Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur – as it happened

Teams: Leeds: Ankergren, Bromby, Michalik, Naylor, Hughes, Snodgrass, Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Becchio, Beckford. Subs: A Martin, Crowe, Grella, Robinson, Somma, Hatfield, White. Spurs: Gomes; Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Bale; Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Kranjcar; Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Alnwick, Dervite, Modric, Palacios, Rose, Dean Parrett, Ryan Fredericks. Preamble: This is Tottenham's only realistic chance of a trophy this season so no doubt Harry Redknapp will be deploying his full artillery in a bid to quash uppity Leeds. Unless football isn't "the glory game" any more and the Spurs' powers-that-be reckon that what their fans really want at the end of the season is an open-topped bus parade through North London during which Ledley King will triumphantly hold aloft the cheque awarded to the team that finishes fourth in the Premier League. Tonight's Tottenham line-up, then, will give us another telling indication of the times. We'll bring it to you as soon as it's in. We'll also bring you the Leeds line-up, of course, because we care . Simon Grayson will, in all likelihood, field his strongest possible side even though he too says the league is his priority (but at least they have a chance of winning that) and that means whichever defenders Redknapp selects will have to contend with Jermaine Beckford, who scored twice at White Hart Lane and, of course, once at Old Trafford. Those Cup ties were the only occasions I've seen him live so my question to those of you who have seen him more often is: could he cut it in the top flight? His goal-scoring statistics suggest that he's a deadly late bloomer but, in my opinion, he didn't look Premier League class in either of those matches, his goals notwithstanding. His touch wasn't tip-top (even the one that preceded the shot that brought the goal against United was too heavy, but the hesitancy of the the keeper reprieved him) and he didn't look particularly strong. A good player obviously, but not quite good enough (which is presumably why his transfer request did not instigate the stampede he might have expected from richer clubs) – but, I stress, that was only on the evidence of a couple of games and I would welcome assessments from more practiced Beckford observers, who may or may not also confirm my impression that Robert Snodgrass is, by contrast, the beans. I would also welcome contributions from anyone who can support or counter the completely unprovoked but surprisingly venomous contention of a friend of mine today that "Bryan Adams? Celine Dion? Canadians have no more right to export music than we do to sell toxic waste. The filthy swines." Off the top of my head all I could offer in mitigation were Leonard Cohen, Nomeansno and Voivod, and I'm not sure that they brought him much cheer. 7:20pm: So Harry has shown his hand: just a few days before the big Premier League clash with Aston Villa, he nonetheless sends out a strong side, containing just three changes from their last league outing: King, Modric and Palacios drop out, but Bassong, Krancjar and Jenas are no callow proxies. He really wants that trip to Bolton, it seems. 7:23pm: "Surely life would be poorer without the poetry, voice and music of Neil Young," drawls Carl Fellstrom quite rightly. "I'm leaving Joni Mitchell out of this." But why, Carl, why? Joni is great. 7:26pm: "No disrespect intended," begins Sean Moore ominously. "But your friend is a moron: Feist, KD Lang, The New Pornographers, Arcade Fire, Avril Lavigne (cough!), Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Great Lake Swimmers, The Dears, Broken Social Scene, The Band ... need I go on?" Well that's a good list .... but is it a list of good songsters? I really don't know since I've only ever heard of three of them, including Avril Lavigne. 7:30pm: Steve Ryder is now on air. What, precisely, does he bring to proceedings? Blanditude. Get Jimbo Richardson back on the box, I say. 7:31pm: "Canada is the go-to destination for apocalyptic post-rock, if you're into that sort of thing, which I am," growls Niall Harden before slam-diving off his desk. "Step forward Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Set Fire to Flames, Arcade Fire etc etc. Still, for Nickelback they shall never be forgiven. On another note, I've just finished reading the Damned United, and can't read the word 'Leeds' without thinking 'bastards'. I'd be pleased if you could work in some David Peace-style gloom tonight." 