Tottenham's Disappointment of Losing The Cup

It was twenty five years ago today, 16th May, 1987 that Spurs lost their first FA Cup Final.  After seven successful Finals, Spurs' amazing record was gone as they lost to Coventry City at Wembley.  They had already sacrificed their record of never losing in a Cup Final or at Wembley in 1982 when they lost out in the League/Milk Cup Final to Liverpool but this was the big one.

Coventry City 3 Tottenham  Hotspur 2 (aet)

Scorers: Bennett, Houchen, Mabbutt o.g                          Allen, C., Mabbutt 

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Mabbutt, Gough, Thomas, T.; Allen, P., Ardiles (Stevens), Hoddle, Hodge, Waddle, Allen, C.

Spurs had arrived at Wembley after a very impressive season which had seen David Pleat's team finish third in the 1st Division behind Everton and Liverpool.  They had lost in the semi-final of the Littlewoods League Cup to Arsenal after a replay was required, the tie ending all square after home and away legs.  Arsenal's late winner at White Hart Lane in that third match was the only time they had led in the tie.  


Clive Allen had been the relevation of the season as he set a new goalscoring record for Spurs - 49 in all competitions, breaking the record previously held by Jimmy Greaves.  The season started with his hat-trick against Aston Villa at Villa Park as Spurs claimed a 3 - 0 success and carried on from there.  David Pleat introduced a system where he played as a lone striker supported by five in midfield and very successful it proved.


Spurs' Road to Wembley:
Spurs' progress to the FA Cup Final had been quite serene with few difficulties along the way with Allen scoring four goals in the competition.  This was to be Glenn Hoddle's last season with Spurs and so it was extra special for him to leave on a high note.

3rd R.  v Scunthorpe United (h)  Won 3 - 2  Mabbutt, Waddle, Claesen
4th R.  v Crystal Palace (h)  Won 4 - 0  Mabbutt, Allen, C. (pen), Claesen, Opp. o.g.
5th R.  v Newcastle United (h)  Won 1 - 0  Allen, C. (pen)
6th R  v Wimbledon (a)  Won 2 - 0  Waddle, Hoddle
Wimbledon often proved a difficult side for Spurs to beat as they disliked their long ball, high pressured play and often came off second best.  David Pleat’s side, however, showed their worth in a visit to Plough Lane and with application and commitment went through as the skill of Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle provided the goals to ensure the ‘Diamond Lights’ were still shining for the semi-final tie. 
S.F. (Villa Park)  v Watford  Won 4 - 1  Hodge (2), Allen, C., Allen, P.
This semi-final was one of the easiest Spurs have ever played. Watford went into the game at Villa Park with goalkeeping problems and had to call up an emergency keeper as their regular keepers were injured.   A 4-1 victory did not flatter Spurs as David Pleat’s side continued their good form and won through goals from Steve Hodge(2), Clive Allen and Paul Allen. Coventry City were their unexpected opponents in the Final.

FA Cup Final:   

'Gary Mabbutt's Knee'

Spurs were firm favourites to lift the trophy as they returned to Wembley for their third FA Cup Final in seven years while Coventry were at this stage of the competition for the first time.

A goal after two minutes from Clive Allen who headed in Chris Waddle's cross seemed to justify their position as favourites but it wasn't to be.  Coventry were level within seven minutes and although Gary Mabbutt had restored Spurs' lead before half-time, Coventry came back to take the game into extra time.  Their equaliser came from a diving header by Houchen, the goal that appears regularly in photographs and video shots of the 1987 Final.

After six minutes of extra time Coventry went ahead when a cross deflected off Mabbutt's knee and looped over Ray Clemence's head.  There was no way back for Spurs as they lost their first FA Cup Final.

BBC commentator, John Motson, described the game as 'the finest Cup Final I've ever had the pleasure of commenting on.'

That was little compensation for Spurs as they finished the season without a trophy as the 'nearly' men.

