Green keeps Spurs at bay in battle of shot-stoppers

Tottenham 0 Norwich 0

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was at White Hart Lane to see Green and Tottenham's Paul Robinson the man in possession of the goalkeeping jersey right now produce a string of super saves to keep the game goalless.

The pick of the bunch for man-of-the-match Green came after 68 minutes. Substitute Simon Davies delivered a deep cross and Timothee Atouba's low volley was clawed to safety at his right post.

"I am lucky because I see Robert every day," said Norwich boss Worthington.

"I see him week-in and week-out and he is a quality young man and he has got all the potential in the world to go right to the top as far as international level is concerned.

"Make no mistake, the young man is very focused and knows what he wants. Between him and everyone at the club we'll work together to make sure he gets there.

"It is wonderful for Mr Eriksson and for the country as a whole to see two young goalkeepers with such quality in the squad.

"I think Paul is slightly ahead of Robert simply because he has been in the squad a lot longer. His time is next but hopefully Robert can stay in the squad and do well for Norwich.

"You never know when there will be a loss of form or an injury so he can get a game or two which will be absolutely fantastic."

Tottenham boss Jacques Santini agreed Green was the reason his team failed to secure the win which would have lifted them into third place in the Barclays Premiership.

"I am not disappointed with our performance, just the result," said Santini. "We had a lot of chances to score but Green made four or five international saves today he was the man-of-the-match."

While Green saved Norwich, it was Robinson making his 100th career league appearance who came to Tottenham's rescue after 62 minutes when he made a vital block with his legs to deny Darren Huckerby.

Spurs had a corner which was plucked from the air by Green, and he released Huckerby in space on the left.

The tricky striker got past Noureddine Naybet and had only Robinson to beat but the goalkeeper made a vital stop.

As well as the goalkeepers, Ledley King produced one of the tackles of the season after 74 minutes to deny Darren Huckerby what appeared a certain goal.

Worthington said: "I am very, very pleased. It was a workmanlike performance with some good football thrown into it.

"In the first-half we passed the ball well but gave it away cheaply, but we kept them to long range efforts so they didn't cause our goalkeeper any real problems.

"Our objective in the second-half was to get at the Spurs goal and I thought we did that in good style.

"We could have nicked it and we could have lost it so I think it was a fair result.

"Our goalkeeper made one or two big saves in the second-half and showed what he can do.

"It has been an encouraging start, it is a marathon not a sprint.

"We are still looking for our first win but I am happy with our performance level and quality of play.

"This was the first game in which we haven't scored, but also the first game in which we kept a clean sheet so there are a lot of plusses and I am very pleased."

Santini felt his players did not get the result their efforts deserved, and felt the recent international break played its part.

He said: "I am disappointed that my players' effort was not compensated.

"I had a lot of players away on international duty and maybe they were a little tired after 75 minutes.

"At least we have a week ahead with only good training sessions, whereas the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have Champions League football."

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Pamarot, King, Naybet, Edman, Brown (Davies 65), Pedro Mendes, Redknapp, Atouba (Jackson 83), Defoe, Kanoute (Keane 72).

NORWICH: Green, Fleming, Edworthy, Charlton, Drury, Bentley (Helveg 90), Holt, Safri (McVeigh 75), Francis, Doherty (McKenzie 83), Huckerby.

Referee: H Webb