Harry Kane double sinks Wenger's men

image: http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201502/kane_against_arsenal902_0.jpg?itok=vs_kZFwb

Tottenham’s man of the moment Harry Kane was on hand once again to clinch a deserved win against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners' impressive win at Manchester City in January seemed to be the blueprint for a disciplined first half performance, but a relentless Spurs finished strongly to snatch a breathtaking north London derby.

Kane’s predatory second-half strike cancelled out Mesut Ozil’s early finish, before the 21-year-old’s 22nd goal of the season ensured all three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

As a result, Spurs climb above their neighbours into fourth while Arsenal slip to sixth in the race for Champions League football next season.

Kane had 20 goals in all competitions prior to kick off and threatened to add to that tally on five minutes, collecting the ball in a menacing position on the left before sending a curling effort towards the bottom corner, but David Ospina was equal to the attempt with a strong left hand.

However, it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock against the run of play on ten minutes. Danny Welbeck countered with pace down the right, showing Danny Rose a clean pair of heels and, after a complete miscue from Olivier Giroud, the ball found its way to an unmarked Ozil, who produced an accomplished first-time finish beyond Hugo Lloris.

In response, Rose honed in with a drilled strike, but his effort was expertly parried by the Arsenal goalkeeper, and the 24-year-old nearly picked out Kyle Walker with another daisy-cutter across the Colombian only for the ball to run harmlessly out of play.

The hosts continued to probe and fashioned another opening on the half-hour mark when Walker’s deflected cross trickled into the area towards an outstretched Erik Lamela, who was unable to hit the target.

Tottenham dictated play after the restart, with Kane and Christian Eriksen combining well, and it was the former who pulled Spurs level ten minutes into the second-half. Mousa Dembele rose highest to meet Eriksen’s corner and Ospina was only able to slap the ball into the path of the 21-year-old, who calmly stroked the ball home.

Kane almost doubled his tally moments later, but was unable to adjust his feet in time to poke home a close range chance. At the other end, Welbeck forced the best out of Lloris with a sizzling effort before Laurent Koscielny sent a free header straight at the France international.

After an understandably subdued period, Arsenal ventured forward as Ozil’s sublime cross was met by Giroud’s glancing header, which flashed wide, before Lamela rushed a good chance inside the Gunners box to the dismay of the White Hart Lane supporters.

But, with England manager Roy Hodgson in attendance, Kane sent the home faithful into raptures five minutes from time. Eriksen, another star Spurs performer this season, supplied the club’s top-scorer with a hanging delivery, which was converted with an expert header beyond the helpless Ospina.

Arsenal pushed for an equaliser late-on and substitute Tomas Rosicky tested Lloris with a swerving attempt, but Tottenham held on for a famous win.

Read more at http://talksport.com/football/tottenham-2-1-arsenal-red-hot-kane-sends-spurs-top-four-150207135500#j14KcAvJEbTCiTto.99

Arsenal boss: Wilshere is not a smoker

Arsene Wenger says he is concerned that Jack Wilshere will get a "bad boy" reputation and has urged the midfielder to cut out his smoking habits. 

Wilshere was pictured holding a shisha pipe in a London nightclub this week, just months after he was caught smoking at a pool party at a Las Vegas hotel.

The Arsenal manager confirmed he has spoken to the 22-year-old about the incident, but insists he won't be affected when he returns from injury.

When asked if he was worried that Wilshere might get a bad boy reputation, Wenger said: "You're always worried for your players that they get what they don't deserve. He is of course sorry for what has happened.

"But I observe him well and he behaves in a very professional way. It's down to him to master his life. He had the day off the next day and he went out to watch the Superbowl. 

"When he's here he has to follow the rules that we dictate here, when he's out of his job it's his own responsibility to behave like he wants to behave.

"I believe he works hard, he practices well, he's ahead of schedule in his training, he's two weeks ahead, and you don't do that if you are not serious.

He is first in, last out, and he works very hard to get there. I am not worried at all about that. 

"You need sometimes to relieve the pressure a bit. I think today it's much more difficult because everywhere you go people make photos and a photo shows one second of your life.

