Francis irritated by slack Spurs
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 1 Queen's Park Rangers 0
They were selling T-shirts outside the ground recalling Tottenham's Premiership victory over Arsenal this season - each one bearing the 2- 1 scoreline and an accompanying message: Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part II.
Saturday's completion of a League double over their West London rivals is unlikely to be celebrated with a similar initiative. Gifted a goal after just three minutes, Tottenham ended a mess of a match defending nervously against a side which has managed only 12 goals in 17 games.
The home side's manager, Gerry Francis, presented three basic reasons to be cheerful afterwards: one defeat in 15 games; four clean sheets in a row; joint third. However, he admitted that his side had disappointed him with the slackness of their performance once Teddy Sheringham had tucked away a loose ball after Jurgen Sommer had parried Ronny Rosenthal's shot.
If Tottenham have to guard against complacency, Rangers have the opposite problem after a slide in form that has left them in the relegation area. They have - not surprisingly - struggled to find a replacement for Les Ferdinand up front, and Mark Hateley, signed from Rangers for pounds 2.5m, proved a mixed blessing in only his second full game for them following a cartilage operation.
The policy of aiming crosses at his hirsute head reached a point of slavishness, compromising Rangers' traditional sublety. While Hateley rose gamely to the challenge, his knock-downs went nowhere useful. He has yet to be integrated with his team-mates - unlike Sheringham, whose back problem has put his England place against Portugal tomorrow in jeopardy.
Ray Wilkins, Rangers' urbane player-manager, stressed the need for his side to regain their confidence. "We need a good win," he said. He paused for a moment, before adding: "We need a win."
Goal: Sheringham (3) 1-0.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Walker; Campbell (Edinburgh, 84), Mabbutt, Calderwood, Wilson; Fox, Dozzell, Howells, Rosenthal; Armstrong, Sheringham. Substitutes not used: McMahon, Day (gk).
Queen's Park Rangers (4-4-2): Sommer; Bardsley, Yates, McDonald, Challis; Impey, Holloway, Barker (Charles, 77), Sinclair; Hateley, Gallen (Osborn, 62). Substitute not used: Maddix.
Referee: K Cooper (Mid Glamorgan).
Bookings: Tottenham: Howells. QPR: McDonald, Barker.
Man of the match: Sheringham.
Attendance: 28,851.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments