Tottenham Hotspur defender Sebastien Bassong put an early dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge as his debut goal clinched a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Bassong made an immediate repayment on the £8 million (US$13 million) fee Spurs boss Harry Redknapp splashed out to sign the centerback from Newcastle United last week.
It was Liverpool who were left to count a more significant cost after a result and performance that already cast doubts on their ability to win the English league for the first time in 20 years.
PHOTO: AFP
Rafael Benitez’s team fell behind to a fine first-half strike from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and, although Steven Gerrard equalized with a penalty after the interval, Bassong’s winner was well deserved.
After a tepid opening in the north London sunshine, Liverpool suffered a self-inflicted blow when Martin Skrtel collided with Jamie Carragher as both centerbacks tried to head clear.
Skrtel’s head smashed into Carragher’s face and the defender disappeared groggily down the tunnel, before resuming with a bandage covering a nasty gash on his forehead.
As the Reds spluttered, Tottenham grew in stature and only a superb save from Jose Reina denied Robbie Keane the opening goal after 30 minutes.
Luka Modric did well to hook Wilson Palacios’ cross back into the six-yard box toward Keane and the former Liverpool forward’s diving header looked destined for the net until Reina plunged to his left to block.
Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel were well off the pace and it was no surprise when Spurs took the lead in the 44th minute.
Liverpool failed to clear Huddlestone’s free-kick and Assou-Ekotto, taking possession 25m out, hit an unstoppable swerving shot past Reina into the far corner.
It was debutant Glen Johnson who played the key role as Liverpool equalized in the 56th minute.
The new signing from Portsmouth surged past two defenders into the penalty area and was up-ended by Heurelho Gomes as the Brazilian charged off his line. Referee Phil Dowd immediately pointed to the spot and Gerrard stepped up to lash the penalty high into the roof of the net.
Tottenham, however, refused to let that set-back affect them.
Just three minutes later, Jermain Defoe won a free-kick and when Modric curled it into the area, Bassong rose above Carragher to plant a header past Reina.
Benitez was soon ringing the changes, with Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin on for Babel and Kuyt.
Liverpool pressed hard, but the closest they came to an equalizer were rejected penalty appeals against Assou-Ekotto.
Sammy Lee, Benitez’s assistant, was so frustrated that he was sent off for a tirade of abuse at the officials. It was that kind of day for Liverpool.
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