Devastating Town took a woeful Spurs side apart at Portman Road 3-0, but it could have been even more. Town took the lead through a Marcus Stewart goal in the 8th minute. Second half goals from Alun Armstrong and substitute Jamie Clapham sealed the result. But for a number of excellent saves from Neil Sullivan, the crossbar preventing James Scowcroft and a disallowed goal from Titus Bramble Town might have won by even more.

There was a surprise in the Town line-up with Jamie Clapham dropping to the bench to allow Martijn Reuser to come into the side on the left of midfield. Jim Magilton remains injured so James Scowcroft played in midfield with Alun Armstrong up front with Marcus Stewart. Titus Bramble kept his place and John McGreal once again started on the bench.

The first half was Town from start to end. As at White Hart Lane earlier in the season Town took the lead early on. All half the Blues were lively down the left with Reuser, Hreidarsson and on this occasion Matt Holland getting to the byline many times. Holland put a ball along the line of the six-yard box where Alun Armstrong swung a leg and missed. Fortunately Marcus Stewart was behind him and the ball hit his ankle and bobbled past Sullivan in the Spurs goal.

Town continued to dominate and Martijn Reuser went close after a blistering run, Sullivan doing well to tip the ball past the post. The Dutchman was more than showing what he can do and must be looking at a decent run in the side.

Titus Bramble had the ball in the net lashing the ball home after Alun Armstrong and Neil Sullivan had collided in the air. Referee Messias ruled the goal out and Armstrong left the field for five minutes to have stitches.

James Scowcroft looped a shot just over Sullivan's bar from about twelve yards while at the other end the Town defence looked confortable. Spurs had left out both Rebrov and Armstrong and their attack was suffering accordingly. Richard Wright had precisely no saves to make in a half that Town really should have led by more than just the single goal.

The second half began much as the first had ended. There were Tottenham cheers on the hour when they managed their first shot of the afternoon. Richard Wright easily catching an Anderton shot.

A couple of minutes later Town were further ahead. An excellent exchange of passes beginning with Hermann Hreidarsson and on to Marcus Stewart and then Martijn Reuser saw the Dutchman lay the ball to Stewart on the left side of the penalty area. Stewart put the ball in first time where Alun Armstrong tapped the ball past Sullivan.

It was still mainly Town, although Spurs were coming into it more. Richard Wright made his first proper save when he tipped a Korsten shot round the post. A few minutes earlier Korsten should have gone closer, but he failed to put any power in his shot as he met a cross and Richard Wright saved easily. So rare were Spurs attacks that each was greeted by their fans almost like a goal.

In the 75th minute James Scowcroft went agonisingly close when he volleyed a superb Martijn Reuser cross-field pass on to Sullivan's bar.

Town finally went three-up when Jamie Clapham tapped home a Martijn Reuser after the Dutchman had made a swift break down the right. Clapham had only just replaced Marcus Stewart as James Scowcroft went into the attack. David Johnson and John McGreal had come on either side of the 80 minute mark for Alun Armstrong and Fabian Wilnis.

The game ended and Town were up to third. A fine way to end a fine year 2000 for the Blues. Here's to an equally superb 2001.

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 11:58 - Mar 7 They were the days
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