Football: Cascarino is eclipsed by Hoddle's heroics: Chelsea embarrass their London rivals to dominate pre-season tournament while Tottenham's former idol keeps his thoughts to himself
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham Hotspur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Chelsea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
IT WAS like he had never been away. The inimitable Glenn Hoddle dominated the centre ground at White Hart Lane again yesterday, displaying all the perception and precision that had so enlivened Tottenham's movement for 12 seasons spanning the 1970s and 80s. But, sadly for local nostalgics, Hoddle was pulling the strings for Chelsea, who confidently brushed aside the hosts to secure the Makita Trophy with their biggest victory on Spurs' soil.
For 80 minutes, before pre-season weariness proved too much for his 35- year-old body, Hoddle made a nonsense of his transfer tribunal valuation of a maximum pounds 175,000. He effortlessly fended off Spurs' young midfield, created the first of Tony Cascarino's hat-trick, and continually prompted Chelsea forward with a succession of passes that invariably found their intended target, whatever the distance. How England's leading league has missed him - and, many would argue, the England team itself.
Ossie Ardiles, who once formed such a rich partnership with Hoddle, summed up the feelings of the 12,780 present. 'He was different class,' the Spurs manager said. 'He knew where to go to collect the ball and all our problems stemmed from there.'
By eschewing his now traditional sweeper slot, Hoddle returned to the midfield he knows so well to become the hub of a 4-4-2 formation that outthought and outfought a Spurs side lacking support from the terraces and sorely missing the inventiveness of Vinny Samways.
Hoddle racked up 47 games in Swindon's colours last season but knows his body's limitations better than an adoring and expectant Chelsea fan club (whose last sighting of silverware was the Cross-Channel trophy acquired at Le Havre's expense). 'I don't think it is going to be possible to play every game this time, but as long as I can influence the game in the right way then I will continue,' the Chelsea player-manager said. 'At the moment I am enjoying it - but I won't need anyone to tell me when to hang up my boots.'
Spurs wished Hoddle already had. His first serious intervention was a fine cross from the right after 13 minutes which was met emphatically by Cascarino, a powerful header giving Ian Walker no chance. Many have questioned Chelsea's wisdom in retaining Cascarino's services but that loyalty was vindicated yesterday as the tall Irishman punished some naive defending by Colin Calderwood, Jason Cundy and Gary Mabbutt.
A comedy of errors in the heart of Spurs' back four allowed him to poach his second, three missed clearances giving Cascarino the straightforward task of slipping the ball past the exposed Walker. Gavin Peacock was next to exploit the absence of markers, Chelsea's new pounds 1.2m signing rising to prodigious heights to steer Dennis Wise's cross past Walker.
The second half provided choir practice for the voluble visitors from the Shed. The 11 men on the field - as well as the 10 in the meadow - were individually eulogised. Even a knot of Amsterdam's finest were lauded. 'Ajax, Ajax give us a song' came the Chelsea request. The smiling Dutch stood up and waved. 'I've never played with such a volume behind me,' Hoddle said. 'They are obviously desperate for success'.
The final taunt of 'What's it like to be outclassed' was slightly unfair - if understandable. Spurs had their chances, with Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton going close, but the noise from the away end peaked as Cascarino completed his hat-trick - a close-range finish capping a marvellous right-sided build-up between David Lee and Wise, who ran Hoddle close as player of the tournament.
The flag chosen to herald Chelsea's march on to the pitch had been the Rising Sun, in honour of the Japanese sponsors - Chelsea fans left feeling that a new dawn had indeed arrived.
Tottenham Hotspur: Walker; Austin, Cundy (Hill, 70), Hendon (Allen, h/t), Calderwood, Mabbutt, Barmby, Sedgley, Anderton, Sheringham, Caskey.
Chelsea: Hitchcock; Clarke, Dow, Hoddle (Pearce, 80), Johnsen, Lee, Donaghy, Spencer, Cascarino (Shipperley, 68), Peacock, Wise.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow).
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments