Tottenham and the FA Cup (4th Round)

Spurs and the FA Cup 4th Round

Spurs - A Stepping Stone on the Road to Wembley 

(Article first appeared on Topspurs)

Les Allen

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 Cheltenham Town in the 3rd Round, Spurs have been rewarded with a 4th Round trip to Watford.  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.

Following fast on th eheels of last weekend's disappointment against Manchester City in the League, it is for the ‘wrong’ reasons that a recent 4th Round game is remembered.  It was in February, 2004 that supporters were left reeling after Spurs managed to lose a three goal half-time advantage to ten-man 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.  City, however, 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.  Palace, however, 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.  Hull, however, 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.  Paul Gascoigne, however, 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 1988 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.

In 2010, a home tie against Leeds United who had knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round proved more difficult that expected.  A late penalty gave Leeds a 2 - 2 draw and a replay at Elland Road.  Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the goals at White Hart lane but it was a Jermain Defoe hat-trick which saw Spurs through the replay with a 3 - 1 success and into the next round.

A defeat in the 4th Round of the FA Cup often signals an early ‘end’ to the season. This year Spurs, however, have their ambitions at the top of the Premier League to maintain interest in their season. Defeat at Watford, however, is not a prospect that anyone at White Hart Lane would want to contemplate and whatever team Spurs send out, the players 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.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 7 (1999)

It was a long time in coming but eventually 'the man in the raincoat' oversaw Tottenham's third League (Worthington) Cup success after only a few months in charge.  The run to Wembley had many memorable moments even if the Final itself was a disappointment, although in the end Tottenham experienced the joy of winning the Cup.

1999 Worthington Cup Final
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Leicester City 0

Last Gasp Neilsen Wins Cup for Tottenham

Nielsen - Scorer and Man of the Match

The 1999 Worthington Cup Final is probably the least memorable of all of Tottenham's Cup Final appearances.  In an extremely dull game where neither side seemed capable of winning and with extra time looming, a goal in the final minute from Allan Neilsen brought an end to all the tedium and ensured another Cup Final victory for Spurs.  George Graham, the manager that no Spurs supporter wanted had brought silverware to the club within five months of taking charge.  Throughout his tenure the nearest supporters came to acknowledging him was by referring to the team as 'the man in the raincoat's blue and white army'.  Tottenham had been reduced to ten men when Justin Edinburgh was harshly sent off but they showed grit against a lack-lustre Leicester City team to score the late, late winner.

Road to Wembley
2nd Round (1st Leg) v Brentford (a) Won 3 - 2  Carr, Dominguez, Vega
By the time this tie came round in mid-September Tottenham had already plunged into crisis when following two disappointing defeats to Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday, Christian Gross was removed from his post less than a year after becoming manager at White Hart Lane.  David Pleat took control as caretaker manager until an appointment was made.

Brentford, in the 3rd Division, took the lead midway through the first half although Spurs had been fortunate on a couple of occasions not to concede earlier.  It wasn't until a minute to the interval that Stephen Carr equalised with his first ever goal for Spurs.  Tottenham enjoyed a period of dominance early in the second half and were rewarded when Jose Dominguez scored.  However, Spurs continued to make mistakes allowing Brentford to level from a poor back pass after 66 minutes.  It took Ramon Vega's headed goal from a David Ginola corner with eight minutes remaining to give Spurs the advantage at the end of the 1st leg.

2nd Round (2nd Leg) v Brentford (h) Won 3 - 2  Nielsen, Campbell, Armstrong
Brentford stunned Spurs by levelling the tie in the first minute of the match and could have gone ahead from a long range shot but for an acrobatic save from Hans Segers.  Brentford matched Spurs throughout the first half only for Allan Nielsen to equalise after a shot from Chris Armstrong had been parried by the goalkeeper on 24 minutes.  Sol Campbell gave Spurs the lead within a minute of the restart, following up after a Ginola shot had been blocked by the keeper.  Seven minutes later Spurs had a two goal advantage after Nielsen hit the post and Armstrong was on hand to knock in the rebound.  Brentford weren't going to lie down and scored with fifteen minutes remaining and while Spurs progressed, it was Brentford who deserved all the praise and credit from the two matches.

