The best first half ever (almost) - Jol

Last updated : 03 November 2005 By Spurs mad

"We dominated the first half, created chances and I knew in the back of my mind we should have scored a second goal to kill them off. We had chances for Mido, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas and we could and should have scored more goals, so we're disappointed.

"We didn't give away many chances though, just a half-chance to Ljungberg and it went well overall in the first half, we had a good plan and it worked.

"We did well and pressurised them as a team and I was very pleased with my midfield - Carrick, Jenas and Tainio on the left.

"In the second half you saw a slightly different Arsenal and slightly different Tottenham. I think it was still okay 15, 20 minutes and then after a few substitutions Arsenal came back into it.

"There was a bit more space between midfield and their two attacking players and you always know with their quality up front that they are capable of getting a goal."

"People said afterwards that we played well but I still think we should have won it. I asked the lads on Tuesday how they felt about it and they had the same feeling as me - disappointed we didn't win. Everyone can say 'okay, they didn't beat us' but on the day, at home, with our supporters, we couldn't do something special for them in the end - but I think we all saw a fine match.

"It was a great opportunity to get three points and that's the most important thing. But overall, I think we're doing well. When everyone is on the board or even if we have one or two missing, we still have a fine team. Edgar Davids was out but Teemu Tainio came in and did a good job, the strikers played well, Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas in midfield and at the back - I think Arsenal had their first shot after about 65 minutes, so that says it all."