Lennon on song

Match Review: Tottenham 3-1 Reading

With QPR not playing until tomorrow, our roving reporter D took in a visit to run an eye over their forthcoming EPL opponents, Tottenham, in their home game versus Reading.

The fake Hoops started brightly and on 3 minutes Ian Harte lined up for a trademark freekick (he's still got it in his locker!) which struck the bar and with Lloris still getting up from the deck, Pavel Pogrebnyak nodded home for his second lucky goal in two games. QPR fans will be hoping this spell doesn't continue for the striker who has flattered to deceive in a hot and cold Premier League career so far.

After a surprising opening to the game, Spurs began to get into their stride and from a weak Federici clearance, Lennon crossed and Adebayor headed wide. On 9 minutes Sigurdsson swung over a corner which Dawson headed home for 1-1. Defoe was now shooting on sight with efforts wide left, right, over and saved. His strike partner Adebayor was far less lively and most of the time seemed only faintly interested. When Federici spilled yet another Defoe attempt, Adebayor was too slow to react. Sandro and  Sigurdsson were showing nice touches and with Dembele alternating between marauding runs and enforcing crunching tackles, Spurs were running the game and not missing the suspended Bale in the least. Nevertheless, Reading somehow held on and went in at half time all square and still in the game.

Action shot: The players jostle for space whilst the corner is taken which lead to Dawson's goal

More of the same followed after the restart. Most of Spurs attacks came down the left where Lennon supported by Walker gave veteran Harte a torrid time even though he was regularly helped out by McAnuff tracking back. On 50 minutes Lennon crossed and Adebayor headed home. For the next 20 minutes the pattern of play continued with the Fakes offering nothing as an attacking force. Dembele was withdrawn for Parker on 68 minutes and briefly Reading were off the back foot. Realising that somehow they were still in the game, Pog make a good run down the right and his shot was well saved by Lloris. Again the rebound fell to him but this time his header was wide. McDermott threw on Robson-Kanu and Le Fondre to try and snatch a point but Spurs were still tearing them open at will.  Within four minutes of his arrival as a sub, Dempsey tried his luck from distance and the ball looped up and over Federici for 3-1. Reading were beaten now and they knew it. More chances came and went for Defoe, Lennon and Parker but the match finished 3-1, the least Spurs deserved.

So, what pointers for Rangers when Spurs visit Loftus Road on 14th? Basically none, we're in trouble here. Spurs have quality throughout with pace, movement and an array of dangerous set pieces. Double manning Lennon looks like a good idea, but then Bale will be back and the other flank becomes vulnerable. If Adebayor gets frustrated and loses interest, and Defoe goes for quantity rather than quality, we might just keep it reasonable.

Interestingly, just as it was when QPR came here in October, it was very quiet in the ground and the 'famous atmosphere down the lane' was nowhere to be seen or heard. Reading's bright start tempted their support to open with the somewhat predictable 'How $hit must you be, we're winning away' which was eventually replied to near the end with 'How $hit must you be, we're winning without Bale'!  Standard 36,000 crowd, most of whom seem to have split personalities in the matters of whether or not to celebrate their Jewish heritage and whether or not to stand up!

Man of the Match: The return to form of Aaron Lennon lately has been a joy to watch and he ran the show here, giving the Reading back line a torrid ninety minutes. QPR will have to watch him very very carefully indeed at Loftus Road in a fortnight. Harry will know all this already, of course.