PCB gags players, officials

PCB has decided to restrain the people on its payroll from making controversial statements or appearing on television.

The PCB will issue a circular in next 24 hours to gag the players and officials and appoint a spokesperson in the wake of a spate of statements has created chaos and confusion in the cricket circles.
"We have taken notice of this growing trend of players and officials giving statements on a daily basis on every issue and causing more confusion. In the circular, we will make it clear they cant interact with the media without our clearance," Saleem Altaf, Chief Operating Officer of the Board, told PTI.
There has been plenty of confusion caused in the cricket circles with everyone who is anyone in the Board or Pakistan team giving statements on every issue and this has led to fears of a growing internal rift between the former players employed by the board in recent months.
No more differences please
It was noticed that PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, Director General Javed Miandad, Chief Selector Abdul Qadir, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam and captain Shoaib Malik have been differing statements on policy matters.
Altaf said after the circular was issued there would be one nominated official spokesman of the Board who would interact with the media.
The first victim of this new strict policy is PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi, who has been asked to explain a statement on the issue of the Board delaying in submitting documents and DVDs with the Lahore High Court relating to the Shoaib Akhtar case.
Reason for explanation
Altaf said the decision to seek an explanation from Rizvi was taken as he had apparently violated the confidentiality agreement between lawyer and client. "Even if the client is wrong somewhere the lawyer is not supposed to go public with statements on this. He has to adhere to this confidentiality clause. Apparently Rizvi didn't do this while commenting on the Shoaib Akhtar case," he said.
Rizvi had said he was as surprised as everyone as to the delay in the Board submitting required documents and DVDs asked by the Lahore High court outlining the disciplinary record of Shoaib Akhtar.
Akhtar has submitted a writ petition with the LHC against the 18 months ban and seven million rupees fine imposed on him by an appellate tribunal of the board.
The court asked the Board to submit the relevant documents and DVDs to confirm Shoaibs past disciplinary record.
Altaf said the Board had also taken note of a statement by senior batsman Younis Khan criticising the pitches and facilities available for matches in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam trophy tournament.
"We are very clear that anyone who is on the payroll of the Board can't give statements when he feels like it or appear on television shows. We aim to regularize this system," Altaf said.
Rizvi has said he would respond to the Board notice within 24 hours time.

SLC to decide Pak itinerary by Friday

Sri Lanka Cricket will by Friday finalise the itinerary for its tour of Pakistan after the host country asked them to speed up.

"We had conveyed to them we just want to play maximum international cricket and they should finalise the itinerary soon," Altaf said.
"They have confirmed the tour but they say they would finalise the itinerary by Friday," Saleem Altaf, Chief Operating Officer of PCB told PTI.
Lanka keen to host India
There are indications the Sri Lankans, who are keen to host India for a one-day series in January or February, might first tour Pakistan for a one-day series and then come in late February for a Test series.
But it is obvious that their delay in finalising the itinerary for their Pakistan series has something to do with their desire to play India as well.
Altaf said Pakistan was not concerned with what plans Sri Lanka had about playing against India in the coming weeks. He said there was no doubt over the tour taking place and said so far the Sri Lankans had also not talked about splitting the tour into two parts in writing.
Pak keen for international cricket
"But if they come up with a suggestion we will look into it because our main purpose is to organise some international cricket at home," Altaf said. Meanwhile, India is waiting for an answer from New Zealand to add an extra Test to their confirmed two-Test series in March.
Altaf said Pakistan was prepared to host Sri Lanka and then Australia in the coming months but insisted they were keen that Sri Lanka finalised the itinerary as soon as possible.
"We need to get all logistical details into place for the one-day and Test matches," he added.
Pakistan invited Sri Lanka for a series after India had cancelled their scheduled Test tour to Pakistan from January 4 due to the strained relations between the two countries after the Mumbai terror attacks in late November.
Altaf said Pakistan Board was also working out more series in the coming months before the Twenty20 World Cup in England in summer.

Afridi hit himself after T20 WC loss

The 2007 T20 World Cup final loss to India hurt him so badly that Shahid Afridi hit himself with his own bat in frustration.

The Pakistani all-rounder said that his biggest regrets in his life were seeing Pakistan lose the 1999 World Cup final to Australia and the Twenty20 World Cup final to India in 2007.
"Believe me these two moments still haunt me. After the T20 final I hit myself on the foot with my bat so hard in utter frustration at the way I got out that I couldn't walk properly for two days," he said.
Afridi said he wants to be a part of a Pakistan team that wins a World Cup.
"People say I have two or three years of cricket left in me. I would love to be a member of a team that either wins the T20 World Cup or the 2011 World Cup," Afridi said in TV interview.
"I like to play my natural game and that is my strength. I want people to enjoy my game," he added.
On captaincy, Afridi said he enjoyed leading the Sindh and Karachi teams in domestic cricket but wouldn't like to comment on getting the national team's rein.
"That is not my job that is for the board to decide. I am just happy to be part of the Pakistan team," he said.

