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Glory for Spurs as Chelsea bite dust

February 27 - March 4, 2008
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In a dramatic conclusion, Tottenham Hotspur finally laid their Chelsea jinx to rest with a 2-1 victory in the League Cup final on Sunday at Wembley.

However, one former Spurs great was not watching as he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and is reported to be under suicide watch. That man is Paul Gascoigne and Wembley was the scene of two of his greatest moments and perhaps one of his worst.

It really does highlight the highs and lows that are ever present in the football world.

Going into the final Chelsea were trying to become the first team to hold on to the trophy since Nottingham Forest and given their record against the North London team the omens looked promising. This particularly looked the case when Didier Drogba sent home a 20-yard free kick past the static Robinson.

Strangely, given the talent on show, the game was very poor up to this point but this is largely down to the selection by Avran Grant of his starting line up. No Joe Cole or Michael Ballack was a strange decision but not as confusing as playing Anelka wide left in a three-man attack ... he was virtually anonymous from start to finish.

Then, when the game was running away from Chelsea he finally brought on the German to play alongside Lampard which is a formation that has proved not to work on more than one occasion. What Joe Cole must have thought of this beggar's belief as in the big games he has shown himself to be vital to both his club and country in the past.

When Grant replaced Mourinho expectations emanated from the senior management at Stamford Bridge that the style of play would change to a more attacking and attractive way from the predictable but effective system under the Portuguese. This has not been the case. It appears nothing has changed except the ability of the current manager to lose a 1-0 lead in an important final.

Meanwhile, credit must go to Tottenham for an impressive performance that could not have been imagined under Jol or any of his predecessors. 1-0 down to Chelsea would have only ended up with one result but improved fitness and belief have led to a different team now.

Robbie Keane and Berbetov are exceptional up front, Jenas is finally becoming the player he has promised and the signing of 'Man of the Match' Woodgate have led to a new balance and spine that has much promise about it. Ramos has a real pedigree in cup competitions and it now appears he may also have a team to challenge the top four and next year will be his big test.

Spurs fans love their heroes and there are several players in this team that could rise to the heights of previous White Hart Lane greats.

Gascoigne, without doubt, was in this bracket, and furthermore, is loved across the country following his performances and tears at Italia 90.

His 30-yard free kick to beat David Seaman in the FA Cup semi-final is stuff of legend and his solo goal against Scotland at Euro 96 is still shown every time the tournament comes around. It was, though, his tackle on Gary Charles at Wembley in the FA Cup that was perhaps his defining moment. He ended up getting more injured than Charles, many believe he never really recovered and he was from then on chasing the heights he had previously reached.

Life after football is difficult for most players, only a few carve out another career as successful or profitable and this has been particularly true for Gazza. Of course, someone who had such a high profile should not be given preferential treatment, there are many players young and old who have suffered in similar circumstances, but Gascoigne's case will raise the debate and all industries need that occasionally.

Tottenham are considered a glamour club due to the kind of players they have watched in the past, with Gascoigne a case in point, but Ramos may be instilling a winning mentality that has long been absent from White Hart Lane.

If he gets both right then it could be a golden time for Spurs supporters ... but as ever, only time will be the judge of that - it is difficult though to argue with the start he has made.







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