Read about some of Spurs successful Cup Finals:

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 

FA Cup Finals:

1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991

Spurs' League Record at Villa Park

Spurs will be looking for a third successive win against a relegation threatened side to strengthen their claim for a Champions League place next season which has been boosted by Arsenal's home draw with Norwich City.  With only two Premier League games remaining, the permutations for Champions League qualification continue to intrigue.

Tottenham's recent results at Villa Park have gone a little way to improve their overall record against Aston Villa.  In November, Spurs had a very comfortable two goal success over Villa at White Hart Lane with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring both goals. 

League Record at Villa Park (inc. PL)

P  69  W 20  D  19  L  30  For  91  Ag  106

Away Premier League Record against Villa

P  19  W  3  D  7  L  9  For  16  Ag  25 

Last Season's Result:

Dec. 2010  PL  Won 2 - 1  Van der Vaart (2) 

A goal in each half by Rafael Van der Vaart ensured Spurs' fans enjoyed their Boxing Day journey home.  Van der Vaart brought his total of goals against Villa to four having scored both goals in the 2 - 1 win at White Hart Lane the previous October.  Villa pulled one goal back through Agbonlahor with eight minutes remaining but the result was never in doubt even though Spurs played with ten men for over an hour after Jermain Defoe had been harshly sent off in the 26th minute, three minutes after Van der Vaart had opened the scoring. 

Previous PL Games at Villa Park: 

Nov. 2009  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Dawson

This was one of Spurs' best away performances in many seasons.  Agbonlahor put Villa ahead after ten minutes but Spurs then gained control and in the second half it was wave after wave of Spurs attacks in search of a goal.  It eventually came from Michael Dawson with thirteen minutes remaining.  Spurs continued to seek a goal while Villa with everyone back were just happy to clear the ball and they were the team most relieved to hear the final whistle. 

March, 2009  PL  Won 2 - 1  Jenas, Bent

Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs an early lead and Darren added the second early in the second half.   Villa scored five minutes from time but Spurs secured their first win at Villa Park since January, 2003.  Both Jenas and Bent have since become Villa players - Jenas, on loan this season before serious injury brought it to an end, and Bent following a transfer from Sunderland.

Jan. 2008  PL  Lost 1 - 2  Defoe

Spurs conceded a goal four minutes before half-time from a set-piece.  Defoe equalised with ten minutes left but then conceded another goal from a set-piece five minutes later.

Oct. 2006  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Opp. o.g.

Angel was the a Spurs' hero on the day but a Villa villain as he missed a penalty when Calum Davenport was sent off to reduce Spurs to ten men and then his own goal put them ahead with fifteen minutes remaining.  Villa equalised through Gareth Barry five minutes later.  This was goalkeeper Paul Robinson's first game following his blunder which contributed to England's defeat in Croatia.

Sept. 2005  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Keane

Substitute Robbie Keane released all his frustrations as he struck the ball to bring Spurs level in the second half with twelve minutes left.  Spurs starting line-up contained eleven internationals for the first time.

Nov. 2004  PL  Lost 0 - 1

May, 2004  PL  Lost 0 - 1

Jan. 2003  PL  Won 1 - 0  Sheringham

A Teddy Sheringham goal after seventy minutes secured Spurs first Premier League win at Villa Park.  It was Tottenham's first success there since season 1986-87. 

Aug. 1986  1st Div.  Won 3 - 0  Allen, C. (3)

The opening day of the season and Spurs had the joy of a win and a hat-trick from Clive Allen.  It was the beginning of a tremendous season for Spurs under new manager, David Pleat, when Spurs finished third in the League, were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Littlewoods Cup and lost in the FA Cup Final to Coventry City - the 'nearly-season'.  Clive Allen went on to break Jimmy Greaves' record for goals scored in a season, one that is unlikely to be beaten.  Villa were relegated at the end of the season. 