F1 teams agree to cut costs

The FIA, in conjunction with the Formula One teams have announced a raft of proposals in a bid to cut escalating costs.

Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Monte Carlo, the key components of the changes will see savings on engine costs, a ban on in-season testing outside GP weekends and a reduction in staff numbers.
Engines will be available to the independent teams from 2010 for less than US$6.7million (£4.5million) per team per season, supplied by an independent supplier or a manufacturer backed by guarantees of continuity.
There will be no in-season testing from next year except during a race weekend and during scheduled practice.
The teams have also agreed manpower will be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for 'spotters'.
The FIA estimate the list of changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, with the savings for independent teams even greater.

Alonso's agent rejects accident talk

Fernando Alonso's agent has denied reports that the Formula One star was involved in a minor plane accident on Sunday.

There had been suggestions the two-time world champion was flying back from a holiday in Kenya with his wife when the light aircraft he was travelling in brushed a building on take-off, damaging a wing.
But the agent for the Renault driver insisted it was not as serious as reported.
"It seems that the plane took a blow while they were parking it," said Luis Garcia Abad. "Fernando wasn't even inside the aircraft.
"We didn't give it the slightest importance and because of that this commotion surprises us. It doesn't even qualify as an accident."

Inter to get Eboue for free?

Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue may walk in the steps of former team-mate Mathieu Flamini and move to Italy on a free transfer.

AC Milan managed to secure the services of Flamini from Arsenal a year ago, as the Frechman's deal with the Gunners expired last summer. It was considered a steal for the Rossoneri, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was left fuming.
It could be a case of déjà vu as another Gunner could be heading to Inter soon, the player being rightback Emmanuel Eboue, whose current deal ends in the summer, and is said to be on the lookout for a change in scenery.
The Nerazzurri have no backup for current rightback Maicon and this is precisely the reason Eboue is being looked at.
Estudiantes defender Marcos Angeleri has also been linked to a winter move to the reigning Italian champions, but the Arsenal man may be seen as a more appealing signing due to his versatility, and to top it all off, he has a EU passport thanks to his part-Belgian nationality.

Man City locked on hitman Trez?

Manchester City could be in line for a surprise swoop for Juventus striker David Trezeguet, according to recent reports.

The highest-scoring foreign striker for the Old Lady has spent the majority of the current campaign in the stands due to multiple injuries.
The Frenchman went under the knife in September after sustaining a knee tendon injury in Juve's first game in the Champions League this season, a 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg.
Trezeguet also have both knees operated on earlier in the season, when he struggled in pre-season and the early rounds of the Serie A competition. The French striker is slated for a return this month.
The hitman has just resumed training recently, and is reported to be making strides as he closes in on a comeback.
However, rumours have it that his return could be in a sky blue jersey as it is alleged that Manchester City has the intention of making a US$30 million bid for the player to ply his trade in the Barclays Premier League.
The Eastlands club are monitoring the situation at the Stadio Olimpico as Trezeguet may have a hard time finding his place in the Juve attacking rotation, as he has to battle Alessandro Del Piero, Amauri, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Sebastian Giovinco for a starting berth.
The English side are optimistic about landing the French striker, even though they are currently in the wrong half of the BPL table.
Reports of the deal remain rumours at this stage, and unless there are any formal discussions or statements made, it is highly unlikely that a player, who has scored an incredible 130 times in just over 200 appearances, would walk away from the Old Lady.

Eagles emerges from the haze

Burnley midfielder Chris Eagles can see Wembley on the horizon after being left in a haze when he made his debut.

As he prepared to face Tottenham in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final tonight, the 23-year-old cast his mind back to the opening day of the season.
Eagles was looking forward to making a good impression in the first game of the league campaign against Sheffield Wednesday after arriving from Manchester United in the summer.
Instead Burnley were thrashed 4-1 and he was left stunned by the experience.
He said: "I just could not believe the pace of the game. I was tired within an hour, I never thought I was going to last.
"But it is weird because your fitness breaks and you get into a stride. You train to play.
"So when you are playing Saturday then midweek it is the best feeling ever.
"You get niggles and knocks but after about 10 minutes you are so concentrated you forget about them. I love it when the games are coming thick and fast."
That is why he shipped out of Old Trafford, although there was no pressure on him to do so.
Eagles - a former season ticket holder at Spurs - has made 20 starts this season compared to only three at United in the last campaign and scored five goals in the process.
He is making good progress and so are Burnley. They are now pushing for the play-offs after a poor start, not to mention cup glory.
Eagles said: "At United it is all about training to win. Being a big part of this Burnley team there is nothing I want more than to be successful.
"I am just learning to enjoy the moment and being on the big stage. Before it was different. I used to get nervous and was never able to take it in my stride."
The match is being billed in Burnley as 'Capital Punishment IV' with hopes high that Tottenham will be banished just as Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal were before them in the competition.
Striker Robbie Blake has promised to unveil his famous red underpants with the message 'Bad Beat Bob' on them if they score.
The words are associated with poker and Blake said: "The pants are going to have to come down if we get a goal.
"We are here on merit and have the players to cause them problems. Perhaps we should take encouragement from Cardiff who reached the FA Cup final last season.
"Hopefully we can keep it tight and hang in there, then bring them back to Turf Moor. Our fans deserve a bit of success."

