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      Howard Webb desperately wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to MISS penalty for Man Utd after ‘biggest mistake of his career’

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      HOWARD WEBB wanted to see Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty for Manchester United – after realising he’d made his biggest-ever mistake.
      In April 2009, a match between the Red Devils and Tottenham at Old Trafford turned in the home side’s favour after a controversial penalty call.

      Webb faced mass protests from Spurs players after Gomes’ challengeCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Yorkshire-born official looked on nervously as Ronaldo scored from the spotCredit: AFP – Getty

      With United 2-0 down, Michael Carrick hit the deck after a challenge from Heurelho Gomes and the referee pointed to the spot, only for replays to show the goalkeeper clearly getting the ball.
      And Webb has admitted wanting to see Ronaldo fluff his lines before the forward drilled the ball home to start a dramatic 5-2 comeback win for United.
      He told The Athletic back in May: “The one that stands out is one where in the game I knew I got it wrong.
      “It was a Premier League game at Old Trafford — Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.

      “I could see Carrick got there first and then the goalkeeper clattered into him. It was really an easy penalty award.
      “I was expecting the usual cursory appeal that you get from the players, not the huge look of absolute astonishment and amazement and incredulousness on the look of Gomes.

      I was just hoping that Ronaldo would miss the penalty. But he didn’t.”
      Howard Webb

      “It was obvious within seconds I’d got the decision wrong. There was something more to this.
      “I was left with the decision I had taken with no independent evidence that I’d got it wrong other than a gut feeling, and I was just hoping that Ronaldo would miss the penalty. But he didn’t.”

      Now the boss of referees in North America, Webb battled accusations of favouring Sir Alex Ferguson’s United during his esteemed career in the English game.
      And the 48-year-old has previously talked of over confidence in the Spurs match having been “on a high” off the back of his call-up to that year’s FA Cup final.
      Webb would later officiate the 2010 World Cup final where a combative Dutch team lost to Spain, Nigel de Jong memorably avoiding a red card for an outrageous kick on Andres Iniesta.
      But it is the penalty error at Old Trafford that sticks in the referee’s mind more than any other.

      United made it 2-1 with the penalty before notching another four goalsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He revealed his reaction to be: “Just ‘Oh s***’, really.
      “You just know. You can tell as a ref. You can see the momentum shift. You can see the way the game is going.
      “At 2-1, you never know. At 2-2, you can see the way this game is going.
      “When [the camera] misses all those players and runs up to you [at full-time], as a ref, it’s not a good feeling.
      “You just know you have a world of pain coming your way.”

      After the game,  Ferguson confessed his side’s first goal was “a bit fortunate” while Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was damning in his criticism.
      He declared: “It was a gift which wasn’t deserved. It was a terrible decision.
      “Howard is supposed to be our best ref, but if he’s the best I’d hate to see the worst.”

      Aspiring Liberian referee surprised by hero Howard Webb and Mary’s Meals More

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      Chelsea 0 Tottenham 0: Werner denied by VAR as Lampard and Mourinho fail to make title statement in dull draw

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      WELL this isn’t very Spursy at all, is it?
      Defensive shape, sweat-drenched workaholism, a clean sheet… and top of the league.

      Chelsea were denied by a well-drilled Spurs side on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tottenham reclaimed top spot with the stalemateCredit: AP:Associated Press

      It is not exactly ‘my eyes have seen the glory’ stuff as Spurs fans cheered on their team’s tracking back, their defensive blocking and their powers of concentration.
      But even in an era when home advantage is not supposed to exist, Jose Mourinho will have been delighted with a goalless draw away at a title rival.
      This was the day when the Jose-fication of Tottenham seemed complete, as they blunted Chelsea’s expensive squad and snuck back to the Premier League summit.
      Between the 15th minute and the 81st, this London derby did not produce a single shot on target – and Mourinho will not have minded that one bit.

      When winger Steven Bergwijn was withdrawn in the 89th minute, Mourinho left Gareth Bale standing on the sideline, where he had been warming up for the entire second-half, and sent on another left-back in Ben Davies instead.
      Yet this is a manager who made Chelsea champions for the first time in 50 years. Who would bet against him delivering Spurs a first title in 60?
      Mourinho’s men remain unbeaten in the Premier League since the opening day of the season and they are becoming mightily hard to break down.
      There is no Hoddle or Gascoigne, no Ardiles or Modric in this workmanlike Spurs midfield. But yet none of those creative types ever won the league at White Hart Lane.

