Tottenham 4 Liverpool 0: Redknapp thrilled with display

Harry Redknapp was delighted with the “fantastic football” Tottenham produced as they demolished nine-man Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s brace and goals from Luka Modrić and Jermaine Defoe helped Tottenham to an easy victory over the Merseysiders as Kenny Dalglish’s men crashed to their second successive league defeat of the season.

“I thought we played some fantastic football,” said Redknapp afterwards. “We absolutely dominated. If you can’t enjoy the football we played here today then there’s something wrong with you.

“The first 25 minutes was football at its best. We were by far the better team. We should have been two or three goals in front in the first 25 minutes.”

Spurs started brightly as Liverpool struggled to contain Adebayor. The former Arsenal striker should have scored within three minutes but he nudged his effort wide.

Gareth Bale looked to test make-shift right-back Martin Å krtel at every available opportunity and the Slovakian was caught out of position for Spurs’ opener.

Bale received the ball in space on the left and whipped in a cross which was blocked by Luis Enrique ““ but the Spaniard’s clearance fell to Modrić, who unleashed an unstoppable drive past Pepe Reina into the top corner.

The visitors were unable to keep possession in the first half and came under increasing pressure from Spur, with Bale a constant threat.

Liverpool’s task became more difficult when Charlie Adam was dismissed in the 25th minute after a late challenge on Scott Parker earned him a second booking, while Daniel Agger picked up an injury was replaced by Sebastián Coates.

The away side made no changes at half-time and Andy Carroll was forced to persevere on the left as Liverpool tried to establish a foothold in the game.

But the Reds failed to improve and Luis Suárez wasted their best chance when he fired a free-kick wastefully over the crossbar.

Liverpool’s misery was compounded on 66 mintues when Å krtel was shown a second yellow card and Spurs immediately punished their opposition as Defoe twisted away from Enrqiue and fired low past Reina.

Moments later Adebayor was rewarded for an impressive home debut when he capitalised on a uncharacteristic Reina mistake – the goalkeeper parried Defoe’s shot into the path of the former Arsenal striker, who slotted in Spurs’ third.

The Togolese forward, on loan from Manchester City, then added a second in injury time when he sent a half-volley crashing past Reina to inflict Liverpool’s heaviest league defeat in eight seasons and cap a sparkling Tottenham performance.

Liverpool boss Dalglish believes Spurs’ flying start to the game made it difficult for his side to find their feet.

“I think Tottenham started really well and played really well,” said Dalglish. “It’s best that we stick to what we can dictate the future of and that is playing football. We cannot legislate for results.

“We also want to be respectful to Tottenham who played particularly well.”