Defoe in line for Wembley redemption

Jermain Defoe could put last season's Wembley misery behind him if he moves back to Tottenham from Portsmouth.

But Spurs have to do their part against Burnley first.
Harry Redknapp's men face their Coca-Cola Championship opponents tonight in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg, the trophy Spurs won less than a month after Defoe left them for Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old striker, who also missed out on another medal when he was cup-tied for the FA Cup final in May, did not feature in Pompey's Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season and would be able to play in the competition if he rejoins Spurs and they get through their last-four clash.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie are negotiating a deal, with Redknapp insisting he has not unsettled Defoe or any other player.
"It's their choice to say he is not for sale," Redknapp said. "I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in, I'd be keeping him."
Another Redknapp target who wants to leave his current club is winger Stewart Downing, who has had a transfer request rejected by Middlesbrough.
"It's the same (with Downing), I wouldn't sell him if I didn't want to," Redknapp said.
"If they want to leave, they have their reasons. If Defoe has got reasons why he wants to come back to Tottenham, fine."
Redknapp is closer to signing Stephen Appiah, who is training with Spurs this week.
Appiah, who has been a free agent since the summer following a dispute with Turkish side Fenerbahce, looks set to be offered a deal until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old has suffered knee injuries in the past, but Redknapp is confident that will not be a problem and is hoping to arrange a deal.
"I watched him an awful lot for Ghana - about six times - but I ended up taking Sulley Muntari because Juventus were asking £14million for Appiah," said Redknapp.
Against Burnley, Spurs want to avoid being the Championship side's third top-flight scalp. The other teams have also been from London.
"They've done well," Redknapp said. "I watched them on Saturday against QPR and they are well organised and have experienced players.
"They've had a fantastic run - Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal - so we won't be underestimating them."
Midfielder Hossam Ghaly is in contention for a place in the squad, despite the reaction from Spurs fans when he stripped off to come on as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wigan. Redknapp was forced to bring on a different player instead.
Supporters remembered when he threw his shirt angrily to the ground in his last appearance two seasons ago, after being brought off the bench and getting replaced again.
"If you've got a smile on your face then you're in the wrong game," Redknapp said. "People should forgive and forget - let's move on."

Destiny Carling for Fergie

It is safe to say the League Cup has not been Sir Alex Ferguson's top priority in his 22 years at Old Trafford.
He has won it just twice. That's one less than Leicester City and the same as Norwich.
Yet he will take his Manchester United side to Pride Park tomorrow for a semi-final first leg against Derby County with a tingle of anticipation for another Wembley appearance in March.
No, he will not risk his top stars. There is not likely to be a Cristiano Ronaldo or a Wayne Rooney in the starting line-up.
Why would he? There is a Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday which could be a defining psychological moment in the title race.
And a Derby side, still without a manager and who struggled to dispatch Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday, pose no serious threat to United's reserves.
Not that Ferguson will allow even a hint of complacency.
The great thing about Ferguson is that at 67 he is still infected with the bug for winning football matches.
It spills over at times, as it did last weekend when he questioned the fairness of the Premier League's fixture list, which he claimed had militated against United in a first half of the season in which they had played more tough away matches than their rivals.
Or when he began his famous mind games earlier than usual with a dig at league leaders Liverpool, saying they will get nervous in the title run-in.
That is all part of Ferguson's non-negotiable approach to gaining an edge in every competition his team enter.
Make no mistake, Britain's greatest-ever football manager believes he can win the lot this season and eclipse the heady treble of 1999.
The Club World Cup trophy is already in the bag. They must be favourites for the League Cup. The FA Cup is down to the lottery of luck and a favourable draw but they have as good a chance as any. And the big two, the Premier League and the Champions League, are also within United's reach.
Now that would be an extraordinary quintuplet.
Could it happen? Almost certainly not, but it is possible because while Ferguson might not have the biggest squad in England, he does have the most effective.
A squad which is richly balanced with youth and the experience of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. A squad bursting with game-breakers such as Ronaldo, Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez. One, too, which is benefiting from the blossoming of Michael Carrick in midfield and the dynamic running of Nani and Anderson.
Those are the reasons United have the edge, even if the title race comes down to the wire with Liverpool in what would be a compelling clash of English football's heavyweights.
That is for the future. But back to the Carling Cup and a confusing competition which does itself no favours.
What is the point of a competition playing single knockout games up until the semi-finals and suddenly changing to a two-legged format before returning to a one-match final?
Is the football programme not congested enough without the English game's least-attractive major competition serving up matches which are surplus to requirements?
The reason, of course, is money and with Derby and Burnley reaching the latter stages this year at least the organisers can argue that the financial windfall from television rights and ticket income from two matches will benefit clubs from outside the top tier.
The main prize, meanwhile, remains Ferguson's for the taking.