      Frank Lampard was unable to get his Chelsea attack firingCredit: Reuters

      Jose Mourinho continues to make his mark on TottenhamCredit: Guardian News & Media
      Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ddombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were all immense for Spurs as Chelsea were forced to feed off scraps.
      While this was largely about Mourinho’s defensive masterclass it was also a poor day for the attacking players on either side.
      Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech were ineffective for Chelsea. And Harry Kane and Son Heung-min did not click as usual on the rare occasions Spurs tried to attack.
      Both clubs had recruited significantly in the summer – if at different ends of the market – and their new boys had bedded in cosily.
      Spurs had topped the table heading into the weekend on the back of five straight Premier League wins, while Chelsea were unbeaten in ten in all competitions.
      This fixture produces more bitterness than the North London derby these days, and after a three-year hiatus, it was a title six-pointer once more.

      Chelsea bossed the early exchanges without creating anything but as soon as Spurs broke, they were in trouble – Kane and Sergio Reguilon combining to set up Bergwijn, who curled his shot narrowly over.
      Then it was Tottenham’s turn to panic – Joe Rodon, making his first Premier League start in place of the injured Toby Alderweireld, was dispossessed by Tammy Abraham.
      Mason Mount fed Werner, who shot in off the far post – only for the linesman to correctly call the German offside.
      Serge Aurier had a thumping shot pushed away by a diving Edouard Mendy.
      If Chelsea were enjoying more possession and territory then Spurs were going about their business with the greater conviction – that midfield trio of Sissoko, Ndombele and Hojbjerg such an industrious hub.
      Kane and Son both wasted free-kicks in threatening positions, yet it set into a pattern of Chelsea playing it left to right and back again in the Spurs half, with Mourinho’s defence and midfield refusing to yield.

      Sunday’s affair was often an attritional oneCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

      Chelsea were wayward in their efforts on Hugo Lloris’ goalCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

      Some might have regarded it as tactically compelling yet it felt grim and attritional as we went 65 minutes without a shot on target.
      Hakim Ziyech – so good of late but so poor here – shot over when given half a chance midway through the second half.
      Lampard sent Christian Pulisic on in place of Werner, then Olivier Giroud for Abraham and Kai Havertz for Ziyech.
      But it was Mount who finally produced an effort on goal, a powerful low drive which forced Hugo Lloris to push wide in the 81st minute.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard insists Olivier Giroud is in his plans despite Chelsea striker admitting he is ready for January transfer More

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      Harry Kane will NOT leave Tottenham because of his huge transfer fee and age, claims England legend Michael Owen

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      MICHAEL OWEN cannot see Harry Kane leaving Tottenham – because of his age and how much he would cost.
      There have been question marks surrounding whether England captain Kane, 27, would one day quit Spurs if they continue not to win silverware.

      Harry Kane is still yet to win a trophy with TottenhamCredit: Reuters

      Michael Owen cannot see another club affording the striker anytime soonCredit: PA:Press Association

      But due to his transfer value being north of £100million, and the fact that most clubs who can afford those sums prefer to spend it on younger players, Owen thinks Kane will stay put.
      The former Three Lions striker, who himself left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004 for just £8m as his contract was running down, told talkSPORT: “Of course he’s capable [of a move].
      “But I can’t really see it.
      “To buy him, and with all due respect and I’m a huge Harry Kane fan, the economics of it mean we’re talking massive, massive money.

      “Over £100million.
      “Would you go and buy Harry Kane for that type of money when he’s in the actual absolute prime of his career?
      “Most clubs now are looking to spend £100m on 19, 20, 21-year-olds where you’re going to get longevity and value.
      “Don’t get me wrong, there might be teams that are desperate for a striker and just think, ‘Right, sod it, they’re here and now, let’s just go and try and win something’.

      “That desperation might come to the fore. But realistically, I would say he’s a Tottenham player for life.”

      Kane bagged his 200th Tottenham goal on his 300th appearance for the club in the recent win over Ludogorets.
      He followed that up with a late winner at West Brom which saw him move level with Michael Owen in the all-time Premier League scoring charts.
      Saturday sees Manchester City travel to North London as Kane looks to continue his fine scoring form.

      Kane and Son are close to becoming the most-prolific duo in PL history

      Harry Kane smashes goals in during England training More

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      Tottenham superstar Gareth Bale proved how good he was early on by showing me up at training, admits Darren Bent

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      DARREN BENT knew Gareth Bale was really something else when the shy kid put him to shame in training.
      Bent was the big £16.5million signing of three recruits unveiled by Spurs back in 2007, joined by Younes Kaboul and 18-year-old prospect Bale.

