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Monday
11 August 1997
Issue 808


Sheringham has last laugh on Spurs fans
By Henry Winter and Christopher Davies


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          Sheringham has last laugh on Spurs fans
          
   Tottenham (0) 0 Man Utd (0) 2
   
   RARELY has a man who has just missed a penalty, been kicked
   painfully and played so moderately worn as satisfied a look as Teddy
   Sheringham did last night. As the final whistle sounded around White
   Hart Lane, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward strode over to salute
   his new supporters, those clad in the red of Manchester United, so
   having the last laugh on the Spurs fans who had barracked him
   throughout.
   
   Cries of "Judas" dogged every step Sheringham made throughout an
   afternoon so sultry that each sprint must have felt like a marathon.
   The fans' opprobrium turned to approval only when Sheringham struck a
   second-half penalty against a post. While he will reflect that such
   abuse probably provides a short cut into the affection of his own
   followers, United will admire the way Sheringham never hid, despite
   the verbal hounding, one nasty challenge from Ramon Vega and a
   generally poor performance personally.
   
   United possess a collective will like few other teams, their solidity
   and strength of purpose assisted by their relatively unchanging squad.
   Sheringham was their only debut-maker yesterday while Spurs welcomed
   three new boys. Les Ferdinand was well policed by Gary Pallister,
   David Ginola rolled out the tricks in the first half but then faded
   while Stephen Clemence, son of Ray, proved a ray of sunshine on his
   first-team bow. Despite defeat, Spurs can take heart from the promise
   of Clemence and the here-and-now excellence of Sol Campbell, probably
   the best player in a match watched by Glenn Hoddle, the England coach.
   
   Clemence, patrolling the left of central midfield, had clearly been
   assigned to cover for Ginola when the Frenchman went roving. Within 10
   minutes, Ginola had forsaken his wing station and was wandering to
   good effect, giving Spurs a new sense of unpredictability.
   
   Clemence seemed unawed by either surroundings or opposition. Having
   filled out since his slightly frail England Schoolboy days, Clemence
   competed gamely against the likes of Nicky Butt, Roy Keane and Paul
   Scholes. His willingness to become involved encapsulated Spurs'
   first-half display, which made their later wilting so strange.
   
   There was a high level of determination about Tottenham that ensured
   the champions suffered a fruitless first period. Vega showed the
   spirit of defensive defiance with a late challenge on Sheringham,
   which inevitably endeared him to the majority home fans.
   
   In the absence of Andy Cole, who will be out for 10 days following an
   operation on an abscess, Sheringham was partnered by Jordi Cruyff but
   they rarely linked significantly. In truth, Sheringham contributed
   little but sweat to a poor, cramped opening 45 minutes.
   
   With no obvious attacking focus, United's game plan appeared centred
   on directing quick balls behind Spurs' defenders, a tactic that
   foundered on sterling showings by Campbell, Vega and Stephen Carr.
   United's best opportunity arrived early, a Giggs corner headed over by
   Keane.
   
   Spurs' strategy involved sliding long balls over United's adventurous
   full-backs, Phil Neville and Denis Irwin. Ginola proved particularly
   adept at this, though Spurs' resultant crosses were rarely of the
   requisite quality. And when a ball did look destined for Ferdinand,
   Pallister rose to the challenge.
   
   United were never truly stretched although their defence could rarely
   rest. Neville cleared quickly when Vega loomed while Peter Schmeichel
   sprinted out to catch Ginola's lofted pass ahead of Steffen Iversen.
   Ginola concluded the half with a dive that incensed Giggs, Neville and
   Keane, but brought him nothing.
   
   New half, new story. After an early scare when Ferdinand threatened,
   United proved the more dominant force, sweeping forward in attack
   after unanswered attack. A move of burgeoning promise saw the ball
   whipped from Irwin, to Giggs to Scholes, who played the ball in
   towards goal. Sheringham, running in unmarked, flicked it over when he
   really should have scored.
   
   Spurs were then indebted to Campbell for relieving penalty-box
   pressure created by Keane, who rivalled Pallister as United's best
   contributor, and Sheringham. On the hour, United sensed a
   breakthrough. In attempting to dispossess Cruyff, Justin Edinburgh
   handled the ball, so giving Sheringham his opportunity. But the ball
   thudded into a post and Sheringham, forgetting the laws, tried to
   follow up and was penalised for not allowing someone else to make
   contact first. How the Spurs' fans laughed. "Oh, Teddy, Teddy," they
   sang.
   
   There was soon another moment for them to savour, Clemence's little
   touch taking the ball away from a bemused Keane. But such
   pleasure-giving cameos were like sand-castles in front of a rising
   tide, soon confined to oblivion.
   
   United grew stronger and stronger, settling the match with two goals
   in 78 seconds, created by David Beckham, who had finally arrived after
   65 minutes. Ferguson has been using his high-profile young midfielder
   sparingly, keeping to his stated intention of resting Beckham and Gary
   Neville after England's summer exertions in the Tournoi de France.
   
   As in the Charity Shield, Beckham was hungrily and swiftly involved,
   lifting the ball in to Sheringham, whose blocked shot ran through to
   Butt. As Spurs looked for offside, Butt focused on the job in hand,
   sending a strong shot past Ian Walker.
   