Smith out of Sydney Test

Graeme Smith has confirmed that he will play no further part in the third Test against Australia at the SCG.
Smith, who played entered the match despite suffering the effects of a debilitating elbow complaint, was struck on the hand by a Mitchell Johnson deliver on day two which reared off a good length to abruptly end his tour.
The 27-year-old is renowned for his bravery but says he will not continue to tempt fate by taking to the crease on day five.
"I seriously doubt it, it's not worth it," Smith told Channel nine today.
Smith eyeing whitewash
Smith now faces a six-week stint on the sidelines but remains hopeful of taking his place in the return series in South Africa beginning on February 26.
"It's been a process of sort of keeping myself on the field and it's been going really well but I think god just said 'take a rest now' and I've got six weeks off on the sidelines," said Smith, who sported a large plaster cast on his left arm.
The Proteas have been set an imposing 376 for victory after Ricky Ponting declared at 257 for four shortly after tea on day four.
Despite the lofty target and his own absence, the skipper refused to discount his side's chances of achieving a series clean sweep.
"I think we've still got opportunities that lie ahead of us and that's the way we've got to look at it," Smith said.
"We probably let a few of those opportunities slip in the early part of the Test match and this is why we're in this position."
"But we certainly have the character and we've shown that, that we can come through so it would be nice to see it again from the boys."

"SA signed pact to succeed in Oz"

South Africa coach Micky Arthur said an official document was signed by the Proteas guaranteeing success against Australia.

Arthur revealed that besides meticulous planning that did the trick against Ricky Ponting's men, Graeme Smith and his boys dipped the ink as well.
South Africa clinched the Test series after winning the first two matches and Arthur today said that he had given ultimatum to the boys to either perform or perish.
As part of the brainstorming session that took place before the team left for Down Under, the top six batsman were made to sign a pact wherein they pledged to put up at least 300 runs between them in every innings and the bowlers likewise signed another document promising to take 20 wickets in each Test.
Smith fractures hand
"The top six batsmen needed to know they were responsible for the runs. If they cocked up, we were bowled out for 120," Arthur said.
"We got them in together as a group and made them responsible for scoring 300 runs. They made that pledge themselves and actually signed off on a document to that effect," he was quoted as saying in 'The Daily Telegraph'.
Arthur also said that he wanted South Africa to fight fire with fire.
"We wanted batters walking out to the middle, hitting the ball and playing, challenging the opposition. We wanted to give the guys the freedom to know that when they're facing Nathan Hauritz in his debut Test, they can go down the wicket and hit him over the top and they are not going to get into trouble."

Proteas set stiff target for final day

South Africa will enter the final day of the third Test against Australia needing 314 more runs to pull off an improbable win.
Set an imposing victory target of 376 from a minimum 116 overs, the Proteas were 62 for one at stumps on day four.Stand-in skipper Neil McKenzie (25) and Hashim Amla (30) will resume the fight for a history-making last-day win - and a series clean sweep - with at least 90 overs to be bowled.Past run chases at the SCG suggest victory will elude the Proteas on a wearing wicket.
Smith out of Test
Australia's fourth-innings total of 288 for two in the 2005/06 season against South Africa is the highest winning total in a Sydney Test.The tourists' task is made more difficult by the absence of skipper Graeme Smith who is nursing a broken finger and is highly unlikely to take any further part in proceedings.After Australia declared their seconds innings at 257 for four, Doug Bollinger (one for 11) made the early breakthrough, picking up his first Test wicket after makeshift opener Morne Morkel (0) chipped a catch to Mitchell Johnson at mid on.
Is this the last we have seen of Hayden?
Amla survived a close call on five, edging Peter Siddle past a diving Brad Haddin.Ricky Ponting closed his side's innings after Michael Clarke (41) was caught in the deep going after quick runs.Michael Hussey remained not out on 45.

India fight back despite KP ton

India claimed two wickets late in the day to seize the initiative after Kevin Pietersen led a spirited England fightback.

England's hopes of pushing for an unlikely victory in the final Test stalled with the loss of two wickets in 12 balls just before stumps on day three.
The tourists had fought back after slumping to one for two, captain Pietersen forging a 149-run fifth-wicket stand with Andrew Flintoff to lead his team to 280 for four in reply to India's 453.
But with just minutes remaining before the umpires called a halt to the day in fading light, England lost both batsmen and slumped to 282 for six at the close, still trailing by 171 runs.

