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16:14 GMT, Sunday, 21 September 2008 17:14 UK

Tottenham 0-0 Wigan

By Julian Shea

Jermaine Jenas (l)

Tottenham remain bottom of the Premier League table after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Wigan.

After a largely incident-free and forgettable first half, the second-half introduction of Aaron Lennon and Fraizer Campbell lifted the home side.

With 17 minutes to go Lennon had their best chance, an off-target half-volley from Campbell's knock-down.

Olivier Kapo and Emile Heskey had late chances to snatch victory for Wigan but they seemed happy to take a point.

606: DEBATE
" We have gone back five years this season, no creativity in the final third, outshot by the visitors and a really lacklustre performance. I am totally depressed"
Toke2007

The first half was a lacklustre affair, which ended with both teams leaving the field to a chorus of boos.

Tottenham had marginally the better of things, but rarely applied any real pressure to Chris Kirkland's goal.

The best opportunity of the period was Paul Scharner's half-volley from a Heskey knock-back, which was pushed behind for a corner.

Campbell replaced Roman Pavlyuchenko at half-time as Tottenham boss Juande Ramos looked to shake up his side, and the introduction of the on-loan Manchester United striker at least gave the home side more purpose in attack.

Ramos soon followed this change with the introduction of Lennon for David Bentley, and almost instantly there were strong penalty shouts when Maynor Figueroa appeared to bring down Lennon in the box.

The home side had more purpose with the two substitutes on, but Wigan's well-organised defence ensured they struggled to create any genuine opportunities.

The fact Tottenham had to wait until the 73rd minute for their first meaningful chance, Lennon's off-target half-volley, summed up a frustrating afternoon.

Kapo, Heskey and Henri Camara all tried their luck from long range as Wigan attempted to catch the Spurs defence off guard with a late winner.

If any of their efforts had been on target, they could well have won it, and the chorus of boos which accompanied the Tottenham players off the pitch at the final whistle could have been even louder.


Tottenham manager Juande Ramos on rumours he wants to return to Spain and also his verdict on the match:
"It is not true at all that I want to go home. I am delighted to be in London and at Spurs and am having a marvellous experience.

"We need time. Some players came in only just before the close of the transfer window and there have been big changes.

"The crowd gave their reaction at the end and maybe it was just but I don't think it is anything personal.

"We must still all work together and change the situation but it is a big pressure on the players at the moment."

Wigan manager Steve Bruce:
"I am a touch disappointed as towards the end of the game there was only us going to win it but overall I am very pleased with what is always a good point here.

"We had a funny 10 minutes at West Ham which is not like us but since then I have been delighted. We have had a tough start and played Chelsea, West Ham and now Spurs but we are off and running.

"No-one really gives little Wigan a chance and we keep proving we have good players who in my opinion enhance the Premier League."

Bruce had to name goalkeepers Mike Pollitt and Richard Kingson on the bench after Michael Brown missed the game following the birth of a child and he added: "This kind of thing makes it a fantastic club to manage in some way."


Tottenham: Gomes, Zokora, Woodgate, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley (Lennon 64), Jenas, O'Hara, Bale (Huddlestone 80), Bent, Pavlyuchenko (Campbell 46). Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gilberto, Gunter, Giovani.

Booked: Corluka, O'Hara.

Wigan: Kirkland, Figueroa, Boyce, Bramble, Melchiot, Valencia, Scharner, Palacios, Koumas (Kapo 72), Zaki (Camara 82), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Kingson, Pollitt, Taylor, Kilbane, De Ridder.

Booked: Boyce, Palacios.

Att: 35,808

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Wigan's Zaki 7.44 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

Player Rater



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Related to this story:

Premier League as it happened (21 Sep 08 |  Premier League )
Sunday's football photos (21 Sep 08 |  Football )

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