Spurs in History - a Leap Year Extra

29th February, 1964

Birmingham City 1 Spurs 2 1st Division

This is the last occasion that Spurs played on this unusual date. A First Division game at St. Andrews saw Spurs take the two points through goals from Cliff Jones and a Jimmy Greaves’ penalty. This was a transitional period after the ‘Double’ and Nicholson’s next successful team.

Danny Blanchflower was about to retire through injury, Dave Mackay was injured and Bill Brown and Bobby Smith were out of favour. The team contained some unfamiliar faces, including a centre-half, Laurie Brown, signed from Arsenal, playing at centre-forward.

Nicholson was active in the transfer market and a number of new players would soon be arriving at White Hart Lane, the nucleus of the new team - Alan Mullery, Jimmy Robertson, Pat Jennings and Cyril Knowles would all arrive before the start of the next season.

Spurs in History - 28th February

28th February, 1996

Nottingham Forest 2 Spurs 2

Nine days earlier this F.A.Cup 5th Round tie was abandoned after 15 minutes because of snow. At the second attempt, Forest took an early fourth minute lead but Spurs managed to equalise through Chris Armstrong on eight minutes. Armstrong’s second goal after 28 minutes put Spurs ahead before succumbing to a second superbly struck free-kick in the 72nd minute to take the tie to a replay at White Hart Lane on the Saturday of the 6th Round matches.

Spurs in History - 27th February

Two goal hero Martin Chivers celebrates winning the League Cup with manager Bill Nicholson and captain Alan Mullery

27th February, 1971
Aston Villa 0 Spurs 2 League Cup Final at Wembley

Having defeated Swansea, Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City and Bristol City to reach their first League Cup Final, Spurs had to play 3rd Division Aston Villa, not as easy a task as could have been expected.

Villa made it very difficult for Spurs but they eventually came through thanks to two excellent goals late in the second half. With twelve minutes remaining, Martin Chivers scored against the run of play and then three minutes later added a second.

Chivers' late strikes maintained Spurs 100% record in Cup Finals and Bill Nicholson had produced another winning team that was about to uphold the Spurs tradition of Cup success in the coming years at home and in Europe.

Team:Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery (Capt), Collins, Beal: Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Neighbour. Sub: Pearce.

Martin Jol's New Improved Tottenham

Martin Jol’s New Improved Tottenham

(from Logan's Column on www.Topspurs.com)

What a change! Whatever happened at the training ground in the days following the defeat at Sheffield United – it’s had the desired effect. That’s all that supporters have been looking for – a team that is committed, players who show they want to play for Spurs, players for whom winning matters and who are playing to their ability and in a style that is more akin to the Tottenham ‘way’.

Certainly, the three wins have greatly boosted the player’s confidence and raised the spirit within the team and the players are playing with a style and flair that many had despaired of ever seeing from them.

The players showed against Fulham that they were prepared to compete and took the goal scoring chances when they presented themselves. They carried this endeavour forward into the Everton game and played a skilful passing game that had Everton bewildered. It was only after the goal from their fortunate free-kick that Everton started to exert themselves. However, Spurs set aside their annoyance at that decision and showed resilience uncommon for Spurs’ teams and battled through the second half and became stronger through the final minutes as Jenas scored the winner.

The opening minutes against Bolton were unbelievable. Going into this game everyone knew how they expected Bolton to play and Spurs’ results showed that they have had great difficulty against them in recent seasons – only one win in eight games. Most supporters would have been expecting a very tight, competitive game with Spurs having to battle for any opportunity to play football against a very well organised team. They would have been grateful for a hard-earned win to maintain the momentum of the past week. However, in those opening minutes Spurs were a revelation, playing creative, exciting football that had Bolton reeling and in disarray as they found themselves three goals down within twenty minutes – the stuff that dreams are made of. Spurs continued to dominate and looked likely to add to their goal tally when Bolton were awarded a penalty and Robbie Keane was sent off.

Was the dream going to turn into a horrible nightmare? That thought must have been going through every Spurs supporter’s mind as they recalled how Spurs have folded in the past when put under constant pressure. Somehow, Spurs survived and got through to half-time without conceding another goal but they were under pressure and it wasn’t looking good. Could they hold out for the second half – an early Bolton goal was the fear, but Spurs showed early signs that they could take the Bolton pressure and be dangerous on the counter attack. Dimitar Berbatov caused Bolton constant problems and showed his class throughout the game – he always looked capable of scoring or setting someone else up for a goal. Spurs displayed their new found resilience and slowly minute by minute the half ticked away and, in fact, the Bolton goalkeeper was busier than Paul Robinson, so well had Spurs marshalled their defence to ensure they gave Bolton not a glimmer of hope that they could win. Then to add the final touch to a perfect day, Aaron Lennon scored the fourth goal in added time – one that Spurs fully deserved.

How has this change come about? The defence has been much tighter and Robinson has looked to be returning to his best form while the strikers have taken the goal scoring opportunities that have been on offer. Mido worked hard against Fulham while Berbatov returned and played well alongside Keane, working together for the team and providing movement that has made it easier to make chances and create space for other players. Berbatov’s movement and touch have been outstanding and displayed his real class – making him very difficult for any defender to play against.