Pietersen had hit his 15th Test century and become the third fastest England player to reach 4,000 Test runs on 105, beaten only by Herbert Sutcliffe and Len Hutton.
He hit 17 fours and a six during his brilliant 144 and transformed England's fortunes with his aggression, only for India to fight back in the closing overs.
Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan had undermined England's reply with the third ball of the innings when he won an lbw appeal against Andrew Strauss.
England slipped into further trouble in the next over with seamer Ishant Sharma continuing Ian Bell's struggles by removing his middle stump with his first delivery.
India captain MS Dhoni used Pietersen's arrival at the crease to embark on psychological tactics to try to unsettle his rival.
Instead of continuing with Zaheer following his successful first over, Dhoni turned to the occasional left-arm spin of Yuvraj Singh, who has waged a running battle with Pietersen through the series.
It was a tactic which was almost inspired with Pietersen nearly bowled off an inside edge from the first delivery, while he almost picked out extra cover with a drive off the final ball of the over.
Yuvraj was taken off after one over and it took the return of Zaheer midway through the afternoon session to make the next breakthrough, an inswinging yorker accounting for Alastair Cook lbw for 50 - his 20th innings without a century.
England regained momentum with Freddie and KP
But with Flintoff showing aggression from the start of his innings, England quickly regained the momentum and added 154 runs in the afternoon session.
It prompted India to go on the defensive and bowl way outside off-stump for most of the final session, and it paid off in the closing minutes when Harbhajan won an lbw appeal against Pietersen.
England chose to use nightwatchman James Anderson rather than send out Matt Prior but it backfired when the Lancashire seamer took a single in what became the final over of the day to expose Flintoff, who gave a bat-pad catch to short leg off leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham

Irish winger Damien Duff came off the bench to fire fast-improving Newcastle to a last-minute 2-1 victory over Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he combined superbly with fellow substitute Mark Viduka before beating goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs midfielder Luka Modric cancelled out Charles N'Zogbia's 11th-minute opener 17 minutes later, but it was Duff who had the final say.
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins was denied the opportunity to score in a fifth successive league game against Tottenham when a groin injury ruled him out of this afternoon's clash.
The Nigerian, who sustained the problem just before putting his side 2-0 ahead at Portsmouth last weekend, was replaced by Shola Ameobi in the only change to Joe Kinnear's starting line-up.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp welcomed back Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka, Ledley King, Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who sat out the 2-2 UEFA Cup draw with Spartak Moscow in midweek.
Fraizer Campbell, Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter, Gilberto and Jamie O'Hara were the men to make way as the visitors looked for a repeat of their 2-1 Carling Cup win at St James' Park back in September.
The visitors lined up with Pavlyuchenko playing as a lone striker, with support from former Magpies target Luka Modric and wingers Lennon and David Bentley.
Lennon was in action within two minutes of the kick-off when he received Michael Dawson's long ball and cut inside left-back Jose Enrique.
Danny Guthrie got in an important block, but the ball broke back to the winger and he drilled a cross across the face of Shay Given's goal with no-one able to get a decisive touch.
Newcastle created their first chance five minutes later when Jonas Gutierrez forced Assou-Ekotto to concede a right-wing corner.
Fabricio Coloccini headed down Guthrie's set-piece to Sebastien Bassong, who scuffed his volley.
Given had to punch away a looping header from Dawson after he met Bentley's eighth-minute corner in a lively start.
Dawson then had to block a shot from Charles N'Zogbia after 11 minutes, but the Frenchman was not to be denied as the home side took the direct route seconds later.
N'Zogbia managed to reach Given's clearance before Assou-Ekotto, and although the defender recovered to hold him up, the midfielder turned smartly to fire right-footed past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Enrique, who had earlier been booked for a foul on Lennon, was having a torrid time with the England international running at him at every opportunity.
For all the pressure they were exerting, Redknapp's men were failing to make the most of it as a series of set-pieces ended up in Given's waiting arms.
N'Zogbia, who has been linked with the north London club this season, was enjoying his afternoon and forced his way into another promising position with 27 minutes gone.
He worked his way into the box from the left and blasted a shot towards Gomes' near post, forcing the keeper to punch it away.
However, the visitors were back on terms a minute later when Dawson's strong challenge on Ameobi saw him lift the ball over the top to Modric, and as the home defence hesitated with Pavlyuchenko working his way back from an offside position, the Croatian ran in unopposed to beat Given.
Ameobi limped off before the restart to be replaced by Mark Viduka as Kinnear's side set about the task of restoring their lead.
The momentum was very much with Spurs and Enrique had to intervene to prevent Modric reaching Pavlyuchenko's return pass.
And the Spaniard did even better to deny the Russian seconds later, just getting ahead of him to clear as he prepared to shoot at the near post.
Michael Owen flicked a 39th-minute header well wide from an N'Zogbia cross as Newcastle responded, and King had to make an important challenge to dispossess Viduka on the edge of the box four minutes later.
Spurs were on the attack once again within seconds of the restart when the home defence failed to deal adequately with a Modric cross and central defender Dawson shot acrobatically over the bar from close range.
Newcastle were seeing plenty of the ball, but with the visitors pressing them in possession, were unable to create any meaningful openings in the early stages of the half.
However, N'Zogbia caused problems down the left once again with 50 minutes gone when he smashed the ball across the face of goal and Dawson managed to stab it away.
Modric continued to put the Magpies under extreme pressure, and Habib Beye conceded a free-kick for bringing him down as he threatened to break free down the left two minutes later.
But Viduka was beginning to have an impact at the other end, holding the ball up well for the support to reach him, although too often the final pass was inaccurate.
Nicky Butt was enjoying another solid performance, and sensed a chance for glory with 56 minutes gone when he beat Modric to the ball and went for goal from distance, although he sliced his effort horribly wide.
Tottenham started to impose themselves once again with Bentley in the thick of it down the left and the game opening up.
They thought they were in with 62 minutes gone when Lennon cut inside to slip the ball through for Tom Huddlestone, but Sebastien Bassong got a touch before Given cleared with the midfielder earning a booking for going to ground under his challenge.
Pavlyuchenko made way from Campbell three minutes later as Redknapp introduced fresh legs, but it was Bentley who forced Given into a decent 69th-minute save when his shot reared up off Fabricio Coloccini.
Owen had a glorious opportunity to make it 2-1 when Viduka laid off an N'Zogbia cross to him six yards out, although his disappointment at lifting the ball over the top was eased by an offside flag.
Campbell flicked a header well wide from Bentley's 83rd-minute cross, but it was his side which looked the more likely to snatch victory as the clock ran down.
The on-loan Manchester United striker just failed to connect with Lennon's cross two minutes later, but the twist in the tail was to come at the other end.
Damien Duff, who had replaced Enrique two minutes earlier, played a superb one-two with Viduka and slid a left-foot shot past Gomes to snatch an invaluable win in the final minute of normal time.

