4th November 1990
TOTTENHAM (0) 1 (Lineker 50)
LIVERPOOL (1) 3 (Rush 38, 48, Beardsley 67)
TOTTENHAM: Thorstvedt; Bergsson (Thomas), Sedgeley, Mabbutt, van den Hauwe; Stewart, Allen, Gascoigne, Howells; Nayim (Walsh), Lineker
LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar; Burrows, Hysen, Gillespie, Staunton, Ablett; Nicol, McMahon, Molby; Rush, Barnes (Beardsley)
Liverpool arrived at White Hart Lane in November 1990 in scintillating form. They were unbeaten from the start of the season, winning 10 of their 11 games so far. Only 5 clubs had managed to score against them. Tottenham too, were unbeaten although they’d only managed to win 6 of their matches, but had only conceded 4 goals up to this point. Liverpool were the defending League Champions.
Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, outwitted his counterpart, Terry Venables, with a formation which nullified Spurs most attacking options. David Burrows did such a good marking job on Paul Gascoigne that the England man resorted to fouls to vent his frustration. Liverpool suffered an early blow when John Barnes suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury. Beardsley was his replacement and would have a hand in an impressive victory.
McMahon and Nicol combined well on the right and then Molby produced an impudent chip to release Ian Rush. The home defence hesitated and Rush made them pay with the opening goal 7 minutes from the break. Early in the second half, Rush doubled the lead with his 10thgoal of the season. The move was started by Beardsley and again involved Molby with Burrows too in evidence. Tottenham hit back almost immediately as Lineker pounced on a loose ball in the area and his low shot was too hot for Grobbelaar to keep out.
But the home side were unable to make any further impression as Liverpool were in complete control, and Bruce Grobbelaar, making his 500th appearance for Liverpool, was untroubled. Rush then turned provider as he laid on a chance for Beardsley and the little striker tucked the ball away to give Liverpool a 3-1 win. Liverpool restored their 4pt lead at the top, but would be ultimately disappointed in a tempestuous season which saw the resignation of Kenny Dalglish. Arsenal won the League by 7pts from Liverpool in 2nd place and Tottenham finished down in 10th, although they had the FA Cup to celebrate when they beat Nottingham Forest.