The improvement at the back and upfront has been important but the biggest difference has been in midfield. For much of the season, Spurs have had a midfield which has lacked pace and movement. They have been very static and ponderous, neither providing cover for the defence nor supporting the strikers. Only Aaron Lennon can be excluded from this criticism as on many occasions his pace and trickery have been the only creativity within the team and if he was out injured or not performing well, the team had nothing else to offer. The return of Jermaine Jenas from injury has brought vitality to central midfield and he uses his pace both in defensive duties and to support from midfield and his four goals since returning have been invaluable. He was often criticised but in his absence supporters have discovered his importance to the team. Didier Zokora has finally started to show why Spurs signed him in the summer. It has taken him a long time to adjust to football in the Premiership and hindered by illness, only occasionally did we see his pace and strength to take players on – now he is prepared to do it more often and the two central midfield players are working well as a partnership. The play of Teemu Tainio has also added strength to the team – if only he could stay clear of injury to get a consistent run in the team. Although, still missing a natural left sided player, this combination of players has given a balance to the team that had previously been missing. Constant player rotation didn’t help the team develop a style of play or allow the players to develop an understanding of how to play together. Perhaps Martin Jol has settled on his best options and will stay with the side as much as possible, keeping future team changes to a minimum.

The players are now playing with a passion that was lacking earlier in the season. The success in the Carling Cup and in Europe was papering over the cracks of the poor league form and the lack of motivation when under pressure. Too often Spurs succumbed to heavy defeats through a lack of fight and determination – they were too ready to accept defeat when things weren’t going their way, the poor away results and their poor goal difference are evidence to that. In the past three games the Spurs players have shown more passion – encouraging and rebuking each other where previously whatever happened was just accepted without blame or comment. Such a competitive attitude is essential if the players are to perform to the true level of their ability and skill and must be maintained in the coming weeks with a number of difficult games in League, FA Cup and Europe.

Two weeks ago, pressure was mounting on Martin Jol as disgruntled supporters aired their grievances on the team’s failings – now, in the space of a week – a Cup win followed by six points in the Premiership and Spurs fans can’t wait for the next game – a trip to play troubled West Ham United. The same urgency, determination, endeavour and application that have been displayed in the past week will be needed there and in the subsequent games against Braga and Chelsea. A week can be a long time in football but if the lessons of the past few games aren’t taken into the coming games then the past week’s success and enjoyment will have been as nothing and Spurs will still be in a cycle of success and failure, going nowhere fast.

Spurs in History - 26th February

26th February, 1962

Spurs 4 Dukla Prague 1 European Cup Quarter- Final 2nd Leg

A goal down from the first leg, Spurs returned to European Cup football at White Hart Lane determined to proceed to the next round. Jimmy Greaves was not eligible to make his European debut for Spurs so Tony Marchi came into the team. The pitch was covered with snow but Spurs attacking flair over-powered the Czechs. The match was virtually decided after fifteen minutes as Bobby Smith and Dave Mackay had scored to wipe out the first leg deficit. At the start of the second half a mistake by the Spurs defence allowed the visitors to score and level on aggregate, but Smith and Mackay continued their domination with two goals in a minute, one each, to see Spurs into the semi-finals.

Team: Brown: Baker, Henry; Marchi, Norman, Mackay; Medwin, White, Smith, Blanchflower, Jones.

Spurs in History - 25th February

25th February, 1904

Aston Villa 0 Spurs 1 FA Cup 2nd Round Replay

In the first match at White Hart Lane, five days earlier, there was a very large crowd of 32,000 with additional seating around the ground. At half-time a large number of spectators invaded the pitch and being unable to clear them, the referee abandoned the match with Villa one goal ahead. Spurs were fined £350 and ordered to replay the game at Villa Park.

Spurs went on to win the tie through a goal scored by Jack ‘Bristol’ Jones. The reason for the invasion is unclear but Spurs certainly benefited from it. It was said that this was the first time a crowd had invaded the pitch in an attempt to have a Cup tie abandoned but this was not the case. It seems to have been that having left their place in the stands most of the spectators were unable to get back to there. When it was announced that the game had been abandoned the crowd became very annoyed and made all sorts of threats. The police had to be called to clear the ground but there was no violence.

Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Preview

Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers

W W L L L W --- L W W D D L

Sunday, 25th February, 2007 K.O. 3.00pm
Referee: Graham Poll

Spurs will need their newly acquired endeavour and team spirit if they are to win over Bolton. I really want Spurs to win this game, to make up for the disappointment of that defeat on the opening day in August when all our optimism was dashed within minutes. Also, I’m fed up with Bolton turning us over so often and so easily – it’s time for a change and to add to last season’s hard-earned victory brought about by Aaron Lennon’s goal.

That solitary goal victory ended a sequence of six straight defeats in the Premiership back to March, 2003. However, prior to that Spurs had been undefeated in seven games, with three successive home wins and a win and two draws at Bolton.

Considering the recent difficulties against Bolton, Spurs home record in the Premiership isn’t too bad:

P 7 W 4 D 1 L3 For 11 Ag 8

And their overall League record is good:

P 38 W 23 D 6 L 9 For 71 Ag 40

Hopefully, Spurs will be able to build on those figures on Sunday with another win, a draw wouldn’t really be enough for Spurs at the moment – they need to build on the up-turn in form and keep the upward momentum going.

Everyone knows exactly how Bolton will play so Spurs should be well prepared for it and ready to battle against their hard-working side. Bolton are currently in 5th place in he Premiership, two points behind Arsenal and 11 points ahead of us If Spurs are going to close that gap it must start on Sunday. Spurs have played twice since Bolton lost in the Cup replay but they have won their last two League games against Fulham and at Watford. Uncharacteristically, Bolton only managed to draw with Charlton and lost 1-5 to Middlesbrough, al5though the Cup draw at the Emirates was sandwiched between those results. Nolan has caused Spurs a few problems in the past as have Anelka, Pedersen and Speed with important goals at crucial times. Campo’s long-range goal in August basically sealed Bolton’s victory and their goalkeeper, Jaaskelainen, usually performs well at White Hart Lane. Anelka is the leading scorer with 9, while a number of others contribute regularly – they’ve had five different goal scorers in the last six games. Nolan has 5 League and Cup goals with three in the last 6 games. Diouff has 5, Campo and Speed 4 each, Faye 2 and Pedersen 1.

