Our spirit and desire was what got us through, says Villas-Boas
TOTTENHAM 2 vs QPR 1
TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas praised his players’ spirit and desire after they fought back from a goal down to secure their first home win of the season.
QPR striker Bobby Zamora gave his side a 33rd-minute lead after the first-half humdrum of the home side had allowed Mark Hughes’s team to control play but a half-time rethink from Tottenham – coupled with a deflection from Alejandro Faurlin and a finish from Jermain Defoe – provided two goals in two minutes to inspire the win that had previously looked so unlikely.
“We have wanted this home win for some time but for whatever reason it has escaped us,” said Villas-Boas.
“It was a good win. We showed the spirit we have been showing in the last couple of games.
“In the second half the players really pushed up and changed to another level and it made all the difference in the end. The focus and desire paid off.”
Despite disappointment at his side’s defeat, Hughes was content with QPR’s level of performance and is confident of an imminent positive run of results.
“Overall the performance level we are delighted with. If we can produce that against lesser opposition, no doubt we will get maximum points.”
After a through ball from Faurlin, Zamora lifted the ball beyond Friedel from close range but it was the Argentinian, under pressure from an improved Spurs and from Steven Caulker, that deflected in a 60th-minute equaliser.
The home side had changed from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 and when Gareth Bale’s shot was tipped onto the bar just a minute later, Defoe was ready to score in an open goal for the winner.