Liverpool crash to 2-1 defeat at Tottenham

Aug 16, 2009 - 5:59 PM By JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Sebastian Bassong scored on his Tottenham debut to send Liverpool crashing to a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday as the Reds' title hopes suffered an early setback.

Bassong was only allowed to play because of a loophole in FA rules that wiped out the second game of a two-match ban following his eight million pounds move from Newcastle.

The Cameroon defender took full advantage by heading home Luka Modric's 56th minute free kick after Steven Gerrard's penalty looked to have rescued Liverpool a point.

Bassong said: "I think it's the perfect debut. I am really happy to have scored and to get the win.

"When you remember last season it is really good for the confidence to win the first game. It is good for all the team."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp chose to start Robbie Keane ahead of nine million pounds summer signing Peter Crouch.

Keane could have been celebrating a first-half hat-trick against the club with whom he endured a torrid six months last season.

First Modric did brilliantly to get to the by-line and pull the ball back for Keane but the Irishman's header was superbly kept out by Pepe Reina.

Reina thwarted Keane again in the 34th minute, standing tall to divert his lob shot over the crossbar.

Keane's best chance came eight minutes later when he blazed into the stands from the edge of the penalty area.

Assou-Ekotto had never scored a Premier League goal but the Frenchman gave Keane a finishing lesson a minute before half time.

Tom Huddlestone's free kick was charged down by the Liverpool wall and the ball broke for Assou-Ekotto, who took one touch to bring it under control before curling an unstoppable 25-yard shot into Reina's top right corner.

Liverpool were gifted the chance to equalise nine minutes after half time as debutant Glen Johnson was tripped by Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and Gerrard stepped up to convert the penalty.

The visitors reprieve lasted only two minutes before Bassong became Spurs' unlikely match-winner by notching his first goal in English football.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez felt his side should have been given a second penalty four minutes from time when substitute Andriy Voronin was shoved to the ground by Assou-Ekotto but referee Phil Dowd waved away their appeals, leading to assistant manager Sammy Lee being sent from the dug-out after clashing with the fourth official.

"It was 100 per cent a penalty," Benitez said. "I am disappointed because we did not play well first half but in the second half we did enough to deserve something from the game.

"It is still early in the season but we can take the positives from the second half."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, whose side took only two points from their first eight games last season, said: "The game could have been over at half time because we had three great opportunities and did not take them.

"Liverpool came back in the second half as they always do but we were much the better team.

"It's important to get your first three points on the board, especially against Liverpool who only lost two games last season. It shows how far we have come since last season."