Bolton will be without Tal Ben Haim and David Thompson who are suspended but Faye may return after injury.

To maintain Spurs’ recent improved form Martin Jol will probably make only a minimum of changes. Anthony Gardner is doubtful so Rocha may play. The manager then has to decide whether he goes for player rotation or stays with the players who have produced results at both Fulham and Everton – I know what my choice would be.

Spurs in History - 24th February

24th February, 2002

Spurs 1 Blackburn Rovers 2 [Worthington Cup Final at Millenium Stadium, Cardiff]

Spurs' performance was very disappointing, especially after the excellent display in the semi-final when they defeated Chelsea 5-1 at White Hart Lane in the 2nd leg of the semi-final. Spurs were favourites but the Blackburn players were more up for the game, the whole Spurs team performing below par. Blackburn took the lead after 24 minutes, only for Christian Ziege to equalize nine minutes later.

In the second half Spurs missed opportunities, especially Les Ferdinand, and were denied by the Blackburn goalkeeper but a mistake by Ledley King let in Blackburn for the winner after 68 minutes. Spurs tried but weren’t going to score and even appeals for a late penalty were turned down.

It was a long way back from Cardiff for the disappointed fans as Spurs suffered only the fourth Cup Final defeat in their history -

1973-74 UEFA Cup Final v Feyenoord

1981-82 League/Milk Cup Final v Liverpool

1986-87 FA Cup Final v Coventry City

Team: Sullivan; Taricco (Davies), Ziege, Perry, Thatcher, King, Sherwood, Poyet (Iversen), Anderton, Sheringham, Ferdinand.

Spurs in History - 23rd February

23rd February, 1901

Spurs 2 Bury 1 FA Cup 2nd Round

In 1901, no-one could accuse Spurs of having an easy ride in the FA Cup. Having removed 1st Division Preston from the competition in the previous round, they were drawn against Bury, the FA Cup holders. In the previous year’s Final Bury had brushed aside Southampton, Spurs’ rivals from the Southern League.

Spurs had home advantage but 1st Division Bury took the lead within two minutes, before some of the record crowd of 20,250 had taken their places inside White Hart Lane. Bury then dominated the game putting Spurs’ defence under constant pressure but in spite of Bury’s domination, they gradually managed to get themselves back into the game thanks to a fine display from goalkeeper Clawley.

After half an hour Spurs managed to score – very much against the run of play. From a rare foray into the Bury half, winger Tom Smith centred from the right and Sandy Brown scored the goal that completely changed the game. Spurs were filled with confidence and in the second half were a different team. Brown scored a second goal and while Bury recovered to fight back in an effort to retrieve the situation, it was Spurs, the non-League side, who were playing the cultured football and deservedly progressed to the next round.

Spurs in History - 22nd February

22nd February, 1937

Spurs 4 Everton 3 FA Cup 5th Round Replay

Spurs were a 2nd Division side and the match in Liverpool had seen them score through Jimmy McCormick with five minutes remaining, only for Everton who were in the 1st Division, to equalise in the last minute.

The 5th Round Replay, on the following Monday, surpassed that for excitement as Spurs looked to be going out of the Cup until a dramatic comeback. The pitch had been flooded and conditions were poor but Everton took control and went into a two goal lead. Spurs scored through Johnny Morrison in the 27th minute but in the second half after a Morrison ‘goal’ was disallowed, Everton extended their lead. With seven minutes remaining, Everton were awarded a penalty but the referee changed his decision as Everton had taken a throw-in incorrectly. A minute later Morrison scored Spurs' second, then with two minutes remaining Joe Meek equalised with a great solo goal and in the last minute Morrison scored the winner to complete his hat-trick and an amazing come-back by Spurs.

A Cup Classic witnessed by 46,972 spectators.

Everton Preview

Everton v Spurs 21st February, 2007

There’s nothing like a win to lift morale and the Fulham result has certainly done that, although the 6th Round Cup draw has brought a reality check to our optimism.  However, a visit to one of the few grounds where Spurs have a decent record is a good opportunity to build on the positives and give us our first Premiership win of 2007.

The Fulham result showed what Spurs can achieve with the right approach and all the players showing commitment and effort – just what we have been asking for over the past few weeks. A similar approach will be essential against Everton who have moved above Spurs and have 39 points in 8th place in the league. They started the season well and won at White Hart Lane, although their victory was more to do with the ineptitude of the Spurs’ performance that day. Spurs have a point to prove on Wednesday night to prevent Everton completing the ‘double’ over us for the first time since 1985-86 when Spurs lost at home in August and at Goodison Park in February, a worrying statistic.

After their good start, Everton’s form dipped but just as Spurs’ form since December has declined, Everton’s has been on the rise. Since losing to Chelsea in mid-December, they have lost only once in the League and won at Reading and Wigan and drew in the Liverpool derby. Their last home game saw them avenge the Cup defeat inflicted by Blackburn in the 3rd Round. Their recent goals have come mainly from Johnson, who’s always on the lookout for a penalty, and Arteta who has been supporting well from mid-field and with Cahill returning from injury Everton are a hard-working team who give little away.

A number of clubs rather disparagingly refer to White Hart Lane as ‘3 points Lane’ but Spurs could refer to the Everton home ground as ‘Goodwin Park’ as they have won their on their last two visits and have only lost on three occasions in the last sixteen League games played there. Spurs have an impressive recent League record over Everton:

HOME: P 17 W 10 D 6 L 1
AWAY: P 16 W 6 D 7 L 3
And the overall League record (H & A) against Everton reads:
P 139 W 52 D 43 L 44 For 218 Ag 188
Spurs will again need to be prepared to give as much as they did against Fulham and the starting line-up could well be along similar lines to Sunday when the team had a more balanced look. Defoe and Jenas are available after suspension but the old adage goes, ‘don’t change a winning team.’

