Watford 0 Tottenham 1 FA Cup 4th Round

With a single goal from Rafael Van der Vaart, Tottenham became the first club to reach the 5th Round of the 2012 FA Cup and that's about the best that can be said for the match and Spurs' performance at Vicarage Road.

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FA Cup 4th Round

Watford 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Scorer: Van der Vaart

Team: Cudicini; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose; Van der Vaart, Livermore, Parker, Modric (Lennon); Defoe (Pienaar), Adebayor (Pavlyuchenko) Subs (unused): Friedel, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar

Spurs First to Reach FA Cup 5th Round (just!!)

Goalscorer: Rafael Van der Vaart

Tottenham became the first team to reach the FA Cup 5th Round as the match at Vicarage Road ended just ahead of the one at Goodison Park but in another sense they just managed to beat Championship side, Watford, thanks to a goal from Rafael Van der Vaart a few minutes before half-time.

The Spurs team contained six players who started last weekend's game against Manchester City showing that Harry Redknapp realises the importance of winning some silverware this season.  Carlo Cudicini, Michael Dawson, Danny Rose, Jake Livermore and Emmanuel Adebayor came into a team which contained eight full internationals.  With Spurs lacking pace and width it was much easier for the Championship side to contain them and Watford set out with purpose taking the game to their Premier League opponents.

Early enterprise from Watford saw Cudicini parry a shot which a defender cleared and then a dangerous cross to the near post was knocked wide with defenders nowhere and Cudicini relieved.  A long range effort passed wide for the home side with Tottenham offering little threat to the home defenders.  It wasn't until almost the half-hour mark that Spurs managed their first attempt on goal - a weak shot from Jermain Defoe.

While Watford were hard working, industrious and much quicker to every ball, Spurs' display was akin to their home performance against PAOK Salonika when defeat ultimately led to their elimination from the Europa League.  Their passing often fell short and was inaccurate, they were slow on the ball and were often caught in possession and they resorted to playing hopeful long balls forward which caused no problem to the Watford defence.

With such a lacklustre performance Spurs were fortunate to go ahead three minutes before half-time.  Watford had just created some confusion in the Tottenham penalty area which Spurs managed to scramble clear to Kyle Walker who broke at pace and passed the ball on to Van der Vaart having crossed the halfway line.  Van der Vaart for the first occasion found time and space in the Watford half and proceeded towards the goal with options of a pass both left and right but from thirty yards shot and as the ball bounced in front of Scott Loach, the goalkeeper's mistake ensured Spurs were ahead. 

Aaron Lennon replaced a very out of sorts, Luka Modric, at half time but Watford continued to press and could have levelled early in the half following some shambolic defending by Spurs.  It all started with a poor goalkick out by Cudicini putting the defence under pressure and as Dawson gave the ball away, it was only a finger tip save by the veteran goalkeeper that retrieved the situation as he touched Sean Murray's shot onto the post and the rebound was blazed over.

Spurs best attack of the evening saw a Rose cross met by Kyle Walker and pushed over by the goalkeeper. 

Watford always looked more likely to score as Spurs continued to concede possession with sloppy defending and only occasionally offered anything of an attacking threat although a Van der Vaart shot hit the bar after he combined well with Lennon and Defoe with just over an hour played.

Spurs failed to learn from earlier mistakes and nearly conceded after giving the ball away outside their own area.  Such were Spurs attacking limitations that it was only with about fifteen minutes remaining that I realised that Emmanuel Adebayor was still on the pitch as he chased a ball out after defending a corner, so anonymous had he been in the second half.

Cudicini saved for a corner from a high dropping cross and then Watford struck the outside of the post for a second time from the corner.  Watford who had lost their last three League games were giving Spurs a fright and brought on former Tottenham player Mark Yeates.


Cudicini again saved and then again as he blocked with his feet from a free-kick and a defender cleared.  With ten minutes remaining a fierce drive was blocked by Dawson who knew nothing about it as Watford continued to seek an equaliser and an opportunity of the replay their performance deserved. 

