ASTON VILLA 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
MANAGER HAILS DAWSON'S FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE
ComeOnSpurs.com, 30 Nov 2009
Harry Redknapp hailed the performance of Michael Dawson after it was his equaliser that earned Spurs a share of the spoils at Aston Villa.
With Robbie Keane on the bench and Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King out injured, Dawson took the captaincy in a game in which he lined up with Sebastien Bassong in the centre of defence for only the second time in his career.
Spurs started slowly and succumbed to a Gabriel Agbonlahor strike in the first 10 minutes. However, Spurs soon asserted themselves on the game, forcing Villa keeper Brad Friedel to make numerous saves and defender Carlos Cuellar to clear off the line.
Jermain Defoe had a goal ruled out for handball before Dawson struck in the 77th minute.
Article Continues Below...
"Michael was fantastic at centre-half, it was a terrific performance from him," reflected Redknapp on the Spurs Official Website. "He could have scored more and had another great chance in the first half.
"What a fantastic character. He always puts in 100 per cent and if he's not in the team, he's always fantastic around the dressing room. He was outstanding and both he and Bassong did well for us.
"Michael played centre-half with Woodgate last week but he was injured so that was the first time they've played together in the league and I was delighted with how they coped."