3rd Round v Northampton Town (a) Won 3 - 1  Armstrong (2), Campbell 
This is the sort of Cup tie that Tottenham don't like but under new manager, George Graham, they made no mistakes although the home team did take the lead after half an hour after a mistake from Espen Baardsen.  On a near water-logged pitch Armstrong equalised nine minutes later and Campbell's goal two minutes after the interval settled Spurs who added a third through Armstrong seven minutes from time.  David Ginola inspired Spurs, working hard to drive them forward against the 2nd Division team, although he saw a penalty that he had earned with Spurs 2 - 1 ahead, saved by the goalkeeper.

 4th Round v Liverpool (a) Won 3 - 1  Iversen, Scales, Nielsen
A trip to Anfield where Spurs hadn't won since 1995 but Spurs were in control from the second minute when Steffan Iversen put them ahead although Liverpool had hit the bar in the opening minute.  After 20m minutes John Scales scored past Brad Friedel (a future Spurs goalkeeper)against his former club and then with an hour gone Nielsen made it three - an unbelievable score line for Tottenham fans.  With ten minutes left Liverpool scored a consolation goal but Tottenham had a victory to savour.

5th Round v Manchester United (h) Won 3 - 1  Armstrong (2), Ginola 
David Ginola was the inspiration behind this Spurs performance and capped it with an outstanding goal to seal the victory.  A weakened United kept Spurs alert but two headed goals from Armstrong early in the second half put Spurs in the ascendancy and while Teddy Sheringham pulled one back with twenty minutes to go, Ginola's 'special' strike ensured their passage to the semi-finals.  This was the only competition that United didn't win in their 'treble' season, foiled by the 'mighty' Spurs.

Semi-Final (1st Leg) v Wimbledon (h) Draw 0 - 0
This match was the third of a series of five League and Cup games between the two teams played in a month.  The first two, played in the previous week had ended scoreless and this one continued the sequence giving Wimbledon the psychological advantage with the second leg at home.  The visitors defended stoutly and although Spurs created the better chances, the stalemate continued.

Semi-Final (2nd Leg) v Wimbledon (a) Won 1 - 0  Iversen
The fourth game of the sequence had seen Spurs triumph with an emphatic 3 - 0 success in the FA Cup replay at White Hart Lane.  This was a typically, physical bustling Cup-tie with both teams giving their all.  From that industry a moment of exquisite skill by Iversen seven minutes before half-time was enough to take Spurs to Wembley.  Ferdinand pressurised a defender to pass back to his goalkeeper but he directed the ball to Iversen who coolly and composed chipped the ball over the stranded keeper, Neil Sullivan - another future Tottenham keeper, and into the net from the edge of the penalty area.  In the second half, it was backs to the wall as Spurs defended their lead with energy.  Not a pretty sight but in true George Graham style, very effective.


Worthington Cup Final v Leicester City (at Wembley) Won 1 - 0  Nielsen
In a match that has long been forgotten by all but Tottenham supporters, Leicester City were set up to deny Spurs time and space but with few attacking ides of their own.  Spurs were unable to take advantage of these negative tactics and were drawn into a game of attrition.  Even when Justin Edinburgh was sent off following a minor altercation with Robbie Savage after an hour, Leicester didn't show any urgency or inclination to try to win the game.  Just as it looked as if everyone was going to have to endure thirty minutes of extra time, Spurs broke on the right and worked the ball to Iversen who powered in on goal and shot, Kasey Keller, yet another future Tottenham keeper, could only parry his effort and Allan Nielsen who was following up, flung himself forward to head the ball into the net.   The 90th minute had come and gone so supporters knew that goal was going to be the winner.  Cue rejoicing among Spurs supporters around Wembley and celebration as Sol Campbell lifted the Cup. It wasn't the greatest of Finals or Cup Final victories but Spurs had the joy of winning another trophy and were back in Europe once again.


Team: Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh; Anderton, Freund, Nielsen, Ginola (Sinton), Iversen, Ferdinand.  Subs (unused): Baardsen, Young, Dominguez, Armstrong. 

Allan Nielsen

Allan Nielsen, a Danish international midfielder, joined Tottenham in 1996 from Brondby for a fee of £1.65 million.  He made 96 League appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.  He made 18 Cup appearances and scored 6 goals, including three in the Worthington Cup - all coming in the Cup winning season with the Wembley winner as the most memorable.  He received the 'Man of the Match' award as Tottenham lifted their third League Cup trophy.  However, the arrival of Tim Sherwood from Blackburn Rovers who was Cup-tied for this competition restricted Nielsen's opportunities at Spurs.  The following season he played fewer games for Spurs so went out on loan and was transferred to Watford for £2.5 million in July, 2000.

