Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur played out a 0-0 draw at Loftus Road this afternoon.
All the talk heading into the match surrounded QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who was coming up against Spurs for the first time since he was sacked by them at the end of last season.
However, the reunion between Redknapp and his former club failed to inspire a goal from either side.
Below, Sports Mole looks back over the encounter to determine if either side can argue that they deserved to win.
Match statistics:
QPR:
Shots 4
On target 1
Possession 40%
Corners 2
Fouls 10
Tottenham:
Shots 16
On target 8
Possession 60%
Corners 6
Fouls 7
Was the result fair?
Only one team deserved to win this fixture and that was the visitors. They posed more of a goal threat than QPR and created a handful of chances. Having said that, the hosts made a good job of snuffing out Tottenham's main threats and as a result you would have to say that they warranted a share of the spoils.
QPR's performance
As mentioned above, the R's defended superbly throughout this clash. Chelsea aside, they probably have not defended that well all season. They posed very little as a goal threat, but had they been more adventurous they may very well have ended up losing the match.
Tottenham's performance
Frustrated would be the best would to describe Tottenham. They created a few opportunities, but a combination of QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, poor finishing and a lack of luck all meant that they failed to find the net. For large parts Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon were kept quiet and it will worry Andre Villas-Boas how much that affected his team.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Julio Cesar: The big Brazilian has come in for some criticism this season but he made some important saves this afternoon. The double save to deny first Jermaine Defoe and then Adebayor early in the match proved to be crucial.
Biggest gaffe:
Cesar will claim it was a good save, and it was, but Adebayor really should have done better with his chance early in the match. Defoe had originally struck the post and when the ball rebounded to the Togo striker, he sent a shot straight at the QPR goalkeeper when it looked easier to score.
Referee performance
There was very little for Lee Probert to do in all honesty. One pleasing aspect to his performance was that on numerous occasions he allowed the play continue, despite the fact that a foul had been committed against the team in possession. Some referees would have instantly blown for a free kick.
What next?
QPR: After an FA Cup reply at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday evening, the R's have another London derby next Saturday when they make the trip to West Ham United.
Tottenham: Next Sunday Spurs will play host to leaders Manchester United at White Hart Lane.
Liam Apicella