A Great Run for Spurs at Villa Park:
Spurs' return to 1st Division football in 1950-51 season started a remarkable sequence of results against Aston Villa at Villa Park.  They went eleven seasons without defeat, winning on eight occasions.  The series started with seven consecutive wins from September, 1950 to September, 1956.

Sept. 1950  1st Div.  Won 3 - 2  Murphy, Duquemin, Medley
March, 1952  1st Div.  Won 3 - 0  Walters, Duquemin (2)
Nov. 1952  1st Div.  Won 3 - 0  Bennett, Duquemin, Dicker
Dec. 1953  1st Div.  Won 2 - 1  Walters, Baily
Aug. 1954  1st Div.  Won 4 - 2  Dowsett, Bennett (2), Baily
Nov. 1955  1st Div.  Won 2 - 0  Clarke, McClellan
Sept. 1956  1st Div.  Won 4 - 2  Harmer, Smith, Stokes, Robb

Spurs' First Win at Villa Park:

Tottenham's first League success at Villa Park came in March, 1925 at the eleventh attempt.  The only goal was scored by centre forward Bill Lane.

Biggest Win at Villa Park:

In January, 1934 Spurs won 5 - 1 in a 1st Division game as Spurs finished the season in third position.  The goals were scored by Tom Meads, Jimmy McCormick (2), Les Howe, George Hunt.

As Baggyshorts commented last week on Twitter, 'History counts for nothing' which is of course true but it's interesting to see how Spurs have got on in the past against their opponents.  Third place is now in Spurs' own hands and a win over Aston Villa will put them in control with only one match remaining and to echo David Chambers tweet, 'Our destiny is back in our own hands now.  Please win tomorrow, Spurs!'  

And so say all of us.

They Played for Spurs and Manchester City

Paul Stewart who scored a goal for Spurs in the 1991 FA Cup Final signed from Manchester City as a striker but became a very useful midfield player at White Hart Lane, going on to play three games for England.  Bert Sproston is one of the more unusual transfers between the two clubs in the season leading up to the Second World War.

Emmanuel Adebayor's loan transfer from Manchester City to Tottenham last August is the first time that Spurs have signed a player from City since Paul Stewart moved from Maine Road to White Hart Lane in 1988.  The last player to move in the opposite direction was Chris Jones who joined City in September, 1982.

Emmanuel Adebayor joined City from Arsenal in 2009 after three years in North London but spent the second half of last season, on loan, at Real Madrid where he scored twice as he helped the Spanish club knock Spurs out of the Champions League.  These added to his eight goals in nine north London derbies.  He failed to score for City in three games against Spurs and redeemed himself somewhat, in the eyes of Spurs supporters, by scoring on his Spurs debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers and twice on his home debut against Liverpool.  He is currently the club's leading goal scorer with 9 goals in the Premier League.  Being on loan, he is ineligible for the match at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

Paul Stewart 1991 FA Cup Final

Paul Stewart started his career with Blackpool, and joined Manchester City in March, 1987.  He scored 26 League goals for City and fifteen months later joined Spurs for £1.7 million.  Stewart made his debut for Spurs on 1st October 1988, as a substitute in a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United but missed a penalty.  Bought as a striker he scored 12 goals in his first League season with Spurs but when his goals dried up, he was successfully converted to a midfield role.  He was part of the Tottenham midfield which won the FA Cup in 1991, scoring Spurs' equalizing goal in that game.  His conversion to midfield came about almost by accident as Spurs, already a goal down, had to adjust when they were reduced to nine men against Luton Town and Stewart moved back into midfield where he showed an unexpected talent in the position, scoring both goals as Spurs won 2 - 1.  In the summer of 1992 he moved to Liverpool, having expressed the desire to return north but it was an unsuccessful period at Anfield.  He made 131 League appearances for Tottenham, scoring 28 goals.