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool fought back to take a 1-1 draw from a high-octane clash with an Arsenal side who had Emmanuel Adebayor sent off.
Robin van Persie had fired the Gunners ahead with a fine strike on 24 minutes, only for former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane to equalise.
Adebayor was shown a second yellow card by referee Howard Webb on the hour mark, and the Gunners had to settle for a draw which further dents their fading title aspirations.
Liverpool looked to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League without manager Rafael Benitez, who did not travel to Emirates Stadium following surgery to remove kidney stones.
Assistant boss Sammy Lee had taken charge of training during the week and named a side showing four changes from the one which started against Hull, with Robbie Keane, Lucas, Emiliano Insua and Daniel Agger all coming in. Javier Mascherano was absent with a virus.
Arsenal welcomed back winger Samir Nasri from an ankle injury, but defender Kolo Toure missed out with a calf strain.
The Gunners were looking to get back into the top four at the expense of Manchester United and close the gap to Aston Villa to a point.
Arsenal may have beaten both United and Chelsea this season, but the failure to see off so-called lesser sides has proved costly to their title challenge.
The leaders were, of course, set to present a stern test of those credentials and it was a cagey opening to the game.
The first decent chance came in the ninth minute.
A long ball up field was knocked back by Keane from the edge of the Arsenal penalty area into the path of Reds captain Steven Gerrard, whose 20-yard effort was straight at Manuel Almunia.
Both teams were flying into the challenges, with Keane complaining to referee Howard Webb that defender William Gallas had used an elbow to shake him off in the Arsenal half.
A clipped ball in from Bacary Sagna on the right floated through to Emmanuel Adebayor, but his glanced, diving header just lacked the power to beat Jose Reina.
Keane was in the book on 20 minutes for clattering in from behind on Gael Clichy out on the left touchline.
Arsenal then snatched the lead through Robin van Persie out of nothing after 24 minutes.
Nasri chipped a high ball through from just inside his own half, which the Dutchman, on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, collected on his chest before turning two defenders and firing a right-foot shot into the net.
Liverpool, whose form has dipped in recent weeks, were clearly rattled after previously looking quite comfortable.
In contrast Arsenal were now playing with a renewed confidence and held possession well.
On 33 minutes, Gerrard tried his luck with a long-range free-kick, but it was too central to trouble Almunia.
Adebayor was cautioned for leaving his foot in as he went for a 50/50 ball with Insua before Liverpool levelled minutes before the break.
The ball was thumped upfield from deep inside the Liverpool half by Alvaro Arbeloa and bounced right over Johan Djourou into the path of Keane.
The Republic of Ireland striker let the ball bounce again into the Arsenal penalty area before lashing it past Almunia.
The Reds almost snatched another ahead of half-time, but Gerrard was unable to get on the end of Dirk Kuyt's low ball across goal.
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas had suffered what looked like a knee problem in a tackle with Spanish compatriot Xabi Alonso at the end of the first half, and was unable to continue.
Abou Diaby came on to play on the left of midfield, with Denilson and Alex Song in the centre.
Liverpool started strongly, with Almunia having to beat away a snap-shot from Lucas.
The tempo of the match increased as the hour approached, but it was the visitors who remained in the ascendancy as Agger headed wide following a corner.
Referee Howard Webb then caused a storm when he reduced Arsenal to 10 men after Adebayor was shown a second yellow card for a hefty challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa, who fell to the ground clutching his face.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was incensed, but replays suggested the Togo striker had indeed gone in with a raised boot, rather than a flaying arm, which would have merited a caution.
The atmosphere in the Emirates was becoming highly charged, and Van Persie was another in the book when he fouled Agger.
To their credit the Gunners responded by pressing Diaby further forwards as they looked to get back in front.
Tempers, though, were never far from boiling point as Sagna became the third Arsenal man into the book when he tripped Albert Riera.
Nasri sent a 25-yard effort wide, then Almunia saved bravely at the feet of Kuyt as the visitors pressed for a winner.
Agger fired a superb 25-yard strike just over as both teams had to settle for a point.

