Photo:PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS
Niko Kranjčar received his second straight start alongside Luka Modrić as Tottenham took on Liverpool at Anfield Monday night. The Spurs offense was quieter than usual on the night, where heavy fog almost postponed the match all together. Tottenham looked content with a draw as they played without injured Rafael van der Vaart and manager Harry Redknapp. Modrić was quiet the entire match and could not work his usual magic with Spurs’ strategy relying more on the defense than goal scoring.
Liverpool pressed throughout the second half with the return of their Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from an eight-match ban. The Tottenham defense withstood countless attacks with Niko Kranjčar playing well defensively. Then in the 85th minute, Kranjčar gave Tottenham their best chance of the game, sending a magnificent field long pass to Gareth Bale, who was just onside, to put the Welshman on a breakaway. Bale had all day to pick out the right shot but decided to shoot early and try to ‘five hole’ Liverpool goalie Pepe Reina. The shot was denied and both clubs would split the points in a 0-0 draw. Spurs will take the point and Kranjčar should be happy with his performance. He would have been hailed a hero if Bale would have finished the assist for him.
Niko Kranjčar 50-yard pass to Gareth Bale (1:15)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qd_4oZiAEE
Check out his two goals against Manchester City from a while back. Both are from deep in the box just like a striker.
@the Golden Child:
I don’t have access to their 40 yard dash times. However, anecdotally, they both look painfully slow out there. The last cup game I saw, VDV looked slower than the Watford players, which are generally a lot slower than EPL players.
Either way, VDV does not score his goals because of speed. Neither does Kranjcar. I view them as similar players. Both are slow, defensively challenged, technically gifted natural goal scorers. Kranjcar is better with both feet.
@malihrvat
VDV way faster than Kranjcar. Gonna have to disagree with you big time there buddy.
Wow, you’ve been watching sports for 11 years! At your age kid you should be worrying about trying to get your little dink wet instead of arguing with someone who probably knows more about everything than you do.
And if soccer’s not your favourite sport then what the hell even brought you here?
Just because the guys at this website are good enough to let you put stuff on it, doesn’t mean it’s any good.
You’ve got the English comprehension of a 10th grader, and the sports knowledge of any 11 year old.
The first time I saw one of your videos someone was dogging you for some reason, and I actually stood up for you because I thought you were semi-retarded.
You are bias when you don’t want to give credit to the Giants. Thanks for the award jackass.
I’m not a homer unlike you or how about some people of the site. This goes around from the Falcons all the way to Croatia. Fans should realize the expectations of their team and the limitations. I know about all the low seeds but the Falcons weren’t impressive this year. The offensive line was killing the team and the defense was just a bit above average. They had some major holes and didn’t have the star power like the Giants and Packers have. I follow the team and I know where they stand so my expectations were just to win a playoff game. Sorry my favorite team doesn’t buy half the great free agents on the market like your team. I know I bring so much to the website, that’s why I’m consistently being called for the internet shows. That’s why I’m being called to do more work for the site and have done articles. I’ve been doing more and more because i’m damn good. End of this argument because I’m not hurting this site anymore. You made your points and you made yourself a tool, congrats about that. Keep ruining a great city in Philadelphia with your stupid presence and f*** off.
@Allen
Do you even know what “bias” means?…
I think you take the cake when it comes to most annoying, and least knowledgeable person on this site.
And what kind of faith does a true Falcons fan such as yourself have if he really thinks his team couldn’t win the SuperBowl this year? You obviously haven’t noticed all the low seeds winning the Bowl this decade. Keep up with those intuitive posts and lame videos dude! You bring sooo much to this web-site…
Hah yeah loyalty does that mean being a bias prick. Yeah you’re wrong and you are a part of ruining a great city thanks to your bias crap. I’m loyal with the Falcons Heat, it has been a long eleven years rooting for them. You are the idiot and your comebacks are week. You are a disgrace to the site.
@Allen
It’s called “loyalty” kid. Look it up.
Or just continue trashing our best soccer player (Modric), and celebrating with the NFL team that knocked “your team” out of the playoffs.
What do I care? You’re an idiot!