Chris Jones grew up through the Spurs youth system and made his progression to the League team in August, 1974.  In total he made 185 League and Cup appearances, scoring 42 goals in his nine seasons with the club.  He was a skilful player but was unlucky player in that he often got into good goal scoring positions but couldn't quite turn them into goals.  He helped Spurs to avoid relegation in his first season and was a regular for much of the following season.  He was part of the team which was relegated the next year but played his part as Spurs then won promotion.  He scored 18 League and Cup goals in the next two seasons in the 1st Division but the arrival of Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks saw his first team opportunities diminish.  His best goal scoring performance for Tottenham was an FA Cup 4th Round replay at Wrexham in 1979 where his hat-trick enabled Spurs to progress to the next round with a 3 - 2 win after extra time.  He joined City for £110,000 in September, 1982 but after only three games in two months joined Crystal Palace.  He also played for Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient.

Bert Sproston was an England international full back who joined Spurs from Leeds United in June, 1938 for £9,500, a big fee at the time.  Then the following November he was involved in a very unusual transfer.  Having played nine games for Spurs, he was selected to play against Manchester City at Maine Road but on the day preceding the match he was transferred to City for £10,000 and played for them as Spurs lost 0 - 2.  He had found it difficult to settle in London and remained with City until 1950.  

Alex Steel was with City for eighteen months prior to joining Spurs in the summer of 1908.  He was  a half-back but only made one appearance for Spurs but that game has put him into the Tottenham record books.  On that day in January, 1910 against Bradford City he became the third member  of the Steel family to play for Spurs.  He joined his brothers, Danny and Bobby, in the team, the only occasion when three brothers have played together for Spurs in a League game.

Alex Young who had a long, successful career with Everton joined Spurs in June, 1911 and scored on his debut.  After three goals in his first two games he failed to score in the next three and was omitted from the team.  He immediately demanded a transfer and went to City in November but was only there until the end of the season.  

Bill Felton was a full-back who spent three years with Manchester City before joining Spurs in March, 1932.  He played regularly in the team and captained the side to promotion in 1933 but lost his place midway through the next season and moved to Altrincham in the summer of 1934.

Neil McNab came to Spurs from Morton in 1974 at the age of sixteen for a fee of £40,000, signing as an amateur.  He turned professional in the summer but had already made his League debut against Chelsea as a substitute in April, 1974 which, at the time, made him the youngest player to appear for Spurs in the League.  Over the next number of seasons he played occasionally but in Spurs promotion season he played every game.  The arrival of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa in 1978 saw him lose his place following the 0 - 7 defeat at Anfield and he moved to Bolton in November, 1978.  After being with a number of clubs he joined City in July, 1983 and had seven good years at Maine Road, playing probably his best football and helping them to promotion in 1989.  He joined Tranmere Rovers in 1990 for two seasons.

Clive Allen, the son of Les Allen, is one of Harry Redknapp's backroom staff and had two and a half seasons at City after returning from a year in France with Bordeaux.  He had joined Spurs from QPR in 1984 and scored twice on his debut against Everton but injury restricted him during his first two seasons.  In 1986-87 season he set a new Tottenham record by scoring 49 goals including the first in the 1987 FA Cup Final defeat to Coventry City.  That season, he was voted 'Player of the Year' by the PFA and Football Writers Association.  He moved to France in March, 1988.

Clive Wilson, Bobby Mimms and Michael Brown played for City early in their careers and later joined Spurs but Paul Walsh who joined Spurs from Liverpool later joined City. 

They Played for Tottenham and QPR

Over the years many players have pulled on the shirts of both Tottenham and Queen's Park Rangers.  Three of the current QPR squad are former Tottenham players, Luke Young, Adel Taarabt and Radek Cerny.  Clive Allen who is currently on the coaching staff  at White Hart Lane had two spells at Loftus Road as well as a very productive time with Spurs.  Two former Tottenham and QPR players have also managed the club, Les Allen and Terry Venables who has also managed Tottenham.

