Spurs and the FA Cup 5th Round

Progress through the FA Cup 5th Round game and supporters and players start to believe that an appearance in the Final is possible.  Defeat and another season can sometimes be consigned to history with little to play for through in the coming months.  Tottenham, this season, however, have their continued aspirations for Champions League football and a say in the outcome of the Premier League title race to look forward to with anticipation.  The prospect of a return to Wembley in May is an added incentive for Spurs to renew acquaintances with the ground that was like their second home for a period in the 1980s.

Spurs are on Their Way to Stevenage

Another Step towards the Final - Spurs and the FA Cup 5th Round

(Article first appeared in Topspurs)

As Spurs prepare for the game against Stevenage, a team from League One who have a recent record of Cup upsets, ask Newcastle United, they must realise that it will not be an easy task at Stevenage’s compact ground.

Success in the 5th Round game means that a club is only two wins from a Final appearance and three from the ultimate success of lifting the trophy.  It can all seem so easy on paper but there can be many a twist before the task’s completed.  Spurs history shows that FA Cup winners need a slice of good fortune along the way but that a 'special' win at this stage is just a win and is no guarantee of further success.
  
Road to Success
1901
Spurs were drawn away to Reading, the only other non-League team left in the competition, in the 3rd Round game, the equivalent of today’s 5th Round.  Spurs had lost at Reading in the Southern League in November so although they had defeated League opposition in the previous rounds, this match was not going to be easy and so it proved.  Every Cup winning team has a moment when they could so easily have gone out of the competition and it happened for Spurs at Reading.  A goal down early on to a robust home team, Spurs were struggling to make any impact on the game. Early in the second half Spurs recovered for a brief period and equalised through winger John Kirwan but then Reading took control again.  Spurs were forced to hang on but when goalkeeper George Clawley failed to hold a shot, full-back Sandy Tait punched the ball clear – a certain penalty. Everyone saw what had happened except the referee the linesman and when a goal-kick was awarded the 3000 Spurs’ supporters gave a collective sigh of relief.  Spurs held on and in the replay the following Thursday Spurs were a completely different side.  David Copeland gave them an early lead and Sandy Brown scored two more to give Spurs a comfortable win.  Brown had kept up his record of scoring in every round of the Cup.  As Spurs looked forward to a semi-final tie against West Brom the question being asked was - Could this be Spurs’ year to win the Cup?

1921
The 3rd Round game seems to have been more straight forward with a 4-1 win over Third Division, Southend United.  However, while the score suggested a comfortable win, 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, Jimmy Seed and Bert Bliss.

1961
Spurs’ 5th Round opponents were Aston Villa at Villa Park.  A week earlier Spurs had won there in the League and recorded another victory in the Cup.  No matter what Villa attempted Spurs had an answer with a display of football at their very best.  Having constantly pulled the home defence apart, Spurs went ahead after seventeen minutes when a defender deflected a Cliff Jones’ shot into his own goal.  Just before the interval the game was effectively over when Jones scored and Spurs comfortably controlled the rest of the game.

1962
Spurs travelled to The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion.  In a typical Cup tie Bobby Smith gave Spurs an early lead but the game continued from end to end with both goalkeepers being kept busy.  Smith doubled Spurs lead just before half-time.  An injury to Cliff Jones restricted his movement and effectiveness and West Brom pulled a goal back at the start of the second half.  Jimmy Greaves restored Spurs two goal lead with fifteen minutes remaining only for West Brom to strike back again.  Spurs’ victory was secured by Greaves’ second with one minute remaining.

1967
The Cup winning trail gave Spurs a home game against 2nd Division Bristol City and it was that man Greaves who again secured Spurs’ passage to the next round.  Greaves put Spurs ahead after ten minutes but then the good fortune of Cup winners was again evident in Spurs’ victory as City missed a number of goal scoring opportunities and Pat Jennings was required to save a Bristol penalty in the second half.  The penalty was retaken because Jennings moved too soon and the re-take was hit wide.  To add insult to injury Greaves scored Spurs’ second goal from the penalty spot in the final minute.  Captain Dave Mackay put the win in perspective, ‘We should have won more easily but few top teams manage to win convincingly against lesser opposition.’

1981
It was less of a struggle against fellow 1st Division opponents, Coventry City at White Hart Lane.  Goals from Chris Hughton, Ossie Ardiles and Steve Archibald gave Spurs a 3-1 victory and dreams of Wembley were becoming less fanciful.

