Berbatov gives Bolton torturous afternoon
By Duncan White
Last Updated: 12:10am GMT 26/02/2007
Match details
Tottenham Hotspur (3) 4 Bolton Wanderers (1) 1
In Bulgaria they have a nickname for Dimitar Berbatov: the devil with the face of an angel.
This was indeed a celestial performance by a player who is blossoming into one of the leading strikers in world football, inspiring his team with his graceful movement and elegant touch after they were reduced to 10 men.
Berbatov's all-round excellence was enhanced by the uncharacteristic ineptitude of Bolton's defending. "We need to use this performance as a kick up the backside so that we don't waste all the hard work of this year," manager Sam Allardyce said.
Abdoulaye Faye had been in doubt for this game after an operation to remove an abscess. He played as if the anaesthetic had not worn off, being embarrassingly shrugged off by Berbatov as the Tottenham striker teed up the first, and again outmuscled by the Bulgarian in the build-up to the second. Keane again surprised Jaaskelainen, this time with an improvised toe-poke, and the rebound was bundled in by Jermaine Jenas. Mercifully, Faye picked up an ankle injury and was replaced.
Inevitably, the visitors cranked up the pressure after the break, Paul Robinson twice denying Nicolas Anelka. However, Tottenham were hitting effectively on the break, largely thanks to Berbatov. He expertly teed up Jenas but Jaaskelainen parried the drive and blocked Steed Malbranque's rebound effort.
Martin Jol handed Dimitar Berbatov the highest praise after the striker's performance in the 4-1 win against Bolton on Sunday.Playing up front on his own for the final 55 minutes, he chased and harried, every high ball appeared to stick and he could have bagged a couple himself - a volley well saved by Jaaskelainen and a header zipped just over.
"We broke on them three or four times and could have scored more goals in the second half and I told Berbatov that it was probably the best performance I've seen from a striker on his own against any team," said Martin.
"It's always a worry (for a foreign player coming into the Premiership) if he can do it in the first couple of months but, especially at White Hart Lane, he was immaculate.
"The thing that pleased me most is that he took responsibility. He wants to do well for us, he knows how much I wanted him as a player and he wants to do well for me and the Club, and that's great.
"Berbatov could play for any team in Europe because he's a top-class player. Just look at his international record - I don't think anyone can better his goalscoring record for Bulgaria."