In the Champions League last night, Spurs almost completed the ultimate comeback. They were 4-0 down at half time, having to play 80 minutes with ten men, away at the home of the European Champions, Internazionale in Milan. All in all, they still lost and will absolutely knackered for their weekend game. I missed the opening 20 minutes as I viewed making a quick trip to the supermarket of more value and as I walked back, out of someone's window, I thought I heard that Tottenham were 3-0 down and dismissed thinking that it couldn't be so bad so quickly. Having reached home, I turned on the telly and so it was the case.
If I was Gareth Bale, I wouldn't know whether to keep the match ball (rendered not so symbolic in the days of multi-ball delivery) as a memento of a Champions League hat-trick (with three superb goals at that) or a painful memory of scoring three goals at one of the most intimidating of stadiums and still being on the losing side, a side that for 88 minutes looked like being humiliated. It was obviously his fault that Spurs lost. For his first 21 games or so after joining Tottenham Hotspur, his team never won a game, thereby setting a new Premiership record. Of course, he didn't play every game for Spurs and they invariably won when he didn't. Last season, it seemed that the curse had been lifted, but it must have returned. Tottenham would have beaten the European Cup holders had he not played, it's clear.
There was also a rather bizarre moment when, with his team four to the bad, Harry Redknapp made a double fist-curl on the touch-line, mouthing 'come on'. This is usually the reaction of a goal being scored, not when all hope appears to be extinguished. But I guess he couldn't be despondent for the sake of his team in preparation for the half-time talk and many managers are amateur thespians themselves, but he did look a bit silly doing that.