Rooney wants to sing a song

Wayne Rooney wants to change the words of a song Manchester United's fans sing in their club's honour.

Instead of 'champions of England, champions of Europe' being bellowed out around grounds across the globe, the striker wants to hear 'champions of the world' instead.
They would be able to do just that if the Red Devils were to overcome Ecuador's LDU Quito in Sunday's Club World Cup final.
And while some in England still doubt the validity of the competition, Rooney is convinced it is an honour worth winning.
He said: "You don't get many chances to win this tournament so we want to take it.
"I could hear our fans singing 'champions of England, champions of Europe'. It would sound even better for them to add 'champions of the world' to the song, so we want to win it for them as much as ourselves."
Rooney freely admits this competition has never been on his list of priorities before.
However, once he arrived in Japan, the England international has been whipped up by the enthusiasm of supporters attending games.
Almost 70,000 were present last night to see the Old Trafford outfit defeat Gamba Osaka, with a similar number due to watch Sunday's decider.
"Winning the world championship has never really been in my mind," said Ferguson.
"When I joined a club like United the targets were the obvious ones like the Premier League and the Champions League.
"But the chance to play in this competition has really excited me. I am really happy to be playing in it."
One man who does not require an explanation about the prestige which goes with being world champions is Edwin van der Sar.
Thirteen years ago, the veteran Dutchman was part of the Ajax side which defeated Gremio in a penalty shoot-out in Tokyo to collect the old Intercontinental Cup.
And Van der Sar still remembers the reception Ajax received on their return to Amsterdam.
"It was a big thing," said the 38-year-old, who has just agreed a new one-year deal with the Old Trafford outfit.
"We didn't lose a game with Ajax for 18 months, so we were really in the flow. There was a big celebration in Amsterdam, with about 100,000 people welcoming us back.
"It is not the same as winning the Champions League but I never became a world champion with the national team and are we are playing different teams in a different country so I am up for it."
Just like the Champions League, which Van der Sar won last May - 13 years after his previous triumph with Ajax - the Club World Cup offers him a chance to revisit past glories.
"You could say it has taken too long to achieve all this again but it is never too late to enjoy them," he said.
"Let's hope I am repeating everything again on Sunday."
Van der Sar's team-mates want that too, putting worries over how the 12-hour return trip and readjustment to GMT will still be affecting them by the time they tackle Stoke on Boxing Day.
Instead of dwelling on a potential negative, Rooney prefers to look at the positive side and what a boost it would give United over their domestic rivals to return as number one in the world.
"It would send out a powerful message if we were to win it," he claimed.
"We are in quite a strong position in the league and if we can go back as champions of the world it would be a big boost for us and a platform for the second half of the season."
Ferguson has confirmed his intention to make changes to his starting line-up, with Rooney among those set to come in.
United must await a fitness update on Dimitar Berbatov before learning whether the Bulgarian will be involved with Ferguson admitting, defensively at least, his team must do better.
"We were a bit slow covering our defensive positions, which is possibly because we are still adjusting to the time difference," he said.
"Hopefully by Sunday we will be in better physical shape and our performance will be better. It will have to be because in my experience it is always difficult playing South American teams."

Inzamam urges India to tour Pakistan

Inzamam-ul Haq has urged India not to snap cricketing ties with Islamabad and go ahead with the January tour.

India are scheduled to travel to Pakistan early next year for a full tour, but the series is in doubt following the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Last week, India's sports minister MS Gill categorically stated India should not travel to Pakistan and the International Cricket Council refused to intervene saying it could not force teams to tour Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting a reply from the government of India asking for permission to tour.
BCCI officials say they would abide by the decision the government takes.
Inzamam, however, believes India should tour as it would bolster deteriorating political and diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
"Cricket has always served as a good tool to soothe tensions between the two countries in the past," Inzamam said.
"By not touring, India will not serve any purpose.
"If anything cricket will help keep relations on an even keel and prevent things from getting out of hand."
Inzamam, who was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for playing in the unauthorised Indian Cricket League, said India's decision to tour would be crucial to other teams touring Pakistan.
"If India decides not to play in Pakistan; it would be a big setback for cricket in the subcontinent," he said.
"When these two neighbouring countries can't play against each other then why should we expect other teams to come and play in the subcontinent.
"That is why I feel England took the right decision to return to India.
"When England can accept assurances from India and return why not the same approach for Pakistan?".
Pakistan have not played a Test this year with teams cancelling scheduled tours due to security concerns.
Inzamam said the PCB was to blame for the mess.
"It is strange that we did not have any other Test matches scheduled in the FTP this year apart from the Australia series which was cancelled," he said.
"Bangladesh is playing more international cricket than we are doing.
"Our administrators need to rectify this."

India call off Pakistan tour

India's proposed tour of Pakistan in January of 2009 has been called off by the government in the wake of recent political tensions.

