TOTTENHAM 3, OLYMPIACOS 0

THREESY EASY - Jermain Defoe scores the third goal for Tottenham
THREESY EASY - Jermain Defoe scores the third goal for Tottenham

Pav wants a starting place

Roman Pavlyuchenko gave Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp a reminder of his capabilities by scoring one and setting up another in the pre-season victory over Olympiacos.

With Peter Crouch's arrival, joining Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane as attacking options, Pavlyuchenko has been seen as the odd man out - but he took full advantage of his second-half appearance at White Hart Lane.

After finding the top corner for the first, the Russian crossed for Vedran Corluka to seal the friendly win, with Defoe adding a late third.

Roman celebrates
Roman celebrates

Redknapp handed Crouch and Sebastien Bassong their first appearances for the club after their summer moves from Portsmouth and Newcastle respectively.

They were up against a team who had already been in competitive action, with the Greek champions defeating Slovan Bratislava to reach the Champions League play-offs.

Crouch, who was marked by his former Aston Villa team-mate Olof Mellberg, caused the visitors problems with his height and cleared the crossbar in the early stages from a free-kick, then planted another finish straight into the floor and over from a David Bentley corner.

Bentley has been out of favour and expected to move this summer but he was given a rare appearance after recovering from a dead leg, while Kevin-Prince Boateng came off the bench.

Boateng was happy to stay in Germany after a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund but has found himself where he was last season - struggling for games and behind the likes of Tom Huddlestone in midfield.

Huddlestone went close for Spurs in the first half after veteran goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis dwelt on the ball and cleared straight to Danny Rose.

Crouch makes his debut
Crouch makes his debut

Huddlestone, after exchanging passes with Crouch, blasted just wide.

In the second half, Defoe went close with a long-range drive after a sharp turn. At the other end, Carlo Cudicini saved at full stretch from Leonardo's header after a cross by Jaouad Zairi.

Pavlyuchenko struck in the 66th minute, with Luka Modric starting the move with a perfectly weighted pass for Aaron Lennon to race into the penalty area.

Lennon was brought down by Michal Zewlakow but the ball ran for Pavlyuchenko, who blasted into the top corner.

Pavlyuchenko turned provider three minutes later, collecting an overhit corner and crossing powerfully for Corluka to stab home.

Defoe scored with 12 minutes left after bundling his way past Mellberg and Avraam Papadopoulos before finishing into the bottom corner.

Your comments

This article has 2 comments

Crouch is a joke.
Pav looks like megastar in comparison to this piece of wood.

By rob.. Posted August 10 2009 at 3:23 AM.

A game of 2 halves which came alight in the second half with Pav and JD. Never has he been seen as the odd one out, its Keane who may not fit in, any Spurs fan knows that. Modric wil be our most influential player this season, he was magic today. Well taken goals too!

By Jan.. Posted August 9 2009 at 7:57 PM.

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