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Premier League | Gameweek 8
Oct 6, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

1-0

Dier (8')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Cardiff City - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Tottenham Hotspur register a 1-0 win over Cardiff City in Saturday's Premier League clash at Wembley Stadium.
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Tottenham Hotspur have moved into third place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Cardiff City in Saturday's clash at Wembley Stadium.

Eric Dier netted during the early stages, but Mauricio Pochettino's team were unable to build on their lead against a side who arguably produced their best display of the campaign.

Josh Murphy and Sean Morrison both went agonisingly close, but the Bluebirds now sit bottom having only recorded two points from eight matches.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in North London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City. Neither club have enjoyed the start to the season that they would have wanted, but they have the opportunity to head into the next international break on a high. Let's see who features in each starting lineup.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Dier, Winks; Sissoko, Moura, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Gazzaniga, Walker-Peters, Davies, Wanyama, Skipp, Lamela, Llorente


CARDIFF CITY XI: Etheridge; Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls; Paterson, Murphy, Hoilett

CARDIFF CITY SUBSTITUTES: Murphy, Richards, Ward, Zohore, Reid, Gunnarsson, Harris


Let's start by taking a look at the Spurs starting lineup as Pochettino opts to make changes to the team which lost out to Barcelona. The most notable alteration involves Erik Lamela, who drops to the substitutes' bench. Moussa Sissoko has been included in his place.

A second switch comes at left-back as Danny Rose is preferred to Ben Davies. There was talk of Rose leaving during the summer because of a lack of starts, but this is the England international's fifth in the Premier League this season.

Pochettino has also tinkered with his midfield as Eric Dier replaces Victor Wanyama. Many Spurs fans had called for the inclusion of Wanyama against Barca, but the Kenyan endured a difficult evening and being dropped to the bench does not come as a surprise.

The substitutes' bench is pretty much as expected given the club's lengthy injury list. Youngster Oliver Skipp is once again selected among the replacements.

As for Cardiff, Neil Warnock is able to welcome Junior Hoilett back into the fold after illness. The return of the winger has resulted in Kenneth Zohore being left on the bench.

That appears to point of Cardiff not using a recognised forward this afternoon with Josh Murphy and Callum Paterson also featuring in a front three. Expect the trio to change positions on a regular basis.

The second of Warnock's alterations sees Joe Bennett return at left-back in place of Greg Cunningham, who was at fault for Burnley's opener last weekend. Cunningham does not feature on the bench either.

Danny Ward will perhaps count himself unfortunate to only be given a place among the substitutes. The 28-year-old has looked lively at times this season and appeared the right man to trouble the Spurs defence, but both he and Zohore are kept in reserve.

Spurs go into this match having already suffered two defeats in the Premier League - to Watford and Liverpool respectively - but the North Londoners can go second with a win due to Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all playing tomorrow.

Cardiff can realistically go as high as 17th place with three points, but Warnock and his side are unlikely to be too downbeat if they were able to earn a share of the spoils.


There are a few happy and determined faces here. Will that remain the same over the next couple of hours?



Spurs naturally go into this match as huge favourites to register a sixth win of the top-flight campaign, but Pochettino has warned his players not to get ahead of themselves this afternoon. Click here to read the Argentine's thoughts.

Much has been made of Spurs losing twice in seven matches but a win today would give the club 18 points from eight matches, which would represent their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign after that amount of games.

Going on statistics alone, they are a near cert to come through with three points. Spurs are currently 37 games unbeaten against promoted teams, with all but three of those games ending in a victory.

Harry Kane has scored against all but one of the 27 clubs that he has faced in the Premier League. The only team to keep him out? Cardiff...

If Kane does find the back of the net this afternoon, the England captain would be improving on a run of six goals from nine outings in all competitions. The 25-year-old hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders, but he continues to make contributions in the final third.

Spurs are without Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli through injury, but Lamela has only been selected on the bench despite being one of Spurs' best players this season. The Argentine is yet to begin a game in the Premier League, and has shown his quality in each of the club's matches in the Champions League and EFL Cup.

Let's turn our attention to Cardiff now who are looking to ensure that they do not go eight games without a win at the start of a top-flight campaign. That has only occurred on two previous occasions.

In total, Cardiff have not won a top-flight fixture in 11 attempts. Their last win came at Southampton in April 2014.

Neil Warnock has enjoyed plenty of success in fixtures at Wembley Stadium. Four playoff finals were won at the old ground with Notts County, Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town.

Only four different players have scored for Cardiff in the Premier League this season, all with one goal apiece. They are Sol Bamba, Victor Camarasa, Murphy and Ward.