 "It doesn't define who you are. I believe you have to take that with a distance as well. I remember when I was in Brazil, I have been seen with some photos by people I didn't even know were around me so you have to be very careful about that. "

Mourinho: Cuadrado deal was not a deadline panic

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted signing Juan Cuadrado on transfer deadline day was not a panic buy.

The Columbian winger was acquired from Fiorentina for £27 million while Mohammed Salah went the other way on loan, although the 22-year-old revealed he does not expect to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Andre Schurrle was the other player to exit Chelsea on deadline day with a move to Wolfsburg and Mourinho claimed the German’s departure prompted a move for Cuadrado.

"He is a player we've known for a long, long time,” said Mourinho. “I have played in his league for two seasons [managing Inter Milan], and he could control [games] week after week.

"He is not a panic buy, [the signing] is a reaction to Schurrle."

The versatile winger could make his Chelsea debut against Aston Villa, but the Blues boss admitted he is unsure because of the time the deal took to be processed."He's trained just two days. The business was done almost last minute on Monday, and he had to fly Paris for visas. On the Tuesday he trained here, so I cannot say much."

Schurrle made way for the Colombian in a £24m move back to the Bundesliga that proved too good for the Blues to turn down. 

Mourinho added: "Schurrle is a player we like very, very much but the business was very good and we are happy."We are happy with what he gave us.

 We are happy with the investment we made one and a half years ago and the profit we did in this transfer window. 

"Hopefully we made him a better player and he can have success in Wolfsburg."

Ghana victory marred by crowd trouble

The African Cup of Nations semi-final between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea ended in ugly circumstances, after the match was suspended for the closing stages due to crowd trouble in Malabo.

The Black Cats’ fans were forced to leave the stands, during a 30 minute suspension, and take refuge behind one of the goals after seemingly being pelted with objects from rival supporters with Ghana leading 3-0.

Bottles could be seen scattered across the running track which surrounded the pitch.

The referee stopped the match and the players were left waiting in the middle of the pitch to find out if play would resume, with the Equatorial Guinea players pleading with their fans to calm down.

A helicopter was forced to intervene in an attempt to disperse the Guinea supporters.

Ghana had been set to seal a place in the final against Ivory Coast after a penalty from Jordan Ayew and a Wakaso Mubarak strike at the end of the first half and a tap-in from Andre Ayew in the second.

Plenty of fans left the stadium as the suspension dragged on without abandonment.

Cricket: Australian great added Ireland's coaching squad

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

Ireland have added a major coup to their coaching set-up ahead of the World Cup, with Australian great Brett Lee included as the side's short-term bowling coach in the build-up to the tournament.

Phil Simmons' side play Randwick Petersham in a 50-over friendly on Friday before official warm-up games against Scotland next Tuesday and Bangladesh two days later.

The 38-year-old claimed 380 one-day international wickets throughout his career, but retired from all forms of cricket in Janaury.

And Simmons said his players will benefit from the fast-bowler's vast experience in the game.

"Brett Lee has a wonderful knowledge of fast bowling, and his special insight of Australian pitches will help give our bowlers further confidence ahead of their group matches," said Simmons.

"I'm sure all our bowlers will benefit from the experience that a two-time World Cup winner has accumulated, especially in the pressure situations of a global event.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for our bowlers to learn from a living legend and one I'm sure they'll all benefit from."

'Settled' side makes Wales favourites for England clash, claims Owen

Former Wales flanker Michael Owen has backed his home nation to win the Six Nations opener against England on Friday, claiming Warren Gatland has the advantage of selecting from a more “settled” squad.

Stuart Lancaster’s Six Nations preparations have been hit by a number of high profile injuries, opening the door for five England debutants.

And Owen believes England’s alterations hand Wales the initiative, adding an open-roof Millennium Stadium will have no bearing on the game’s outcome.

“Wales are more settled and have got more established players in their team, and maybe a few more game-breakers,” Owen told talkSPORT.

“It will be a close game, but Wales will have to start as favourites.
“It does make a difference [England’s squad changes], going into a cauldron like the Millennium Stadium, but I do think England have a hell of a lot of depth and very good players.
“The players that are going in are very experienced Premiership players, experience European players, but it is slightly different at international level.

“Those guys are well prepared going into the game; they’ve had a good week and a half preparation so it’s maybe not as much as it has been in the past, but for those reasons Wales start as favourites.”