Spurs held out and maintained their unbeaten Cup record against Watford but it was the home side who deservedly received all the credit as their attempts on goal was over three times greater that Tottenham's and their performance was far superior than suggested by their position in the Championship.

Spurs progress with their first 1 - 0 FA Cup 4th Round success since defeating Leeds United in 1982. and they went on to win the Cup that year.  An omen, perhaps, but performances would need to show considerable improvement for any such dream to become reality.

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 - 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 - 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 - 3rd February

3rd February, 1960

Spurs 13 Crewe Alexandra 2 (FA Cup 4th Round Replay)

Having survived a difficult game the previous Saturday, this F.A.Cup 4th Round Replay was over, long before half-time, providing Spurs with their biggest ever win.

Spurs dominated the game from the beginning and were a goal ahead after two minutes through Bobby Smith. Two more followed from Les Allen and Smith before Crewe scored but then Tommy Harmer scored Spurs fourth after 20 minutes. Amazingly, Spurs led 10-1 by half-time and added another three in the second half. Les Allen enjoyed the game scoring five times, Bobby Smith scored four and Cliff Jones completed a hat-trick, including a penalty.

This was an outstanding performance and will probably never be equalled. However, Spurs were defeated by Blackburn, the eventual Cup winners in the next round.

Spurs in History - 30th January

30th January, 1960


Crewe Alexandra 2 Spurs 2 (FA Cup 4th Round)


This 4th Round F.A.Cup game was an extremely difficult match for Spurs. The result was no ‘fluke.’ They were glad to get the replay at White Hart Lane and can thank goalkeeper Bill Brown who made an excellent save to ensure they achieved the rather fortunate draw.


Spurs goals were scored by Les Allen and Cliff Jones. The team which were to finish third in the First Division that season were made to struggle and the team contained ten of the players who were to write their names in history in the following season as part of the great ‘Double’ winning side.

Spurs in History - 28th Janauay

28th January, 1961


Spurs 5 Crewe Alexandra 1 (FA Cup 4th Round)


Crewe must have arrived at White Hart Lane for the 4th Round game, with worries of a repeat of the previous season’s record defeat on their minds. Having lost 13-2 in a replay at the same stage of the FA Cup, twelve months earlier Crewe were determined to give a better account of themselves.


However it was difficult for them and their fears must have been raised when Spurs scored an early goal. Spurs won easily and only the performance of the Crewe goalkeeper, Williamson, kept the score down.


Spurs took the lead in the fourth minute through Terry Dyson, went further ahead with a goal from Bobby Smith before Crewe scored in a breakaway. Dave Mackay scored another before half-time and then Cliff Jones and Clive Allen, the two 'tormentors in chief' from the previous season completed the goal scoring in the second half.

Spurs and the FA Cup 4th Round

Spurs - A Stepping Stone on the Road to Wembley
(Spurs and the FA Cup 4th Round)

Many of the FA Cup ties that linger on the memory are associated with the 3rd Round or the Semi-Final or Final while the games in the intervening rounds tend to merge into one, as the 4th, 5th and 6th Rounds become indistinguishable as part of the journey, which one hopes will lead to success. As always, there are exceptions with the double spring spectaculars in 1985 at Southampton and Anfield.

Having overcome Cardiff in the 3rd Round Replay, Spurs have been rewarded with a second Cup visit from Southend United. This 4th Round tie will probably be consigned to join the many games that are overlooked in history unless it becomes memorable for all the ‘wrong’ reasons in that the Championship side gain an unexpected victory or hopefully the game has some spectacular goals which make it a step towards a Spurs’ victory in the Final in May.

It is for the ‘wrong’ reasons that a recent 4th Round game is remembered. Only three years ago supporters were left reeling after Spurs managed to lose a three goal half-time advantage to ten-man Manchester City. At half-time supporters were contemplating a 5th Round game at Old Trafford – Spurs were three ahead and City had just had a player sent off - nothing could be more straight forward. But City staged the most unexpected of come-backs to win the replay 4-3. The lowest point in a very low season as Spurs with David Pleat as caretaker manager, waited patiently for a new manager to replace Glenn Hoddle.