1982
The 5th Round game was Spurs’ third home tie against 1st Division opponents and their third single goal victory.  Mark Falco provided the solitary strike that defeated Aston Villa.

1991
Spurs’ hero was Paul Gascoigne but before the game at Portsmouth Spurs lost full-back Terry Fenwick who broke his ankle in the pre-match warm-up sessions.  Gazza required a hernia operation but was being nursed through the Cup games and he again proved the match winner with the two goals that took Spurs past the 2nd Division club.

Memorable Goals
1999
The FA Cup 5th Round tie against Leeds United is memorable for the quality of the goals that Spurs scored in the replay at White Hart Lane.  A goal from Tim Sherwood had earned Spurs the replay but Darren Anderton and David Ginola scored two goals of outstanding quality to take Spurs into the quarter finals. Another amazing strike from Ginola which went narrowly past is equally remembered for the reaction of George Graham and the Spurs’ bench as they leapt to their feet in celebration, thinking that it was a goal.

Abandoned - Snow!

1996
The  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.

Unlikely Hero:
1995
On 1st March, an unlikely hero stepped forward to rescue Spurs in a 5th Round Replay.  Spurs and Southampton had drawn 1-1 at White Hart Lane and when the Sheringham/Klinsmann team found themselves two goals down just before half-time at the Dell, their Cup dreams looked to be over.  Ronnie Rosenthal was brought on as sub just before the interval and in the second half he scored twice in two minutes to bring the scores level, the second from twenty five yards.  He outdid that goal in extra time with a shot from thirty yards to put Spurs ahead and then goals from Teddy Sheringham, Nick Barmby and Darren Anderton completed the 6-2 rout.  ‘Rocket’ Ronnie had made a name for himself in Spurs folklore.

Giant Killing - Cup Upsets:

1959
Defeat to clubs from lower divisions was a feature of Spurs in the 1950s.  They lost  to Norwich City who were in the 3rd Division and had beaten Manchester United and Cardiff City to reach this stage of the competition.  Held 1-1 at home in the first game Spurs lost the 5th Round replay by a solitary goal as Norwich progressed to the semi-finals.

1957
Two years earlier it had been Bournemouth who had knocked Spurs out at the 5th Round stage. Managed by former Spur Freddie Cox, the 3rd Division side took the lead only for Terry Medwin to equalise.  Bournemouth who had won at Wolves in the previous round did everything to unsettle Spurs and scored another two goals to win 3-1 and earn a home tie against Manchester United.

1955
Another two years earlier and it was York City who removed Spurs from the Cup with a similar 1-3 score.  George Robb put Spurs ahead but the home side scored twice before half-time and then added a third in the second half.  York who were in the 3rd Division (North) reached the semi-finals where they lost in a replay to Newcastle United, the eventual Cup winners.

Cup 'Classic'
1937
The 5th Round Replay against Everton was one of those games that Cup memories are founded on.  Spurs were a 2nd Division team and the match in Liverpool had seen Spurs score through Jimmy McCormick with five minutes remaining, only for their 1st Division opponents to equalise in the last minute.  The 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.  46,972 spectators witnessed a Cup ‘classic.’

Spurs’ fans would enjoy a Cup ‘classic’ that would see Spurs into the next round but they expect Spurs name to be in the draw for the 6th Round whatever team is selected by the manager.  Having defeated Cheltenham Town and Watford in the earlier rounds, the FA Cup could be the icing on the cake for a Tottenham team which has received many plaudits throughout the season for both their style of play and also their ability to fight for a result when their football is not flowing as well as they would like.  There may well be need for that fight and determination against Stevenage to ensure there are no FA Cup giant-killing stories to be recounted for years to come.

Gareth Bale in UEFA.com 'Team of Year'

Gareth Bale, the Tottenham Hotspur and Wales international and current PFA Footballer of the Year has received another accolade by being named in the prestigious UEFA.com's 'Team of the Year'.  He described being included in the team as a 'special honour'.

