New Premiership star stands in way of record

Last updated : 06 January 2005 By Alistair Murray

Another Tottenham victory would set a new record of six consecutive wins in the Premiership this season. That statistic is jointly held with Arsenal since Spurs recorded a fifth league win in a row on Boxing Day.

The opponents from south London haven't won in eight league games but did hold Arsenal at Selhurst Park to a 1-1 draw on November 6. In contrast with the current Spurs side, only four of Dowie's starters against Portsmouth on Boxing Day arrived in the summer and they cost less than £2m in total.

Iain Dowie's struggling side have three key players but is under no illusions to the fact Michael Hughes in midfield and Andy Johnson in attack need support. Much has depended recently on the performances of Kiraly in goal to prevent worse results for the Premiership newboys.

The 28-year-old joined Hertha Berlin in 1997, where he became recognised as the goalkeeper who wore grey jogging trousers. He played more than 200 league games for the German side.

Before the start of this season, Dowie had signed Kiraly on a free transfer. The Hungarian stopper made his Premiership debut against Aston Villa and was in outstanding form, only losing out on that occasion to a thunderous Lee Hendrie effort. The defeat was followed by four Palace wins in October.

Kiraly played particularly well in their recent goalless draw with Blackburn when it looked like the Lancashire side would take maximum points from Selhurst Park. He also saved a Wayne Rooney penalty at Old Trafford this month and kept out a close range effort from an unmarked Steve Stone and a header by Yakubu from the resulting corner against Portsmouth on Boxing Day.