Unfortunately, even the greatest of managers can suffer the ignominy of such defeats. In 1973, with less than ten minutes to play, Bill Nicholson’s side were 3-1 ahead in the 4th Round Replay against Derby County at White Hart Lane. Spurs’ goals had come from Martin Chivers, Alan Gilzean and a Mike England penalty but then the Derby centre forward, Roger Davies came to life and scored twice to take the game into extra time. He then scored a third as Derby completed a remarkable recovery to win 5-3 in front of 53,000 disbelieving spectators.

In 1966 a visiting centre forward who also scored a hat-trick in a 4th Round tie was less fortunate. Willie Irvine, a Northern Ireland international scored three for Burnley in a seven goal thriller but went home on the losing side when Alan Gilzean matched his hat-trick and Frank Saul added a fourth for Spurs who had been two down early on and were trailing 2-3 with only minutes remaining.

The repercussions from a shock defeat can sometimes be very unexpected. In 1970 Spurs were knocked out of the Cup by Crystal Palace in a 4th Round Replay. Only a few weeks earlier Spurs had comfortably completed a League double over their London rivals and so must have assumed that progress to the next round of the Cup would be reasonably straight-forward. However, Palace achieved a scoreless draw at White Hart Lane and a single goal was enough in the replay. Manager Bill Nicholson was frustrated with the disappointing performance of his players and for the next game made wholesale changes. Dropped from the team were Alan Gilzean, Joe Kinnear, Cyril Knowles, Steve Perryman and Jimmy Greaves. Through time four players managed to regain their places but the other, Spurs’ leading goal scorer, Jimmy Greaves, never played for Spurs again. By mid-March he had been transferred to West Ham United as part of the deal to bring Martin Peters to Tottenham. Those supporters present at Selhurst Park that night in January didn’t realise that they were witnessing the demise and swan-song of Spurs’ greatest goal scorer – Jimmy Greaves’ last appearance in a white Spurs’ shirt.

However, games worthy of more favourable mention, include the 2nd Round tie back in 1901, when 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 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.

In 1921, the next occasion that Spurs won the FA Cup, their early progress was quite straight-forward. It had been expected that their 1st Division rivals, Bradford City would provide stiffer opposition than Spurs had experienced in the previous round but despite their defensive display holding Spurs in the first half, they were swept aside after half-time as Spurs scored four goals without reply. Jimmy Seed was the star, scoring twice in two minutes early in the second half. He controlled the game for Spurs and completed his hat-trick with a shot from twenty five yards, after winger, Jimmy Banks had scored the third. It was Jimmy Seed who received the rave reviews in the newspaper reports for his performance and his goals.

In 1961 Spurs had a home 4th Round tie against the side they had met at the same stage of the competition twelve months earlier. Then Spurs had been drawn away and were relieved to come away from Gresty Road with a 2-2 draw after Crewe Alexandra had twice pulled back from being a goal behind and only a magnificent save from Bill Brown prevented Spurs becoming the victim of a Cup upset. Les Allen and Cliff Jones scored in the first game and both maintained their scoring in the replay, being responsible for eight of the thirteen goals that Spurs scored that night. At half-time Spurs were 10-1 ahead and added three more in the second half to record their highest win, 13-2. Allen scored 5, Bobby Smith got 4, Jones scored 3 and Tommy Harmer completed the scoring. It is said that Crewe left London Euston from Platform 13 and arrived in Crewe at Platform 2.

A year later, Crewe determined not to suffer another heavy defeat gave a credible account of themselves before losing 5-1 to the Spurs team that was well on the way to recording the first League and Cup ‘double’ of the twentieth century. Crewe must have feared the worst when Terry Dyson put Spurs ahead after four minutes but their goalkeeper, put in an outstanding performance. Smith scored Spurs’ second but three minutes later Crewe pulled a goal back. Dave Mackay scored a third before the interval and second half goals from Jones and Allen completed Spurs’ victory.