A win would be good to build on Sunday’s performance and to provide some upward movement in the Premiership table where recent results have seen Spurs slide to 11th with a group of five clubs only three or less points behind them.

Spurs in History - 21st February

21st February, 1979

Wrexham 2 Spurs 3 FA Cup 4th Round Replay

Spurs were finding it difficult to re-establish themselves in the 1st Division having won promotion the previous year and their Cup progress in January, 1979 was proving problematic. They had the good fortune to receive a home tie in both of the opening rounds but progress in the Cup was being achieved the hard way as they had needed a replay to overcome non-League, Altrincham in the previous Round. The replay win over Altrincham had been Spurs’ first FA Cup success for six seasons, since defeating another non-League side, Margate, in 1973 which had been Bill Nicholson’s last FA Cup win as manager.

Again, drawn at home in the 4th Round, Wrexham proved equally as difficult. Spurs and Wrexham shared six goals with the 2nd Division side earning a deserved 3-3 draw in the first game at White Hart Lane. Glenn Hoddle, Chris Jones and an own goal accounted for Spurs’ quota.

Wrexham were deserving of the replay which went to extra time and Spurs can be grateful to an unlikely hero in Chris Jones who scored a hat-trick to secure victory. This was Spurs' second hat-trick in consecutive replays to see Spurs through by 3-2.

Spurs in History - 20th February

20th February, 1993

Spurs 4 Leeds United 0 Premiership

This was to be Terry Venables last season in charge of Spurs. He was putting together a promising team of experienced and younger players which was playing exciting, entertaining football as they won six consecutive League and Cup games. Teddy Sheringham who had been signed at the beginning of the season sfrom Nottingham Forest scored in the 9th minute and added his second before half-time. Neil Ruddock then added a third and Sheringham completed his first hat-trick for the Club with a penalty to give Spurs their best League win of the season, revenge for a five goal defeat at Elland Road in August.

Team work and the enthusiasm and skill of Nicky Barmby and Darren Anderton clearly demonstrated the entertaining style that had the fans believing that the good times were about to return to White Hart Lane.

Spurs in History - 19th February

19th February, 1983

Everton 2 Spurs 0 FA Cup 5th Round

All good things must come to an end and so it proved in the 5th Round match at Goodison Park. After over two seasons undefeated in the F.A.Cup Spurs went out rather tamely to Everton. In winning the Cup for the two previous seasons Spurs had played 18 games, winning 14 and being taken to 4 Replays including both Finals against Manchester City and Q.P.R.

After defeating Southampton and West Brom in the previous rounds an under strength team, lacking some of their top players through inevitable injury - Ardiles, Roberts, Miller and Archibald were all missing, gave a rather lack-lustre performance to surrender their hold of the Cup they had won so magnificently in the previous two seasons.

Team: Clemence, Hughton, Lacy, Price, Perryman, Hazard, Villa (Hoddle), Mabbutt,Galvin, Gibson, Crooks.


19th February, 1921

Southend United 1 Spurs 4 FA Cup 3rd Round

The score in this 1921 3rd Round game suggests a fairly routine victory with a 4-1 result over Third Division, Southend United. However, Spurs’ performance was not as impressive and they again required that element of luck every Cup winning team experiences. Spurs were lethargic and Southend went ahead after ten minutes. Spurs rallied and equalised through Jimmy Cantrell, only to allow the home team to take control again and earn a penalty just before half-time. The referee was not happy with the placing of the ball for the penalty and interfered on two occasions. This angered the Southend penalty-taker who argued with the referee and when he stepped up to strike the penalty he sent it wide of the post. After the interval Southend again took charge but in the last thirty minutes Spurs scored three times through Jimmy Banks, Bert Bliss and Jimmy Seed who scored the final goal.

19th February, 1996

Nottingham Forest 0 Spurs 0 FA Cup 5th Round (abandoned after 15 min - snow)

The 1996 5th Round game at Nottingham Forest is remembered by travelling supporters for their lengthy journey home through thick snow after the game was abandoned after fifteen minutes due to the snow. Spurs drew the re-arranged tie but lost the replay at Tottenham on penalties.

Spurs in History - 18th February

18th February, 1959

Norwich City 1 Spurs 0 FA Cup 5th Round Replay

For the third time in five seasons, Spurs were the victims of the FA cup giant-killers in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.

In 1955 they had fallen to York City who were in the 3rd Division(North). Spurs lost 1-3 at York who went on to reach the semi-final, only to lose in a replay to Newcastle United, the eventual Cup winners.

In 1957 Bournemouth caused them problems defeating them by a similar score. Bournemouth, in the 3rd Division, were managed by former Spur, Freddie Cox, and they countered everything that Spurs could offer. The south coast club had defeated Wolves in the previous round but lost art home to Manchester United in the next round.

This time, in 1959, Spurs must have expected to progress to the next Round when they drawn at home to 3rd Division Norwich who were the season’s giant-killers. Norwich had defeated Manchester United and Cardiff but no one expected them to win at Tottenham. They didn’t although they nearly did! Having taken the lead in the second half Spurs equalised through Cliff Jones with 40 seconds remaining.

In the replay Spurs started brightly but a fanatical home crowd urged on Norwich who scored the only goal in the 63rd minute for a deserved victory. Norwich progressed to the semi-final that year.

Spurs in History - 17th February

17th February, 1962

West Bromwich Albion 2 Spurs 4 FA Cup 5th Round

In their efforts to retain the F.A.Cup the 5th Round draw required Spurs to travel to the Midlands to face West Brom.