Gareth Bale - Tottenham's Super Star

Gareth Bale - selected in UEFA.com 'Team of the Year' for 2011

Liverpool have Steven Gerrard, Manchester United have Wayne Rooney but it's been a long time since Spurs have had a player of such stature who is capable of turning a game with a moment of brilliance.  Now, however, they have Gareth Bale's and his inclusion in the UEFA.com 'Team of the Year' is another step in the remarkable turnaround for the young player since his arrival at Tottenham.  A little over two years ago there were rumours and suggestions of him leaving Spurs as he struggled to live up to the high praise which accompanied his transfer from Southampton in  May, 2007.

Bale, then eighteen years of age, was another player from the successful Southampton Academy to make the step up to a Premier League club and cost Spurs £5 million with the potential to double with appearances and success.  His initial appearances in Martin Jol's side were encouraging.  He made his debut in August, 2007 at Manchester United in a single goal  defeat and a week later scored his first Tottenham goal in a 3 - 3 draw at Fulham when he received the ball from Robbie Keane to race down the left wing and score - a sight which through time would become the norm for watching Spurs fans and opposing defenders.  He scored with a free-kick in the north London derby with Arsenal and then scored in a Carling Cup tie against Middlesbrough giving him three goals in the first four matches he had started for the club.

Spurs' overall results, however, were poor and Juande Ramos replaced Jol in October but in only his second game for the new manager Bale was injured in a Premier League game against Birmingham in December and was to miss the rest of the season.

At the start of the next season Bale alternated between left back and the left side of midfield but the team was struggling and Bale's performance at Stoke in October, 2008 summed up perfectly his own time with Spurs and the club's situation at the time.  The club were bottom of the Premier League with two points and the 1 - 2 defeat in their eighth League match was to be  Ramos' last game in charge in a Premier League match.  In the seventeenth minute, playing at left back, Bale gave the ball away with a poor pass out of defence and as he tried to retrieve the situation he committed a foul to concede a penalty and was dismissed as Stoke scored their opening goal from the penalty spot.

As Bale started his three match suspension, a new manager came in and Bale found it difficult to reclaim his place as Harry Redknapp's team battled to avoid relegation with Benoit Assou-Ekotto playing regularly at left back for the rest of the season.

As season 2009-10 commenced Bale was recovering from surgery during the summer and had an unenviable record weighing heavily on his young shoulders - he had never played on a winning Spurs' team in his two years at the club.  That burden was eventually lifted at the end of September, 2009 when he appeared as a late substitute in Spurs' 5 - 0 win over Burnley - after a record twenty four Premier League matches without a win.

Assou-Ekotto continued to hold the left back position and there was talk that Bale might go out on loan while some clubs were considering putting in a bid for the young player during the January transfer window.  However, an injury to Assou-Ekotto was to give Bale his opportunity for an extended run in the team.  When Assou-Ekotto returned to fitness after a two month absence, Bale moved to left midfield with Luka Modric playing a more central and as the end of the season approached with Spurs looking to grab a Champions League place, Bale scored in consecutive wins at home over Arsenal and Chelsea.

Gareth Bale was now an established member of the Spurs team which played in last season's Champions League and he had established a good understanding with Assou-Ekotto on the left wing. In the first Premier League away game at the Brittania Stadium Bale had a point to prove and did so in style with the two goals which earned Spurs the three points.  He set aside the ghost of his previous problems at Stoke and provided the winning goal with a wonderful left foot volley.

It was at the San Siro Stadium against Inter Milan that Bale announced himself on the world stage.  With Spurs Champions League campaign looking doomed as they faced a four goal deficit with only ten men after thirty five minutes it was Bale who restored some pride for the team with a second half hat-trick with goals of unbelievable quality.  He ran at the Inter defenders with pace and left them floundering on three different occasions as Spurs staged a remarkable comeback to lose by only one goal to the reigning Champions.  By the end it was the Inter fans who were baying for the final whistle.

In the return game a fortnight later as Spurs won 3 - 1, the lasting memory is of Bale once again racing from his own half, down the left wing as chants of "Taxi for Maicon" rang from the White Hart Lane stands with the Inter defender lying prostrate on the ground.  The Inter defender and his colleagues failed to prevent Bale putting in a perfect cross for Roman Pavlyuchenko to score Spurs' third goal of the evening in the final minute.  Then, he had just repeated what he had done less than thirty minutes earlier when Peter Crouch had scored the second goal.

