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Town’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday has been voted the League Managers Association’s Utilita Performance of the Week.

The LMA panel, made up of chairman Martin O’Neill OBE, Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Chris Hughton, Rachel Yankey OBE, Les Ferdinand MBE, Clare Tomlinson, Jess Creighton, Stuart Pearce MBE and Barry Fry, determined the Blues’ first Premier League win in 22 years the top performance of the week in not just the top flight but the Championship, Leagues One and Two, WSL and Women’s Championship.

Town most recently won the award in April 2017 when Mick McCarthy’s side beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Portman Road.

Current boss Kieran McKenna will receive the Utilita Performance of the Week trophy for this week’s success.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Gforce added 19:21 - Nov 15

Congratulations to the boys,very well deserved and hopefully many more awards to come before the end of the season.

Now let's keep it going, starting next Sunday !

Yppswyche added 19:28 - Nov 15

Bonkers we didn’t win one over the past two seasons!

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The TWTV team and Nick Ames of The Guardian reflect on the Blues’ superb 2-1 victory over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Jim Cooper is joined by TWTD's Phil Ham and Kallum Brisset, while Town supporter and Guardian European sport correspondent Ames gives the national media view of the Blues’ return to the Premier League.

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ad_wilkin added 22:13 - Nov 10

Excellent stuff as usual. So nice to finally be able to watch after a win. What a game! Agree with the assessment of there being so many players who was excellent.MoTM for me was between O'Shea,Cajuste,Hutchinson and Szmodics, think Szmodics just edges it for his goal contributions

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Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Ipswich Town - Highlights

Sunday, 10th Nov 2024 19:57

Highlights of Town’s 2-1 victory over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Cafe_Newman added 21:07 - Nov 10

Marvellous

KBsSocks added 02:08 - Nov 11

Shame those outside the UK have to go elsewhere than TWTD :[

bobble added 05:47 - Nov 11

Surely you should state thzt these are non highlights for over seas fans

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Ipswich Town Polls

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Ipswich Town - Highlights

Sunday, 10th Nov 2024 19:57

Highlights of Town’s 2-1 victory over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Ipswich Town Polls

Boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues’ first Premier League win of the season, 2-1 away against his old club Tottenham Hotspur, is a really significant landmark in Town’s journey.

Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap netted the goals which gave the Blues a 2-0 lead at half-time and despite pulling one back, Town held on for their first Premier League win of the season.

“I think it’s massive, I’m not going to shy away from that, it’s a really significant moment and a day to cherish, certainly in the recent history of the football club,” he said.

“Even if you take out this season, you look at the journey the club’s been on in the last 22 years, the ups and downs, some highs but some of the depths as well.

“I think for the supporters to see their club win in the Premier League at a club like Tottenham, a fantastic club in a stadium like this against a team like that, is a massive day for them.

“For us, who have been involved in the journey for the last couple of years, it’s a really significant day as well, from where the club was two years ago to now be competing in the Premier League over the first games is a big step.

“But to now make that next step and to win a Premier League game is a really, really significant landmark in the journey, and, of course, for this group this season.

“As we’ve said many times, it’s a relatively new group coming together, trying to adjust to the Premier League and the demands of the Premier League, adjusting many of the players to a new club as well.

“It’s a really significant step for them because we feel like there’s been some good work going on since pre-season really, there’s been some improvement over the course of the games, we feel like players are adapting and learning and we’ve competitive in lots of our games.

“But, of course, for this group, until you take that last step and win a game, that’s always going to be held over you a little bit, so to do that today, to do that in the manner that we did and do it against this football club’s a really a big day for us.”

McKenna was asked given his history with Spurs, where he spent 14 years as a player and academy coach, he had a feeling that this would be the game where the winless start to the season would come to an end.

“I didn’t have a feeling that it would be because of that,” he smiled. “It is a really nice moment. I came to this club as a 14-year-old and left home and I’ve never went back.

“It’s nice to do it here, there’s no doubt about that. My father was in the crowd and lots of people will be very, very proud.

“It’s nice to do it here, a club that I’ve got a great affinity for, but also it’s good to do it against a really good team, I have to say.

“Tottenham are a fantastic team, playing really, really well at home, amazing atmosphere in the stadium, so to come here and do it, I think is more special for everyone, and certainly for me, it’s a nice reflection as well.”

McKenna says the display had all the ingredients required: “I have to say, the first half was pretty much spot on. We know for a team in our context, coming away from home to a team in this context and this strength that there are certain elements that have to be spot on.

“For us, the whole season we’ve built such a brave identity of play that we want to stay true to, but we also know it’s a huge step up and we need to be clever in terms how we’re going to compete for points.

“I thought today, our balance of that was really, really good. I thought we showed our identity in some moments where we pressed high in the first half and were aggressive and played with intensity and made it hard for Tottenham to build.

“We showed it in times where we played brave and built out from the back. We scored two goals, one where we controlled the ball with a lot of possession and another goal a terrific goal on the counter-attack.

“We managed the game well, we controlled the set plays well, we used them to our advantage. Our organisation out of possession, our discipline out of possession was terrific and the subs had a good impact, and Aro [Muric] made a couple of saves and we were pretty clinical with most of our chances.

“In terms of the ingredients that you need to come here and get a result, you need a lot of those things to go right and I think in the first half, we executed fantastically well.”

Regarding the performance after the break, he added: “I think we managed the second half pretty well. You know that the momentum at 2-0, we’ve been here before, it’s a really tough scoreline and you know that they’re terrific in the second half of games, especially shooting against that end, and you know that there are going to be some big momentum.

“But I thought we generally managed that pretty well. They’ve scored a good set play where they worked a block and got their spare man in, but I thought we defended well, we always had a threat or an occupation to get up the pitch, Liam [Delap] kept the centre-halves occupied, Omari [Hutchinson] carried the ball up the pitch, so it never felt like we were completely pinned into our box.

“It didn’t feel like we were getting carved open and they were creating big, big chances, it was more they had some pressure, they had some set plays and, of course, they scored on of them, which can happen.

“I thought we managed it well, they put lots of forwards on the pitch and they pushed the game well, but I think in general the way we managed the second half, I think we deserved to get it over the line.”

Regarding Delap and Hutchinson’s displays, he added: “I thought he did really well, I thought he and Liam led the team really well on the top end of the pitch.

“And to have two 21-year-olds doing that in the Premier League is a really good ting for the football club, as I’ve said before.

“That was a big positive. I wouldn’t like to talk about Omari and Liam without talking about Conor Chaplin and George Hirst because a big part of our season being successful was always going to be our more experienced players who have been at the club for longer setting an example for new players or younger players.