A difficult match was expected but Spurs started well and Bobby Smith scored after 8 minutes. The game was fast and exciting with both goalkeepers busy and the second goal didn’t come until a minute before half-time with Smith scoring again.

An injury to Cliff Jones restricted his movement and effectiveness and three minutes into the second half W.B.A. scored but in the 75th minute Jimmy Greaves restored the two goal advantage. This was short lived as four minutes later West Brom scored again. In a tense finale, Greaves scored his second a minute from time.

F A Cup Preview - Fulham v Spurs

Sunday, 18th February, 2007

Fulham v Spurs

L W L W D W -- L L L W D D

FA Cup 5th Round at Craven Cottage

KO 4.00pm

In the current circumstances, Spurs need a result from this game to lift the pressure on Martin Jol and to restore some confidence in the players. That will not be easy taking Fulham’s home record into account and comparing it with Spurs’ current form and their season long malaise away from White Hart Lane.

How quickly Spurs’ form has turned around – it was not so long ago that these previews were showing W W W W and the confidence and optimism were high. The record through December was camouflaged by many Cup results and it kept us happy but Spurs’ current form record is rather depressing: L L L W D D with the only win against Southend in the Cup and one of the two draws being the Premiership game at Craven Cottage which needed Chimbonda’a late equaliser to grab the point.

Fulham showed in that game that this will not be easy and they are determined to progress in the Cup and their manager Chris Coleman has done a good job to turn their season round when everyone had them as relegation candidates at the start of the season.

Fulham showed their fighting qualities in the 3rd Round Replay when they came back from a 1-3 half-time deficit against Leicester to win 4-3 with Wayne Routledge scoring the late winner. They comfortably defeated Stoke 3-0 in the next round. Brian McBride is scoring regularly for them and Montella has scored three goals in the Cup as well as the penalty against Spurs in the League game. Routledge is not available to play against Spurs.

Spurs’ FA Cup record against Fulham is perfect – they have met on three occasions and Spurs have progressed each time. The most recent game was in the 3rd Round in 1998 – Christian Gross’ team won 3-1 at White Hart Lane, Calderwood, Clemence and an own goal taking Spurs through. The only FA cup meeting at Craven Cottage will be remembered by many for Graham Roberts’ super hero performance. Again, in the 3rd Round, in 1984, Roberts had to go into goal when Ray Clemence was injured. He maintained a clean sheet, something Robinson might like to achieve this weekend, to earn Spurs a scoreless draw and a replay in which Roberts turned goal scorer along with Steve Archibald, as Spurs won 2-0. The other Cup success was in Spurs’ first season in the Football League, a 2nd Round home game in 1909 which Spurs won with a goal from Bobby Steel.

Martin Jol in talking up Spurs’ chances has said that the team haven’t lost a Cup game over ninety minutes this season – that is true but he will need more than statistics to see Spurs into the 6th Round against a very capable Fulham side. Spurs can win, it may require a replay, but only if the players are motivated for the game and prepared to give it everything, something that has been missing this season. Jol’s selection issues are eased with Defoe and Jenas being suspended. The selection in midfield is critical if Spurs are to succeed – there needs to be a balance to provide cover for the defence but also to provide creativity for the strikers who are starved of chances and support. Lennon needs to play and show his attacking ability to keep the Fulham defence on their toes, otherwise Spurs just ask teams to attack them and they are unable to contain and survive ninety minutes under such pressure.

Will supporters accept a gritty determined performance if it gets a result or will they be satisfied with a good but ultimately unsuccessful performance? At the moment I’ll take the result and hope that it lifts the confidence for future improved results and performances. A win is a win and the 6th Round is only two games from Wembley, a nice incentive for Spurs to renew acquaintances with the ground which became their second home in the early 1980s.

Referee: Mark Halsey

Spurs in History - 16th February

16th February, 1999
Wimbledon 0 Spurs 1 Worthington Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg

There have been few really successful evenings for Spurs supporters to remember in the last two decades but this is one of them. A single goal from Steffan Iversen in the Worthington Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg match was sufficient to secure a place in the Final at Wembley.

Spurs and Wimbledon had played a series of five League and Cup games through January and February and all had been very close. Having drawn 0-0 in the 1st Leg, this was the really important one with a place in the Final at stake. Spurs showed great resolve and the second half goal was well deserved. The players held on through a frantic final few minutes and then the fans swarmed onto the pitch to join in the celebrations.

Spurs in History - 15th February

Ian and Roger in their QPR days, the twins were on opposite sides as

Roger made his debut for Spurs at Loftus Road

15th February, 1969

Queens Park Rangers 1 Spurs 1 1st Division

Earlier in the month Spurs had signed Roger Morgan, a left winger from Q.P.R. for £110,000, equaling the highest cash transfer fee between English clubs. Roger and his identical twin, Ian, had helped Q.P.R. gain promotion to the 1st Division and had played all their football together.

At the end of January Spurs had defeated Q.P.R. at White Hart Lane in a game re-arranged from November because of heavy rain. After signing, Roger Morgan had been unable to play in Spurs next match as he was cup-tied so his debut was at Loftus Road against his former club and facing his twin brother. The match was close and finished all square with Spurs goal being scored by Jimmy Greaves, his 30th of the season.

Spurs in History - 14th February

Spurs' 1949 team - Back row: Nicholson, Ramsay, Clarke,Ditchburn, Burgess (captain), Medley. Front row: Withers, Walters, Rees, Duquemin, Baily - and the only change for the Cup game aginst Halifax was Les Bennett replacing Rees.

