The Sun Newspaper

THEY say you never forget your first time — and that will always be the case with me and the North London derby.
It may be some 12 years ago now, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.

Tottenham rescued a dramatic late 4-4 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates in 2008Credit: Rex Features

I imagine every Tottenham fan inside the Emirates that October night in 2008 does too.
I’d only been appointed four days earlier and although we played — and beat — Bolton 24 hours later, the game at Arsenal was basically my first in charge.
So what better way to become a hero to your new supporters than beating your biggest rivals?
Although with a minute or so left, it didn’t look like the flying start I was dreaming of.

We were 4-2 down and if there was going to be another goal, you’d have had a decent bet on it coming from Arsenal.
Plenty of the Spurs fans thought so, too, because a lot had left, rather than hanging around to see Arsenal supporters celebrating.
But when Jermaine Jenas pulled one back, a load of fans who were off home then charged back up the steps again and saw Aaron Lennon equalise for 4-4 with seconds left in stoppage time.
That dressing room was better than plenty of winning ones I was in and it gave me the perfect platform with the supporters — a fantastic night.

Harry Redknapp had only been in charge at Spurs for four days before the North London derbyCredit: Rex Features
People forget but David Bentley scored a worldie too, just like Danny Rose did on his debut when we beat them at our place the next season.
Whether you’re a manager, player, fan, anyone, there’s nothing like winning the local derby. And I had some great days in many of them over the years.
So I know exactly what it will be like for Spurs and Arsenal today — and it will be a long old week for whoever loses.
Mind you, whatever the fans may think, it’s certainly nowhere near the nastiest and scariest derby I experienced.
Without doubt that one is Portsmouth against Southampton — especially if, like me, you’ve left one club and taken over as manager of the other two weeks later!
That’s what I did in 2004 and you can imagine how that went down.

The ex-Spurs boss celebrates an injury-time equaliser after fighting back from 4-2 downCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
So I couldn’t believe it when, six weeks later, we were drawn against each other in the FA Cup.
At least my new Saints team were at home rather than at Fratton Park — I’ll come to that in a minute — so that was something.
But as it went on and it was 1-1, all I could think of was ‘Will someone please score, even if it’s Portsmouth, so we don’t have to go there’.
With a minute or so left, we got a penalty and Peter Crouch of all people picked the ball up and I’m screaming on the touchline ‘No, not him’.
I just didn’t fancy Crouchy as a penalty-taker and the way he looked across, he knew it.
Fortunately he scored, saved us from a replay, and still reminds me of it.
It meant I was saved from going back to face the Portsmouth fans at Fratton Park until late in the season . . . and what a day that was.

Peter Crouch scored the winner from the sport for Harry Redknapp’s Southampton against PortsmouthCredit: Getty Images
Those Pompey lads are a tough breed and you certainly wouldn’t want to argue with them. When I went to manage the team they hated, the abuse was incredible.
It was frightening and on the day Southampton went to their place, I had four SAS boys on the coach for protection and a helicopter following us all the way from our training ground.
When the players came back in from the warm-up, I could honestly see fear in their eyes. It wasn’t pleasant.
They smashed us 4-1 on the pitch, so you could say they won that one — although they did forgive me when I went back as Pompey boss a year later and we ended up winning the FA Cup in 2008!
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
That, incidentally, is the example of a small horse winning the race. Certainly nothing like Jose Mourinho claimed Spurs are recently.
Have a look at the players in his squad and there is no doubt Spurs are absolute thoroughbreds . . . and they will be right in the thick of it.
Harry Winks can’t even get in the squad at times and he’s an England player.
Dele Alli comes off the bench and scores in Europe in midweek.
There’s Ben Davies, Matt Doherty, Davinson Sanchez not getting a start — and I’ve not even mentioned Gareth Bale.
I’ve said all along they could well be champions this season — but if they don’t manage that, I’ll be amazed if Tottenham don’t win a trophy of some kind.

Tottenham players train ahead of facing Arsenal on SundayCredit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has a long job ahead of him with Arsenal and I think their only hope this afternoon is to have a go.
I would always try to win the derby rather than avoid defeat, because to do that is just inviting pressure.
And can you honestly see them keeping Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet all day?
I can’t — just like I can’t really see anything but a Spurs win.
LEEDING FIGHT
MY grandson Bobby is a big Chelsea fan and when I picked him up from football training the other night, he was asking me “what do you reckon in the Leeds game, pop?”.
I said: “Never mind that, have a look at the 1970 FA Cup replay between those two and tell me what you think.”
He called it up and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Even by the standards of the time, some of those tackles — if you can call them that — were ridiculous.
I still say that Leeds team under Don Revie is one of the greatest ever . . . but they were champions when it came to dishing it out as well.
FRED TO BLAME
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER got flak for not taking Fred off the other night when he’d already been booked and was lucky to still be on the pitch.
But it wasn’t the Manchester United boss who let the side down against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, that was down to the player.