Goalkeepers:  Tottenham used three goalkeepers through this competition.  Espen Baardsen had replaced Ian Walker after the two defeats at the beginning of the season.  Hans Segers was called upon for the home tie against Brentford when Baardsen was injured but Walker had reclaimed the position by the time of the Manchester United match.

The Cup run also saw Spurs play against three goalkeepers who would through time become the occupant of the Number 1 shirt at White Hart Lane.  Neil Sullivan joined Tottenham from Wimbledon in the summer of 2000 and Kasey Keller would then replace Sullivan after signing in 2002.  Brad Friedel would join Spurs, aged forty in the summer of 2011 after spending his career playing for Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 4 (2008)

Tottenham's last Cup winning performance in 2008 came in unusual circumstances as Martin Jol was replaced as manager by Juande Ramos in late October after his team had reached the 4th Round of the Carling Cup which was Ramos' first game in charge.  Victories over Arsenal and Chelsea made it a very special Cup campaign. 

2008 Carling Cup Final
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Chelsea 1 (aet)

Woodgate's Header Wins Cup for Spurs 

Woodgate Celebrates Win

Tottenham recorded their fourth success in the League Cup (Carling Cup) in a season that saw them appoint a new manager in late October and with new players who had only joined the club during the January transfer window.  Victories over 'top-4' London rivals in the semi-finals and Final helped to create a positive feel at the club that Spurs had at last started to close the gap on the the clubs at the head of the Premier League.  It was their first trophy since winning the Worthington Cup in 1999 and fans were over-joyed at the opportunity of another trip to Wembley and another European 'Tour'. 


Road to Wembley:
3rd Round v Middlesbrough (h) Won 2 - 0 Bale, Huddlestone
As they had qualified for the UEFA Cup by finishing 5th in the Premier League the previous season, Spurs were exempt from the competition until the 3rd Round.  It took two goals in three minutes late in the second half to see Spurs into the next round.  The introduction of Robbie Keane with twenty minutes remaining livened up Spurs' attacking options and within three minutes he had set up Gareth Bale for the first.  Three minutes later Tom Huddlestone scored the second and Spurs had overcome Middlesbrough's stubborn resistance.

4th Round: v Blackpool (h) Won 2 - 0 Keane, Chimbonda
The first match for Ramos as manager and an early goal from Keane set Spurs off against Blackpool, newly promoted to the Championship.  It required a hard-working performance from Tottenham and the second goal was scored by Pascal Chimbonda with just under an hour played.

5th Round: v Manchester City (a) Won 2 - 0 Defoe, Malbranque   
Jermain Defoe gave Spurs the lead on five minutes but Didier Zokora was dismissed after twenty minutes putting the team under added pressure.  However, they reorganised well and held City at bay and eight minutes from time Steed Malbranque secured victory.

Semi-Final (1st Leg): v Arsenal (a) Draw 1 - 1 Jenas
For the second successive season these two teams were drawn to meet at this stage of the competition.  Ramos decided to omit Paul Robinson for the first time, Radek Cerny taking his place.  Spurs started well and went ahead through Jermaine Jenas eight minutes before the interval.  They should have added to their lead in the second half but with ten minutes left Arsenal levelled.

Semi-Final (2nd Leg): v Arsenal Won 5 - 1 Jenas, Keane, Lennon, Malbranque, Opp. o.g.
What a way to reach Wembley!  Jenas started Spurs off with a goal after three minutes.  The second came courtesy of an own goal from a corner after half an hour.  Arsenal were losing it.  Keane scored early in the second half, Lennon added the fourth on the hour.  With twenty minutes left Arsenal pulled one back (Adebayor) but Malbranque added extra salt in the wounds with the fifth in the final minute. 

Final: v Chelsea (Wembley) Won 2 - 1 (aet)  Berbatov (p), Woodgate 
Ramos restored Robinson to the team and new signings Alan Hutton and Jonathan Woodgate, replacing the injured Michael Dawson, made their first appearances in the competition.  Tottenham started with a purpose taking the game to Chelsea and surprising their opponents.  Slowly Chelsea came more into the game and following a number of free-kicks around the Spurs box, Didier Drogba gave Chelsea an undeserved lead late in the first half.  Spurs continued to create chances and on seventy minutes were awarded a penalty for a handling offence.  Dimitar Berbatov remained calm and slotted home.  Chances continued to be created but missed until in the fourth minute of extra-time Woodgate scored with a header from Jenas' free-kick.  It was then all hands to the board as Tottenham held out to win their first trophy in nine years.


