Soccer Central

After some disappointing results for English teams this week in the Champions League, UEFA Cup sides last night showed how it’s done as all three English clubs involved in European action galloped to victory.

Tottenham thumped Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 as Darren Bent grabbed a hat-trick, Man City cruised to a 3-2 victory over Steve McClaren’s FC Twente, and Aston Villa managed to hang on to an early away lead against Slavia Prague to win the game 1-0. It was a good night for English football, and just what was required after two nights without wins for English teams in the Champions League. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal may be known as the ‘Big Four’ when it comes to English football, it was left to the ‘lesser’ teams to show how it should be done this week though, and what a glorious night for English football it was too.

Robinho once more proved his worth with a huge helping hand and goal in Man City’s victory over FC Twente, and with Darren Bent currently on absolute fire for Tottenham Hotspur; the team will surely not need to worry about relegation for much longer. This Tottenham team has been very much rejuvenated since Harry Redknapp took charge of the side, and with this huge win against Dinamo Zagreb the Tottenham faithful really have something to celebrate. It was a great win for the club, and a fantastic 9 UEFA Cup points picked up in all for English football teams.

2001 was the last time an English team won the UEFA Cup, and that team was Liverpool, one of the current Big Four; you actually have to go right back to 1984 to find the last time an English team won the cup prior to this, I feel that in 2008 we have a strong chance of seeing another English winner however, and if Tottenham continue to play with such passion and drive as they have done so far since Harry Redknapp has taken over then that 2008 UEFA Cup winning team could well be Tottenham Hotspur. Oh, and just in case you’re wondering; the team that won the UEFA Cup in 1984? Tottenham Hotspur.