7:34pm: "I must mention Van Morrison!" hollers John Tumbridge. Fair enough, and if you can think of any decent Canadian musicians feel free to holler anew. 7:36pm: "I too have often wondered what exactly the point of Steve Ryder is," confesses Tim Bailey. "He makes Richard Keys look like a stirring orator in comparison. Just look at his face - so bland, like a moulded plastic action figure. He hasn't aged in about 20 years. I'm sure he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for eternal youth and inexplicably plum jobs on British television. Team Jimbo all the way." Worthy sentiments, Tim, but I must disagree with you about Richard Keys: I think he's often splendid - sure he has to swell the hype a little but he also asks pertinent questions and, accordingly, is one of the main reasons why Sky generally offer the best punditry on TV. 7:40pm: In the absence of anything of note happening on the pitch or in ITV's studio, let us wallow in more of your emails. "As much as us Americans love to mock our neighbors to the North, their musical contributions cannot be questioned," insists Philip Erwin. "Along with all the greats listed by Mr. Sean Moore, the Canadians gave us their coup-de-grace in "Informer" by the immortal rapper, Snow. Beat that UK!" 7:42pm: "Hi Paul," greets Hamer Garland, a man who still has time for politeness in this age of electronic ranting. "Your summation of Beckford is pretty much spot on. He's not cut out for the Premiership. Still, hoping he can produce the goods tonight. The last seven years has been one never-ending boot in the round and danglies, but it's almost been worth is for the amusement that this little cup run has provided. The look on Fergie at the final whistle at Old Trafford will keep me going till next Christmas." 7:44pm: There's some people on the pitch, they think it's about to begin ... they are the players, and they are right. "As an apocalyptic post-rock aficionado myself, I must call you on your slam-diving claims," drones Simon Essex. "With apoco-post-rock, there's no "slam-diving" involved. It's about lots of standing about and occasionally nodding your head. We're a docile, but doom-filled bunch in general." Oh, well in that case, um, nice to meet you. 1 min: Spurs show their Premier League class by taking a flawless kick-off. Ball went forward and everything. Off the pitch, there's quite a din, as expected. 2 mins: Hughes errs with a soft header aimed back at his goalkeeper, and Defoe latches on to it at the edge of the box. It's a great chance but his shot is too week too, allowing Naylor to get back and hoof clear. "Alanis Morrissette?" ventures Christoper Ballard a propos pleasant Canadian songsters, I think. "Somewhat ironic that you friend neglected to mention arguably the most successful Canadian musician of the 90s. By the way, I also never liked Steve Ryder, I thought that he couldn't sing to save his life and was permanently stoned. Or was that Shaun Ryder?" 4 mins: Doyle rolls the ball to Howson, who aims a curler from 25 yards, and a decent effort it was too. Not decent enough to trouble the keeper, mind. It flew over. 6 mins: Bentley booms a freekick into the wall and the ball flies out for a corner. Bentley takes that too, and picked out Bassong - totally unmarked - on the penalty spot. The defender volleys over the bar. Leeds are lucky. "Van Morrison?!" gasps Mark Grosse incredulously. "That'll be a different geezer to Van-the-Man Ulster folk-jazzer then. One word for Canadian music and the word is Rush." 9 mins: Spurs have been on top so far, full of purpose. Bentley has been particularly bright, and has just raced down the right and played a splendid ball across the face of goal. That's where Defoe should have been, but for some reason the professional goal-hanger was nowhere to be seen. "There is this Canadian Jerusalem based geezer called Yehuda Ledgley who is by far the finest alternative folk artist Israel's ever witnessed, and that's saying something," reckons Philip Podolsky, without specifying exactly what it is saying. 12 mins: Corluka crosses to Crouch, who lays it off expertly to Defoe. The striker's snapshot from 18 yards hurtles just wide. Leeds are reeling here. "William Shatner is Canadian," screeches Phil Sawyer. "And if you're unfortunate enough to have heard his strangled, weirdly plodding and rhythm-less versions of Mr Tambourine Man, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds or Common People you'll know that it doesn't matter how much good music Canada has produced; Shatner's contributions tip the scales irrevocably in favour of your friend." 14 mins: Leeds attempt to rally and do so in reasonably effective fashion, cobbling together a move that culminates with a low Doyle shot from distance. No worries for the keeper though. "Bare Naked Ladies are Canadian," warbles Paul Blackman. "Curiously enough, I also heard they are John Terry's favourite band." Boom and, indeed, boom. 17 mins: Leeds have succeeded in stemming Tottenham's forward flow, for now at least. A series of throw-ins to the home team in the Tottenham half provides respite ... and very nearly more, as two forwards challenged Gomes for Snodgrass's cross after Michalik had nodded down a throw-in. The ref awarded a freekick, though. "Steppenwolf and Men Without Hats," trumpets Matthew Roberts. Steppenwolf are Canadian? I thought their singer was German and the rest of them American ... but if what you say is true, Matthew, then that settles the argument right there. 