CHIEF Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock reported "live" for this web site.

These are his reports.

19.55pm: SPURS v Wanderers

SAM Allardyce reverted to his "Premiership" line-up for this Sky TV showpiece game at White Hart Lane - Jussi Jaaskelainen, who has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United, the only player who started the Worthington Cup victory over Southampton to keep his place.

There was one enforced change, Gareth Farrelly going into midfield in place of the suspended Paul Warhurst.

Glenn Hoddle was able to field Uruguayan midfielder Gus Poyet, who was declared fit after being stretchered off in the 3-1 home victory over Newcastle nine days ago. Les Ferdinand, who had been doubtful with a knee injury, was on the bench with fans' favourite, Sergiy Rebrov getting the nod to partner Teddy Sheringham in attack.

Spurs: Sullivan, Perry, Richards, King, Davies, Ziege, Freund, Poyet, Anderton, Sheringham, Rebrov. Subs: Ferdinand, Leonhardsen, Thatcher, Bunjevcevic, Beasant.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, N'Gotty, Bergsson, Whitlow, Charlton, Gardner, Nolan, Frandsen, Farrelly, Wallace, Ricketts. Subs: Hansen, Holdsworth, Southall, Johnson, Poole.

Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset).

20:58: SPURS 0, WANDERERS 1.

Half-time

MICHAEL Ricketts started his birthday celebrations early when he fired Wanderers into an eighth minute lead.

The Reebok Rocket - 23 tomorrow - gave Spurs keeper Neil Sullivan no chance with a low left-footer after Kevin Nolan had cleverly back-heeled Bruno N'Gotty's pass to tee him up.

It was Ricketts' 12th goal of the season - his 10th in the Premiership - and it stunned Spurs, who went into the game in confident mood and in a rich vein of form.

They might have equalised four minutes later when Christian Ziege curled in a gem of a free kick - only to see Jussi Jaaskelainen launch himself to his right to touch the ball round for a corner.

It was one of the saves that have made the Mighty Finn one of the hottest goalkeeping properties on the market, sparking intense speculation that a big money move is just round the corner, and there was another to savour when he got down to save from Gus Poyet after the Uruguyan had worked a neat one-twop with Teddy Sheringham.

But it was not all Spurs in an entertaining first period. N'Gotty had a shot blocked after Simon Charlton and Nolan had figured in a trademark counter-attack and Rod Wallace forced a good save out of Sullivan after Gareth Farrelly and Per Frandsen had paved the way.

It was a committed display with Nolan and Ricketts picking up bookings for fouls - but a corner count of 5-5 to Spurs was an indication of their contribution on the attacking front.

21:57: SPURS 3, WANDERERS 2.

A TEDDY Sheringham goal five minutes from time cost Wanderers a point at White Hart Lane, where they produced class and courage in equal measures to push Glenn Hoddle's Spurs to the limits.

The veteran England international connected with a glancing header to convert Christian Ziege's free kick to send the home fans wild with delight.

But it robbed Wanderers of a draw they'd worked hard for.

The class came from Michael Ricketts, who fired them into an eighth minute lead, and from Jussi Jaaskelainen, who made a magnificent save to keep out Ziege's first half free kick. The courage came after they conceded two goals in the first three minutes of the second period - the first a Gus Poyet header after the ball had twice rebounded off the woodwork, the second a well-worked effort from Les Ferdinand, whose introduction made all the difference.

They responded with character, Rod Wallace equalising on 56 minutes and Kevin Nolan missing a golden opportunity to snatch all three points when he planted a close-range header wide of the post, before Sheringham snatched the victory that took Spurs to fifth in the table.

Spurs: Sullivan, Perry, Richards, King, Davies, Ziege, Freund, Poyet, Anderton, Sheringham, Rebrov. Subs: Ferdinand for Freund (h-t), Bunjevcevic for Perry (h-t), Leonhardsen for Rebrov 86 mins. Not used: Thatcher, Beasant.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, N'Gotty, Bergsson, Whitlow, Charlton, Gardner, Nolan, Frandsen, Farrelly, Wallace, Ricketts. Subs: Holdsworth for Ricketts 74 mins, Johnson for Gardner 86 mins, Hansen for Farrelly 86 mins. Not used: Southall, Poole.

Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset).

Attendance: 32,971.