PREDICTION! A lack of cutting edge and an inability to defend has cost City so far, and their task does not get any easier this weekend with this trip to Wembley Stadium. Tottenham had picked up three victories on the spin prior to their midweek loss at the hands of Barcelona, and it is no surprise that they are overwhelming favourites to get back to winning ways against 19th-placed Cardiff on Saturday. Spurs to prevail by a 3-0 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! This fixture represents the 50th competitive clash between these two clubs, with Spurs registering 26 wins in comparison to 11 victories for Cardiff.

The teams have met on just five occasions since the start of the new Millennium, with Spurs winning four of those matches and registering one draw.

That one stalemate - in the FA Cup in 2007 - was goalless, and Cardiff have only scored one goal in their last seven games with Spurs.

The two teams have started to make their way out at Wembley Stadium. We are not anywhere near to being full to capacity, but both sets of supporters will no doubt make plenty of noise this afternoon.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Dier, Winks; Sissoko, Moura, Son; Kane

CARDIFF CITY XI: Etheridge; Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls; Paterson, Murphy, Hoilett


KICKOFF:  Cardiff get us underway!

The visitors attempted to score from the halfway line after the kickoff, only narrowly missing the target, but it has been all Spurs since then. The home side are perfectly content to keep hold of the ball for now.

More of the same from Spurs but Cardiff have shown their threat on the counter with a through-ball almost finding the run of Murphy.

Sissoko is released in behind the Cardiff defence and the midfielder has the option to shoot from an acute angle or attempt a pass across goal. He chooses the latter, but a defender gets back to clear the danger.

GOAL!  Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Cardiff City (Eric Dier)

Spurs take the lead! An inswinging cross is contested by Sanchez and Bamba but the ball falls for Dier to fire a shot into the bottom corner from inside of the six-yard box.

SHOT!  Almost an instant reply from Cardiff who manage to engineer a chance for Arter on the edge of the area, but the Bournemouth loanee drills a low shot too close to Lloris.

Cardiff are having some joy when they go forward, but Spurs look like they are going to score every time that they launch an attack in the opposite half of the pitch. This could be a long afternoon for the visitors.

More of the same from Spurs. The home side are not always getting the ball into the box, but it is enough to keep Cardiff on the defensive.

CHANCE!  Spurs nearly go further ahead. Sanchez remains in the penalty area after an unsuccessful free kick and benefits when the ball reaches him close to goal. The defender turns and gets a shot away, but Etheridge makes a smart save.

Sissoko has not endured the greatest of starts to this game and a few stray passes have been picked upon by the home support. I'm not sure that is going to help the Frenchman.

Spurs have reverted to keeping the ball in their own half of the pitch, which is perfectly acceptable given that they are ahead and controlling this game. They may also have to manage their fitness levels having only played less than 72 hours ago.

SHOT!  Moura receives the ball inside of the penalty area and he only has one thought in his mind. He takes a touch and gets a shot away, but Etheridge claims at the second attempt.

CHANCE!  How are Cardiff not level?! Murphy latches onto a flick on and is through on goal. The winger lifts the ball over Lloris but the goalkeeper gets the slightest of touches and it slows the ball down, allowing for Alderweireld to get back and clear off the line.

CHANCE!  The resulting corner leads to Bamba getting a header on goal, but the defender sends his effort over the crossbar.

Cardiff have been second best but they are starting to give this a really good go. Spurs do not look solid at the back.

Another chance almost arises for Hoilett, who has the chance to get a shot away after drifting into the area, but the winger takes too many touches and is eventually dispossessed.

SHOT!  Kane has barely made an impact in this game but the forward attempts a shot from distance, forcing Etheridge into a low save to his right.

Cardiff continue to make headway going forward and their supporters sound like they are encouraged by what they are witnessing. Spurs really do look open at the back this afternoon.

Spurs have just had the chance to break through Moura and the ball eventually found its way to Kane, but the striker was moving away from goal and his shot was comfortably blocked by a defender.

Just the 10 minutes remaining until half time and it is Warnock who will be the happier of the two managers, despite his team being behind. If Cardiff can keep this at 1-0, they will fancy their chances of eventually getting on the scoresheet.

Both sides are beginning to give the ball away in the middle of the pitch and it is only leading to frustration in the stands. Spurs are missing the ball retention that Eriksen brings.

CHANCE!  Better from Spurs as Trippier finds Moura with a cross from the right. The Brazilian gets his head to the ball, but his effort is directed wide of the far post.

This is very good goalkeeping from Lloris. Murphy gets in behind the Spurs defence once again but the goalkeeper comes out to deal with a bouncing ball before clearing it away from danger.

CHANCE!  Another chance goes begging for Spurs and Moura. Son does superbly down the left and tees up his teammate, but the January signing sends the ball wide from eight yards out.