“And if you look at the last away game, the way Conor and George played, they really set the marker down for the demands of a number nine and number 10 in an Ipswich Town shirt. They’ve done that every single day in training.

“If you do that and you have talented young players in the building, the talented young players can learn from that and I think that has rubbed off on the two boys and Liam and Omari I thought did a terrific job leading the team today.”

McKenna said midfielder Jens Cajuste was fine after an impressive display when he was replaced in the latter stages.

“He’s just tired, as you’d expect him to be,” he said. “I thought he was outstanding against another brilliant Swedish player [Dejan Kulusevski]. I thought his work on and off the ball was top.”

Regarding Hirst, who suffered a severe blow to the head from Rado Dragusin as the final whistle was being blown, McKenna said: “He seems OK, he’s got a big bandage on his head, he’s in good spirits, he had a knock on his knee as well, which I’m sure they’ll check out but he seems to be moving pretty well.”

The Blues boss was asked what left-back Leif Davis has to do to get in the England squad, as he has on a number of occasions already this season.

“That’s not for me,” McKenna smiled. “England have got good players and competition in all the positions. Leif’s a good player and he’s improving, he’s improved season-by-season.

“He’s certainly adapting now to the Premier League and he’s done that in the Championship, he’s done that in League One and if he keeps working as he is, then he’s going to go from strength-to-strength and if you do that, then other things take care of themselves.”

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou commented on Town’s game management in the second half with home fans showing their frustration with the length of time keeper Muric was taking over goal-kicks and also with a number of injury breaks.

“We had some injuries in the game that you can’t avoid,” he said. “Of course, managing the game when you come to a place like this, they’re fantastic at getting the ball in play quickly.

“Every restart they get the ball and play really, really quickly and they play a pretty relentless game, so I think any team who is going to come here and try and get a result, and certainly any team in our context, you’re going to have to find ways to control the intensity of the game, and I thought we did that really well.”

Blues sponsor and pink third kit co-designer Ed Sheeran visited the dressing room after the match.

“He popped in and it was nice to see him and he congratulated the boys,” McKenna said. “We had his designed kit on today, so maybe he brought us a little bit of luck.

“Everyone knows he’s been an important part of the club in the last few years with the support that he gives us. Nice for him to be here today.”

The Blues now have two weeks without a game before McKenna’s other club Manchester United visit Portman Road.

“We’ll have a few days off now,” he said. “Lots of the players go on international duty, those who aren’t internationals will have a few days off and then we’ll be back in by the back end of the week and we’ve got a nice long run-in to another brilliant game after the break.”

Does he believe today’s result will have an impact on home atmosphere when the Red Devils visit a fortnight today.

“I don’t think it will change too much, to be honest,” he said. “If you’ve felt the atmosphere at Portman Road this season, it’s been electric anyway, so I don’t know if it can go up too much.

“Our preparation’s been thorough, our work day today has been really good. People can probably let their shoulders back a little bit in terms of enjoying it, probably more so the supporters in terms of enjoying the season and looking forward to the game and not having it hanging over them of when the first win would come.

“But for us, I don’t think it changes much to the process. We’ll get the players back after the international break, prepare the game as well as we can and go and try and put on a big display at Portman Road against a great club.”

TWTD

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itfcskayman added 18:12 - Nov 10

Nice touch to mention Chaplin and Hirst. I know a lot of us who travelled were shocked to Chaplin not starting but Hutchinson was brilliant. Great management

Stato added 18:26 - Nov 10

I'd like to see Chaplin get more pitch time but for tonight the main focus should be on KM delivering the first win if the season

Stato added 18:26 - Nov 10

I'd like to see Chaplin get more pitch time but for tonight the main focus should be on KM delivering the first win if the season

IP9 added 18:29 - Nov 10

Omari was absolutely incredible today, I think that was his best performance this season

Gforce added 18:29 - Nov 10

A tactical masterpiece from the boss today,absolutely outstanding.

IpswichT62OldBoy added 19:21 - Nov 10

This performance and result is, I think, a more accurate indicator of our qualities than the previous results, and we are going to continue to improve.

Good times ahead.

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Goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap ended Town’s 8,236-day wait for a Premier League victory as the Blues beat Spurs 2-1 on manager Kieran McKenna’s first return to his old club. Szmodics’s overhead kick gave the Blues the lead in the 31st minute, then Delap added the second on 43 as Town led at half-time for the first time this season on their inaugural competitive visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rodrigo Bentacur pulled a goal back on 69 but the Blues held on to claim a vital first win of the season and climb out of the relegation zone.

Axel Tuanzebe made a surprise return to the Blues’ XI, having undergone surgery due to severe cut to his hand last month.

The DR Congo international came in at right-back with Ben Johnson moving to the right-sided role ahead of him. Omari Hutchinson switched to the middle with Conor Chaplin dropping to the bench.

In Town’s only other change Jens Cajuste joined skipper Sam Morsy in midfield for Kalvin Phillips, suspended following his red card last week.

Former Tottenham pair Massimo Luongo and Jack Clarke were on the bench, along with Harry Clarke, back from his suspension, with Nathan Broadhead dropping out of the 20.

Spurs named the same team which beat Aston Villa 4-1 a week ago with central defender Cristian Romero OK despite missing the 3-2 Europa League defeat away against Galatasaray on Thursday due to a toe injury.

Town, in their pink third kit for the first time with co-designer Ed Sheeran in the stand, threatened in the second minute, Hutchinson seizing on Rado Dragosin’s hesitation to win the ball and then send in a cross which fell to Szmodics following some indecisive defending, the Irish international hitting a shot from a tight angle which home keeper Gugliemo Vicario forced behind.

From the corner, Dara O’Shea flicked a header across goal from the near post which struck Dominic Solanke and flew not too far wide. Referee Darren England missed the former Bournemouth man’s touch and awarded a goal-kick.

Spurs quickly started to take control the game and will feel they should have scored in the third minute when Son Heung-min looped across from the left to the near post and Brennan Johnson, son of Blues legend David, stabbed wide with some home fans already celebrating.

But it was far from all Tottenham and in the eighth minute, following good work from Cajuste, a Szmodics cross from the left was turned behind in front of Ben Johnson breaking into the back of the box.

From the resultant corner, Town went very close to going in front. Burgess got away from his man at the far post and headed back across goal but off the bar.

Spurs broke quickly through Son, who cut the ball across the area from the left but too far in front of his teammates and Brennan Johnson eventually shot well over.

On 11, as the frantic very open start continued, Solanke’s shot from inside the box was deflected over, then from the resultant flag-kick on the right, Son twisted and turned his way away from Ben Johnson on the left before hitting a strike which clipped a defender but which Aro Muric was still able to claim.