Fred was sent off for Man Utd against PSG in their Champions League loss midweekCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Ole will have read him the riot act at half-time.
He’ll have told him “don’t do anything stupid, show some control and be careful”.
Maybe it was a harsh second booking, but he has to use his head the right way and not give the ref a chance to show another card.

He trusted the player and got nothing back.
It’s the same players all the time, that’s what annoys me. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard would charge around making tackles and weren’t in trouble every week.
In his last eight games Fred has had four yellow cards and one red . . . how stupid is that? Some people just never learn.

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BURSTING BUBBLES is a risky business in these Covid times.
And never more so for the most erratic Manchester United side of the past 35 years.

Paul Pogba scored a rocket from distance as Man Utd fought back for a 3-1 win at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Bruno Fernandes changed the course of the game after coming on at half-timeCredit: EPA

Mason Greenwood netted a terrific goal to put United 2-1 up moments after Pogba’ equaliserCredit: Getty Images – Getty

At least under previous managers we knew what to expect. Infuriatingly brilliant or spectacularly awful. But at least consistent.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer it swings wildly from week to week. Last night it was the turn of Good United to turn up and bring West Ham’s recent run of form to an undignified end.
From defender Victor Lindelof throwing up his arms in despair at the embarrassing first half performance to Solskjaer holding his aloft in salute to the most unlikely comeback.
That is how it goes with United at the moment. From the comeback at Southampton last weekend to a comedown against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then this, key substitutions that revived them in the nick of time.

Solskjaer was forced to drag his bruised warrior Marcus Rashford off the bench to play in a game he was supposed to watch in his tracksuit while nursing a shoulder injury.
Rashford replaced Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes came on for Donny van der Beek, although nobody really knew the Dutchman was on in the first place.
The result was like an electric shock through the side. Three goals, into the top four and even Paul Pogba showed signs of life.
Pogba mirrors his club at the moment. A flash of brilliance 20 minutes into the second half and a 25 yard curling finish that levelled the game but also heralded United’s comeback.

Marcus Rashford made sure of the win as he netted United’s thirdCredit: Getty Images – Getty

United made the most of their second half chances as West Ham spurned numerous opportunities in the firstCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Tomas Soucek put the hosts ahead as they dominated playCredit: AP:Associated Press

The goal was checked by VAR to see if the ball had swerved out of play following keeper Dean Henderson’s huge punt up the right touchline.
Good that it stood despite the uncertainty, because the entire move was swift, artistic and ruthless in the execution once Fernandes took control, took two steps infield then fed the ball to Pogba like an artilleryman loading a long-range cannon.
It was the best goal of the game by far but only adds to the debate constantly dogging Pogba.
For more than an hour he had been sitting quite comfortably in the pocket of West Ham captain Declan Rice and looked like he didn’t fancy coming out on a cold night in London’s east end.
It was a similar situation for the entire Manchester United team as they allowed themselves to be bullied by a West Ham side that is no longer such a pushover.

Seb Haller should have scored for West Ham when he rounded Dean HendersonCredit: PA:Press Association

The striker stopped to turn and shoot at an empty goalCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement

Viewers couldn’t believe it when Haller slipped over, missing his shotCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
The Irons have lost only once at home this season and under manager David Moyes are a far more steady proposition.
Tottenham and Manchester City have found that out already and it’s not enough to put the stiffs and the kids out against West Ham and wait for the goals to roll in.
Moyes’ team has been the one which has surprisingly seemed to benefit from the absence of fans during the pandemic.
One hundred and ninety two Premier League games later and the supporters were back – well, some at least.
And while Moyes is forging a new philosophy here it is still pretty ‘West Hammy’ to lose in the first game back in front of the supporters.
Those inside this vast ground did well to create some atmosphere.

Anthony Martial was forced off injured in the second halfCredit: PA:Press Association

David Moyes was not happy about a number of refereeing decisionsCredit: PA:Press Association

It wasn’t the winning return West Ham fans were hoping forCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Not that it was going to take much to throw erratic Manchester United off their stride in the first half.
By then West Ham were deservedly ahead – what was harsh was that it was only by one goal.
Pablo Fornals hit the post and drove a bullet header into the side netting when it would have been easier to score.
Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead on 38 minutes, pouncing at the far post to poke a header on from Declan Rice over the line from a corner.
Most weeks that would be the building block to more for this team but Solskjaer gambled again and won.
Fernandes was the creative spark that was missing. He set up the equaliser and played a colourful role with a cheeky back heel that led to Mason Greenwood turning on his heels to fire in for 2-1 from inside the box.
Rashford sealed with 12 minutes to go, played onside by Angelo Ogbonna and tearing through into space, shrugging his sore shoulder to lift the ball over Fabianski and then hit the post in the dying moments.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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PETR CECH today tells football chiefs: Don’t ban heading.
The Chelsea legend, who is raising funds for a dementia charity with a Christmas single of his own, fears new laws to limit heading would ruin the game.