Les and Clive Allen

The famous footballing family pairing have both had time playing at Tottenham and QPR.  Les Allen was a member of the Tottenham 'Double' winning team in 1960 - 61 and a few weeks after winning the FA Cup at Wembley his son, Clive, was born.   

Clive Allen (Son)

Les Allen (Father)

Les Allen joined Spurs in 1959 from Chelsea and formed a superb goal scoring partnership with Bobby Smith.  The duo scored 60 League and Cup goals in the 'Double' winning triumph with Allen contributing 27 himself.  

Allen was unfortunate to be displaced when Jimmy Greaves was signed the following November but he remained at the club until 1965 when he opted to join Queen's Park Rangers for £21,000.  After being part of the successful QPR team which won the League Cup in 1967 as a 3rd Division club and also gained successive promotions to the 1st Division he took on the manager's role in 1968, remaining in charge for three years.

Clive Allen had two spells with Queen's Park Rangers.  he started his career at Loftus Road and then had a season away at Arsenal, without playing, and at Crystal Palace before returning to QPR.  Three years later, in 1994 he signed for Tottenham for £700,000.  Injury restricted his appearances in his first two seasons at White hart Lane but at the beginning of the 1986 - 87 season, under new manager, David Pleat, Allen scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa.  in that season Allen set new goalscoring records at Tottenham, beating those set by legendary goalscorer, Jimmy Greaves.  Playing as a lone striker, he scored 33 League goals and 16 in the two Cup competitions.  Unfortunately, this didn't lead to trophies as Tottenham managed to fall short in each competition - 3rd in the League, losing FA Cup Finalists and losing League Cup semi-finalists.  In total he scored 60 League goals from 105 appearances in his four years at the club before joining Bordeaux for £1 million.  He played for England on five occasions but failed to score.

Terry Venables
Terry Venables joined Spurs from Chelsea in May, 1966 for £80,000 and the following season helped Tottenham win the FA Cup.  He remained at the club for three seasons before joining QPR for £70,000 but was never totally accepted by fans who had been spoiled by the skills of the team of the early 1960s.  He was at QPR for five years and then moved to Crystal Palace but injury forced him to retire.  he then turned to coaching and became manager at Crystal Palace.  He then went to QPR in 1980 and helped them  reach the 1982 FA Cup Final where they lost to Spurs after a replay.  He had three seasons in Spain as manager of Barcelona before returning to manage Spurs.  He brought star players like Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne to the club and in a difficult financial situation he led Tottenham to the 1991 FA Cup Final triumph.  He was also instrumental in working with Alan Sugar to save the club from going out of existence.  However, in the early 1990s, just as the team was showing promise, he lost his position of Chief Executive at Spurs because of disagreement with Sugar over the financial issues at the club.  He later went on to manage England.

Another, player who had a distinguished career at Tottenham and who later had a time as manager of Queen's Park Rangers was Alan Mullery.  The former Tottenham and Fulham player was manager at Loftus Road for six months from June to Cecember, 1984.

Roger Morgan
Twins, Ian and Roger Morgan were part of the exciting QPR team of the late 1960s and scored their first goal at Wembley as they won the League Cup.  In 1969 Bill Nicholson paid £110,000 to sign Roger.  It took him time to settle in to the team but early in the 1970 - 71 season he sustained a serious knee injury playing against Swansea Town in the League Cup, a competition that Spurs went to win.  He never fully recovered and although he made attempts at a comeback he never regained full fitness and was forced to retire in 1973.

Terry Fenwick
Terry Venables gave Terry Fenwick his first chance at Crystal Palace and then took him to QPR.  He also followed his mentor to Spurs in 1987.  He took time to settle but scored eight goals for Spurs, all in the one season, 1988 - 89 and all penalties.  He broke his leg in 1989 and on recovering he broke his ankle early in 1991 in pre-match preparation for an FA Cup tie at Portsmouth, missing the opportunity to appear in the Final against Nottingham Forest.  He joined Swindon in 1993 and was manager at Portsmouth for three years from 1995.