It took eight minutes for the game’s next chance as the pace briefly slowed a little, Solanke hitting a shot on the turn which Muric did well to palm wide down to his left. Two minutes later, Tuanzebe was booked for kicking the ball away after Ben Johnson had conceded a free-kick.

In the 26th minute, Brennan Johnson’s low cross from the right struck Leif Davis and deflected towards Muric’s left post but the keeper was able to scramble a cross to save.

While the home side had been on top and had had a number of chances, but the Blues had had their moments and the better opportunities and in the 31st minute they went in front.

Johnson and Cajuste exchanged passes on the right after a break involving the Swede and Liam Delap. Johnson laid it back to the on-loan Napoli man, who crossed, the ball flicking off Delap’s head as he challenged with Romaro and up into the air, and Szmodics’s overhead kick found the corner of the net.

The Town support at the other end went wild, as they did the last time the teams had met when Finidi George similarly scored an overhead kick.

After a long delay while Solanke underwent treatment, Spurs went about looking for a leveller, Ben Johnson making an impressive challenge on Destiny Udogie as the Italian international burst into the box. There were claims for a penalty from the home fans but not from the players.

Delap thought he’d bullied his way through on goal as the half moved into its final five minutes, however, referee England felt he had done so illegally and pulled play back as Vicario dived at his feet.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 42nd minute when Muric played the ball out straight to Pape Matar Sarr midway inside the Town half in space. For a moment it appeared Spurs players were queuing up to score but somehow the Blues escaped.

And from the subsequent break, they doubled their lead. Hutchinson broke forward riding challenges, finding Davis on the left, who moved it on to Szmodics, whose low cross was diverted towards his own goal by Dragusin and Delap added the final touch from a yard out, gleefully smashing his sixth goal of the season - his fifth in his last six games - into the roof of the net. The Town fans at the other end of the ground again went into raptures.

The Blues saw out four minutes of injury time to lead a game at half-time for the first time since promotion, the home fans booing loudly at the whistle.

As was always likely, Tottenham had seen most of the ball and chances, but aside from Johnson’s early shot wide and Solanke’s effort which was well-stopped by Solanke, the resolute Town backline, effectively a five-man defence when out of possession, having been solid and Muric handling confidently when required.

Town had shown their threat on the break from the early stages with Spurs always looking vulnerable to those counter-attacks.

Szmodics took his opportunity clinically, echoing Finidi’s goal in Town’s last game at White Hart Lane, and then the former Colchester man made an important contribution to the second, Delap making sure the ball was forced over the line and becoming the first Town player to score in three successive away games since Claus Thomsen in 1994.

Within seconds of the restart, Delap was booked for clattering into Romero with whom he had been enjoying a physical battle all afternoon.

Son struck the half’s first shot on goal in the 48th minute, cutting in from the left and hitting an effort which Muric did well to palm over.

The Blues found themselves under pressure, Bentancur heading wide before the home side won a corner on the right from which they thought they had scored.

Bentancur flicked the ball on and Solanke turned it home off his arm. Referee England initially awarded the goal but after a VAR review, it was quickly chalked off, the first time Town have had a ruling in their favour this season.

Town attacked for the first time since the break in the 55th minute, Davis, making his 100th start for the club, winning a corner from which Spurs broke and Solanke shot well over. The home fans booed Muric as the keeper took his time over the restart, as he had each time since the break.

Three minutes later, Delap battled again with Romaro, then used his strength to turn away and lay-off to Hutchinson, who screwed his shot well wide.

As the game passed the hour mark, there was a VAR check for a penalty, a cross from the right having struck Davis but Town again came out on the right side of it with the full-back appearing to be outside the box and his arm in a natural position even if the ball had struck it. Once the corner was eventually taken, Son shot not too far over from distance.

On 66, Ben Johnson was booked for being one of several players to foul Sarr, who was subbed while receiving treatment. Timo Werner took over.

Three minutes later, with the Blues preparing to make changes, the home side pulled a goal back.

Bentancur got away from his man and powered a header into the top corner of the net at the near post.

Town immediately made those changes, George Hirst and Jack Clarke replacing Delap, who had been hobbling in the preceding couple of minutes, and Szmodics.

Having pulled a goal back, the Lilywhites went looking for an equaliser, Werner forcing Muric to tip over with an effort from distance on 71.

Three minutes later, a Romero effort was blocked, before Brennan Johnson scraped a shot wide from the edge of the area.

There was some respite for Town on 79 when Hirst received treatment following a clash with Dragusin.

The striker was OK to continue and in the 84th minute the Blues won a corner from which the home side broke, Werner blazing over from the edge of the box, much to the delight of the travelling Town support.

Spurs switched goalscorer Bentancur and Brennan Johnson for Yves Bissouma and James Maddison for the final scheduled six minutes with the Blues seeing more of the ball and playing more of the game in the Tottenham half, Clarke seeing an effort blocked after Hutchinson had kept the ball for what seemed like an age without finding the space to shoot.

The fourth official indicated eight additional minutes, the Blues swapping the excellent Cajuste, who looked to have picked up a niggle earlier in the half, for ex-Spur Luongo. Two minutes later, Davis was booked for a foul on Kulusevski right in front of the dugouts.

Two minutes from the end of added on time, Muric made a big save, the ball running loose to Solanke on the right of the box and the Kosovan keeper standing up and saving with his heel and Burgess heading away to Clarke, who was fouled to take the pressure off.

Town successfully saw out a free-kick harshly awarded against Davis and there was time forHutchinson to get booked for encroaching, then Burgess, who along with O’Shea had been superb at the back, to head away for the umpteenth time before referee England blew the final whistle, Hirst receiving a painful elbow to the back of the head from Dragusin in the dying seconds and requiring lengthy treatment.

The Blues’ staff on the bench joining one another in a group hug on the touchline as the fans roared over in the far corner.

Having got their noses in front in the first half, Town battled their way to their first Premier League victory since beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in April 2002, a run of 12 matches over 8,236 days, weathering a Spurs storm for long spells.

There were notable performances throughout the team, from Cajuste and Morsy in midfield to the entire backline and Muric, who had probably his most solid game for the club.

The standout, however, was Hutchinson, whose tireless intelligent running in the second half gave the backline some respite, taking the ball forward, winning fouls and also creating one or two opportunities.

The first win of the season - Town’s third 2-1 victory over Spurs in successive games in the Premier League and their fourth in total - is a significant monkey off the collective back as we go into the third international break of the season.

The Blues’ win at White Hart Lane in December 2021, which ended a 15-game Premier League winless run, was the start of a streak of seven wins in eight which took them to 12th. McKenna will hope that history repeats itself in the weeks to come.

The result sees the Blues move out of the relegation zone up to 17th a point ahead of Crystal Palace with McKenna’s other former club Manchester United at Portman Road in a fortnight.

