Tottenham humiliate nine-man Liverpool with four goals

Posted on September 19, 2011 by SoccerPunter

Modric opened the scoring with a stunning strike early in the first half and the Croatian midfielder pulled the strings for the rest of the game as shambolic Liverpool imploded in spectacular fashion.

Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were sent off for second bookings either side of half-time and Spurs took full advantage as Jermain Defoe increased their lead before Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor netted twice on his home debut.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who has been upset with refereeing decisions this season and met referees’ chief Mike Riley last week, was furious with Mike Jones as the pair walked down the tunnel at the interval, but his complaints can’t hide a dismal display that condemned his team to their second successive defeat.

Spurs were looking for their fifth straight home win over Liverpool and dominated from kick-off.

They had already created a clear-cut opening before Modric broke the deadlock.

Brad Friedel’s long clearance was flicked on Lucas Leiva and it allowed Niko Kranjcar to play the ball through for Adebayor.

Adebayor had plenty of time to compose himself but rushed his finish and volleyed wide of the post.

But Spurs were not made to wait long for their goal. A long passing move resulted in Gareth Bale crossing for Defoe and the striker getting tackled on the edge of the area by Jose Enrique.

The ball fell to Modric 25 yards from goal and he did not break stride as he powered his finish into the top corner, with his effort still rising as it hit the roof of the net.

Modric celebrated in front of Spurs fans for his first goal since his attempt to force a move to Chelsea ended in failure.

Spurs could have added to their goal before the half-time interval, with Modric forcing Pepe Reina into a save with a placed shot from the edge of the area.

It got worse for Liverpool when Adam received two bookings in the space of 16 minutes.

The first was for hauling down Modric, then the second arguably warranted a straight dismissal for a studs-up challenge on Scott Parker on the edge of the penalty area.

Dalglish’s mood did not get better when Luis Suarez was played through by Andy Carroll but ruled offside as he put the ball in the net.

The Liverpool manager vented his fury at the fourth official but replays showed it to be a correct decision.

Skrtel and Sebastian Coates were booked for halting swift Spurs attacks, while Suarez received a yellow card for sarcastically clapping an offside decision.

It was enough for Dalglish to wait by the edge of the pitch for Jones at half-time, with the argument carrying on down tunnel.

Defoe should have added a second goal in the first minute of the second half when Kyle Walker raided down the right and cut the ball back, with Adebayor setting up the chance for his strike partner.

Skrtel saw red when he went through the back of Bale and Defoe piled on the misery for Liverpool a clinical strike in the 66th minute.

Rafael van der Vaart played the ball forward and Defoe held off Enrique before firing in at the near post.

The third goal came when Defoe’s shot was spilled by Reina and Adebayor chipped over the goalkeeper before stroking the ball into an empty net.

There was still time for Togo star Adebayor to add his second in the dying moments with a half-volley from close range.