Soccer-Mixed day for Tugay as Rovers and Spurs draw

LONDON, Nov 19 (Reuters) Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tugay scored a contender for goal of the season then got sent off in a bad-tempered 1-1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League today.

Tugay sent a fizzing 25-metre volley past Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson to give Rovers the lead after 23 minutes but blotted his copybook on the hour when he clipped Hossam Ghaly to concede a penalty that was tucked away by Jermain Defoe.

Ghaly also received a red card in stoppage time when he was deemed to have elbowed defender Michael Gray.

In the day's other action Aston Villa missed out on third spot despite escaping with a fortunate 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic -- Wigan's first goalless draw in the top flight.

Injury-hit Villa were indebted to some smart goalkeeping from Thomas Sorensen as they ended Wigan's run of four successive league wins.

With just a minute on the clock Sorensen somehow kept out a fierce close-range header from Lee McCulloch.

Villa did almost take the lead with their first real attack, however, when Peter Whittingham's right-foot volley hit the post after 13 minutes.

Henri Camara blazed wastefully wide for Wigan in the first half when through on goal and shortly after the break Villa had a big let-off when defender Isaiah Osbourne dived to intercept a cross but headed the ball against his own post.

''They were miles better than us in the first half, but after halftime we came into it more and looked more dangerous,'' Villa manager Martin O'Neill told Sky Sports.

Villa stay fifth with 22 points while Wigan move above Liverpool into ninth.

HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL Tottenham, still searching for a first away win in the league, looked to be heading for defeat after Tugay had given Rovers the lead with his stunner.

However, the visitors got back on level terms with a highly controversial equaliser.

Egyptian Ghaly showed great control as he surged into the penalty area but was clipped as he dinked the ball inside Tugay who was racing back to defend.

Having consulted with his assistant, referee Phil Dowd then showed a red card to the bemused Tugay despite furious protests from Rovers players who felt there had been no contact.

Defoe, given a rare start in place of Robbie Keane, kept his cool to drill his spot kick low past Brad Friedel.

Tottenham survived a strong penalty appeal at the other end when their striker Mido appeared to control a cross with his arm.

Despite being a man down, Rovers came closest to a winner when striker Benni McCarthy's instinctive backheeled volley brought a fine save out of Robinson.

Blackburn stay 15th, just three points above the relegation zone, while Tottenham, whose manager Martin Jol was also sent from the dugout after Ghaly's dismissal, are joint 12th.

Reuters SP DB2351