Tottenham: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bentancur (Bissouma 84), Sarr (Werner 66), Kulusevski, Johnson (Maddison 84), Solanke, Son (c). Unused: Forster, Spence, Davies, Gray, Bergvall, Lankshear.

Town: Muric, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste (Luongo 92), Johnson, Hutchinson, Szmodics (J Clarke 71), Delap (Hirst 71). Unused: Walton, H Clarke, Woolfenden, Townsend, Burns, Chaplin. Referee: Darren England (Doncaster). VAR official: John Brooks. Att: 61,505.

Photo: Matchday Images

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midastouch added 16:15 - Nov 10

OMG, that 2nd half aged me 10 years, but it was well worth it in the end!

What a massive win just before the international break. I would have snapped their hand off for a draw before a ball was kicked, so 3 points is pure dreamland. Four consecutive wins vs Spurs, can we play them every week?! COYB!!!

Carberry added 16:17 - Nov 10

Let's wear pink every week!

hello66 added 16:18 - Nov 10

After a long stretch of five draws, we knew we had the quality to turn things around—and now, our season truly begins here at Portman Road! Let’s keep the momentum going, back the team, and make this season one to remember.!!

Help added 16:19 - Nov 10

fantastic result and performance from the boys

smithlarr added 16:19 - Nov 10

Lads, it's Tottenham.

Barty added 16:20 - Nov 10

Fantastic display and result. Should kick start the season nicely. We'll done all. COYB.

Stato added 16:21 - Nov 10

Delap is the real deal

MVBlue added 16:21 - Nov 10

We got a VAR decision?? Well done all players. I think Kalvin may be left out again, these boys did one hell of a good job. And welcome back Tunzebe! I will buy you a dishwasher myself the team really missed you!!!!

jayceee added 16:22 - Nov 10

For those that don't like pink, I'd imagine the only thing worse than losing a match wearing all pink - might be losing a match to a team wearing all pink. For me, pink is the new blue - for now!

ImAbeliever added 16:23 - Nov 10

That was a joy to watch.

SoCalTownFan added 16:23 - Nov 10

One in the eye for the black chickens!

ChingShady added 16:23 - Nov 10

Fantastic performance, we rode our luck at times and I must be honest, we were handed far too many soft falling over fouls, our boys knew they just had to go down to win freekicks but that isn't our fault.

Muric stepped up when needed and FINALLY! KICKED LONG WHEN we were evidently under pressure, whether that was Kieran telling him or just his instinct, just happy to see it. I of course want us to play out from the back but there needs to be an option to just go long if we're under the cosh.

Keep supporting them through thick and thin! Like I said last week, football can change in a flash. COYB!

Broadbent23 added 16:23 - Nov 10

Brilliant effort by the boys today. It goes to show we can weather a storm and VAR can work for us. We can survive with this determination and the sorcerer's apprentice returning to Spurs. Well done. COYB. The next scalp are the Reds.

Gforce added 16:24 - Nov 10

Bl@@dy fantastic result,I certainly did not expect that.

Morsy and cajuste were awesome, but Delap probably man of the match.

That's the two points back,which we were robbed of last week,plus a bonus point on top !!

Meanwhile the budgies are losing at home to Bristol City, we are winning in front of 61000 fans,absolutely amazing.

Now let's give Amorim & co ,a premier league debut he'll never forget !

Grumpyoldgit added 16:24 - Nov 10

PINK ARMY

ImAbeliever added 16:24 - Nov 10

Jaycee, what will Pinkboy make of it I wonder?

Saxonblue added 16:24 - Nov 10

Brilliant from the lads today - we have deserved this for the past couple of results but at last no losing out to 50/50 calls. Great confidence boost going into the break - bring on United!!

Saxonblue added 16:24 - Nov 10

Brilliant from the lads today - we have deserved this for the past couple of results but at last no losing out to 50/50 calls. Great confidence boost going into the break - bring on United!!

martin587 added 16:25 - Nov 10

Outstanding performance from all the lads.Liked the set up today and it worked well.Fantastic support once again.For me Omari outstanding with his tireless running and defending top notch.Well done now bring on Man Utd.

Bluebacker added 16:25 - Nov 10

What an amazing performance to a man and a real boost going into the international break. So pleased for the players, we know how hard they work. Our first win in the Premier League for 22 years!!

ChingShady added 16:26 - Nov 10

Also maybe a little under the radar, I thought Cajuste had a tidy game. He might be a hidden gem with a bit of time. Very tidy performance indeed and uses that body well to open space for himself. Promising!

SickParrot added 16:26 - Nov 10

I had a feeling we would win today but It was still a nerve wracking 10 minutes of added time. A bery important win,which should be a big confidence boost. Bring on Man Utd!

I wonder if the pundits on Match of the Day 2 will have anything good to day about us.

johnwarksshorts added 16:27 - Nov 10

As soon as that VAR decision went our way I thought we'd get the win. Great all round team performance. Nice to have Axel back. COYB.

StringerBell added 16:28 - Nov 10

Tactically superb by McK today - was initially perplexed by Johnson AND Tuanzebe but he knows exactly what we need. What a performance, the fixture is pink.

Esseeja added 16:28 - Nov 10

We will stay up this season. We are more than able to.

Muric is a good keeper, I will continue to defend this man. His #1 job, ESPECIALLY in the Premier League, is to stop the shots. His one-on-one saving ability is so much better than I thought it was.

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Goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap ended Town’s 8,236-day wait for a Premier League victory as the Blues beat Spurs 2-1 on manager Kieran McKenna’s first return to his old club. Szmodics’s overhead kick gave the Blues the lead in the 31st minute, then Delap added the second on 43 as Town led at half-time for the first time this season on their inaugural competitive visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rodrigo Bentacur pulled a goal back on 69 but the Blues held on to claim a vital first win of the season and climb out of the relegation zone.

Axel Tuanzebe made a surprise return to the Blues’ XI, having undergone surgery due to severe cut to his hand last month.

The DR Congo international came in at right-back with Ben Johnson moving to the right-sided role ahead of him. Omari Hutchinson switched to the middle with Conor Chaplin dropping to the bench.

In Town’s only other change Jens Cajuste joined skipper Sam Morsy in midfield for Kalvin Phillips, suspended following his red card last week.

Former Tottenham pair Massimo Luongo and Jack Clarke were on the bench, along with Harry Clarke, back from his suspension, with Nathan Broadhead dropping out of the 20.

Spurs named the same team which beat Aston Villa 4-1 a week ago with central defender Cristian Romero OK despite missing the 3-2 Europa League defeat away against Galatasaray on Thursday due to a toe injury.