There was now no way that Bale would be leaving White Hart Lane - he was a vital part of the team that Harry Redknapp was developing to challenge the top four teams in the country.  It wasn't easy for Bale as defenders looked for ways to prevent him having an influence on the game and at times he was subject to heavy tackles and finding two or three defenders waiting in his way.

As last season drew to a close the high expectations and number of matches took their toll on all the players and Bale was finding it more difficult to be as effective as he struggled with niggling injuries.  His season finished early following a heavy challenge against Blackpool but refreshed at the start of this season he has shown added qualities in his game by playing from the right as well as the left and by having more freedom to play across midfield.  This was best illustrated against Norwich City over the Christmas period when he scored the two goals which kept up Tottenham's title challenge.  The first came as he supported Emmanuel Adebayor almost as a second striker in the penalty area and the second was the result of  a powerful run from the halfway line to out pace the defenders and lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

At present, much of what is good about Spurs often centres around Gareth Bale.  He has scored seven goals this season and has numerous assists as the team have risen to third position in the Premier League with 46 points from their last 19 matches.

Bale appears to be a very settled young man and he is always the last Tottenham player to leave the pitch at White Hart lane as he acknowledges the supporters on all sides of the ground before leaving the field.

Gareth Bale has played a leading role in the revival of the Wales international team and it is widely expected that he will appear in the Great Britain football team in the London Olympics later in the year.


UEFA.com 'Team of the Year'
It is the first time a Spurs player has made it into the Team of the Year since its inception in 2001 and Bale is the only Premier League player in the 2011 team and becomes the first Welshman to named.
He was up agains the likes of Lille's Edin Hazard, Manchester United's Ashley Young and Chelsea'a Juan Mata for the left midfield position.

Gareth Bale was quick to praise his team mates at Tottenham for the part they played in him receiving this accolade.  Luka Modric was also on the shortlist in central midfield and Gareth is one of only three players not based in Spain's La Liga to make the cut.

Boxing Day with Spurs

The holiday season is traditionally a busy period for footballers with four games to be played over Christmas and New Year.  In years gone by, teams had to play on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day with no time to recover from injury or a disappointing result.

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 The Christmas fixtures frequently throw some unexpected scores with goals aplenty or teams suffering a blow to their aspirations with a couple of disappointing results.  Local derbies are often the order of the day over the festive season to reduce travel and encourage attendances around the country.  For many years clubs played a double-header at Christmas, meeting the same team, home and away, within twenty four hours.

The last occasion that Spurs played on Christmas Day and Boxing Day was in season 1958-59 when they faced West Ham United.  It was only a few weeks earlier that Bill Nicholson had taken charge as manager and if he was disappointed with the Christmas Day defeat at Upton Park (1 - 2), he must have been very anxious after West Ham won 4 - 1 at White Hart Lane the following day.  Alfie Stokes scored Spurs' goal as their struggle against relegation continued.

Better times have been witnessed over the holiday with the 'Double' team managing a Christmas 'double' over West Ham, following up their two goal home win on Christmas Eve with a 3 - 0 success at Upton Park on Boxing Day - John White, Les Allen and an own goal providing the goals.

Strange, unexpected score lines are often the order of the day and in the season between those West Ham games, Spurs met Leeds United.  They enjoyed a successful trip to Yorkshire on Boxing Day, winning 4 - 2 with goals from Tommy Harmer, Bobby Smith and Allen (2).  In  the return fixture two days later, Leeds gained revenge as Spurs lost 1 - 4, Dave Mackay scoring their only goal.  Spurs were challenging near the top of the table while Leeds were in a fight against relegation.  Leeds lost their 1st Division place at the end of the season and Spurs were left to rue that defeat as two points from that home game would have seen them finish the season as title winners.

On Boxing Day 1964, Tottenham travelled to Nottingham to play Forest - not something they'd have done with much confidence as that season they'd failed to win any of their eleven away matches.  To everyone's surprise they returned with the two points after a 2 - 1 success - Alan Gilzean and Cliff Jones scoring the goals, their only away win of the season.  Two days later they won the return game by four goals to maintain their unbeaten home record.  Season 1964-65 is the only occasion when Spurs have gone through an entire season undefeated at home.

Whether players had over-indulged the previous day but high scoring games also appeared regularly as part of the Boxing Day recipe for entertainment.  In 1980-81 Southampton were the visitors to White Hart Lane and took a share of the points in an eight goal thriller.  A young midfielder, Garry Brooke, started his first game for Spurs in place of the injured Ossie Ardiles and scored twice with his trademark thunderbolt shot.  Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks completed the Totenham scoring.