14th February, 1953

Halifax Town 0 Spurs 3 FA Cup 5th Round

Spurs had required replays to defeat tranmere and Preston in the previous rounds so a difficult 5th Round F.A.Cup tie was anticipated as Halifax, in the old 3rd Division (North), had overcome two 1st Division sides, Cardiff and Stoke, in the previous rounds. The match was in doubt due to overnight snow but the pitch was cleared sufficiently for it to proceed although the pitch had to be marked out in blue dye.

The first half was very close and remained goalless but after half time Spurs started to take control. Within ten minutes Spurs scored through Les Bennett and although the home team rallied, Spurs were encouraged and went further ahead when Len Duquemin scored. Duquemin had a goal disallowed and then two minutes later Bennett scored his second to give Spurs a convincing victory in difficult conditions.

Team: Ditchburn, Ramsey, Willis, Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess, Walters, Bennett, Duquemen, Baily, Medley.

Spurs' opponents in the 6th Round were Birmingham City with the game to be played at St. Andrews two weeks later, 28th February.

Spurs in History - 13th February

13th February, 1901

Preston North End 2 Spurs 4 FA Cup 1st Round Replay

Having failed to win at White Hart Lane, Spurs were given little chance of surviving this F.A.Cup 1st Round Replay. However, for the replay at Preston, Spurs had an injured player returning, captain John Jones. Spurs looked a different side Spurs and played with greater urgency, going ahead within six minutes from a goal by John Cameron, their Secretary/Manager. Two further goals from Sandy Brown gave Spurs a comfortable half-time lead. Preston scored in the second half but Brown completed his hat-trick and although scoring again, Preston were well beaten and Spurs were safely through to the next round .

The first stage of a memorable and historic Cup campaign had been successfully completed by the non-League team - Spurs, the giant-killers were on their way.

13th February, 1915

Middlesbrough 7 Spurs 5 1st Division

In the final season before football ceased due to the 1st World War, Spurs suffered a number of heavy defeats in a season that ultimately ended in relegation. This is Spurs only League game to record a 5-7 score, and centre forward Jimmy Cantrell scored four of Spurs' goals. Bert Bliss scored the other goal and Spurs also managed to miss a penalty while Borough scored from the spot.

Spurs in History - 12th February

12th February, 1966
Spurs 4 Burnley 3 FA Cup 4th Round

Alan Gilzean

Spurs had defeated Middlesbrough in the 3rd Round at White Hart Lane by four goals to nil to reach the 4th Round where they were to encounter much more difficult opponents in Burnley.

It was an amazing tie match saw Spurs come through a very difficult tie.  Tottenhasm without the injured Dave Mackay who had scored twice in the previous round were two down early on and were trailing 2-3 with only minutes to go but Spurs survived thanks to a great performance from Alan Gilzean who scored a brilliant hat-trick and a goal from Frank Saul who had also scored twice against Middlesbrough.

Northern Ireland international centre forward, Willie Irvine, scored a hat-trick for Burnley but went away on the losing side.

This was only the third game back for Jimmy Greaves who had been absent with illness from the end of October.

Team: Jennings; Beal, Knowles; Mullery, Brown, L, Clayton; Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Saul, Jones.

Spurs' progress in the Cup was halted at Preston in the next Round, going down by two goals to one.

Spurs in History - 11th February

11th February, 1967
Spurs 4 Fulham 2 1st Division

An entertaining game which saw Spurs take an early lead through Alan Gilzean. Fulham equalised, only for Jimmy Greaves to restore Spurs lead. Before half time Fulham scored their second. Also at the end of the first half, an incident involving Terry Venables and Callaghan of Fulham resulted in both players being sent off.

Two second half goals from Cliff Jones gave Spurs victory and completed their third ‘double’ of the season. Venables claimed that it was a minor incident that got blown out of all proportion because other players started interfering.

Darren Anderton - former Spur

Darren Anderton Hat-trick

Former Spurs and England International, Darren Anderton.

With little to enjoy from Spurs' game against Sheffield United - after Jermaine Jenas' opening goal after two minutes, it all went downhill - there is time to acknowledge the hat-trick scored by former Spur, Darren Anderton.

Anderton signed for Bournemouth in the summer having been released by Wolves. He has been playing well for the 1st Division side who enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 home win over Leyton Orient.

This is Anderton's first hat-trick in 542 league games he scored in the 16th minute, curling a pass from Warren Cummings in from 20 yards. He added a second after the interval from a similar distance and completed his hat-trick by blasting home Steve Fletcher's knock-down from close range. It was a true hat-trick being the middle three goals scored consecutively in Bournemouth's win. Anderton also managed to get booked by the referee.

Darren Anderton was signed for Spurs by manager Terry Venables in the summer of 1992 for £1.75 million from Portsmouth for whom he had played a leading role in reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup that season. He had a number of further FA Cup semi-final appearances for Spurs but never succeeded in reaching the Final of that competition.

During his career with Spurs, Anderton made 273 League appearances (+ 26 subs) scoring 34 goals. He made 56 appearances in the FA cup and League Cup, plus 3 subs, and scored 14 goals. He was a member of Spurs last victorious team, the 1999 Worthington Cup winners, defeating Leicester City 1-0 at Wembley in George Graham's first season as manager. Unfortunately, Anderton's time at Spurs was hampered with injury and he acquired the nickname, 'Sicknote.' The three seasons 1995 - 1998 saw him play only a limited part in Spurs' season making only 8, 15 and 16 appearances in those those years although he did manage to recover from injury in time to play for England in the European Championships in the summer of 1996.

Anderton was released by Spurs in the summer of 2004 when he signed for Birmingham City and a year later he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers who were managed at the time by Glenn Hoddle.

He made 30 International appearances for England, scoring 7 goals.