Scotland made two changes for their Six Nations opener in France

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

Scotland have made two changes for their Six Nations campaign opener in France on Saturday. 

Centre Mark Bennett and tighthead prop Euan Murray return at the Stade de France in Paris after missing November's 37-12 defeat of Tonga in the final autumn Test in Kilmarnock.

 Murray is joined in the front row by Edinburgh pair Alasdair Dickinson and Ross Ford, with brothers Richie and Jonny Gray packing down behind them in the second row. 

Rob Harley, Blair Cowan and Johnnie Beattie make up the back-row, with captain Greig Laidlaw at scrum-half in a half-back pairing with Finn Russell.

Bennett is joined in the centres by fellow Glasgow Warrior Alex Dunbar, with Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour on the wings and Stuart Hogg at full-back.

Scotland last won in Paris on the way to victory in the final Five Nations Championship in 1999 and last beat Les Bleus in Edinburgh in 2006. However, five wins in the last seven Tests has boosted Scotland's confidence. 

Head coach Vern Cotter, who was Clermont Auvergne head coach for eight years, said: "Seeing the passion and desire among our players in the build up to the tournament has been special.

 "The players really enjoy the atmosphere of these big occasions, and the pressure of having to perform for their country, in front of huge crowds. They're looking forward to getting out there. 

"France will be tough. They will be very difficult to contain so we'll have to stay tight as a unit, work hard for each other and try to apply some pressure. 

  "It'll be a very tough start to the championship, but we're looking forward to that challenge." 

Scotland's bench includes the uncapped Edinburgh scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and experienced lock Jim Hamilton, who has 57 caps. Backs Sean Lamont, Henry Pyrgos and Matt Scott were not considered for the match having been unable to recover from calf, knee and shoulder injuries sustained in training. 

Scotland team to play France: 

S Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), T Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), M Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), A Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), T Visser (Edinburgh), F Russell (Glasgow Warriors), G Laidlaw (Gloucester, capt); A Dickinson (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Glasgow Warriors), R Gray (Castres), J Gray (Glasgow Warriors), R Harley (Glasgow Warriors), B Cowan (London Irish), J Beattie (Castres). 

Replacements:

 F Brown (Glasgow Warriors), G Reid (Glasgow Warriors), G Cross (London Irish), J Hamilton (Saracens), A Strokosch (Perpignan), S Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), P Horne (Glasgow Warriors), D Fife (Edinburgh).

Rodgers: Utd defeats was the turning point of our season

image: http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201502/brendan_rodgers.jpg?itok=zPTfz5xB

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has told talkSPORT he knew his side had turned the corner after the December defeat to Manchester United.

The Merseysiders were deemed to be a club in crisis when they went down 3-0 at Old Trafford to drop to tenth in the Premier League.

But Rodgers saw enough signs in the game to suggest his side were ready to kickstart their season, and has been proved right with the Reds since embarking on a seven-match unbeaten run.

Liverpool are now just four points off the Champions League places ahead of this weekend’s derby clash with Everton.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Rodgers said: “The turning point was the Man United game.

“After the Crystal Palace game [when Liverpool lost 3-1], we had to arrest the momentum because it was going away from us, we weren’t playing, there was no pressure in the team, no intensity, nothing of what we had showed for the last couple of years.

“We picked up seven points out of nine [against Stoke, Leicester and Sunderland] and in that little period of three games we were defining a way to get back to how we wanted to play. We threw that in against Manchester United and we lost that game but I saw enough in that to see we were creating chances again.

“From that we have then kicked on and our performance level has been getting better and better.”

And Rodgers is warning the best is still to come from his team as they look to keep up their charge for a Champions League qualification spot.

Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park on Saturday bidding to secure a fourth successive Premier League win, and the Northern Irishman said:  “We are going in at a real high level. Mentally we are strong and we are playing very well.

“These are wonderful games, just being involved in them around the city is incredible. It is a great atmosphere at Goodison Park and we will go there and try and keep this momentum going.

“We knew it was going to be a long road to get into contention [for the top four] after the way we started the season but from December through to now we wanted to arrive at the end of January in a good moment so we weren’t too far off, knowing we will get in the second part of the season, and it has sort of panned out like that.