Stamford bridge legend Petr Cech is almost as talented with sticks on a drum as he is between them out on a football fieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Petr Cech fractured his skull 14 years ago, playing for Chelsea at ReadingCredit: AFP – Getty

Cech, 38, almost lost his life after fracturing his skull during a Premier League match 14 years ago.
The keeper wore a rugby scrum cap as a safety measure for the remainder of his career with the Blues and Arsenal.
So he knows all about the dangers of head injuries in football.
As a keen drummer, he has teamed up with Wycombe boss and vocalist Gareth Ainsworth to make a Christmas record to help a cause close to their hearts.

⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
But one thing is clear — Cech is not in favour of banning heading, especially for kids.
This year football has lost England 1966 World Cup winners Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles to dementia.
The FA  recently banned children under the age of 11 from heading balls in training and there have even been calls to outlaw the practice in the game, full stop.

Just last Sunday, Wolves star Raul Jimenez fractured his skull in a sickening clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz.

PETR DRUMS UP SUPPORT

IT’S been a year most of us want to forget — but this song makes you proud to be British.

From Sir Captain Tom Moore to England ace Marcus Rashford, this  tune  captures the most uplifting moments of 2020.
 There’s even a catchy  chorus about Santa only taking out five  reindeer because of the rule of six.
 Cech’s hands work as fast as he used to save shots on the drums — and Wycombe boss Ainsworth remains the game’s true rock star.  
Downloads are available from Friday — and it helps raise money for a great cause.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth does the singing while Petr Cech is on drums in the Christmas singleCredit: PA:Press Association

But Cech said: “We can’t take things like heading out of football because it wouldn’t be the same game. That’s not the way forward.
“There should be guidelines as to what is too much and what isn’t in training.
“In football, there are players who have a great heading technique but there are some that don’t and that’s also risky.
“If you don’t teach a kid how to head the ball in training, they can make contact with it at the wrong angle or timing and can get a serious injury from that. A player can concuss themselves.
“You have to remember children use a smaller and lighter ball — and it’s not flying past them with as much power.
“If they get into a good habit of heading, when they move up the age groups and the ball is travelling at 60mph, it won’t hurt them because they know how to do it.
“And also just the practice of jumping is important.
“If a young footballer doesn’t  perfect the art of heading from the ages of, say, six to 11, when they’re 12 there’s a risk of them seeing a ball ready to head but they don’t jump correctly and there’s a clash of heads. That’s also dangerous.”

One characteristic of humans is we always have to wait for a disaster to strike before we’re more attentive to things.
Petr Cech

Cech, who is now Chelsea’s technical chief, was lucky after he collided with Reading’s  Stephen Hunt at the Madejski Stadium.
The incident in October 2006 prompted football authorities to bring in safer protocols to deal with players who suffer head injuries.
And the Czech legend believes that, as a result of his own horror moment, players such as Jimenez, Fabrice Muamba and Ryan Mason had their lives saved.
Bolton’s Muamba had a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup game at Spurs in March 2012, while Mason suffered a fractured skull after a collision with Blues defender Gary Cahill in January 2017.
Cech, 38, said: “One of the characteristics of us humans is we always have to wait for a disaster to strike before we’re more attentive to things.
“When I had my head injury, there were no paramedics or ambulances as a compulsory part of football.

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and Arsenal defender David Luiz had a horror clash of heads in the Premier League last weekendCredit: Reuters

Players from both sides were sickened and alarmed after Jimenez and Luiz were flooredCredit: PA:Press Association
“It’s all changed since, as now you have that and all the equipment inside the stadium that is needed to deal with that type of moment.
“That helped save the life of Muamba, Raul and Mason.
“They had people at the stadium who could treat them right away.“With head injuries, we’re going in the right direction.
“We’ve come a long way since a doctor would take one look at you and ask, ‘Can you see the ball OK?’ and that was it. You played on.”
Cech is delighted that next month’s FA Cup third round will trial concussion subs.
Players who suffer concussion can be replaced temporarily while they are being properly checked over by a doctor.
Their importance was brought into sharp focus during Arsenal’s game with Wolves last weekend. Luiz played on until half-time before being replaced as blood was still gushing from his head.
Cech said: “It works brilliantly in ice hockey.
“I know they have rolling subs but if you get concussed you go off for assessment and get replaced.
“It takes all the pressure off the manager and doctor.

