Time for Defoe to deliver as Spurs' title credentials are scrutinised

SOCCER ANGLES:Even on a day when Wenger and Ferguson clash again, Man City v Spurs takes top billing, writes MICHAEL WALKER

SO IT’S first versus third in the Premier League tomorrow. And it’s also Arsenal v Manchester United.

There are plenty of days and years when it can be said the invention of the Premier League in 1992 has led to a narrowing of true, lasting competition, to a concentration of wealth at the top and to a shudder of economic trauma below. Those concerns never depart.

But there are afternoons when we are prepared to set them aside and revel in the quality on display and tomorrow should be one of those occasions. Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal v United – these games lead to lip-smacking anticipation.

Even those of us who experience the odd sceptical twinge about the Premier League can be prodded into awed recollection of August 28th when City won 5-1 at White Hart Lane, shortly before Arsenal lost 8-2 at Old Trafford.

Manchester 13, London 3: that was the glowing northern headline.

It is highly unlikely we’ll ever see such scorelines between the clubs again, never mind tomorrow. The thing is, you never know – City have won 6-1 at United this season, and they probably haven’t forgotten that, not even over the past 21 days when Roberto Mancini’s team have lost three times.

That short run began with a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, which was hardly a true reflection of the pattern of the game. Then there was the absorbing 3-2 loss to United in the FA Cup, a match still reverberating due to the dismissal of City captain Vincent Kompany and his subsequent suspension.

Five days after that came a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final. The second leg, at Anfield, is next Wednesday. After the first, Alan Hansen declared on TV that City were in “crisis”.

That felt like a strong interpretation of results and was not reinforced by Monday night’s crucial 1-0 win at Wigan.

But City were and remain in a testing situation. Kompany is still suspended and the captain is missing at the same time as the midfield leader Yaya Toure, who is away at the African Cup of Nations with brother Kolo.

If City can beat Tottenham with those two missing then tomorrow will be seen as an upward turning point for Mancini’s squad, just as Carlos Tevez leaves it. A draw might also muffle some of the noise around Spurs’ title challenge. These are City’s upside scenarios.

But if Tottenham were to avenge August’s 5-1 loss, then not only would belief in the Londoners soar, within and without, in Manchester Mancini would be surrounded by loud questions. So victory at Eastlands could be telling for both clubs.

Gareth Bale reminded people in November that Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor had not played against City in August, and Adebayor’s loan arrangements mean he is unavailable tomorrow.

But Parker will be, and Harry Redknapp spent a chunk of his newspaper column yesterday talking up the prowess of Jermain Defoe. “It’s been difficult for him (Defoe) at Tottenham this season,” said Redknapp, “now, with Manu’s loan terms preventing him from playing against parent club Man City, Jermain has a chance to make a huge impact on the title race.”

In Spurs’ last 11 games, Defoe has six goals. He also has six starts, which is why Redknapp acknowledged the striker’s “frustration”.

Defoe scored only four Premier League goals last season, during which he was injured. He began this one stating how “big” it could be for him. This is an opportunity to confirm that. Defoe has the ability to be England’s number nine. Altering a title race would enhance that prospect.

Alex Ferguson will observe from north London and hope Defoe corners Mancini. Then he will wish to do the same to Arsène Wenger. Despite the strange shape of their season, United are second in the league, but they, like Spurs, have a tougher run of games in the next six weeks than City. Boxing off Arsenal would still bring pleasure.

Looking at those future fixtures with anticipation is evidence of a genuine three-way title fight, and the season is only two games past its halfway mark. It may sound optimistic to Chelsea ears, but there is time.

So, too, for Arsenal. They could turn the season that included an early 8-2 defeat to United into a Champions League qualification. But Arsenal need to pick up. After last Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Swansea, Wenger said he found the result and the manner of Arsenal’s defending “difficult to explain”.

His critics would say otherwise. Arsenal have one clean sheet in the last six league games.

In a way, tomorrow matters most to Arsenal. They are already 15 points adrift of City and 10 of Tottenham. Were Newcastle and Liverpool to win today, Arsenal would actually begin tomorrow seventh. It is why, even on a day when Wenger and Ferguson clash again, Man City v Spurs, first v third, is top of an intriguing bill.

Forest's net stats make dismal reading

BEFORE KICK-OFF last Saturday, Nottingham Forest had failed to score in nine of their previous 11 games, a spell that had left the famous club perilously placed in the Championship relegation zone.

In the week since, Forest have played twice and lost 3-0 and 4-0 to Southampton and Leicester City respectively. So it's 11 in 13 now and today Forest go to promotion-chasing West Ham United.

Steve Cotterill became the third manager in the year 2011 when he arrived in October. Now Forest have added Sean O'Driscoll to their coaching staff. O'Driscoll's talent is not in question and if Forest's form changes, it may not be Cotterill who gets the credit.

But that's a big "if".

IT SEEMS longer but it was just over two years ago that Steve Staunton of all people turned up in Darlington to be unveiled as one of the frequently-ailing club's 12 managers this century.

"The club have fantastic potential," Staunton said on his first day in October 2009, "that's why I'm here. I did my homework".

Staunton lasted until March 2010. Darlington were bottom of League Two when he took over and they were still there when he departed.

Darlington were relegated to the Conference and a fortnight ago were placed in administration, for the third time.

On Wednesday lunchtime Darlington were liquidated only to be revived in remarkable scenes 20 minutes later.

They now have a fortnight to find new owners but that means they can play today's game at home to Fleetwood.

There should be a bumper crowd, revenue and a good feeling. Let's hope it lasts longer than Staunton did at the club.