20 mins: Huddlestone tries to pick out Crouch with a long freekick, but fails. "Re: Canadian music: surely Pamela Anderson has released at least one dodgy single a la Sam Fox?" suggests Julian Menz. Well, she did release a video with Motley Crue's drummer but I don't recall her singing or, ahem, playing an instrument in that. 23 mins: What a miss by Defoe! Leeds were enjoying a spell of pressure but when their move broke down they were cut apart by a simple ball over the top. Defoe raced on to it and had time to do anything he wanted. Ankergren charged to the edge of the box before spreading himself gamely, and Defoe shot straight at him! I'd say Spurs should bring back Robbie Keane, only I saw his debut at Kilmarnock last night. "If JT has a favourite Canadian band," begins Juliam Menz. Surely it's that lot who tortured us with Mmmm mmmm mmm...." 26 mins: That's another fine save by Ankergren, who showed lightning reflexes to turn away a Bale cross after it had deflected off Bromby. 29 mins: Jenas tears down the left, turns back and strokes the ball into the Leeds box ... where none of his team-mates were waiting. "Make sure you don't miss out on the inventive breakcore/ragga jungle type stylings of Canadian chappie Aaron Funk, only marginally better known as Venetian Snares ", warns Thomas Bailey, who may or may not be this funkin' guy in disguise. 30 mins: Yet another great chance for Defoe! Again he found himself bearing down on goal with only the keeper to beat. But he seemed to dither slightly and that allowed Michalik to get back, rob the ball and clear. Defoe goes down claiming a foul but the ref doesn't want to know ... and the replay vindicates Andre Marriner. He's the ref. The striker's speed is tormenting the defence, however, and sooner or later he's got to score if it goes on like this. 33 mins: Corluka chips the ball into the box. Huddlestone lays it back to Defoe with his chest and Defoe fires a powerful half-volley goalward from the edge of the area. The keeper is again equal to it. "Steppenwolf are no more Canadian than hockey is German," strums Mike Whitehouse. "But Sloan are Canucks, and pretty good." GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Tottenham (Defoe 36') That was inevitable. Also highly likely was the fact that Bentley was instrumental in it. He scampered down the right and then pulled the ball back to Defoe, who had dropped back to the edge of the penalty area and thus found himself free. His first touch was poor, his second, in truth, wasn't much better but his slice arched over the keeper and into the net. 37 mins: Sterling reply from Leeds as Naylor nods a Snodgrass corner goalward. Gomez tips it around the post to concede the corner. 39 mins: Defoe's goal seems to have stirred Leeds into action. They've heaped on the pressure over the last couple of minutes and only a terrific last-ditch tackle by Dawson prevented Becchio from getting off a shot from 12 yards. "MmmmMmmmMmmmm was Crash Test Dummies," reveals Rondell Tate. "As the OP didn't limit responses to crap pop acts, I would suggest pianists Oscar Peterson (jazz) and Glenn Gould (classical) as Canadian musicians who clearly didn't suck. Sorry about Celine, though. That was unfortunate." 41 mins: Crouch flicks on a punt and Defoe is in again. This time, with defenders closing from either side, he attempts a 20-yard lob over Ankergren, but his sights are misaligned and merely lofts it into the keeper's hands. 42 mins: It's a cracking game now, high tempo and incredibly open. After a swift exchange of passes in midfield Leeds worked a shooting chance for Johnson, who boomed the ball into Gomez's midriff from 25 yards. GOAL! Leeds 1-1 Tottenham (Becchio 45') A Snodgrass corner was headed out by Crouch, but quickly hoisted back into the Spurs' box. Beckford's met it on the volley. Gomez saved but the ball rebounds to Becchio, who slots it into the net. Half-time: Spurs are furious, both because they believe the equaliser should have been disallowed for offside and, probably, because they have had enough chances to be about four goals ahead anyway. The second half promises to be much fun. "My wife was babysat by Ivan from Men Without Hats when she was little, and as a tribute I never wear a hat in Montreal, even when it's -30C like it was on Saturday," says John Dutton with a shiver. "Another obscure fact is that Burt Bacharach studied music at Montreal's McGill University before being re-exported back to the States. And why no mention of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young? Or that guy from the Mamas and the Papas who didn't embark on an incestuous relationship with his daughter after they broke up: Denny Doherty. Why oh why?" Because you didn't scroll down far enough? Hey Lawdy Mama: Matthew Roberts is back to