FA Cup Photos: Leeds 1-3 Tottenham – David Bentley Shines

Ollie Irish

4th, February 2010

By Ollie Irish

I don’t know if it’s because Leeds United are redolent of a bygone era in English football, but there was a glorious throwback feel to this Cup tie – it was the sort of game that reminds you why you football is, without a scintilla of doubt, THE BEST SPORT ON THE MOTHERF**KING PLANET.

Both teams were great and although Spurs fully deserved to win – Jermain Defoe might have scored a double hat-trick – this match was another big step in the rebranding of Leeds as a football team who many neutrals would like to see back in the top flight. Under Simon Grayson, they are a pleasure to watch, full of endeavour and attacking intent. And even if they lose striker Jermaine Beckford at the end of this season, they still have enough quality to thrive in the Championship.

For Spurs, Defoe was a menace, even if many of his shots seemed to go straight at Casper Ankergren, but it was David Bentley who stole the show with an effervescent performance on the right flank. I don’t know whether to be pleased that Bentley is playing well, or infuriated that it took him far too long to grow up and knuckle down. Either way, Fabio Capello should watch a tape of this match, because Bentos just put his hand up again for England selection. Gareth Bale was also terrific at left-back.

The best photos from Elland Road:

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Leeds United's Bradley Johnson (right) and Tottenham Hotspur's David Bentley (left) battle for the ball

Posted in FA Cup, Photos, Tottenham Hotspur

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