Chapter 26: Gareth Neill

"What a chance! Okhalo made a fatal mistake, Gareth Neill was running fast while Dean Smith stepped up to get the ball. Oh! Gareth got the ball! Chip shot! Ahh, too bad Tottenham missed a goal."

In the 5th minute, Southampton tried to counterattack, Vicente to provide a straightforward pass. Hugo ran faster than usual. Hugo ran past Flaminho while receiving Vicente's straight pass. Hugo pushed the ball forward before passing it to his side. On the side, Simone received Hugo's pass, he then made a long pass that went down the left side. The pass failed to receive by Kounde, due to an intercept from Zouma.

Although Southampton's attack failed to produce results. George continued to applaud the players he coached.

Tottenham didn't overreact to that attack. Against big teams like Tottenham who often play attacking, it is natural for Southampton to launch one or two counter-attacks. The Tottenham coach believes Gareth and his teammates can score earlier than Southampton.

In the 7th minute, Southampton press as Tottenham enters their defense area. Osmund and Denilson also helped defend. Southampton has targeted Moric as a playmaker for Tottenham's attack. Southampton used small fouls to annoy Moric.

In the 8th minute, Rudolf stepped forward to foul Moric. But Moric used his skills to trick Rudolf. Moric ran past Rudolf. Without overthinking Moric made a pass to the left side of the Southampton defense area. Gareth Neill clashes speed with Benson. Benson has lost. Gareth managed to pass Benson straight into the penalty box. Okhalo got off just in time, in closing space for Gareth to run, the delay made the Southampton defense reorganize.

Gareth who didn't want to waste his chances gave the ball to Luminaire. The Tottenham striker had a powerful volley shoot. But Dean Smith managed to hold the shoot. Hilton, Southampton center-back immediately throw the ball rebound forward.

Hugo caught the ball. Then, with one-touch he passed Rouch who was trying to knock him out. Hugo ran with the ball, Denis stepped forward to press. Hugo made a lob pass forward to the position Denis had left.

Denilson receive the pass but was immediately blocked by Anderson. Denilson returned the ball to Hugo, who was now leaning in the middle. Hugo received the ball, then provided a through ball. Osmund ran and received the pass. However, he was immediately knockdown by Llorente with a clean tackle. Southampton counter-attack broke.

"Amazing, Moric got ran past Rudolf. Passing to the left, Gareth and Benson scrambled for the ball, Gareth got the ball! He stabbed into Southampton penalty area. Okhalo blocked Gareth's way. The Welsh player passes through the middle, Luminaire shoots! Still can be defended by Dean Smith.

Hilton threw the ball forward, Hugo took the ball, he passed Rouch with ease. Denis went forward, Hugo made a lob pass. Denilson got a pass from Hugo but he was blocked by Anderson. Denilson returned the ball to Hugo. Hugo passes through, Osmund gets the ball, Ah Llorente! The Tottenham goalkeeper doesn't hesitate to make tackles."

The performances of both teams were quite good at the beginning of this first half. In the Southampton team, Hugo performed well on the right side. Meanwhile, all of Tottenham's players played well, whether at defenders, midfield, or forward. Too bad Luminaire and Gareth wasted two golden opportunities.

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The Tottenham coach gave instructions to Rouch to keep an eye on Hugo. He also criticized Denis for going ahead recklessly. Southampton's attack made Tottenham realize that they could not underestimate the team nicknamed The Saints.

In the 11th minute, Tottenham launched an attack again. This attack was initiated by Flaminho who managed to snatch the ball from Kounde. Tottenham right-back Zouma overlapped to help the attack. Flaminho gave the ball to Gareth Neill, the Welsh player held the ball briefly then provided a through ball. Zouma passed Benson and gets the ball. The Tottenham right-back provided a long pass to the left side.

Shradder took the pass, the Tottenham left winger didn't push himself through, Shradder passed through the middle. Rouch received the pass, he then gave the high pass to Luminaire. Luminaire and Hilton scramble for the ball, the Tottenham striker managed to snatch the ball. He gave the ball back. Behind Luminaire, it was Moric who got the ball, he shoot the ball straight into the corner of the Southampton goalpost.

Dean Smith managed to block the shot but the ball rebounded to Shradder. Okhalo blocked Shradder's space but the Tottenham player crossed the ball to the right. Gareth Neill quickly cut through Shradder's pass and provided to shoot the ball into the Southampton net.

"Gooaalll!! Great teamwork from Tottenham Hotspur. Luminaire passes the ball to Moric, but the Croatian's shot is saved by Dean Smith. Shradder takes the rebound. He makes a smart move by passing to the right. With his speed, Gareth Neill passed out of Benson's marking. The Welsh got his name on the scoreboard."

Tottenham players gathered in the corner of the field hugging. They celebrated in front of the Lilywhite fan stands.

George Eastgate could only sigh sadly. Conceding this goal is inevitable. Southampton's defense on the left, Benson always failed to freeze Gareth Neill. But it wasn't Benson's fault. It was difficult for any defense to freeze Gareth. The difference in the quality of players between Southampton and Tottenham is indeed very far.

George gave instructions to the Southampton players to strengthen the defense, he told Kounde and Rudolf to lean slightly to the left to help Benson defend. Meanwhile, the defense in the middle will be left to Denilson, Osmund, and Simone. He was forced to send the two Southampton strikers down to help the defense. On the right side, George is still satisfied with the appearance of Hugo and Vicente.

Southampton started the kick-off after conceding one goal. Tottenham can see Southampton's formation a bit deep. Tottenham players can't just press too forward. Because of that, the match began to enter a slow rhythm. Tottenham, who are already superior, are not too forced to press. On the other hand, Southampton also struggled to build an attack because the forwards also came back to defend.

Seeing Southampton's defensive posture, the Saints fans could only sigh in disappointment. They are used to Southampton's negative game. Of course, they know that attacking play is not something Southampton is good at. But what's the point of playing defensively if Southampton's counter-attack is continuously broken.

Entering the 30th minute, Tottenham has dominated the game.. This time Gareth also struggled to break through Southampton's left after Kounde and Rudolf helped Benson.

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