Spurs v Arsenal: the North London Derby (a potted history).

Programmes, a hat trick, all on a sunny day.

A lovely sunny day saw us thrash Huddersfield 4-0, with Lucas Moura getting a hat trick to make stadium history (he was the first in our new stadium to get a hat trick). He will rank alongside Son (who got the first goal) in our new stadium’s goal history.

As readers know, I am a Premium member, which entitles one to certain perks. One of those perks includes free programmes. Anyway, the day before the match we all get an email to say that they are no longer issuing hard copies, but electronic ones to us (a bit short notice). That is ok if you don’t want a souvenir or you are not a collector (like me). There are only a few that are not interested in programmes, but they (Spurs) argued that they have found a certain amount of programmes left behind (not wanted). So, because of the few everybody has to suffer. I did phone my hospitality manager, but, of course, they are only following instructions.  I did talk to other Premium members (including season ticket holders in the 1882 club, who also get free programmes) and they weren’t happy either. Anyway; the story will continue. With such anger, the Hospitality staff will go back and asses their client's irritations (putting it mildly). I will update you.

when I hear more. Our next home match will be on the 23^rd April.

Saturday morning I left at 6 am to get to my parking space at 7.30 am (waited in my car until just before the train was due; 8.06). Got a Train to WHL (taking 10 minutes). From there I made my way to the Spurs shop (wasn’t open until 9 am). Walked and talked until the shop opened. There I purchased two match day programme (one for Steve, as he asked me to get him one), plus two framed photos of the inaugural opening of the new stadium. As I knew the manager, he let me keep the Pictures there until after the match (I wasn’t going to take them with me to the hospitality area/ my seat).

Nine-thirty arrived, and no doors opened. People started getting frustrated (banging on the doors), and we were pointed in the direction of the other doors (probably misplaced the keys).

Finally up – with no free programmes offered – to the bar and Terry bought me a drink. We sat down and waited for the others. I then popped up to get a tasty variety of food and back to my lounge seat. The talk, as it was in our stadium seats, was about… (you guessed it)… the match day programmes. Many people going up to strangers (not us necessarily) to voice their anger over the situation. The electronic copy is no good to man or beast. Obviously, they didn’t think the whole think through properly.  Sadly, the only people Premium members could make their anger known to was the poor hospitality staff.

To the match: In three games at the new stadium we kept three clean sheets in all of them, in the process scoring seven goals (against Palace, City and Huddersfield). The game against Huddersfield takes us back to third in the league.

Lucas Moura scored a brilliant hat-trick as we cruised past relegated Huddersfield and moved above Chelsea into third in the Premier League. A much-changed side saw us dominate from the off at our new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and deservedly we went ahead when Victor Wanyama danced around Ben Hamer and slotted home midway through the first half.

Moura added our second just 144 seconds later as he rifled a low shot past Hamer after being played in by Moussa Sissoko. But it wasn’t the end for our brilliant Brazilian player, as he got on the scoresheet again three minutes from time as he controlled and volleyed home Christian Eriksen's cross. Still not over, as Moura completed his hat-trick deep into injury time with another emphatic finish past Hamer (again).

Christian Eriksen and Fernando Llorente had earlier hit the woodwork for Spurs as they piled on the pressure, although Hugo Lloris was called into action late on to tip a Leandro Bacuna free-kick on to the crossbar. We had 70% possession.

A crowd of 58,308, saw us thrash Huddersfield Town into oblivion.

Finally, we made our way back to the lounge and our seats. Went up for a choice of cakes and teas or coffee on offer (all free). After about an hour the group started to depart. I made my way to the Spurs shop to get my souvenir framed photos, and then to White Hart Lane stadium. Finally arriving at my daughter's to pick up my dog and then home (6pm).

Huddersfield remain bottom and have now lost six consecutive league games, but not surprising, with such a poor performance.

Our next match (Wednesday) will be the return Champions League match, this time at City’s ground.

You might not believe it, but from five in the morning (when I got up) to arriving home at 6 pm, it was a long and knackering day (you can also put it down to my age). Could we do without it? I don’t think so! Spurs run through our veins and life. It takes over us (but then if it weren’t that, we would be consumed by something else). No matter what; home or away,  summer or winter, hell or shinning

we are there. We are Spurs!

By Glenn Renshaw