The Indian government has conveyed its decision to the BCCI to not go ahead with the scheduled tour in early 2009.
The Government's decision was conveyed to the BCCI President Shashank Manohar today through a letter which cited "recent developments as well as the overall circumstances prevailing at present" as the reasons for calling off the high-profile tour."The final decision has been taken. We have got the letter from the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs not to proceed with the tour", senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla told PTI."The government has declined permission to go ahead with the tour taking into account the recent developments in Mumbai as well as the overall circumstances prevailing at present", Shukla said.He said the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the Sports Minister M S Gill had also personally called up Monohar to convey the decision.India were scheduled to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match during their tour of Pakistan from January 4 to February 28 but the tour had been thrown into jeopardy in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.The BCCI had all along maintained that it was upto the government to decide on the fate of the tour. "Now that we have received the letter, we will intimate it to the Pakistan Cricket Board," Shukla said.There was intense speculation that the tour will be called off in the aftermath of the Mumbai carnage and top BCCI officials had privately admitted that there was no chance that the team will travel to Pakistan.Even the Sports Minister Gill had gone on record last week that the team should not tour Pakistan under the circumstances, which was seen as a clear indication of things to come.Even before the Mumbai carnage, some of the senior Indian cricketers were apprehensive of travelling to Pakistan because of the security scenario in the strife-torn country.The cancellation of the tour has not only put a question mark on the sporting ties between the two countries but will also have a bearing on the 2011 Cricket World Cup being jointly hosted by the four Asian countries.Pakistan was keen to play the series at a neutral venue in case the tour was cancelled but the BCCI said it had not taken any decision on such a possibility.BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said that the government's decision will not have any impact on the 2011 World Cup. "It will not affect the 2011 World Cup, that's a different tournament," he said."We'd written to the government about the tour and we've just got the letter from the government that in the present circumstances the tour is not possible.Asked if it was because of the fact that senior players were not ready to play in Pakistan, Shetty said "I am not ready to comment on that. It was upto the government to decide and it was not for the BCCI to decide.Shetty did not feel it would create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the BCCI and PCB."No, I don't think so. PCB is aware of whatever is happening at the moment." He said there was no discussion on the two teams playing the series at a neutral venue."We've not discussed anything on this," he said and added there would be "no tour to replace the Pakistan series".The Sports Minister gave the first indication of the government view when he sent out a strong message by bluntly suggesting that the team's tour of Pakistan should not go ahead. The Minister had said it was not the right time to play cricket with Pakistan when "people from their soil were indulging in mass murder in India"."Is it possible for one team to arrive in Mumbai and indulge in mass murder, and have another team go and play cricket in the winter afternoon sun at Lahore, immediately after," he had said.The cancellation of the tour will hit Pakistan hard with the cash-starved PCB having already suffered with many teams calling off tours in the recent past.Hit hard by teams after teams refusing to tour the country because of the volatile security situation there, Pakistan has not hosted a major international tournament since the Asia Cup in June this year.The high-profile Champions Trophy, which was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September this year, had to be deferred with most teams refusing to tour the country. The Indian junior hockey team's tour was also cancelled last month.Desperate to salvage the series, PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt had decided to tour India to convince the BCCI top brass and also offered to shift the series to a neutral venue, possibly Abu Dhabi or England, but after the Mumbai attacks, even that possibility had become non-existent.
Maninder Singh, former India spinner hailed the decison to cancel the tour, saying he was surprised to see that people actually thought that India could still have gone on to play cricket in Pakistan.
"This is absolutely the right decision. First correct the political differences and then play cricket. How can anyone think of playing cricket with Pakistan in this environment? The country comes first", Maninder said .

Sri Lanka agree to tour Pakistan

Pakistan have invited Sri Lanka to tour next year, filling the gap created by India's recent cancellation of a proposed Test series.

The Indian government refused to sanction permission for India to travel to Pakistan for a series comprising of three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 international in January and February next year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, who had already discussed the possibility of Sri Lanka stepping in to bridge the gap should India refuse to tour, wasted no time in sending a formal invite to Sri Lanka.
"India's withdrawal is disappointing for us but we were expecting this," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said.
"We have sent an invitation to Sri Lanka to play three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.
"Pakistan has gone without Test cricket for more than a year now and we are desperate to have international cricket at home.
"The Sri Lankan board should hopefully accept our invitation."
Confirming receipt of the invitation Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga said they had assured Pakistan of their support.
"The PCB have official contacted us and we have assured them of our fullest support," Ranatunga said.
"We have agreed to play in Pakistan and have not demanded huge financial guarantees.
"As for security concerns, we were very pleased with the security arrangements made during the Asia Cup.
"India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always worked closely together and we wish to ensure that good relationship is maintained.
"It will be an exciting series."
The Sri Lankan team is currently away in Bangladesh where they are due to play two Tests and a triangular one-day series also involving Zimbabwe.
India's tour of Pakistan was due to begin with the first Test in Karachi on January 13, but Sri Lanka can only travel to Pakistan only after January 16 when the tri-nation one-day series ends in Bangladesh.