Team: Robinson; Hutton, King, Woodgate, Chimbonda (Huddlestone); Lennon, Jenas, Zakora, Malbranque (Tainio); Berbatov, Keane (Kaboul) Subs: (unused): Cerny, Bent

Tottenham looked to this win under their new manager as a stepping stone to breaking into the top four having overcome both Chelsea and Arsenal to win the trophy.  However, it didn't work out like that - their form dropped off alarmingly after the Final and they finished in mid-table, in the summer they lost both of their Cup winning strikers, Berbatov to Manchester United and Keane to Liverpool and by the following October Ramos was gone and Harry Redknapp had been recruited to ensure the team avoided relegation after taking only 'two points from eight games'.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 3 (1991)

Following England's World Cup exploits in the 1990 World Cup, English football was revitalised  and Tottenham had two of the star players in their ranks, Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne.  However, there was only one name on everyone's lips, 'Gazza' and every ground was packed to see him display his wonderful footballing skills.  Later in the season he would almost single-handedly win the Cup for Tottenham.

1991 FA Cup Final
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Nottingham Forest 1 (aet)

Gazza's Heartache as Tottenham Win Cup 

Paul Gascoigne inspired Spurs

Season 1990 - 91 turned out to be a very difficult year for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.  Manager, Terry Venables had expected to build on the previous season's third place finish in the League but the season became a story of what was happening off the pitch rather than what was happening on it.  Venables became very active in a battle to save the club from financial ruin as the banks tried to foreclose on money owed to them.  

Against this background of potential extinction, Terry Venables managed to plot the club's path to Wembley success with Paul Gascoigne as his leading man who delivered throughout the Cup run.

Paul Gascoigne Talks about 1991 Cup Final (from youtube)

Road to Wembley: 
3rd Round: v Blackpool (a) Won 1 - 0 Stewart
In stormy, wintery conditions Tottenham managed to withstand the gale force winds and everything that Blackpool could through at them.  A goal from former Blackpool player, striker come midfield player, Paul Stewart secured Spurs passage into the next round. 

4th Round: v Oxford United (h) Won 4 - 2 Mabutt, Lineker, Gascoigne (2)
Paul Gascoigne's scored two goals and created the others to ensure Tottenham's victory over Oxford United at White Hart Lane - the start of his contribution to this Cup winning season.

5th Round: v Portsmouth (a) Won 2 - 1 Gascoigne (2)
A difficult match for Spurs against 2nd Division Oxford United.  Tottenham lost experienced full back Terry Fenwick prior to the game, having broken his ankle in the pre-match warm up. It was Gascoigne again who provided the goals in a class performance from the country's most exciting player who was struggling with injury but kept producing excellent performances.

6th Round: v Notts County (h) Won 2 - 1 Nayim, Gascoigne
A semi-final place was achieved through goals from Nayim and Gazza - his fifth in the competition but he had been playing with an injury and required surgery so Tottenham's worry, along with their worsening financial situation, was whether he would be fit to play in the semi-final against Arsenal. 

Semi-Final: v Arsenal (Wembley) Won 3 - 1 Lineker, (2), Gascoigne
The first FA Cup semi-final to be played at Wembley saw Tottenham take on Arsenal who were favourites to win the League and Cup 'double'.  Spurs' good news was that Gascoigne had made a speedy recovery from his operation and was fit to start.  From the off, Gascoigne ran the game and Spurs took Arsenal by surprise with their play and took the lead after five minutes with a thunderous free-kick from thirty five yards by Gascoigne.  Tottenham continued to dominate and went further ahead five minutes later when Paul Allen crossed from the right for Gary Lineker to score.  Gradually Arsenal came into the game and managed to score with a header on the half-time whistle.  In the second half with ten minutes remaining Lineker scored his second, breaking from half-way and shooting from the edge of the box.

Paul Gascoigne who left to a raptourous reception when he was substituted having run himself out after an hour had been the catalyst for this victory.  Spurs were going to Wembley but would the football club survive their financial problems?

Final: v Nottingham Forest (Wembley) Won 2 - 1 (aet) Stewart, Opp. o.g. 
Terry Venables v Brian Clough, Tottenham v the Bankers, Paul Gascoigne v a young Roy Keane were all issues that this game brought to Wembley.  Spurs preparations for the game had involved negotiations over the club's future and a deal to sell their star player to Lazio for £8.5 million.