This season's holiday opponents, Norwich City were frequent opponents over the Christmas period during the early 1990s.  On four successive years the clubs met home and away with Spurs earning a home win, a scoreless away draw, suffering a home defeat and managing to win 2 - 0 on Boxing Day, 1994 at Carrow Road.  Nicky Barmby and Teddy Sheringham scored the goals.

A similar result was gained on Boxing Day, 2004 with Robbie Keane and Michael Brown scoring the goals on the last occasion that the two clubs have met competitively.  Norwich were relegated at the end of both of those seasons, so they'll be hoping to avoid a hat-trick of defeats this year.

Recent Boxing Day Matches:
Last season, Spurs enjoyed a trip to Villa Park and in an excellent display with ten men won 2 - 1 as Rafael Van der Vaart scored twice, with the second goal showing great team work as Spurs broke at pace from defence.

The previous three seasons Spurs games had involved Fulham - in 2007-08, Spurs won 5 - 1 at White Hart Lane through goals from Keane (2), Tom Huddlestone (2) and Jermain Defoe.  The next two years there was no goal-fest for spectators to enjoy.  Fulham were determined not to suffer the same fate at White Hart Lane as the previous year and the teams played out a dull, scoreless draw which was the score the following year at Craven Cottage.

Non-League Days
Spurs first competitive match on Boxing Day was in season 1898-99.  In the Southern League, just as Portsmouth were the designated opponents for Spurs on Christmas Day, their near neighbours, Southampton, were Tottenham's opposition on Boxing Day.  For ten consecutive seasons, Spurs travelled to Southampton on Boxing Day to fulfil the Southern League fixture.  The first of these matches ended in a 1 - 1 draw and it was only at the fifth attempt that Spurs managed to win.  John Kirwan scored the only goal in 1902 and it was their only success in that series of games in which they achieved three draws and suffered six defeats. 

Tottenham must have breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the 2nd Division in 1908 and had a home fixture on Boxing Day.  It was the return fixture with Oldham Athletic who had defeated them by a single goal twenty four hours earlier.  Spurs took full revenge with a three goal success as Billy Minter, Vivian Woodward and Bert Middlemiss scored.

In season 1911-12, the Christmas fixtures decided upon a London derby.  Spurs defeated Woolwich Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Christmas Day by 5 - 0 but the journey south of the river was less successful as Spurs lost 1 - 3, Minter scoring Spurs' goal.

One of Spurs' best Boxing Day wins was over Sheffield Wednesday in the 1st Division in 1914.  The previous day Spurs had lost out in Sheffield by the odd goal in five but at home Spurs were not to be denied and triumphed by a score of 6 - 1.  Bert Bliss netted four while Bobby Steel and Harry Sparrow scored the others.

In 1930, it was just like Southern League days as Spurs travelled to Southampton on Boxing Day in a less than confident mood, having lost to them at home the previous day.  They gained their first Boxing Day win against the south coast club in twelve attempts, having lost twelve months earlier.  This time they scored thre times without reply through Willie Davies, Taffy O'Callaghan and Dick Rowley.

One of their longest journeys on Boxing Day took Spurs to Plymouth in 1935 and they returned empty handed, suffering defeat by 1 - 2, as Argyle completed the 'double' over them, having won by a similar score in London.

Tottenham's last Boxing Day defeat came in 2003 at Portsmouth, the home side winning 2 - 0.  The last home defeat was back in 1991 when Nottingham Forest took the points with a 2 - 1 success, Paul Stewart scoring the Spurs' goal.

Boxing Day games can be very unpredictable and are frequently high scoring affairs which can be enjoyable to the neutral and to the supporters of the winning team.  Spurs aren't playing on Boxing Day this year, their game at Norwich having been moved for television.  I won't mind a high scoring game as long as Spurs come out on top to maintain their hold on third place in the Premier League.

COYS!

Spurs in History - 2nd August

2nd August, 1997

Spurs 0 Fiorentina 2 (David Howells Testimonial)

David Howells was a loyal player to Spurs.

He made his debut as a striker, scoring in a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday in February, 1986. He took time to establish himself and it was as a defensive midfielder/defender who could score important goals that he will be remembered.