Town, in their pink third kit for the first time with co-designer Ed Sheeran in the stand, threatened in the second minute, Hutchinson seizing on Rado Dragosin’s hesitation to win the ball and then send in a cross which fell to Szmodics following some indecisive defending, the Irish international hitting a shot from a tight angle which home keeper Gugliemo Vicario forced behind.

From the corner, Dara O’Shea flicked a header across goal from the near post which struck Dominic Solanke and flew not too far wide. Referee Darren England missed the former Bournemouth man’s touch and awarded a goal-kick.

Spurs quickly started to take control the game and will feel they should have scored in the third minute when Son Heung-min crossed low from the left to the near post and Brennan Johnson, son of Blues legend David, stabbed wide with some home fans already celebrating.

But it was far from all Tottenham and in the eighth minute, following good work from Cajuste, a Szmodics cross from the left was turned behind in front of Ben Johnson breaking into the back of the box.

From the resultant corner, Town went very close to going in front. Burgess got away from his man at the far post and headed back across goal but off the bar.

Spurs broke quickly through Son, who cut the ball across the area from the left but too far in front of his teammates and Brennan Johnson eventually shot well over.

On 11, as the frantic very open start continued, Solanke’s shot from inside the box was deflected over, then from the resultant flag-kick on the right, Son twisted and turned his way away from Ben Johnson on the left before hitting a strike which clipped a defender but which Aro Muric was still able to claim.

It took eight minutes for the game’s next chance as the pace briefly slowed a little, Solanke hitting a shot on the turn which Muric did well to palm wide down to his left. Two minutes later, Tuanzebe was booked for kicking the ball away after Ben Johnson had conceded a free-kick.

In the 26th minute, Brennan Johnson’s low cross from the right struck Leif Davis and deflected towards Muric’s left post but the keeper was able to scramble a cross to save.

While the home side had been on top and had had a number of chances, but the Blues had had their moments and the better opportunities and in the 31st minute they went in front.

Johnson and Cajuste exchanged passes on the right after a break involving the Swede and Liam Delap. Johnson laid it back to the on-loan Napoli man, who crossed, the ball flicking off Delap’s head as he challenged with Romaro and up into the air, and Szmodics’s overhead kick found the corner of the net.

The Town support at the other end went wild, as they did the last time the teams had met when Finidi George similarly scored an overhead kick.

After a long delay while Solanke underwent treatment, Spurs went about looking for a leveller, Ben Johnson making an impressive challenge on Destiny Udogie as the Italian international burst into the box. There were claims for a penalty from the home fans but not from the players.

Delap thought he’d bullied his way through on goal as the half moved into its final five minutes, however, referee England felt he had done so illegally and pulled play back as Vicario dived at his feet.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 42nd minute when Muric played the ball out straight to a Dejan Kulusevski midway inside the Town half in space. For a moment it appeared Spurs players were queuing up to score but somehow the Blues escaped.

And from the subsequent break, they doubled their lead. Hutchinson broke forward riding challenges, finding Davis on the left, who moved it on to Szmodics, whose low cross was diverted towards his own goal by Dragusin and Delap added the final touch from a yard out, gleefully smashing his sixth goal of the season - his fifth in his last six games - into the roof of the net. The Town fans at the other end of the ground again went into raptures.

The Blues saw out four minutes of injury time to lead a game at half-time for the first time since promotion, the home fans booing loudly at the whistle.

As was always likely, Tottenham had seen most of the ball and chances, but aside from Johnson’s early shot wide and Solanke’s effort which was well-stopped by Solanke, the resolute Town backline, effectively a five-man defence when out of possession, having been solid and Muric handling confidently when required.

Town had shown their threat on the break from the early stages with Spurs always looking vulnerable to those counter-attacks.

Szmodics took his opportunity clinically, echoing Finidi’s goal in Town’s last game at White Hart Lane, and then the former Colchester man made an important contribution to the second, Delap making sure the ball was forced over the line and becoming the first Town player to score in three successive away games since Claus Thomsen in 1994.

Within seconds of the restart, Delap was booked for clattering into Romero with whom he had been enjoying a physical battle all afternoon.

Son struck the half’s first shot on goal in the 48th minute, cutting in from the left and hitting an effort which Muric did well to palm over.

The Blues found themselves under pressure, Bentancur heading wide before the home side won a corner on the right from which they thought they had scored.

Bentancur flicked the ball on and Solanke turned it home off his arm. Referee England initially awarded the goal but after a VAR review, it was quickly chalked off, the first time Town have had a ruling in their favour this season.

Town attacked for the first time since the break in the 55th minute, Davis, making his 100th start for the club, winning a corner from which Spurs broke and Solanke shot well over. The home fans booed Muric as the keeper took his time over the restart, as he had each time since the break.

Three minutes later, Delap battled again with Romaro, then used his strength to turn away and lay-off to Hutchinson, who screwed his shot well wide.

As the game passed the hour mark, there was a VAR check for a penalty, a cross from the right having struck Davis but Town again came out on the right side of it with the full-back appearing to be outside the box and his arm in a natural position even if the ball had struck it. Once the corner was eventually taken, Son shot not too far over from distance.

On 66, Ben Johnson was booked for being one of several players to foul Pape Matar Sarr, who was subbed while receiving treatment. Timo Werner took over.

Three minutes later, with the Blues preparing to make changes, the home side pulled a goal back.

Bentancur got away from his man and powered a header into the top corner of the net at the near post.

Town immediately made those changes, George Hirst and Jack Clarke replacing Delap, who had been hobbling in the preceding couple of minutes, and Szmodics.

Having pulled a goal back, the Lilywhites went looking for an equaliser, Werner forcing Muric to tip over with an effort from distance on 71.

Three minutes later, a Romero effort was blocked, before Brennan Johnson scraped a shot wide from the edge of the area.

There was some respite for Town on 79 when Hirst received treatment following a clash with Dragusin.

The striker was OK to continue and in the 84th minute the Blues won a corner from which the home side broke, Werner blazing over from the edge of the box, much to the delight of the travelling Town support.

Spurs switched goalscorer Bentancur and Brennan Johnson for Yves Bissouma and James Maddison for the final scheduled six minutes with the Blues seeing more of the ball and playing more of the game in the Tottenham half, Clarke seeing an effort blocked after Hutchinson had kept the ball for what seemed like an age without finding the space to shoot.

The fourth official indicated eight additional minutes, the Blues swapping the excellent Cajuste, who looked to have picked up a niggle earlier in the half, for ex-Spur Luongo. Two minutes later, Davis was booked for a foul on Kulusevski right in front of the dugouts.

Two minutes from the end of added on time, Muric made a big save, the ball running loose to Solanke on the right of the box and the Kosovan keeper standing up and saving with his heel and Burgess heading away to Clarke, who was fouled to take the pressure off.