QPR Current Squad
Luke Young made 76 appearances in four years at Tottenham.  He played mostly at full back but with Stephen Carr having such an influential role in Spurs play Young's opportunities to develop his career were limited.  He joined Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2001 for £4 million and shortly after that Carr suffered a knee injury which kept him out for the whole season.  If only he had been a little more patient.  however, he progressed at The Valley and after six seasons was transferred to Middlesbrough.  He also represented England and joined Aston Villa in 2008, returning to London and QPR in the summer.  An industrious player, he has an eye for goal, scoring for Boro against Spurs with an absolute screamer.

Adel Taarabt joined Spurs in Janauary, 2007, on loan, from Lens.  He completed his transfer the following summer.  A very talented player, Taarabt has great skill but Spurs found it difficult to harness his obvious talent into a team situation.  He made 15 substitute appearances for Spurs and went out on loan to QPR in March, 2009.  He remained there on loan until QPR signed him in August, 2010.  He captained their team to the Championship title scoring 19 goals and being the inspiration behind their exciting play.  He has lost the captaincy to Joey Barton but will have a point to make against Spurs.

Radek Cerny joined on loan as reserve goalkeeper at Tottenham, behind Paul Robinson for three seasons from 2005.  He was an experienced and reliable goalkeeper when required to play.  He joined QPR in 2008 but has now dropped down to third choice at the club. 

Of the current Tottenham team, Kyle Walker spent the first half of last season at Loftus Roald, helping them in the initial stages of their promotion to the Premier League.  He was highly regarded and they had hoped to keep him for the season but Spurs preferred him to get experience at the higher level with Aston Villa.

More Players who Played for both Clubs
Many players have appeared in both the white of Tottenham and the hoops of QPR although not all have been direct transfers between the clubs.  Some younger players have also had periods on loan at QPR to further their development.  Stephen Kelly and Dean Marney spent time at Loftus Road to gain experience before they played for Spurs.

Les Ferdinand started his League career at QPR before joining Newcastle United and then Tottenham.  Mark Falco left Spurs for Watford but later had a time at Loftus Road while Andy Sinton was at QPR for four years before he signed for Spurs from Sheffield Wednesday.

Others were: Ossie Ardiles, Alan Brazil, Steve Hodge, Neil Ruddock, Andy Gray, David Kerslake, Paul Walsh, Clive Wilson, Steve Slade and Dave McEwen.

Older players who were at both clubs were defender Horace Woodward who played for Tottenham in the 2nd Division after the war before moving to QPR in 1949.  Harry Gilberg also had two seasons at White Hart Lane after the war until 1948 and was with QPR in the early 1950s.

Three payers from Tottenham's earliest days in the Football League, Frank Drabble (goalkeeper), Bert Middlemiss (winger) and Charlie Rance (defender) spent time with QPR towards the end of their careers.

Middlemiss was in the Tottenham team that made its Football League debut in September, 1908 defeating Wolves 3 - 0.  He was an ever present that season scoring 13 goals as Spurs won promotion to the 1st Division.

Spurs in History - 25th July

25th July, 1987

AFC Bournemouth 4 Spurs 4 (Pre-season)

Two months after losing the F.A.Cup Final an almost similar team played out a high scoring draw at Bournemouth.

Glenn Hoddle had departed to Monaco and been replaced by Johnny Metgod with the other summer signing Chris Fairclough playing while Nico Claesen started ahead of Clive Allen.

According to the Spurs handbook the goals were scored by Chris Waddle, Steve Hodge and Clive Allen (2) who came on as a substitute.

Spurs in History - 16th May

16th May, 1987

Spurs' First Defeat in the FA Cup Final

Coventry City 3 Spurs 2 F.A.CUP FINAL at Wembley (aet).