“The doctor cannot properly assess if a footballer is OK in a few moments, while a manager should not have to see his team down to ten men while checks are made.
“There are now concussion tests you can do as a player on a computer and a doctor can usually make a decision within ten minutes.”
Cech — who started drumming when he was in his late 20s — was invited to play on London Country, the latest album by Wills & The Willing.
And he plays drums on a jolly record called Drawing Straws with Ainsworth that they hope can top the Christmas charts.
The song  is about Santa Claus telling his nine reindeer that only five of them can head out with  him because of the  coronavirus rule of six.
Cech added: “Our director of football operations, David Barnard, loves his music and knew Gareth well because he signed him at Wimbledon from Port Vale.
“He showed me how he performed The Wanderer in front of the Wycombe fans.
“It was great to get him on board and make it more of a football theme.
“It’s a really catchy tune. We’ve done it to put smiles on people’s faces after a tough year and make some money for great causes.”
Ainsworth, who fronts a band called The Cold Blooded Hearts, said: “Petr is a seriously good drummer.
“We had a lot of fun making it and hope it makes people smile.”

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HE’S the Premier League goalie who cannot stop giving away gifts — and his manager loves him for it!
West Brom’s Sam Johnstone will pull out all the stops to be at his Scrooge-like best over the busy festive period, as he battles to preserve the Baggies’ place in the richest league in the world.

Marcus Rashford and Sam Johnstone were team-mates at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Johnstone has been doing his bit for charity

Johnstone, 27, has been tough to beat in goal for the BaggiesCredit: Reuters

Yet away from the game, the 27-year-old West Brom No 1’s charitable heroics have gone largely under the radar.
Like Marcus Rashford, Johnstone has been digging deep to fund a string of noble causes, including distributing healthy meals to kids and essential care workers in his hometown of Preston, as well as Manchester and the Midlands.
However, on the pitch he has become increasingly miserly and will be targeting back-to-back clean sheets when Crystal Palace visit tomorrow.
When asked about his charitable work, Johnstone said: “I did my bit to help out in lockdown.

“It’s been such a tough period for everyone, no matter who you are, where you work or what you do.
“I regularly use a local gym in Preston that was forced to shut. They have a food company and the chef makes really healthy meals which I take  home so I can eat good, nutritious food away from the ground.
“I suggested I would pay for his food and the gym owner distributed it to hospitals, care homes, fire and ambulance service.
“The staff were working tirelessly in the NHS and on the front line and they needed something quick to eat and ready to go and not worry about when they would next eat.

“All my family is from Preston and I’m in a fortunate position to be able to help. You feel good for doing it. You are helping others and they appreciate it.”

Likewise, Johnstone appreciates former Manchester United club-mate Rashford’s contribution to the nation’s kids after working tirelessly to force the Government into a U-turn over free meals for needy children during school holidays.
He added: “What Marcus has achieved is massive. People don’t realise how many kids do go hungry.
“I read the other day about Marcus’ mum going hungry so he and his brothers could eat. You don’t realise how often that happens. Now it’s being highlighted.
“I’m not from a wealthy background. There were three growing lads living at home and mum’s working two jobs — in an office in a prison during the day and mobile hairdressing at night. Meanwhile, dad’s working hard then ferrying me to Manchester United training four times a week.
“You know what lads are like, they eat and eat — anything that’s in the cupboard! So it is tough and I think half of that is where it comes from.
“I’m fortunate I can help my family and others. We weren’t that fortunate growing up. It’s nice to give something back now.”

Johnstone helped David Olalekan Kamson rebuild his businessCredit: GoFundMe

Kamson’s food van was tragically torched by racists

The suya chef received £33,000 in donations in just 24 hours
Johnstone’s giving nature saw him help a heartbroken Nigerian man rebuild his business after his mobile food van was torched by racists.
David Olalekan Kamson worked tirelessly to establish his own food company in Moston, Manchester, selling suya — a popular spicy meat skewer dish from West Africa — before his business went up in flames.
Johnstone heard of his plight through Instagram and gave generously as £33,000 of donations poured in within 24 hours.
The keeper with a conscience said: “I donated because some things, when you read about them, touch you.
“It hurts when people slag footballers off and say they only work two hours and it is easy. To give something back is massive
“Although I don’t know him, he had obviously worked hard to build the business before it was taken away.
“A lot of people raised money. He has his new van now and is back doing what he does best.”
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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