“There is still a lot of work to do but we have still got our best football to come.”

Read more at http://talksport.com/football/exclusive-man-united-defeat-was-turning-point-liverpools-season-says-brendan-rodgers#e2aJIA2PTKTvS7Yo.99

Allen: Sherwood fits for QPR managerial job

image: http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201502/timsherwoodd141.jpg?itok=-yMTk8Bx

Former Queens Park Rangers striker Bradley Allen believes Tim Sherwood “fits the bill” for the vacant managerial position at Loftus Road.

The former Blackburn midfielder has been heavily linked with the post since Harry Redknapp’s resignation as manager on Tuesday, and Allen admits he is not surprised to see Sherwood touted as the 67-year-old’s successor.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Allen said: “Tim does deserve an awful lot of credit for his brief tenure in charge of the Tottenham first team for the second half of last season. He accumulated a tremendous amount of points and narrowly missed out on Champions League football.

“His win percentage ratio was excellent and I’d say he has been patient and is waiting for the opportunity and he continues, now that the job has come up at QPR, to be a contender for the role.

“It appears they [QPR] are looking for an ambitious, young manager which, certainly, Tim fits the bill.”

Allen praised Sherwood’s ideology of promoting young players during his time at White Hart Lane, where he handed Nabil Bentaleb his Spurs debut, and the Tottenham academy coach said he would expect the 45-year-old to “shake things up” if he is to be offered the job.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes insisted he would listen to fans before naming the club's new manager, but with the other leading contenders distancing themselves from the role, Sherwood is now the favourite.

 “Tim was more than confident to through him into the first him and giver him that opportunity,” Allen continued. “He closely monitored the players out on loan, like Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend.

“He is very honest in his opinion, he’ll shake a few players up. He is ready, refreshed and energised and it wouldn’t surprise me if he is given the chance. I sincerely hope that they manage to finish outside the bottom three and retain their Premier League status.”

Jovetic received champions league snub

Stevan Jovetic has been dropped from Manchester City’s Champions League squad for the remainder of the season to accommodate new signing Wilfried Bony.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has opted to include his new £28 million man in a squad limited to 16 foreign players rather than 17 as a punishment for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play restrictions.

Jovetic, a £22 million signing from Fiorentina in 2013, has struggled to overcome a succession of injuries during his time at the Etihad and the Chilean boss is unwilling to risk his fitness ahead of the Premier League champions' last-16 tie against Barcelona.

His future at the club may be in doubt, having dropped further down the pecking order behind Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and now Bony, while Alvaro Negredo was loaned out to Valencia in the summer.

The Citizens were made to submit their squad on Tuesday, but the details have only now been made public by UEFA.

Willy Caballero and defenders Aleksandar Kolarov and Bacary Sagna were all candidates to be replaced by the Ivorian striker, however Jovetic’s omission mean they all keep their place in Pellegrini’s squad.

Sanchez will not return for derby clash with spurs

Alexis Sanchez will not be fit for Arsenal's clash with arch-rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

The Chilean is still struggling with a hamstring injury which saw him miss last weekend's win over Aston Villa.

“The latest is that Alexis is not ready,” Arsene Wenger told the club’s website.

“He is not far away, the Leicester game [at home next Tuesday] is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet. He is training but it’s light training.”

The absence of Sanchez will be a big blow for the Gunners as they look to make it six straight wins in all competitions.

The 26-year-old has been in outstanding form since his summer arrival from Barcelona, netting 18 goals in 32 appearances.

There is good some news for Arsenal, however, with Danny Welbeck named in the matchday squad for the short trip across north London.

Welbeck has not played since the win over West Ham in December after picking up a thigh injury.

Hoddle backs Redknapp for managerial return

Glenn Hoddle believes Harry Redknapp will return to management once his knee problems have been rectified.

The 67-year-old resigned as QPR manager on Tuesday, citing health issues, and is expected to be replaced by Tim Sherwood in the coming days.

Hoddle was a coach at Loftus Road under Redknapp and insists this will not be the last the game sees of the ex-West Ham and Tottenham chief.

When asked whether Redknapp would return to the game, Hoddle said: “Yes. I knew Harry a little bit before I went in there, but it was smashing working with him at QPR.