CHANCE!  Son has come alive over the last few minutes and he should put Spurs two goals ahead when advancing into the penalty area. However, the South Korean drills his shot well over the crossbar from 15 yards out.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME:  Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Cardiff City

The half-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Spurs lead thanks to an early effort from Dier. The home side could be further ahead, but Cardiff have also been unlucky not to get themselves back on level terms.

Spurs' goal was a tad fortunate with Dier being in the right place at the right time to convert from inside the six-yard box. However, the home side were rewarded for what was a bright start and they should probably have netted a couple more before the half-time whistle.

Cardiff have impressed at Wembley and Warnock will count his side unlucky not to be on level terms with Murphy only being denied a goal due to the rapid tracking back of Alderweireld, who was able to clear his shot off the line. Still, plenty of positives for the newly-promoted team.

KICKOFF:  Spurs get us back underway.

CHANCE!  Wow - Spurs are somehow prevented from finding the back of the net. Kane's header is excellently kept out by Etheridge and then Morrison makes a miraculous block on the line to deny Moura, who thought he had scored. How important could that be!

Cardiff are in survival mode at the start of this second half. Pochettino has clearly informed his players to end the game as a contest as soon as possible.

YELLOW CARD!  Cardiff break by sending a long ball to Paterson, who gets down the flank and wins a free kick by cutting across Sanchez. The yellow card which follows is extremely harsh.

Credit to Cardiff - they are still not prepared to sit back and take this pressure from Spurs. They force their hosts into a couple of mistakes in their own half, but it comes to nothing.

Spurs haven't really offered anything in the final third over the past five or six minutes. It won't necessarily concern Pochettino, but he will know that this pattern of play can't continue.

SHOT!  Son picks out Kane towards the edge of the box but despite going away from goal, the forward gets a shot away and just misses the bottom corner.

RED CARD!  What was Ralls thinking? Moura goes down the flank and is threatening to outpace Ralls. It leads to a cynical challenge on the Brazilian and it infuriates Spurs. Everyone expects yellow but the referee hands out a red. Maybe it is harsh, but Ralls can't have too many complaints.

YELLOW CARD!  Kane is also booked for his reaction, with the forward going straight over to push Ralls.

Well that has changed everything. Cardiff were having success in this game but they now must try to find an equaliser with 10 men.

As you would expect, it is all Spurs now. Cardiff have little option but to stick everyone behind the ball for now. Winks sends a shot well over the crossbar.

OFF THE POST!  Cardiff almost equalise! A cross towards the back post finds Morrison - who has got in front of Dier. However, the defender's header is tipped onto the post by Lloris!

Spurs are back in the ascendancy and are being met by a resolute-looking Cardiff defence. The Bluebirds have performed very well this afternoon.

YELLOW CARD!  Alderweireld goes into the book for stopping a counter-attack in cynical fashion. At the other end, Rose goes down too easily and play is waved on by the referee.

It looks like we are finally going to see the first changes of this match. The game has been played at a relentless pace so there will be a few tired legs out there.

YELLOW CARD!  Morrison goes into the book for a foul on Kane on the halfway line.

SUBSTITUTION! Lamela is introduced for Son. Still no sign of any Cardiff alterations.

Cardiff haven't applied much pressure over the past five minutes but just before the start of the final quarter-of-an-hour, they remain in this game. It may only take one chance...

Paterson is looking exhausted up front. It can't be long before we see Ward or Zohore, maybe both of them. Spurs are dictating play right now.

SUBSTITUTIONS! It's a double change for Cardiff as Harris and Ward take the place of Hoilett and Paterson.

The changes have given Cardiff a lift, with Ward doing well down the left before seeing his low cross cleared by a defender. We still expect a second goal in this game. Space is going to open up in the middle of the park.

Spurs have got back onto the ball over the past two minutes but they still can't get a shot away. Etheridge has not had a lot to do for a while.

Ward has only just entered the action but the substitute has done something to his calf and will need to be replaced.

SUBSTITUTION! Reid is brought on for Ward. Spurs also act by bringing on Wanyama for Sissoko.

SUBSTITUTION! Spurs are now being forced into a change too with Davies coming on Rose, who has picked up a knock.

Expect at least five minutes of added-on time. The game has been very stop-start since the double Cardiff change.

There will be five minutes of added-on time. Not a lot is happening, but that could still change.

Cardiff are attempting to break forward whenever they can get the ball, but Spurs are doing an effective job of seeing this match out. The introduction of Wanyama has suggested that Pochettino is more than happy with the 1-0.

Spurs are still just seeing this out now. Cardiff's race is run.

FULL TIME:  Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Cardiff City

The full-time whistle goes in North London and Spurs have held on to secure a 1-0 win over Cardiff, who will count themselves unlucky to miss out on a share of the spoils. Spurs go third, but Cardiff are winless in eight and now sit at the bottom of the table.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.

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