elaborate on his declaration that the brilliant Steppenwolf were Canadian. "Of the founding members of Steppenwolf, two were Canadian, one was a naturalized Canadian from East Germany, and two were American, one of whom started his musical career in Toronto. That's Canadian enough for me." At this point I would like to ask you all for great opening lines from rock songs. We may start with this from Magic Carpet Ride: "I like to dream, yes, right between my sound machine .." London's burning with righteous anger, Well, Gordon Burns is, at any rate. "The more people try to defend Canada's contribution to music, the more they confirm that it has been at best a poor second to Australia. The question isn't whether Men Without Hats is better or worse than Men at Work, the question is whether it's worth anybody's time to even consider the proposition. We are not talking about real bands, like, say, the Clash." The Clash - now there's a band I never did get. A couple of catchy tracks to be sure, and a commendable attitude and whatnot, but really, they were pretty pedestrian overall, weren't they? 46 mins: Leeds get the second half under way. "You want a great rock lyrics, how about this from King Crimson," screams Callan Lamb. "Cat's foot iron claw / Neuro-surgeons scream for more / At paranoia's poison door / Twenty first century schizoid man. It's gibberish, of course, but isn't that what rock & roll's all about?" 48 mins: Howson wins the ball in midfield and then strides boldly towards the Tottenham box ... before treading on the ball. "We're looking at a striker here who's going to be part of the England strike force at the World Cup this summer and Defoe has just spent 45 minutes wasting chance after chance against lower league opposition before shanking the ball in a big looping, fluking arc into the top corner of the net," rages Hugh Watson. "Can you imagine how useless he's going to be if England make it past the group stage, playing against Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany? Andy Townsend and Paul Robinson are trying to make out he's God's gift to goal scoring. He's not." Hmmmn. Can you at least accept that Defoe is a much, much better bet than Michael Owen? Good. 50 mins: Defoe collects a long ball from the back, scurries into shooting space, ignores Bentley who is in a better position, and spanks the ball over the bar from 20 yards. "You want a great opening line from a rock song, then look no further then Loser by Beck," blows John T. "In the time of chimpanzees / I was a monkey." 52 mins: It just won't go in for Spurs! Bentley pulled the ball back for Defoe who, under pressure, cannoned a shot off a defender. It came to Kranjcar, who flashes it across goal. Crouch stretched his spindly right leg to prod it into the empty net ... but diverted it wide from five yards! "In a shameless bid to impress the locals of my adopted home, I ask: 'Are we going to get through this whole discussion of Canadian music without a mention of the mighty Shania Twain?" ingratiates Tom Adams. "I think she still holds the record for the best selling album of all time by a female artist." Yeah? Well that don't impress me much. 54 mins: Dawson deflects a long-range Beckford shot wide for a corner. Crouch gets his nut to Snodgrass's delivery, but his header isn't powerful and there is much ping-pong in the Tottenham box before Dawson eventually gets a telling welly to it. "I bet the first line that has been earworming John Terry this week is an Irish one," wagers Robin Hazlehurst. "'I can't believe the news today / I can't close my eyes and make it go away." 56 mins: Lovely backheeled lay-off from Beckford to Becchio, whose shot from the edge of the box hits Bassong and balloons out for a corner. Snodgrass's delivery is again excellent, but Michalick's header from six yards lacks oomph, meaning Gomes can save with ease. "Joker Weird Al Yankovic is Canadian," notes Colin Greer. "Who would be the Australian equivalent? Peter Andre?" 58 mins: Dawson gets his little eyebrows to a Bentley corner, forcing a fine one-handed save from Ankergren. 60 mins: Bentley booked for a late challenge on Naylor. "What is it with Spurs and last minute goals against? (Leeds - 90th minute in the first leg; Birmingham - 90th minute equaliser; now today, the 45th minute of the first half, to name but a few this season.)," mourns Nick Claxton. "Maybe they need psychological help to prevent last minute lapses of concentration? I wonder what Harry can arrange?" 61 mins: Defoe is again clean through ... but is pulled back for a non-existent offside. 