after his first and a delight from Jenas in the 14th minute. Bent added a header in the 80th to secure Tottenham's first win of the season.

A 4-0 thrashing appeared to be just what Derby deserved for their poor performance, although it should really have been 5 if the linesman had not given Wayne Routledge offside when he flicked the ball into the net. 3 goals inside the first 15 minutes not only won the game for Tottenham, but it also sent the spirits of a poor Derby side over the line to the disheartened side. One could argue Derby were only poor because they conceded so early, but still with knowing you still got over eighty-five minutes to go Derby should have remembered the basics of football. And perhaps they should have had a leader on the pitch - not a captain but a leader who would have pulled them together after the first goal and got them organised.