TOTTENHAM only score in extra time to spare their FA Cup blushes over non-league Tamworth.
FA Cup 2024/2025
0-3
- Nathan Tshikuna (101' OG)
- Kulusevski (107')
- Brennan Johnson (118')
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1' match event for Tamworth vs Tottenham
1' Highlight of Tamworth vs Tottenham
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60' match event for Tamworth vs Tottenham
65' Highlight of Tamworth vs Tottenham
71' match event for Tamworth vs Tottenham
90' Highlight of Tamworth vs Tottenham
91' Highlight of Tamworth vs Tottenham
101' OWN GOAL! Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham (Dominic Solanke)
107' GOAL! Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham (Dejan Kulusevski)
118' GOAL! Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham
Match report
TOTTENHAM needed an own goal in extra time to spare their FA Cup blushes against non-league Tamworth.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou saw his side struggle to impress in the Lambs' tight ground with the home fans breathing down their necks.
But with a fully strong squad in Staffordshire, this was a display that was almost embarrassing before the Tottenham boss brought his big guns off the bench.
Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson added their opener, which went in off Tamworth's Nathan Tshikuna
Sure, Spurs made it to the fourth round – but it was anything but convincing for 90 minutes – and they held on at the end of normal time, with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky making two important saves.
Tamworth took the Premier League side to extra time – an achievement in itself and indicative of a decidedly average Tottenham game.
Spurs finally broke the deadlock when Pedro Porro's free-kick found Johnson and his cross deflected off sub Tshikuna's knee.
Tottenham were then able to control the match and added number two in the second half of extra time when Kulusevski whipped in Son Heung-Min's cross.
The pair had come off the bench for the extra half hour and their presence proved a step too far for an impressive Tamworth defence.
Johnson made it three with two minutes to go to give the final score a more credible look.
But the biggest day in Lambs history started when they had to repair a hole in the net.
The comedy episode ended with a joint effort from Tamworth duo Jordan Cullinane-Liburd and Beck-Ray Enoru.
But the wait didn't seem to have any effect on Tamworth's nerves
It was Enoru who finally closed the net – and a minute later he pulled off a sharp save from Tottenham's new fan favorite Antonin Kinsky.
There may be five divisions between the two teams, but Spurs looked uneasy on the plastic pitch.
Tottenham captain James Maddison looked the man most likely to break the deadlock but he was denied time and time again by Tamworth keeper Jas Singh.
Enoru caused Spurs problems on the left, but captain Ben Milnes had to make a crucial block on the line.
The talk before the match was that Tottenham might not like this tie – with the Portakabin dressing rooms and the separate crowd.
And Timo Werner's quiet first half seemed to reflect that.
But after the break he had two chances to open the scoring.
Werner had a header cleared off the line by Hadyn Hollis – but he should have done better when a mix-up at the back gave him a chance, but Singh spread out well to keep Tamworth level.
Postecoglou brought Dominic Solanke off the bench in the 22nd minute to try to break through.
The fact that Tamworth had made it this far into the match on level terms was a sign of Tottenham's anxiety as they became increasingly desperate to break down a match they were expected to win with ease.
Lambs boss Andy Peaks sent on two substitutions with 10 minutes to go: Alex Fletcher and Kai Williams.
Long throw specialist Tom Tonks was substituted with five minutes to go.
But the 90 minutes ended with Tamworth fans taunting Postecoglou with chants of 'You're getting fired in the morning'.
It was a rare goalless draw in 90 minutes for Spurs.
Postecoglou responded by bringing in more key players in the form of Son and Kulusevski, which aided Tamworth's excellent performance.
And it had the desired effect, but Spurs could easily have been on the wrong side if something was wrong.
Setups
Tamworth
Subs: Alex Fletcher, Kennedy Digie, Matt Curley, Kyle Finn, Munashe Sundire, Kai Williams, Chris Wreh, Leon Phillips, Nathan Tshikuna
Tottenham
Subs: Son, Solanke, Austin, Kulusevski, Djed Spence, Alfie Dorrington, Lucas Bergvall, Will Lankshear, Callum Olusesi
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