Spurs 1 Blackpool FC 1 - Match Report

Adam put in a man of the match performance

Jermaine Defoe’s late thunderbolt denied Blackpool a priceless victory in their quest for top flight survival at White Hart Lane.

The result leaves Ian Holloway’s men hanging over the relegation trapdoor on goal difference for a third week running in what's proving to be a nail biting season finale.

It was a battling display from the Seasiders who looked on course to sealing an unlikely three points through Charlie Adam’s second half penalty.

But Defoe had the final word to deservedly level for the hosts in a highly charged end-to-end spectacle.

"The most important thing is that we needed something today and we got something. Who’s to say that it might just be enough by next week?" commented a satisfied Holloway.

Blackpool have now drawn their last three games but will surely have to better that record with tricky fixtures against Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United remaining.

Rumours surrounding Charlie Adam being dropped were soon quashed as he led out a Blackpool side containing striker Sergei Kornilenko, making only his second start of the season in a virtually unchanged line-up from last weekend's 0-0 draw with Stoke.

An action packed opening half surprisingly failed to yield any goals as both sides squandered good chances.

The lively Gareth Bale engineered Spurs' first opportunity when he cut inside on his favoured left foot and unleashed an effort Matt Gilks was forced to tip wide.

Despite dominating possession, Spurs always looked vulnerable on the break and Heurelho Gomes produced a brilliant reaction save to thwart Adam’s close range volley.

Bale continued to threaten with his lightening pace and drove the ball across goal for the onrushing Rafael Van Der Vaart who was a stud away from converting on the half hour mark.

Adam tested Gomes again with a stinging strike from distance before Defoe had an effort ruled out for offside as it remained goalless at the break.

Holloway replaced the ineffective Kornilenko with Jason Puncheon in a bid to provide more of an attacking threat, with Spurs repeating the trick as Aaron Lennon was introduced for the ominous Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Lennon was immediately involved in the thick of the action, charging foward and feeding Van Der Vaart who spurned a close range effort.

The flying winger then teed up Bale who sent a gilt edged chance sailing over the bar.

David Vaughan’s 25 yard strike flew narrowly wide at the other end with Gomes beaten as the deadlock looked increasingly likely to being broken.

Bale came even closer for Spurs when his vicious effort from the edge of the box whistled just past the post.

But the PFA Player of the Year’s game was ended prematurely following an ugly challenge from Adam. The incident went unnoticed by referee Lee Probert as the Welshman was sadly stretchered off the field.

Blackpool gained some momentum following this and DJ Campbell failed to find a way past Gomes after Southern’s throughball sent him clear on goal.

And in a dramatic course of events, the Seasiders earned themselves a penalty when Michael Dawson handled Adam’s corner.

The skipper, usually reliable from the spot, was denied by Gomes who saved well to his left.

But the Brazilian stopper turned from hero to zero in a matter of seconds after failing to gather a cross and inadvertently hauling down Gary Taylor-Fletcher with the ref pointing to the spot once again.

Adam made no mistake this time, converting at the second ask to dispatch his 11th league goal of the season.

Holding onto a slender lead, Defoe made the visitors pay when he rocketed home from 25 yards to set up a grand stand finish.

The home supporters erupted when six minutes of added time were announced, but neither side could find a winner with Defoe and Puncheon going close as the game ended in stalemate.

"It looks like it’s going to go to Manchester United away and who’s to say us minnows can’t go there and do something."said Holloway.

"If we can continue to produce performances like that who’s to say we can’t get out of this [relegation battle]?"

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