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Where are they now: Tottenham's side from lasagne-gate

As fate would have it, two food-based derbies are happening this weekend. On Friday night, title ...



Where are they now: Tottenham&...
Soccer

Where are they now: Tottenham's side from lasagne-gate

As fate would have it, two food-based derbies are happening this weekend.

On Friday night, title chasing Tottenham visit West Ham again, 11 years on from the infamous Lasagne-gate that saw Arsenal leapfrog them into the Champions League places when all Spurs needed to do on the final day was match their derby rivals' result.

And the Gunners themselves, who lost the North London derby to Spurs on Sunday, welcome Manchester United to the Emirates, almost 13 years on from Pizzagate.

That latter match was the beginning of the decline for Arsenal as Man United foiled the Invincibles, sparking the post-match Battle of the Buffet.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to West Ham on May 6th 2006 was not helped by the fact that much of the Spurs squad were badly affected by food poisoning, with lasagne at the team hotel bearing the brunt of the blame.

This season might see Spurs miss out on the title to a rampant Chelsea but in contrast to 2006, they'll be sealing Champions League football while simultaneously denting Arsenal's hopes of keeping hold of a Top Four place for yet another season.

But what are the members of the starting team from Tottenham's Lasagne-gate fiasco up to these days?

Paul Robinson

The former England No 1 was just months away from an incident in October 2006 on international duty when a Gary Neville backpass would bobble just before Robinson could kick the ball, resulting in a goal trickling in for Croatia.

The 37 year old would leave Tottenham in 2008 for a seven year spell at Blackburn Rovers and remains in the game today with Premier League side Burnley, making three top flight appearances in all. 

Stephen Kelly

The former Ireland right back left Spurs in the summer of 2006 and last won an Ireland cap back in 2014. At 33, he is now at Rotherham United. 

Michael Dawson

The centre back arrived at Tottenham along with ex-Ireland midfielder Andy Reid from Nottingham Forest back in 2005 and he would remain at White Hart Lane for nine years. 

The 33 year old left for Hull City in 2014 where he is club captain. 

Anthony Gardner

Dawson's defensive partner on the day has since retired. The 36 year old spent eight years at Tottenham before departing permanently to Hull in 2008.

He finished his career in 2014 with a two year spell at Sheffield Wednesday. 

Since then he has been involved on the poker circuit, winning a tournament back in March. 

Young Pyo Lee

The former South Korea international arrived at Spurs in 2005 from PSV, three years on from helping his country to the semi finals of the World Cup.

He would depart for Borussia Dortmund in 2008, before retiring at Vancouver Whitecaps in 2013. 

Speaking after his decision, Lee touched on ambitions to study business while he was also contracted to do commentary on South Korean TV for the 2014 World Cup. 

Aaron Lennon

The former England and Leeds winger was part of the Spurs squad for a decade before leaving permanently in 2015.

The 30 year old has 11 Premier League appearances to his name this season for Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur's Young-Pyo Lee (l) congratulates goal scorer Robbie Keane (r). 
Malcolm Couzens/PA Archive/PA Images

Michael Carrick

The Manchester United veteran was one of the players who struggled most with the effects of food poisoning during the match against his first club West Ham.

The 35 year old last just over an hour before Andy Reid came on in his place.

After leaving Spurs that summer, he has become integral at Manchester United due to his excellent passing ability. 

However, his contract at Old Trafford runs out this summer.

Edgar Davids

"The Pitbull" as he became known due to his intense style of play, Davids arrived at Spurs in 2005 after a career that had taken him from Ajax and AC Milan to Juventus, Barcelona and Internazionale, winning everything at club level.

The former Netherlands international would go on to manage English League Two side Barnet from 2012 to 2014, suffering relegation in that time.

He was in Dublin last summer where he spoke to Newstalk ahead of the Celtic vs Barcelona friendly at Aviva Stadium. 

Teemu Tainio

The former Finland midfielder spent three years at Tottenham between 2005 and 2008 and the 37 year old retired three years ago in his homeland with HJK Helsinki.

His son Maximus recently signed for Tottenham's academy and Tainio has maintained ties with his former club in a scouting capacity.

Robbie Keane

You'll know all about the all time Ireland record goalscorer of course. He was speaking to Newstalk last week where he confirmed that he will continue his club career abroad.

Jermain Defoe 

The striker has been the sole shining light for Sunderland in a fruitless battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

He would score the only Tottenham goal against West Ham in the lasagne-gate match. 

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