Included in the Bournemouth was former Spurs junior, full-back Neil Young who has served the south coast club for many years since leaving Tottenham. He is the older brother of Luke Young who plays for Charlton.

In the Orient team opposing Anderton was Anton Thelwell who made a number of Premiership appearances for Spurs before transferring to Hull City where he played under manager Peter Taylor, until his recent move back to London. Unfortunately for Thelwell, his time with Hull was interrupted by injury.

Spurs Say 'Bye' to Feyenoord in UEFA Cup

Spurs became the first team to reach the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup when the 'bye' was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration who rejected Feyenoord's appeal.

The tie has been in doubt since the ban imposed on Feyenoord for the misbeheavour of their fans in an earlier round of the competition. Spurs progress was confirmed yesterday when the Dutch club lost their appeal. Spurs next opponents will be the winners of the tie between Parma (Italy) and Braga (Portugal).

There are problems surrounding this tie because of the difficulties in Italian football which was suspended last weekend when a policeman was killed by rioting fans. Now only grounds which have been passed as safe for play can be used and currently the Parma ground has not been included in the grounds that are fit for the resumption of play.

Spurs fans, while pleased to have qualified for the next round of the competition are disappointed that they have been denied the opportunity to renew acquaintances with the Dutch side which they have met on a number of previous European competitions.


Previous European meetings between Spurs and Feyenoord:

1961-62 European Cup (1st R) 1st Leg (a) Won 3-1, 2nd leg (h) Draw 1-1

1973 -74 UEFA Cup Final 1st Leg (h) Draw 2-2, 2nd Leg (a) Lost 0-2

1983 - 84 UEFA Cup (2nd R) 1st Leg (h) Won 4-2, 2nd Leg Won 2-0

1991 - 92 European Cup Winners' Cup (Q/F) 1st Leg (a) Lost 0-1, 2nd Leg (h) Draw 0-0

Spurs record against Feyenoord:

P 8 W 3 D 3 L 2 For 12 Ag 9

The most disappointing result was the UEFA Cup Final defeat in 1973 - 74. Spurs had been held at home in the first game but the 2nd Leg was ruined when Spurs fans rioted during the game and Bill Nicholson had to make an appeal for calm and restraint during the half-time interval.

1974: Spurs 2 Feyenoord 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

Spurs had reached their third European Final, the first English club to achieve this, and were undefeated through the early rounds. In a thrilling game, Spurs led twice but were pulled back by the soon to be crowned Dutch champions. Spurs started well and it was twenty minutes before Jennings touched the ball, from a back pass. They took the lead in the 39th minute, Mike England scoring with a header from a Ray Evans’ free-kick. However, they held the lead for only four minutes, a free-kick being bent round their defensive wall. Spurs regained the lead after an hour from another free-kick with England involved but a Dutch defender got the final touch. With nine minutes remaining, Phil Beal went off injured and three minutes later Feyenoord equalised to give them the upper hand going into the second leg.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt, England, Beal (Dillon); McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.

Feyenoord 2 Spurs 0 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

For the 2nd Leg in Rotterdam a week later, Spurs knew that they were facing a very difficult and daunting task as they were going into it on level terms from the 1st Leg. The task became even more difficult as fans rioted before, during and after the game.

Feyenoord went ahead in the first half and during half-time when Bill Nicholson should have been trying to focus the team on the task on hand, he was having to appeal to the fans for calm. In the second half, Feyenoord continued to be in control and scored a second to end Spurs record of never having lost a major Cup Final.

The behaviour of the rioting fans brought discredit on the Club, the team and those who went to loyally support the players as they tried to win another European trophy. Bill Nicholson was disappointed and disillusioned and his resignation a few weeks into the new season could be linked to the events in Holland, bringing to an end his long association with Tottenham Hotspur.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt (Holder), England, Beal; McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.

Happier memories surround the contests between the two clubs in the UEFA Cup 2nd round tie in 1983-84. Keith Burkinshaw's team were looking to add the European trophy to the impressive list of silverware acquired in the previous three seasons.

October, 1983: Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest. It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals. He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald. Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin. Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass. In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game to score twice but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

November, 1983: Feyenoord 0 Spurs 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (2nd Leg)

With two goals in hand in the 2nd leg, Spurs assured themselves of qualification for the next round when they gave an impressive display and scored through Chris Hughton after 25 minutes and then confirmed victory with a late goal from Tony Galvin. spurs aggregaste victory being an impressive 6-2 score line.

Spurs in History - 10th February

Spurs goal scorer - record signing Sergei Rebrov

10th February, 2001

Manchester City 0 Spurs 1 Premiership

This game marked the fifth consecutive Premiership match in which Spurs kept a clean sheet. The goal scored by their record £11 million summer signing Sergei Rebrov in the 89th minute was the first in the same period and brought Spurs their first away win of the season.

Spurs League record through January and early February was:

Everton (a) Draw 0-0

Southampton (h) D 0-0

West Ham United (a) D 0-0

Charlton Athletic (h) D 0-0

Neil Sullivan and Ian Walker shared the goalkeeping spotlight for these matches with Walker appearing twice due to Sullivan’s suspension having been sent off in the first game of the New Year.

While the team was sound defensively the overall performances left much to be desired.

In spite of progress in the FA Cup with wins at Leyton Orient and Charlton, this series of scoreless draws and the signing of Andy Booth on loan from Huddersfield Town increased the pressure on manager George Graham. It further alienated him from the fans who would simply could not accept the former Arsenal player and manager as a suitable occupant of the manager's role at White Hart Lane - feeling that he had no appreciation of Spurs' style, traditions or history.

