ASTON VILLA 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
REDKNAPP: THERE WAS ONLY ONE TEAM GOING TO WIN IT
ComeOnSpurs.com, 30 Nov 2009
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, manager Harry Redknapp expressed his belief that Spurs deserved to take all three points from the game.
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.
Defoe almost won it at the death and after the game, Redknapp said:
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"We dominated and I'm sure Martin (O'Neill) was happier to hear the final whistle than I was.
"There was only one team going to win it in the second half and it was just a case of getting the goal - once we equalised I was sure we were going to go on and win it.
"We talked at half-time about being more patient with the ball, keeping it better and we did that. I don't know what the possession statistics were in the second half but they would have been massively in our favour.
"We knew it would be tough, they are a good side and they've had some great results at Villa Park but it was one-way traffic in the second half. I was delighted with how we played, we pushed them back, played some great football and made all the chances.
"When Jermain hit that shot right at the end I was just waiting for the ball to nestle in the back of the net - that would have been the icing on the cake for us."