The 4th Round draw in 1962 took Spurs on the long journey to Plymouth who were in the 2nd Division. Spurs won 5-1 with goals from Terry Medwin, John White, Jimmy Greaves (2) and Cliff Jones.

The 1967 4th Round game saw Portsmouth as the visitors to Tottenham. In the 2nd Division, Portsmouth held Spurs through the first half in spite of early Spurs’ chances and pressure. It was two goals inside a minute from Alan Gilzean early in the second half that changed the game. Greaves added a third before Portsmouth scored their consolation goal.

The 100th F.A. Cup competition in 1981 saw Spurs with a home tie in the Fourth Round against Third Division strugglers, Hull City. Going into this game, Spurs were in a period of impressive form with Archibald and Crooks taking the chances created by a midfield including Hoddle, Ardiles and Galvin, so the result should have been a formality. However, Hull gave Spurs a scare and the deadlock was only broken when substitute Garry Brooke, who had replaced Ardiles, scored with seven minutes remaining. Brooke then forced another save from the Hull keeper and set up Steve Archibald’s last minute goal. It was with relief that Spurs progressed to the next round.

The following year Spurs faced 1st Division opposition in a home game with Leeds United. As in the previous round against Arsenal, it was a very tight game and it was Garth Crooks who again provided the goal which took Spurs through to the next round for their third game against 1st Division opposition, Aston Villa.

The 1991 FA Cup triumph was achieved amid the financial difficulties encountered by the club and the events off the pitch were a major distraction. However, Paul Gascoigne managed to single-handedly turn everyone’s thoughts back to the football with his outstanding performances in the Cup games, in spite of needing a hernia operation. It was hoped that he could be nursed through to the end of the season and against Oxford United he showed no ill effects from the problem by scoring twice to give Spurs a comfortable passage to the next round. The other goals in a 4-2 win were scored by Gary Mabbutt and Gary Lineker.

While Terry Venables masterminded Spurs’ FA Cup success in 1991, his first three seasons at White Hart Lane were not so distinguished. Spurs were knocked out in the early rounds, showing none of their traditional Cup winning characteristics, including a 4th Round exit in 1987 to Port Vale. The 3rd Division side, fifty two places below Spurs were two goals ahead after twenty five minutes. When Spurs wakened up after half-time they scored through central defender Neil Ruddock mid-way through the half but it was too little too late and their humiliation was complete – from finalists at Wembley the previous May to Cup fodder for lowly opposition eight months later – the FA Cup is no respecter of anyone’s reputation.

Spurs’ progress in January, 1979 was proving problematic. They had the good fortune to receive a home tie in both of the opening rounds but after being taken to a replay by non-league Altrincham, Wrexham also managed to earn a draw at White Hart Lane in the 4th 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. Spurs and Wrexham shared six goals in the first game with Glenn Hoddle, Chris Jones and an own goal accounting for Spurs’ quota. Wrexham were deserving of the replay and Spurs were grateful to a hat-trick in successive rounds with centre forward Chris Jones providing the much needed goals to see Spurs through by 3-2 after extra time.

A memorable game from recent times when Spurs’ FA 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.

A defeat in the 4th Round of the FA Cup often signals an early ‘end’ to the season. This year Spurs are fortunate that they still have the UEFA Cup games and the second leg of the Carling Cup to maintain interest in their season as well as endeavouring to close the gap on those European places for next year. However, defeat to Southend is not a prospect that anyone at White Hart Lane would want to contemplate so while the temptation will be there to rest important players ahead of next week’s Carling Cup game, Southend must be given they respect they are due. They showed in the Carling Cup that they will compete for every ball so Spurs must be prepared to dig deep and produce the required effort and application to keep alive the hope that it will be another stepping stone on the road to Wembley.

COYS