I’m not some bias prick like usual, I congratulate greatness. You’re an Eagles fan so I can tell your the typical dirtbag Eagles fan that nobody likes. Everyone hates you kind of people just like I do. Atlanta doesn’t have a great fan support but that doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t feel good but at the same time I didn’t expect the Falcons to win a Super Bowl. Meanwhile your beloved Eagles thought for sure they were the “Dream Team” and going to win the Super Bowl yet they failed miserably. Also knowing typical dirtbag fans like yourself, you probably made excuses. Eagles fans expected a Super Bowl, i didn’t so believe me it didn’t hurt me. They deserved it for beating the hell out of my team and I applaud them for what they did. That’s what a non-bias fan does unlike your pathetic ass. New York fans are pretty bad, but nothing is worst than a Boston or Philadelphia trashy fan. You can continue being the bias nonsensical thickhead that you are, while I will continue calling the action how I see it. I love my Falcons, but I do realize that the team has plenty of work left to do.
@Allen
It must have felt good seeing the team that whipped your ass celebrating with the trophy right in front of your face. With guys like you it’s no wonder Atlanta has some of the shittiest sports fans in the country.
Nothing more tragic than grown men wearing NFL jerseys with a players name on them.
I shouldn’t call myself as a fan? I’ve paid 270 dollars to go to that playoff game to root for my team. I’ve stayed with the Falcons since 2000 even when Michael Vick got suspended and went to jail for killing dogs. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2004 which isn’t good at all. So don’t ever try to come at for loyalty. They are my number one team with my five jerseys and other merchandise. I simply wanted to see a parade and see some people I haven’t seen in a while. It was cool and enjoyable, so yeah shut up with your bitterness as a Iggles fan.
@AllenInnovation
I think the word “fan” is thrown around too loosely these days. You shouldn’t call yourself a Falcon fan. It’s o.k. to like lots of teams but don’t call yourself a fan of the Falcons if you’re gonna celebrate with the team that knocked your Dirty Birds out. Im an Eagles “FAN” and I wouldn’t be caught dead celebrating anything New York Giants related.
I was celebrating for the love of alcohol and using it as an excuse to miss school. Do you have a problem with that? i had a great time too and shot some great videos as well. Giant fans are pretty awesome.
@The Golden Child: VDV is as slow as Kranjcar and he is only good with his left foot.
@AllenInnovation
God, for a guy who loves Kranjcar I would expect a little more leeway when i guy doesnt perform to his potential game in, and game out…
Don’t tell me you’re gonna be celebrating in N.Y. eventhough they beat your beloved Falcons too?
yep…almost bad enough to label him as overrated
Luka Modric didn’t play well against an above average team? Why am i not surprised, (HAH)
@mali Hrvat
Niko isn’t fast enough to be a striker for Tottenham. Sure he can hold the ball, but Spurs are all about speed. He doesn’t fit the bill to be a striker for them.
I would love for Spurs to try Niko as the 2nd striker as they do with VDV.
Great pass. I am surprised by Bale , but nobody is perfect. He plays a lot and the team relies heavily on him.
Niko played good today.
The instinctive heads up pass and long ball to Bale was nicely done! Bale should have done better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBksHaTQCbU
2nd what Ante said. Kranjcar was mostly held to defense, and we all know he’s still not(never really has been) a guy to have stamina and pace. He was effective when he had the ball, but the lack of creativity and need for 3 points really stagnated the game.
Along with that, Tottenham was missing a handful of players tonight and they were playing at Anfield.
I don’t know if any of you saw the Bale “dive” today, but I think he had every right to try to alert the ref of the blatant leg the defender through at him. Yes, he feel but when a guy is chucking his foot into your shin and trying to impede ur progress the guy really shouldn’t get much shit for it.
Finally, we saw a little weakness from Luka today. Constant pressure by Liverpool really showed late game for Luka. He was visibly tired and putting some bad passes together. That’s what he gets for playing all the damn time.
Sky gave Niko a 7…I caught the 2nd half and he played well. Remember, Spurs were fine with the tie and it showed. Bale needs to finish that. Good eye from Kranjcar on the pass.
I only watched the first half and saw him mostly on the right wing when defending, but did have some freedom to move around when Spurs had the ball. Overall, the game lacked any creativity in the first half.
Goal.com rated Niko a 5.5, a little low if you ask me. For his few glimpses of brilliance, I’d say at least a whole 6.
Man… that was an awesome pass by Kranjcar.
Kranjcar didn’t look that good but then again nobody did great for Tottenham other than the back four and Parker. Bale is a clown at times, that makes me sick. I give Niko props on the pass but he seemed to be out of the game most of the time. i’m happy he’s playing though but they are sorely missing Van Der Vaart, Defoe, and Lennon.