Town successfully saw out a free-kick harshly awarded against Davis and there was time forHutchinson to get booked for encroaching, then Burgess, who along with O’Shea had been superb at the back, to head away for the umpteenth time before referee England blew the final whistle, Hirst receiving a painful elbow to the back of the head from Dragusin in the dying seconds and requiring lengthy treatment.

The Blues’ staff on the bench joining one another in a group hug on the touchline as the fans roared over in the far corner.

Having got their noses in front in the first half, Town battled their way to their first Premier League victory since beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in April 2002, a run of 12 matches over 8,236 days, weathering a Spurs storm for long spells.

There were notable performances throughout the team, from Cajuste and Morsy in midfield to the entire backline and Muric, who had probably his most solid game for the club.

The standout, however, was Hutchinson, whose tireless intelligent running in the second half gave the backline some respite, taking the ball forward, winning fouls and also creating one or two opportunities.

The first win of the season - Town’s third 2-1 victory over Spurs in successive games in the Premier League - is a significant monkey off the collective back as we go into the third international break of the season.

The Blues’ win at White Hart Lane in December 2021, which ended a 15-game Premier League winless run, was the start of a streak of seven wins in eight which took them to 12th. McKenna will hope that history repeats itself in the weeks to come.

The result sees the Blues move out of the relegation zone up to 17th a point ahead of Crystal Palace with McKenna’s other former club Manchester United at Portman Road in a fortnight.

Tottenham: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bentancur (Bissouma 84), Sarr (Werner 66), Kulusevski, Johnson (Maddison 84), Solanke, Son (c). Unused: Forster, Spence, Davies, Gray, Bergvall, Lankshear.

Town: Muric, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste (Luongo 92), Johnson, Hutchinson, Szmodics (J Clarke 71), Delap (Hirst 71). Unused: Walton, H Clarke, Woolfenden, Townsend, Burns, Chaplin. Referee: Darren England (Doncaster). VAR official: John Brooks. Att: 61,505.

Photo: Sports Press Photo via Reuters Connect

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midastouch added 16:15 - Nov 10

OMG, that 2nd half aged me 10 years, but it was well worth it in the end!

What a massive win just before the international break. I would have snapped their hand off for a draw before a ball was kicked, so 3 points is pure dreamland. Four consecutive wins vs Spurs, can we play them every week?! COYB!!!

Carberry added 16:17 - Nov 10

Let's wear pink every week!

hello66 added 16:18 - Nov 10

After a long stretch of five draws, we knew we had the quality to turn things around—and now, our season truly begins here at Portman Road! Let’s keep the momentum going, back the team, and make this season one to remember.!!

Help added 16:19 - Nov 10

fantastic result and performance from the boys

smithlarr added 16:19 - Nov 10

Lads, it's Tottenham.

Barty added 16:20 - Nov 10

Fantastic display and result. Should kick start the season nicely. We'll done all. COYB.

Stato added 16:21 - Nov 10

Delap is the real deal

MVBlue added 16:21 - Nov 10

We got a VAR decision?? Well done all players. I think Kalvin may be left out again, these boys did one hell of a good job. And welcome back Tunzebe! I will buy you a dishwasher myself the team really missed you!!!!

jayceee added 16:22 - Nov 10

For those that don't like pink, I'd imagine the only thing worse than losing a match wearing all pink - might be losing a match to a team wearing all pink. For me, pink is the new blue - for now!

ImAbeliever added 16:23 - Nov 10

That was a joy to watch.

SoCalTownFan added 16:23 - Nov 10

One in the eye for the black chickens!

ChingShady added 16:23 - Nov 10

Fantastic performance, we rode our luck at times and I must be honest, we were handed far too many soft falling over fouls, our boys knew they just had to go down to win freekicks but that isn't our fault.

Muric stepped up when needed and FINALLY! KICKED LONG WHEN we were evidently under pressure, whether that was Kieran telling him or just his instinct, just happy to see it. I of course want us to play out from the back but there needs to be an option to just go long if we're under the cosh.

Keep supporting them through thick and thin! Like I said last week, football can change in a flash. COYB!

Broadbent23 added 16:23 - Nov 10

Brilliant effort by the boys today. It goes to show we can weather a storm and VAR can work for us. We can survive with this determination and the sorcerer's apprentice returning to Spurs. Well done. COYB. The next scalp are the Reds.

Gforce added 16:24 - Nov 10

Bl@@dy fantastic result,I certainly did not expect that.

Morsy and cajuste were awesome, but Delap probably man of the match.

That's the two points back,which we were robbed of last week,plus a bonus point on top !!

Meanwhile the budgies are losing at home to Bristol City, we are winning in front of 61000 fans,absolutely amazing.

Now let's give Amorim & co ,a premier league debut he'll never forget !

Grumpyoldgit added 16:24 - Nov 10

PINK ARMY

ImAbeliever added 16:24 - Nov 10

Jaycee, what will Pinkboy make of it I wonder?

Saxonblue added 16:24 - Nov 10

Brilliant from the lads today - we have deserved this for the past couple of results but at last no losing out to 50/50 calls. Great confidence boost going into the break - bring on United!!

Saxonblue added 16:24 - Nov 10

Brilliant from the lads today - we have deserved this for the past couple of results but at last no losing out to 50/50 calls. Great confidence boost going into the break - bring on United!!

martin587 added 16:25 - Nov 10

Outstanding performance from all the lads.Liked the set up today and it worked well.Fantastic support once again.For me Omari outstanding with his tireless running and defending top notch.Well done now bring on Man Utd.

Bluebacker added 16:25 - Nov 10

What an amazing performance to a man and a real boost going into the international break. So pleased for the players, we know how hard they work. Our first win in the Premier League for 22 years!!

ChingShady added 16:26 - Nov 10

Also maybe a little under the radar, I thought Cajuste had a tidy game. He might be a hidden gem with a bit of time. Very tidy performance indeed and uses that body well to open space for himself. Promising!

SickParrot added 16:26 - Nov 10

I had a feeling we would win today but It was still a nerve wracking 10 minutes of added time. A bery important win,which should be a big confidence boost. Bring on Man Utd!

I wonder if the pundits on Match of the Day 2 will have anything good to day about us.

johnwarksshorts added 16:27 - Nov 10

As soon as that VAR decision went our way I thought we'd get the win. Great all round team performance. Nice to have Axel back. COYB.

StringerBell added 16:28 - Nov 10

Tactically superb by McK today - was initially perplexed by Johnson AND Tuanzebe but he knows exactly what we need. What a performance, the fixture is pink.

Esseeja added 16:28 - Nov 10

We will stay up this season. We are more than able to.