   Sheringham had only just finished walking back to his half with both
   arms aloft when United started building for their second. Beckham's
   flighted cross from the right appeared harmless enough, as it arrowed
   into Spurs' box. Vega, though, had followed Giggs, who failed to make
   contact, the ball diverting in off Vega's knee. The unfortunate Walker
   was unable to react in time. The smile began spreading on Sheringham's
   face.
   
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   
   Ferguson praises 'character'
   
   ALEX FERGUSON was able to laugh off Teddy Sheringham's missed penalty
   on the Manchester United striker's return to Tottenham.
   
   "He did his best for his old team," said Ferguson. "When the penalty
   was given I turned to Brian Kidd and said 'I hope he doesn't miss this
   one. Next week is OK but not this one'.
   
   "When you appoint a penalty taker it is important to know how he will
   react if he misses. Teddy showed his character today.
   
   "He had to expect some stick. He wanted to join us and that didn't go
   down well with the Tottenham fans. It was a bit over-the-top but
   didn't compare to Paul Ince's return to West Ham."
   
   Ferguson confirmed that Sheringham, who once missed three consecutive
   penalties at White Hart Lane for Spurs, will continue as United's
   penalty taker.
   
   Sheringham admitted: "I was relieved when the goals went in. I was
   quite confident when I went up to take the penalty and although I
   sensed Ian Walker moving on the line, he told me he went the wrong
   way."
   
   Ferguson said the result was "the ideal start for us". He added: "In
   this heat the team which kept possession would be in control and we
   did it better than Spurs."
   
   Had Ferguson ever experienced heat like this? "It's run of the mill in
   our dressing room.
   
   "We had a couple of breaks when the ball deflected to Nicky Butt [for
   the opening goal] and then an own-goal. There's a long way to go. My
   players can handle the pressure but with 37 games to go I'm sweating
   already."
   
   Gerry Francis, the Tottenham manager, said of Sheringham's missed
   penalty: "When he took penalties here he's usually put them to the
   'keeper's left. He thought Ian would expect that and changed his side.
   
   "There were some pluses for us with the outstanding form of Sol
   Campbell, and Stephen Clemence did well on his debut.
   
   "We are looking to compete on all fronts and have the players to
   enable the competition for places to be as great as at United. They
   brought David Beckham on."
   
   Earlier in the day Alan Sugar, the Tottenham chairman, delivered what
   appeared to be an ultimatum to Francis, saying the club must finish in
   the top five.
   
   Francis said: "It is something everyone at Tottenham is striving for.
   It took Alex four years to get United off the ground but time isn't
   something managers always have. I can't worry about that. It's life.
   Perhaps if we win the FA Cup and Coca-Cola Cup and finish sixth people
   will still be asking questions."
   _________________________________________________________________

   Tottenham (0) 0 Man Utd (0) 2
   Butt 82, Vega 83 og.

   Tottenham: Walker, Edinburgh, Howells, Nielsen, Ferdinand, Carr,
   Ginola, Vega, Iversen, Campbell, Clemence (Sinton 75). Subs Not Used:
   Calderwood, Scales, Fenn, Baardsen. Booked: Vega, Edinburgh.

   Man Utd: Schmeichel, Irwin, Johnsen, Pallister, Butt, Sheringham,
   Giggs, P. Neville, Cruyff, Keane, Scholes (Beckham 66). Subs Not Used:
   G. Neville, McClair, Poborsky, Van Der Gouw. Booked: Scholes, Cruyff.

   Att: 26,359
   Ref: G Poll (Tring).
   _________________________________________________________________

LONDON (Aug 10, 1997 - 1997 EDT) Champions Manchester United got two goals
in two minutes late in the game to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in their
English premier league season-opener on Sunday.

The match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw after United's Teddy
Sheringham missed a 60th minute penalty against his old club.

But eight minutes from time the 3.5 million pounds ($5.6 million) England
man had a shot charged down by Ramon Vega and the ball ran to an unmarked
Nicky Butt who slammed it past Spurs keeper Ian Walker from six meters.

Less than two minutes later it was 2-0 as Swiss international Vega
deflected a harmless David Beckham cross into his own net.

United deserved the points from a game short of goalmouth action, dominated
by both sets of defenders.

It looked to be going the champions' way after an hour when Spurs defender
Justin Edinburgh handled in the box as he attempted to tackle Jordi Cruyff.

Sheringham, signed from Spurs over the summer to fill the gaping boots of
now retired French forward Eric Cantona, stepped up to take the spot kick
but sent his shot against a post.

It was the first real chance of the match -- there were only three shots on
target in the first half -- despite the sparkling array of striking talent
on display.

Tottenham's new summer signings from Newcastle -- Frenchman David Ginola
and England striker Les Ferdinand -- made their debuts for Spurs, who gave
promising teenage midfielder Stephen Clemence, son of former England
goalkeeper Ray, his official first team debut.

Ferdinand had one of Tottenham's few chances when United goalkeeper Peter
Schmeichel fluffed a clearance, the ball blocked by the Tottenham man's
outstretched leg and rebounding high into the air.

If Ferdinand had been a fraction faster he might have beaten the tall
Schmeichel to the ball but the Dane safely gathered it and the danger
passed. ($ - 0.629 British Pounds)


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