Changes were afoot at White Hart Lane with Sir Alan Sugar having sold his majority share to ENIC and within a few weeks the new controlling group would make a strong statement of intent by sacking Graham and replacing him with Glenn Hoddle, only days before the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Spurs in History - 9th February

9th February, 1901

Spurs 1 Preston North End 1 FA Cup (1st Round)

This was the first ever F.A.Cup tie at White Hart Lane and had been delayed following the death of Queen Victoria. Spurs, Southern League Champions, were drawn in the 1st Round against the team who had defeated them at the same stage the previous year.

Preston were to be relegated from the 1st Division at the end of the season but they went ahead within half an hour and looked set to progress until Spurs scored with nine minutes remaining. The goal was scored by Sandy Brown from a cross by Jack Kirwan, finally beating the Preston goalkeeper who had had an outstanding game.

Few gave Spurs much hope of producing a result from the replay.

Spurs in History - 8th February

8th February, 1987

Arsenal 0 Spurs 1 Littlewoods Cup Semi-Final (1st Leg)

Spurs went into this game with a record of only two defeats in their previous 12 games, the last one having been at home to Arsenal in early January.

Spurs had progressed in both Cup competitions and in this Littlewoods Cup Semi-Final 1st leg game both teams started cautiously. Once Clive Allen had scored his 34th goal of the season towards the end of the first half, Spurs dominated the match and could have put the tie beyond doubt.

Spurs class and performance were summed up in a quote from the Independent newspaper, ‘No attacking side can be more difficult to deal with than Spurs at the moment.’

With the 2nd leg at White Hart lane Spurs were optimistic of progressing to their fourth League Cup Final at Wembley, but unfortunately it wasn't going to be as simple as that.

Spurs in History - 7th February

7th February, 1973

Spurs 3 Derby County 5 (aet) FA Cup 4th Round Replay

For some dates it is difficult even with over 100 years of history to find a match of note to record but for this date we are spoiled for choice.

There were the four goals in 4 minutes 44 seconds against Southampton in 1993 or the 2001 FA Cup fight back at Charlton as well as this 4th Round Replay.

In the first game four days earlier a goal from Martin Chivers had ensured the replay against Derby and at White Hart Lane with less than ten minutes to go, Spurs were comfortably looking forward to the 5th Round.

They were 3-1 ahead after goals from Martin Chivers, Alan Gilzean and a penalty from Mike England when Derby’s lanky centre forward, Roger Davies, took over scoring twice to level and take the game into extra time. Then he completed his hat-trick in extra time as Derby completed a remarkable comeback and left Spurs’ Cup dreams shattered for another year.

Even teams managed by the greatest of managers, Bill Nicholson, can suffer these unexpected and unexplainable results and 52,736 spectators were left stunned.

7th February, 1993

Spurs 4 Southampton 2 Premier League

Terry Venables as Chief Executive had delegated team matters to coaches, Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence but as the season progressed he again became more involved and Spurs were developing a young team capable of playing attractive football. In this game the four goals were scored in 4 minutes 44 seconds and transformed the game which had seen Southampton ahead and apparantly in control.

The goalscorers were Teddy Sheringham (2), Darren Anderton and Nicky Barmby.

7th February, 2001

Charlton Athletic 2 Spurs 4 FA Cup 4th Round

A memorable FA Cup game from recent times when Spurs’ Cup success has been minimal was back in 2001. Spurs were drawn away to fellow Premiership side Charlton who had won the earlier league game by a solitary goal and had earned a scoreless draw at Tottenham a few days earlier.

Spurs found themselves two goals behind early in the second half but staged a remarkable comeback to score three goals inside six minutes to change the game. Gary Doherty, Darren Anderton and Oyvind Leonhardsen got the goals while a late strike from Sergei Rebrov sealed the victory.

Spurs in History - 6th February

6th February, 1982

Spurs 6 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (1st Division)

Another of those Ricky Villa Days

This match marked the official opening of the new West Stand with the duties performed by Sir Stanley Rous, the former President of FIFA.

Spurs celebrated in grand style with an emphatic win over a poor Wolves side who were to be relegated at the end of the season. Ricky Villa rose to the occasion once again by scoring a hat-trick.

Glenn Hoddle scored Spurs' first goal from the penalty spot and hen Villa got his first. Wolves scored just before half-time but in the second half Villa completed his hat-trick while Garth Crooks and Mark Falco also added to the scoring.

Spurs in History - 5th February

5th February, 1986

Spurs 0 Everton 0 Screen Sport Super Cup Semi-Final (1st leg)


This match attracted just over 7500 spectators to White Hart Lane for the 'nothing' competition that had been organised for the teams which had qualified for Europe but because of the five year ban imposed on English teams following the Heysel Stadium disaster involving Liverpool fans at the final of the European Cup the previous season, they were unable to participate in the European competitions.


The competition was of no interest to spectators and Spurs qualified for this semi-final be defeating Southampton twice and losing twice to Liverpool. In the second led tie Spurs lost 3-1 after extra time.


The only point of interest for Spurs in this competition was the re-appearance of Pat Jennings in a Spurs' shirt. He played in the previous game against Liverpool as he tried to maintain his fitness ahead of his World Cup Finals appearances for Northern Ireland in Mexico during the summer.

Spurs in History - 4th February

4th February, 1961

Spurs 2 Leicester City 3 (1st Division)

The ‘Double’ winning season included many records and this game marked the first home defeat suffered by the team. Spurs had won all but two of those thirteen League games but this game proved one too many.

Leicester took the lead after thirty minutes. Les Allen equalised within five minutes but City scored again three minutes later. Immediately after half time, Spurs were level through a Danny Blanchflower penalty but when Leicester regained the lead, Spurs were unable to reply.

Although suffering their second defeat in three games, Spurs were still eight points ahead of Wolves with Sheffield Wednesday third.