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      Gareth Bale played alongside Darren Bent during his first spell at TottenhamCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      Skinny, timid and quiet, striker Bent was trying to figure out what his new team-mate was all about — until the penny dropped with one moment of magic from the Welsh wizard.
      Ex-England star Bent said: “It was crazy. I knew they were signing Bale, a good young talent from Southampton, and Kaboul on the same day.
      “I just remember he was a really nice guy who kept himself to himself.
      “I wouldn’t say he was a loner, he joined in with a little bit of banter and a lot of people liked him — he was just a really nice kid.

      “But one particular time, I think it was going to be fitness testing in the indoor sports hall. And we were mucking about, there was a goal there with a couple footballs.
      “So we started mucking around hitting some free-kicks, I knew he had scored a few free-kicks that first season at Southampton.
      “When I hit one, which was quite nice, I was really happy with it. And then he had a go.
      “He absolutely wellied one into the top corner. He just turned to me and said, ‘Well, I guess we know who is taking free-kicks this year then’.”

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      Bale’s first couple of seasons in north London were not as smooth as he hoped —  he went two years before tasting victory in a Premier League game for Spurs.
      And talkSPORT pundit Bent said: “With Gareth it was kind of like he was a shy youngster. We knew he had the ability but I think he was just trying to figure out where was his best position.
      “Was he a left-back? Was he a wingback? Was he a winger? I think that was probably one of the things he struggled with most — but I knew that he probably wasn’t a left-back.
      “You could see the potential was there. Not only that. Technically, he knew  he had the lot.
      “But — from where he started at Spurs in his first couple of seasons — we probably would have never envisaged him turning into the Gareth Bale that we see today.
      “He was quite skinny and was really quite timid with it, he hadn’t grown into his body yet. I think he was still trying to find his way.
      “But I just remember when I left and went to Sunderland, we played them a couple of seasons later. I remember just thinking, ‘Wowzers, where has this monster come from?’.
      “All of a sudden he had the size. So put that with the speed and power he had — which was exceptional. Then add confidence to that mix and you  become unstoppable, which is what he did.”

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      Bale and Bent arrived at Spurs on the same day back in 2007Credit: Action Images
      Bale, 31, is likely to make his second debut for Spurs on Sunday, with West Ham in the firing line.
      And his old team-mate is convinced Bale still has the game to shine, even though he is not as spectacular a player as before.
      Bent added: “I might be wrong but I don’t think we’re going to see the same Gareth Bale that we saw prior to him leaving.
      “Or even the first couple years at Real Madrid, where he was all action, the marauding runs.
      “Age will catch up with you, not only that, he has had a few injuries.
      “But even if you can get 70 to 80 per cent of the Gareth Bale we saw before, then you are still getting an exceptional player — one of the best in the world.”
       TOTTENHAM (likely): Lloris, Doherty, Dier, Sanchez, Reguilon, Winks, Ndombele, Bale, Bergwijn, Son, Kane.
      Tune in to Darren Bent’s Boot Room on talkSPORT every Sunday at 6pm-9pm.

      Gareth Bale tears up Tottenham training and scores wonder goal leaving fans drooling about first game back More

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      in Soccer

      Mourinho refuses to confirm Bale will play for Spurs vs West Ham as Welshman shows off his basketball skills in training

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      JOSE MOURINHO would not confirm if superstar ‘Gary Bale’ will face London rivals West Ham on Sunday.
      The Spurs manager called ­Gareth Bale ‘Gary’ – just like he did with England boss Gareth Southgate this month.

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      Gareth Bale is training with Spurs ahead of his return from injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Welshman Bale showed off his basketball skilssCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bale, 31, joined full training last week after recovering from a knee injury as he targets a first appearance of his season-long loan from Real Madrid.
      The Welshman had hoped to star against West Ham at the Tottenham Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
      But Mourinho said: “The team is the most important thing and Gary is here – sorry, Gareth – to help the team.
      “But at the same time we care about him. The decision will be for the good of the team and for him.”

      And Bale showed he could have become a multi-sport superstar in training on Thursday.
      Proving he could have signed for NBA giants San Antonio Spurs, the Welshman got down to work with some basketball shooting.
      Spurs fans were cock-a-hoop to see their new loan signing attempting some three-pointers and lay-ups on a court at the club’s training base.
      Maybe he can link up with pal Dele for some Alli-Oops this season!

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      Meanwhile, Tottenham have been warned they will not get £22million-rated Swansea ace Joe Rodon on the cheap.
      The Londoners want the Wales centre-back, 22, for £8m.
      But Swans boss Steve Cooper said: “Joe is a really good player and it’s important if we have to sell, then we get ­something to show for it.”

      Gareth Bale tears up Tottenham training and scores wonder goal leaving fans drooling about first game back More