Muric is a good keeper, I will continue to defend this man. His #1 job, ESPECIALLY in the Premier League, is to stop the shots. His one-on-one saving ability is so much better than I thought it was.

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Goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Axel Tuanzebe made a surprise return to the Blues’ XI, having undergone surgery due to severe cut to his hand last month.

The DR Congo international came in at right-back with Ben Johnson moving to the right-sided role ahead of him. Omari Hutchinson switched to the middle with Conor Chaplin dropping to the bench.

In Town’s only other change Jens Cajuste joined skipper Sam Morsy in midfield for Kalvin Phillips, suspended following his red card last week.

Former Tottenham pair Massimo Luongo and Jack Clarke were on the bench, along with Harry Clarke, back from his suspension, with Nathan Broadhead dropping out of the 20.

Spurs named the same team which beat Aston Villa 4-1 a week ago with central defender Cristian Romero OK despite missing the 3-2 Europa League defeat away against Galatasaray on Thursday due to a toe injury.

Town, in their pink third kit for the first time, threatened in the second minute, Hutchinson seizing on Rado Dragosin’s hesitation to win the ball and then send in a cross which fell to Szmodics following some indecisive defending, the Irish international hitting a shot from a tight angle which home keeper Gugliemo Vicario forced behind.

From the corner, Dara O’Shea flicked a header across goal from the near post which struck Dominic Solanke and flew not too far wide. Referee Darren England missed the former Bournemouth man’s touch and awarded a goal-kick.

Spurs quickly started to take control the game and will feel they should have scored in the third minute when Son Heung-min crossed low from the left to the near post and Brennan Johnson, son of Blues legend David, stabbed wide with some home fans already celebrating.

But it was far from all Tottenham and in the eighth minute, following good work from Cajuste, a Szmodics cross from the left was turned behind in front of Ben Johnson breaking into the back of the box.

From the resultant corner, Town went very close to going in front. Burgess got away from his man at the far post and headed back across goal but off the bar.

Spurs broke quickly through Son, who cut the ball across the area from the left but too far in front of his teammates and Brennan Johnson eventually shot well over.

On 11, as the frantic very open start continued, Solanke’s shot from inside the box was deflected over, then from the resultant flag-kick on the right, Son twisted and turned his way away from Ben Johnson on the left before hitting a strike which clipped a defender but which Aro Muric was still able to claim.

It took eight minutes for the game’s next chance as the pace briefly slowed a little, Solanke hitting a shot on the turn which Muric did well to palm wide down to his left. Two minutes later, Tuanzebe was booked for kicking the ball away after Ben Johnson had conceded a free-kick.

In the 26th minute, Brennan Johnson’s low cross from the right struck Leif Davis and deflected towards Muric’s left post but the keeper was able to scramble a cross to save.

While the home side had been on top and had had a number of chances, but the Blues had had their moments and the better opportunities and in the 31st minute they went in front.

Johnson and Cajuste exchanged passes on the right after a break involving the Swede and Liam Delap. Johnson laid it back to the on-loan Napoli man, who crossed, the ball flicking off Delap’s head as he challenged with Romaro and up into the air, and Szmodics’s overhead kick found the corner of the net.

The Town support at the other end went wild, as they did the last time the teams had met when Finidi George similarly scored an overhead kick.

After a long delay while Solanke underwent treatment, Spurs went about looking for a leveller, Ben Johnson making an impressive challenge on Destiny Udogie as the Italian international burst into the box. There were claims for a penalty from the home fans but not from the players.

Delap thought he’d bullied his way through on goal as the half moved into its final five minutes, however, referee England felt he had done so illegally and pulled play back as Vicario dived at his feet.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 42nd minute when Muric played the ball out straight to a Dejan Kulusevski midway inside the Town half in space. For a moment it appeared Spurs players were queuing up to score but somehow the Blues escaped.

And from the subsequent break, they doubled their lead. Hutchinson broke forward riding challenges, finding Davis on the left, who moved it on to Szmodics, whose low cross was diverted towards his own goal by Dragusin and Delap added the final touch from a yard out, gleefully smashing his sixth goal of the season into the roof of the net. The Town fans at the other end of the ground again went into raptures.

The Blues saw out four minutes of injury time to lead a game at half-time for the first time since promotion, the home fans booing loudly at the whistle.

As was always likely, Tottenham had seen most of the ball and chances, but aside from Johnson’s early shot wide and Solanke’s effort which was well-stopped by Solanke, the resolute Town backline, effectively a five-man defence when out of possession, having been solid and Muric handling confidently when required.

Town had shown their threat on the break from the early stages with Spurs always looking vulnerable to those counter-attacks.

Szmodics took his opportunity clinically, echoing Finidi’s goal in Town’s last game at White Hart Lane, and then the former Colchester man made an important contribution to the second, Delap making sure the ball was forced over the line and becoming the first Town player to score in three successive away games since Claus Thomsen in 1994.

The half had been very open, particularly in the early stages, and it seems likely there could be more goals in the second half, perhaps at both ends.

Tottenham: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke, Son (c). Subs: Forster, Spence, Davies, Gray, Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, Lankshear.

Town: Muric, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste, Johnson, Hutchinson, Szmodics, Delap. Subs: Walton, H Clarke, Woolfenden, Townsend, Luongo, Burns, J Clarke, Chaplin, Hirst. Referee: Darren England (Doncaster). VAR official: John Brooks.

Photo: Sports Press Photo via Reuters Connect

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

TimmyH added 15:07 - Nov 10

When we play that well we really don't need half-time...will only benefit one side. Fingers crossed!

GoingUp added 16:07 - Nov 10

COYB!!!

ImAbeliever added 16:10 - Nov 10

That was a joy to waych

mathiemagic added 16:10 - Nov 10

What a win, such a great battling performance and for the most part the mistakes were cut out. Man Utd wont be looking forward to coming to Town that's for sure.

Superkm added 16:16 - Nov 10

Muric absolutely class today. Top saves and bossed the area all afternoon.

ChingShady added 16:16 - Nov 10

Fantastic performance, we rode our luck at times and I must be honest, we were handed far too many soft falling over fouls, our boys knew they just had to go down to win freekicks but that isn't our fault.

Muric stepped up when needed and FINALLY! KICKED LONG WHEN we were evidently under pressure, whether that was Kieran telling him or just his instinct, just happy to see it. I of course want us to play out from the back but there needs to be an option to just go long if we're under the cosh.

Keep supporting them through thick and thin! Like I said last week, football can change in a flash. COYB!

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Goals from Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap have given Town a 2-0 half-time lead over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Axel Tuanzebe made a surprise return to the Blues’ XI, having undergone surgery due to severe cut to his hand last month.