The unthinkable had happened, Spurs lost an F.A.Cup Final.

A season that had promised so much had ended disappointingly with Spurs having nothing to show for all their exciting play and effort – David Pleat's ‘nearly’ team – beaten semi-finalists in the League Cup and third in the League. Spurs were favourites to win the Cup against unfancied Coventry and it had started so well with Clive Allen scoring his 49th goal of the season after two minutes. Coventry equalised shortly afterwards only for Gary Mabbuttt to restore Spurs’ lead.

In a very open game Coventry drew level to take the game into extra time and eventually won the Cup when a cross hit Gay Mabbutt and looped over Ray Clemence’s head into the goal.

Great disappointment and very hard on the great club player Mabbutt. A very disappointing end to a long season and especially for Glenn Hoddle who was playing his last game for Spurs.

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Thomas,M.; Hodge, Gough (Captain), Mabbutt; Allen, C.,Allen, P.,Waddle, Hoddle, Ardiles (Stevens)

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 - 2nd February

2nd February, 1987

Spurs 5 West Ham United 0 (League Cup 5th Round Replay)

This League Cup Replay, following a 1-1 draw the previous week, saw Spurs produce a top class performance with Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle in control, producing some very attractive football.

After six minutes Ardiles found Nico Claesen who scored and from then on, Spurs dominated the game but it was not until the 71st minute that they increased their lead with a Hoddle shot from 20 yards. In the last ten minutes Clive Allen came into his own, completing a hat-trick including a penalty after a foul on his cousin, Paul Allen.

This is a game often remembered by those present and set up a two-leg semi-final clash with North London neighbours, Arsenal.

4th March - Spurs in History

Sunderland 0 Spurs 4 Premier League

Steffan Iversen Hat-trick

Spurs' season under Gerry Francis was inconsistent and mediocre. Out of the Cup, they hadn't won since a home win over Blackburn at the end of January and were slipping towards the relegation zone.  However, Steffan Iversen had his moment and helped Spurs to an easy win with three goals. The other goal came from Allan Neilsen.

Probably not the highlight of his time at Spurs, that being reserved for his goal in the Semi -Final win over Wimbledon and his assist in the Final of Worthington Cup in 1999, but one of his better moments.

This result helped ease the relegation fears and set the team on a run of five games with only one defeat. The final weeks of the season were poor, taking only 4 points from the last six games but they somehow managed to finish 10th.

Not a great day for Spurs:
1961 - Sunderland 1 Spurs 1 FA Cup 6th Round
Spurs' quest for the 'Double' nearly came to grief in this game at Roker Park as Sunderland tested Spurs to the limit.  Sunderland were in the 2nd Division and the atmosphere at Roker Park was extraordinary.  Cliff Jones gave Spurs the lead after nine minutes with a header from a partially cleared corner.   The rest of the half was tranquil but Smith hit the post just before halftime.

In the second half, however, Sunderland were transformed and forced Spurs to defend.  The 61,236 crowd awoke and roared their team to an equaliser.  Weaker teams would have succumbed but Blanchflower galvanized the team which held out for the replay.

The replay at White Hart Lane, four days later, went according to script with Spurs winning by 5 - 0, Les Allen, Bobby Smith, Terry Dyson (2), Dave Mackay provided the goals.

1987 - Spurs 1 Arsenal 2 LC Semi-final Replay - losing at home to Arsenal in last moments of the game, the only time they were ahead over the three games.  Disappointment for Clive Allen who had scored the three goals Spurs managed in the three semi-final matches.

1992 - Feyenoord 1 Spurs 0 ECWC 3rd Round 1st Leg
A mistake from Paul Allen gave Feyenoord the advantage in this tie.  Former Spur, Johnny Metgod organised the home defence to deny Spurs any scoring opportunities and managed to do the same in the secong leg at White Hart Lane.   Spurs European adventure was over once more.