He made 277 League appearances, scoring 22 goals, 58 Cup games brought 5 goals and was a member of the 1991 Cup winning team.

This game was the first opportunity for the Spurs fans to see the new summer signings playing at White Hart Lane – David Ginola and Les Ferdinand who were signed from Newcastle United.

David Howells left Spurs in May,1998 and signed for Southampton. He also played for Bristol City before retiring in 2000 due to a persistent knee problem. He now runs a string of successful soccer schools across Europe.

Spurs in History - 10th May

10th May, 1998

Spurs 1 Southampton 1 Premiership

Job completed, Spurs said farewell to Jurgen Klinsmann for the second time in three seasons. This second period had not brought the same success as previously but he had scored six goals in Spurs final three games of the season which had helped ensure Premiership survival.
Klinsmann signed off from White Hart Lane by scoring Spurs equaliser.

Also leaving Tottenham that day were Gary Mabbutt and David Howells who had served Spurs loyally over many seasons.

On this day in 1995, a former player became immortalised in Spurs folklore with his winning goal in the last minute of extra time for Real Zaragossa in the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Arsenal – it was, ‘Nayim from the halfway line.’

Spurs in History - 29th April

29th April, 1978

Southampton 0 Spurs 0 (2nd Division)

The conclusion to the 2nd Division was very close. On the final Saturday both teams needed a point to ensure promotion at Brighton’s expense. The match was an extremely tense and nail-biting affair. There were many dramatic moments and Southampton could have scored on a number of occasions but Spurs held on for the point they needed.

Spurs finished two points behind Bolton, a point behind Southampton and level on points with Brighton. However, Spurs were promoted thanks to a superior goal difference. Spurs were top scorers in the division and their goal difference was nine goals better than Brighton’s, the exact score by which they had defeated Bristol Rovers, the previous October.

Spurs in History - 6th April

6th April, 1968

Spurs 6 Southampton 1 (1st Division)

Spurs had four consecutive home games from mid-March to Easter and won all of them. They scored 16 goals, conceding only two. This was the third of the victories, having previously overcome Stoke City (3-0) and Burnley (5-0) which included Jimmy Greaves 300th League goal.

The goals against Southampton were scored by Alan Mullery, Jimmy Greaves (2) (1 pen), Martin Chivers, Cliff Jones and an own goal. The final game in the sequence was a 2-1 victory over Leeds United on Good Friday. They then lost the next two away games, including the return against Leeds in mid-week before returning to winning ways at White Hart Lane.

Spurs in History - 23rd March

23rd March, 1985

Spurs 5 Southampton 1

Following the previous weekend’s victory at Anfield Spurs celebrated at White Hart Lane with a convincing victory over Southampton. The goals came from Ossie Ardiles, Mark Falco, Glenn Hoddle, Garth Crooks and Garry Brooke. At this point Spurs looked set for a challenge for the League title but their home form deserted them and of the next six home League games they won only one, losing the others.

They eventually finished third on 77 points, thirteen points behind Champions, Everton, and missing second place to Liverpool on goal difference. Throughout the season they lost 11 League games, seven of them at home and the four away defeats were during September and October.

Spurs in History - 1st March

Ronnie Rosenthal

1st March, 1995
Southampton 2 Spurs 6 (aet) F.A.Cup 5th Round Replay

On 1st March, 1995 an unlikely hero stepped forward to rescue Spurs in a 5th Round Replay.  Spurs and Southampton had drawn 1-1 at White Hart Lane and when the Sheringham/Klinsmann team found themselves two goals down just before half-time at the Dell, their Cup dreams looked to be over.

The match is remembered for the remarkable comeback and for Ronny Rosenthal’s incredible three goal contribution to the win.  Spurs’ cause looked lost when they were two goals down before half time but an inspired substitution by Gerry Francis saw him brought on as substitute just before the interval.  Rosenthal scored twice to take the game into extra time, the second from twenty five yards.  Just returned from injury Rosenthal scored twice in two minutes, having been on the pitch less than fifteen minutes.  He outdid that goal in extra time with a shot from thirty yards to put Spurs ahead and complete his hat-trick.

Then goals from Teddy Sheringham, Nick Barmby and Darren Anderton completed the 6-2 rout.

‘Rocket’ Ronnie had made a name for himself in Spurs folklore.

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.