63 mins: Bentley crosses. Crouch, for the 987th time tonight, wins it in the air and nods it down to Huddlestone, who wallops it over the bar from 22 yards. "OK, we haven't had Oprah Harnoy in this debate yet," notices John Willoughby. "She seems to get every possible accolade from her country just on the basis of being there and making it as a professional musician and she seems to me a pretty unremarkable cellist. Any classical buffs want to challenge that?" 64 mins: Enterprising run from Bentley, who skips effortlessly past Hughes, sidesteps another defender, and cracks a decent shot from 25 yards. The keeper tips it over. 67 mins: No goal! Tottenham swept forward in numbers before Kranjcar slipped the ball through to the overlapping Bale. He crossed low and Defoe slid it into the net before wheeling away in delight. But he was offside. 68 mins: Crouch lays a high ball down to Defoe - I should really copy that phrase to my clipboard with a view to constant pasting - and Defoe smashes the ball straight at the keeper from 20 yards. I tell you, if this goes to penalties you wouldn't fancy Spurs. Their shooting hasn't been clinical tonight, Defoe being a serial culprit. And he's inexplicably bad at penalties anyway. 71 mins: Kranjcar gives away possession in his own half and Leeds sense blood. Beckford played it quickly to Becchio, who had a glimmer of an opening ... but his first touch was shoddy, enabling Bassong to intervene. 73 mins: Defoe scurries into the box, dithers a tad, and is dispossessed by Michalik. "In response to Nick Claxton, I must tell you that Harry has a knack of managing teams who turn off for the last 5 minutes," howls Rory Coughlan. "It was that tendency that got Saints relegated. Some anorak supporter worked out that if we had not conceded a goal in last 5 minutes all that season we would have finished in 10th place." GOAL! Leeds 1-2 Tottenham (Defoe 73') Give him 76 chances and he will score! It was Bentley who created it, confirming his renaissance with another buccaneering run down the right and a wonderful low centre. Defoe's instinct trook him to prime position to tap it into the net. 75 mins: Bale puts a Bentley-esque ball into the near post, but Michalik does superbly to beat Crouch to it. "How could you omit the very lovely, delicate, and indeed fragrant Lemmy's ode to ophidian amour in Snake Bite Love?," blurts Don Kavanagh re: opening rock line. "In the zoo, in the zoo /I wanna see the snakes /I don't want to see the lions / Or the gorillas or the apes." 77 mins: No uprising from Leeds this time. Tottenham have refused to take their hand off the jugular, leaving the League One side to cling to life. "Great opening lyrics?" wonders Brian Gallaway. "The unchallengable winner here is from Paul Simon's Kodachrome: When I look back on all the crap I learned in high school / it's a wonder I can think at all." 80 mins: Johnson booked for clattering into Bentley. Well, that's one way to deal with him. "Weird Al Jankowic is NOT Canadian," protests Ken Houghton. "He recorded Canadian Idiot, yes, but he's Californian by birth and raising." So now you know. 82 mins: Beckford follows his team-mates into the box, this time for a late challenge on Corluka. "How about the following opening line from Billy Joel?" yelps Paul Gregory. "Black out / Heat Wave / .44 calibre homicide / The bums drop dead and the dogs go mad / In packs on the West Side. Lovely! And you thought he only crooned nonsense to Christie Brinkley, didn't you?" 84 mins: Bale crosses. Crouch heads over. That's is all ye need to know. 85 mins: Leeds changes: Johnson off, Crowe on; Becchio off, Grella on. 87 mins: Crowe's first contribution is to clobber Bale. Freekick to Tottenham on the left. Jenas takes it short and he and Kranjcar knock it around for a bit by the corner flag before Leeds win it back and hurtle forward. "Don't let your readers forget about Paul Anka, 50's pop icon from Canada and writer of Sinatra's My Way," chirps Graeme McNeil. "I went out with his niece for a bit last year. Lovely girl. My dad was impressed." Don't tell me he went out with her too? 89 mins: Freekick to Leeds on the right, near the corner flag. Howson crosses. Bromby meets it at the near post but can't keep his header down. 90 mins: Another freekick to Tottenham, another chance to run down the clock, which they set about doing. "The best opening line to a song is from Sucker by Mott the Hoople," announces Michael Ollier with self-appointed authority. "Hi there, your friendly neighbourhood sadist wanna take you... for a ride" 90+3 mins: Naylor crunches into Crouch to win the ball back for Leeds and set in motion one last attack ... GOAL! Leeds 1-3 Tottenham (Defoe 90+4') Ankergren launched a long freekick into the Tottenham box, where all other Leeds players had assembled. That proved costly as Spurs whacked it clear and suddenly Defoe was clean through with only Ankergren to beat. Unlike the many previous occasions that he found himself in that position, he calmly rounded the keeper and tapped into the net. Full-time: It was a richly entertaining game, played at a tremendous pace and with engaging attacking intent from both sides. Tottenham showed why they are two leagues above Leeds and deserved to win. And Canada, it turns out, as produced some splendid music. A fine night all round then. Thanks for your company. Bye.