“He’s a great character. He just loves football. We’ve joked about it before, he’s said he wouldn’t know what he would do if it wasn’t for football.

“He might play a bit of golf but that’s no good if your knees aren’t very good.  He is a football man through and through. I’m sure he’ll be back in the game once he’s sorted his knees out.”

Rugby Union: Scotland flanker Wilson suspended without pay

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

Glasgow flanker Ryan Wilson has been suspended without pay for three months after being found guilty of assault.

But the 25-year-old has been allowed to cling on to his World Cup dream after the Scottish Rugby Union announced he would be banned from Dark Blues duty until August 23 - clearing him to play in the tournament which kicks-off four weeks later.

Wilson was fined £750 after he attacked two Glasgow Hawks players in a fast-food shop.

A spokesman for the SRU said: "In accordance with Scottish Rugby's standard disciplinary procedures Ryan Wilson has the right to appeal against the panel's findings.

"Scottish Rugby will make no further comment at this time."

Reds match on in FA Cup with a late come back against ten-man Trotters

Liverpool struck twice in the final four minutes to seal a dramatic late victory over a ten-man Bolton Wanderers in their FA Cup fourth round replay.

The resilient Trotters battled to a 0-0 draw at Anfield a fortnight ago, and they looked on course for a shock result in front of their own fans when Eidur Gudjohnsen put them in front from the penalty spot after a goalless first-half.

But Neil Lennon suffered an almost instant blow when his side were reduced to ten men following a second yellow card for Neil Danns

Brendan Rodgers’ side twice hit the post and stuck the bar in their search for an equaliser, and later introduced fit-again star Daniel Sturridge with time running out for the Premier Leagueside.

The Reds began to dominate in the closing stages as the Championship outfit began to tire, and their pressure eventually bore fruit with just four minutes on the clock.

Raheem Sterling first levelled with a neat volley before a wonderstrike from Philippe Coutinho – his long-range drive going in off the underside of the crossbar – completed a late, late comeback.

Liverpool face a trip to Crystal Palace in the fifth round.

It’s good news for Reds captain Steven Gerrard – starting the game for his 700th club appearance – who can still dream of that fairytale send off ahead of his summer move to the MLS, with the FA Cup final falling on his birthday.

In a cagey first-half but it was Bolton, who are unbeaten at home under Neil Lennon, who impressed most early on, limiting Liverpool’s creativity and forcing some good saves from a revitalised Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool began to up the tempo towards the break though, with Sterling hitting the post with a looping shot and Coutinho firing just wide with goalkeeper Andy Lonergan sprawling helpless across his line.

They continued to press after the re-start, Sterling forcing another brilliant save from Lonergan, but it was Bolton who drew first blood through a Gudjohnsen penalty, after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to have fouled lively youngster Zach Clough in the area.

However, less than ten minutes had passed before the Trotters suffered a blow to their chances, with Danns given his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a rash challenge on Joe Allen.

You’d have thought Liverpool would look to immediately make the most of their man advantage, but instead it was Bolton who went for the killer blow, Clough firing wide after a darting run and Gudjohnsen then wasting a great chance to finish it, heading straight at Mignolet with the goal at his mercy.

Sturridge’s 70th minute introduction seemed to lift Liverpool however, and they were twice a whisker away from a superb equaliser when Jordan Henderson first hit the post and then Emre Can saw his long-range hit tipped onto the bar by Lonergan.

Sterling and Coutinho were at the epicentre of all the visitors’ best attacks, so it was fitting therefore, they combined on  to claim the win.

A comeback looked less and less likely as the final whistle edged closer, but Sterling finally found a clinical touch when his side needed it most, sending the ball through Lonergan's legs with a sidefooted volley from Can's lobbed pass over the top.

And Bolton barely had time to catch their breath before the top flight giants snatched victory from under their feet, Coutinho drilling an unstoppable 25 yard effort into the back of the net in stoppage-time to seal the late turnaround.

I'd pay to watch, Rodgers hails match winner

Brendan Rodgers admits he was left in awe of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho after his stoppage-time wonderstrike saw the Reds progress in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

The Premier League side found themselves trailing to Championship Bolton in their fourth round replay following Eidur Gudjohnsen's second-half penalty at the Macron Stadium.

