EPL Week 2 - Stoke vs. Spurs

Saturday's match up in Brittania Stadium had all the makings of a trap game for Spurs. An inferior opponent, sandwiched in between Championship League games seemed like it would be an easy match to look over. As it turns out, Spurs were lucky to escape with the victory.
Despite Gareth Bale's two goals, a controversial disallowed goal in the remaining minutes became the highlight of the match and will only further the argument that instant replay should be utilized in the EPL.
Stoke's Jon Walters secured a header from short range that appeared to have gone over the goal line after it bounced off a defender's chest back into the field of play. I didn't have the best picture quality, but it certainly looked like the entire ball crossed the goal line. The goal would have tied the game up for a Stoke side that played much better in the second half.
Bale struck first for Spurs on a somewhat lucky goal. Peter Crouch collected Bale's rebound and weakly headed the ball to the goalkeeper. When Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen tried to clear the header, it bounced off Bale's head and found its way into the goal.
However, Bale's second goal was anything but cheap. He perfectly struck a volley from Aaron Lennon into the upper right hand corner of the net. The goal was technically one of the best we'll see all year.
In between Bale's goals, Stoke struck off a set piece. Ricardo Fuller found the ball in front of the net off of a corner and easily scored in the 25th minute.
Set pieces were a problem for Spurs the entire game. Stoke had plenty of scoring opportunities off set pieces due in combination to an inconsistent back line of defense and poor goalkeeping decisions. Spurs' performance, especially in the second half, didn't bode well for the second leg of their match up against Young Boys on Wednesday. They need to get that together or will be eliminated early from the Champions League.
Jermain Defoe missed this week's game after pulling a groin muscle while playing on the artificial turf against Young Boys. Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos, and Roman Pavyluchenko also suffered injuries in that game and were left out of the lineup for Saturday's match.
To advance in the Champions League, Spurs need to defeat Young Boys by two goals or more on Wednesday. They will need their strikers to get healthy to have a chance at advancement, but don't expect manager Harry Redknapp to rush anyone back. He knows it is a long EPL season and is intent on contending for the title.