Mido shines as Wigan hold Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur were held to an exciting 2-2 draw by Premiership new-boys Wigan on Sunday, despite Egypt star Mido scoring one and assisting Jermaine Defoe for another. Andreas Johansson grabbed a brace for Wigan, and must surely have played his way into the League Cup final next week.

Spurs had to come from behind twice after Johansson put the League Cup finalists ahead on ten minutes and then after the hour, first through Mido’s deft backheel after a low cross by Paul Stalteri midway through the first half, and later when Jermaine Defoe raced onto Mido’s flick-on to fire past Mike Pollitt just after Wigan had regained the lead.

In an open, flowing game, both sides created chance after chance and both goalkeepers - England number one Paul Robinson and surprise package of the Premiership Mike Pollitt - made excellent saves including a contender for stop-of-the-season by Robinson. Spurs’ new Egyptian signing Hossam Ghaly remains absent with a groin injury.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell was “a little disappointed with the two goals and we lost our concentration but I always thought we would get one on the break.”

Of two-goal hero Johansson he added “Andreas has been terrific in the last few weeks, playing up front and they were two smashing goals.

“The second one was top quality and it is going to be a tough week. The team for Cardiff isn’t picked yet and there are going to be some tough decisions.”

Tottenham head coach Martin Jol admitted that they “knew Wigan would be a tough side and they made it very difficult for us to get into any rhythm. We battled back well and you really have to take the positives out of the match.

“It was a bit disappointing to have thrown away the points but, although we could have won, it was a game from which we take a draw.”

Wigan’s opener came when a long ball left the Spurs defence flat-footed and with their hands in the air - while Senegal striker Henri Camara was just offside he was never active and a level Johansson was there to slot home.

Spurs fought back with a period of sustained pressure, culminating in Mido’s spectacular backheel across the face of goal into the bottom left-hand corner of the Wigan goal thirteen minutes later. The burly striker had made a clever near-post run before diverting Stalteri’s wicked, driven cross into the net, going some way to overcoming his disappointment of missing the African Nations Cup final.

The home side - who currently lie in the Champions League positions and could have gone even further clear of fifth-placed Arsenal with a win - continued to press but were unable to find a way past the inspired Pollitt, the best chance falling to Mido who powerfully headed Aaron Lennon’s cross just wide of the right hand post after losing Stephane Henchoz with a diagonal run.

The second half started a lot more slowly, although came to life on the 67th minute when great interplay between Camara and Johansson saw the 27 year-old Swede - signed from Djürgaardens in the summer - finish with aplomb.

It did not take long for Spurs to get back on level terms, a long ball from the back flicked on by Mido to Defoe, who left Matt Jackson floundering before firing into the roof of the net. Defences should have learned by now that Mido will win 70% of flick-ons and that at least one defender shoud lie deep to prevent the second striker latching onto the loose ball.

Both sides had chances to win it, the best going to the visitors after Paul Scharner’s far-post downward header after a super cross by Pascal Chimbonda was somehow clawed away by Robinson even though he was going in the wrong direction. The former Leeds stopper must surely be the leading candidate for best ‘keeper in the Premiership this season.

Spurs stay fourth although rue missing the chance to pull seven points clear of Arsenal, while Wigan climb to eighth ahead of the biggest match in their short history - the League Cup final against Manchester United on February 26th.