But Liverpool dug deep to complete a late comeback, equalising through Raheem Sterling’s clinical finish with four minutes left before Coutinho’s unstoppable effort from 25 yards sealed a 2-1 victory in stoppage-time.

The Brazilian star signed a new five-year contract this week and marked the occasion in fine style.

Coutinho has arguably been Liverpool's best player in their resurgence since the New Year and Rodgers believes the 22-year-old can reach even greater heights.

"You would pay money to watch the kid," said the Reds boss.

"He is a great role model for lots of technical players in this country. He will become world class in the next couple of years.

"Signing a new deal shows he is really committed to Liverpool and his development."

Rodgers believes his side's "winning habit" got them through the tricky tie at Bolton, who played the final 25 minutes with ten men after Neil Danns’ sending off but defended resiliently until their late collapse.

"We have got a great habit at the minute which is winning games," the Northern Irishman added.

"You can't question the character. They have shown a real strong mentality in my time here.

"At 1-0 I expected us to win it. The confidence at the moment is very high.

"Our composure after the penalty - it was never a penalty - was very good. We scored two and could have had many more."

Adebayor is happy at Tottenham despite wanting a West Ham move

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has admitted he was keen to join West Ham on transfer deadline day, but insists he is happy to stay at Spurs after his move was blocked by chairman Daniel Levy.

Adebayor has failed to make a telling impact at White Hart Lane this term and revealed he had five "good" clubs interested in him after Tottenham looked to send him on loan for the rest of the season.

A switch to Upton Park is what appealed to him most, but Levy would not allow it due to the Hammers being direct rivals in the race for a top-four Premier League finish.

The 30-year-old Togolese frontman told Sky Sports News: "The club decided to send me out on loan, which I was pleased with, and I was lucky enough to have five good clubs [interested].

"I decided to go for three, to see which one I should choose, and finally when I chose the one I wanted to go to, unfortunately Mr Levy was against it because there was a rivalry between Tottenham and the club I wanted to go to.

"The club decided I should stay, which I am very happy to do. I am here to do my job."

West Ham are currently eighth in the table, four points worse off than sixth-placed Tottenham.

Adebayor also confirmed that one of the interested parties were second-bottom QPR, whose manager Harry Redknapp- the man who brought the player to Spurs in 2011 - resigned from the position on Tuesday.

"Harry Redknapp is a great manager. He was the first person who brought me to Tottenham and I really liked him as a manager," Adebayor said.

"But I decided to go to West Ham because of their position in the league - they are fighting, doing everything to finish into the top four.

"And also because I could have played alongside some of their players - like Alex, who is like a brother to me - I wanted to go to West Ham instead of QPR."

Adebayor has been booed from the stands by some sections of the Tottenham support at games this season, something he says makes him "very sad" but stresses he can understand.

He has also emphasised the importance of players getting backing from the crowd during matches and urged Spurs fans to "move on".

In November, Adebayor suggested after a 2-1 home defeat to Stoke that Tottenham might be better off playing away due to the negative atmosphere created by the club's supporters at White Hart Lane.

He later issued a statement denying his comments were a criticism of the Spurs faithful and calling on them to get behind the team more.

And in his interview on Wednesday, Adebayor said of that episode: "I'm very sad about that (the boos directed at him) because one memory I have is when we lost the game against Stoke at home, which I was not very pleased about.

"If you play for Tottenham, you are a team that wants to finish in the top four and you are supposed to be beating Stoke at home - no disrespect to Stoke.

"So straight away after the game I was not happy, I was a little bit upset about the way we played and I was asked some questions, to which I gave the answers.

"Most of the fans believed what they read, but I came out clearly and said I didn't mean to hurt anyone, because I know how much they pay to come and watch us and that they want us to perform.

"Even if I saw the Togo national team not playing well, if I had to boo them I would do the same thing, so I can understand their feeling.

"But one thing I know as well - a player playing with confidence is better than one playing with doubt in his head.

"If anyone thinks I'm not appreciative towards their support, that is not true, because at the end of the day, they are the ones who make me run more and make me score goals.

"If you score goals, you run in front of the fans and salute them, and those are the most beautiful moments in a footballer's career.

"For me, I think they had a bad interpretation of what was written, and I think we have to forget those things and move on."