The DR Congo international came in at right-back with Ben Johnson moving to the right-sided role ahead of him. Omari Hutchinson switched to the middle with Conor Chaplin dropping to the bench.

In Town’s only other change Jens Cajuste joined skipper Sam Morsy in midfield for Kalvin Phillips, suspended following his red card last week.

Former Tottenham pair Massimo Luongo and Jack Clarke were on the bench, along with Harry Clarke, back from his suspension, with Nathan Broadhead dropping out of the 20.

Spurs named the same team which beat Aston Villa 4-1 a week ago with central defender Cristian Romero OK despite missing the 3-2 Europa League defeat away against Galatasaray on Thursday due to a toe injury.

Town, in their pink third kit for the first time, threatened in the second minute, Hutchinson seizing on Rado Dragosin’s hesitation to win the ball and then send in a cross which fell to Szmodics following some indecisive defending, the Irish international hitting a shot from a tight angle which home keeper Gugliemo Vicario forced behind.

From the corner, Dara O’Shea flicked a header across goal from the near post which struck Dominic Solanke and flew not too far wide. Referee Darren England missed the former Bournemouth man’s touch and awarded a goal-kick.

Spurs quickly started to take control the game and will feel they should have scored in the third minute when Son Heung-min crossed low from the left to the near post and Brennan Johnson, son of Blues legend David, stabbed wide with some home fans already celebrating.

But it was far from all Tottenham and in the eighth minute, following good work from Cajuste, a Szmodics cross from the left was turned behind in front of Ben Johnson breaking into the back of the box.

From the resultant corner, Town went very close to going in front. Burgess got away from his man at the far post and headed back across goal but off the bar.

Spurs broke quickly through Son, who cut the ball across the area from the left but too far in front of his teammates and Brennan Johnson eventually shot well over.

On 11, as the frantic very open start continued, Solanke’s shot from inside the box was deflected over, then from the resultant flag-kick on the right, Son twisted and turned his way away from Ben Johnson on the left before hitting a strike which clipped a defender but which Aro Muric was still able to claim.

It took eight minutes for the game’s next chance as the pace briefly slowed a little, Solanke hitting a shot on the turn which Muric did well to palm wide down to his left. Two minutes later, Tuanzebe was booked for kicking the ball away after Ben Johnson had conceded a free-kick.

In the 26th minute, Brennan Johnson’s low cross from the right struck Leif Davis and deflected towards Muric’s left post but the keeper was able to scramble a cross to save.

While the home side had been on top and had had a number of chances, but the Blues had had their moments and the better opportunities and in the 31st minute they went in front.

Johnson and Cajuste exchanged passes on the right after a break involving the Swede and Liam Delap. Johnson laid it back to the on-loan Napoli man, who crossed, the ball flicking off Delap’s head as he challenged with Romaro and up into the air, and Szmodics’s overhead kick found the corner of the net.

The Town support at the other end went wild, as they did the last time the teams had met when Finidi George similarly scored an overhead kick.

After a long delay while Solanke underwent treatment, Spurs went about looking for a leveller, Ben Johnson making an impressive challenge on Destiny Udogie as the Italian international burst into the box. There were claims for a penalty from the home fans but not from the players.

Delap thought he’d bullied his way through on goal as the half moved into its final five minutes, however, referee England felt he had done so illegally and pulled play back as Vicario dived at his feet.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 42nd minute when Muric played the ball out straight to a Dejan Kulusevski midway inside the Town half in space. For a moment it appeared Spurs players were queuing up to score but somehow the Blues escaped.

And from the subsequent break, they doubled their lead. Hutchinson broke forward riding challenges, finding Davis on the left, who moved it on to Szmodics, whose low cross was diverted towards his own goal by Dragusin and Delap added the final touch from a yard out, gleefully smashing his sixth goal of the season into the roof of the net. The Town fans at the other end of the ground again went into raptures.

The Blues saw out four minutes of injury time to lead a game at half-time for the first time since promotion, the home fans booing loudly at the whistle.

As was always likely, Tottenham had seen most of the ball and chances, but aside from Johnson’s early shot wide and Solanke’s effort which was well-stopped by Solanke, the resolute Town backline, effectively a five-man defence when out of possession, having been solid and Muric handling confidently when required.

Town had shown their threat on the break from the early stages with Spurs always looking vulnerable to those counter-attacks.

Szmodics took his opportunity clinically, echoing Finidi’s goal in Town’s last game at White Hart Lane, and then the former Colchester man made an important contribution to the second, Delap making sure the ball was forced over the line and becoming the first Town player to score in three successive away games since Claus Thomsen in 1994.

The half had been very open, particularly in the early stages, and it seems likely there could be more goals in the second half, perhaps at both ends.

Tottenham: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Kulusevski, Johnson, Solanke, Son (c). Subs: Forster, Spence, Davies, Gray, Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison, Werner, Lankshear.

Town: Muric, Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste, Johnson, Hutchinson, Szmodics, Delap. Subs: Walton, H Clarke, Woolfenden, Townsend, Luongo, Burns, J Clarke, Chaplin, Hirst. Referee: Darren England (Doncaster). VAR official: John Brooks.

Photo: Sports Press Photo via Reuters Connect

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

TimmyH added 15:07 - Nov 10

When we play that well we really don't need half-time...will only benefit one side. Fingers crossed!

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TimmyH added 13:07 - Nov 10

Hurrah! Axel is back, boo! Hutchinson is moving into the middle again which by and large has not worked this season and feel a bit bad for Chaplin who has done okay since coming in. All the best lads!

Gforce added 13:37 - Nov 10

We've probably got about a 10% chance of winning this game,so we'll need a lot more luck than we're used to and an unbiased ref for a change.

Town1Inter0 added 14:05 - Nov 10

To me it looks like a way of containing and frustrating Spurs and then maybe change things around at the 70min mark if it’s still 0-0 and be more counter-attacking with fresh attack?

Suffolkboy added 14:07 - Nov 10

Wonderful news that AT is fit enough to be on the field again ! As to selection, then we really have no reason to doubt KM’s choices, nor his understanding of the relative strengths of any opposition ,individually or as a unit.This could be a fascinating encounter ,and let’s hope we witness a growing cohesion and understanding amongst our back four ( AM needs to become a lynch pin and dominant in his area) .

Go for it; show us all the best of the Blues - discipline,belief,energy and imagination !

COYB

Linkboy13 added 14:47 - Nov 10

Great news about Axel being back he's one of the few in the squad who can compete physically at Premier league level. I trust McKenna's judgement he works with the players day in day out. Broadhead has got skill at a lower level but like McKenna doubt he can perform in the more physical Premier league don't forget he was often left out of the championship team. Wales are not a good side and would struggle in the Premier league.