Tottenham were again relying on the inspiration of Gazza to bring them their eighth FA Cup success and he was pumped up for the game - in the opening minutes his boundless energy took him everywhere.  However, unfortunately that was soon to become a problem for Spurs and the player.  Early on he made a rash tackle that could have seen him booked and that might have calmed him down.  The referee showed leniency and Gazza carried on, unrestrained, making another bad tackle on the Forest fullback, injuring himself as well.  From the resulting free-kick Pearce scored but Spurs were doubly penalised when Gascoigne fell to the ground, his injury worse than realised.  He was carried off on a stretcher and went to hospital with a cruciate ligament injury which would sideline him for a year and jeapordize the deal that was to save the club.

From all of these set-backs Tottenham managed to recover but not until Lineker had a goal incorrectly disallowed and then see his penalty saved.  It was looking as if it wasn't going to be Tottenham's day.  However, early in the second half Stewart powered into the penalty area from midfield and equalised for Spurs.  No further goals took the game to extra time and four minutes Tottenham got the winning goal.  It was an own goal from former Tottenham junior, Des walker.  He jumped with Gary Mabbutt for a cormer but only deflected the ball beyond his own keeper.  It was justice for Mabbutt who in 1987 had scored the winning goal for Coventry in Spurs only FA Cup Final defeat.  Mabbutt who had been with Spurs for nine seasons had fought a constant battle with diabetes was  a loyal servant to the club and a real ambassador for Tottenham Hotspur.

Gary Mabbutt with FA Cup

Spurs held on and Mabbutt lifted the Cup to give them a then record eighth win in the competition.  To date, that is Tottenham's last FA Cup Final win or appearance.

Team: Thorstvedt; Edinburgh, Howells, Mabbutt, Van den Hauwe; Allen, Gascoigne (Nayim), Sedgley, Samways, Stewart; Lineker

Paul Gascoigne
It was a very difficult time for Paul Gascoigne and while he recovered from his injury and went to Lazio the following summer in a renegotiated deal for £5.5 million which helped to preserve the club's future under the Chairmanship of Alan Sugar, with Terry Venables as Chief Executive, his football never really had the same spark about it that it had had that season.

Gascoigne has known troubled times throughout his life and football was his life.  Hopefully with the help and support of others he will now find a real purpose in his life away from football.

The FA Cup success gave Spurs their eighth win from nine Finals, at the time it was the record number of wins by any club.  Even now over twenty years later without an additional FA Cup success, Spurs sit third in the list of all-time winners, behind Manchester United (11) and Arsenal (10) who have dominated the competition from 1992 through to 2005.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 2 (1981)

Thursday, 14th May, 1981 marks the night Ricky Villa became a Tottenham 'legend'.  He came back from the disappointment of a poor performance and being substituted in the first game the previous Saturday, to score twice, the winner being one of the best goals ever seen at Wembley Stadium.

1981 FA Cup Final (Replay)
Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 2

Ricky Villa's Wonder Goal Wins Cup for Spurs!

Ricky Villa lifts FA Cup

The 1981 - 82 season had been just another step in Tottenham's endeavours to re-establish themselves as one of the top clubs in the country.  Keith Burkinshaw had slowly brought together a group of players who were capable of playing football in the style associated with Spurs.  After the club's relegation in 1976 - 77 and promotion the following season it had taken time  for the team to blend together together and in the League Tottenham were only to finish the season in 10th position.

However, from early January and the 3rd Round of the FA Cup the players grew in confidence and belief in themselves that they progressed to Wembley for the 100th FA Cup Final.  That small step during the 1980 - 81 season had turned into a massive stride forward for the manager, the players and the club as they went on to enjoy more success in the coming years.

1981 FA Cup Final Replay (from youtube)

Road to Wembley:
3rd Round: v Queen's Park Rangers (a) Draw 0 - 0
Replay: v Queen's Park Rangers (h) Won 3 - 1  Galvin, Hoddle, Crooks
Happy to leave Loftus Road with a draw against 2nd Division QPR, Spurs ensured their progress to the next round with a comfortable win at White Hart Lane.  Ricky Villa missed the home game through an injury sustained in the first game.

4th Round: v Hull City (h) Won 2 - 0  Archibald, Crooks
A visit from another 2nd Division side but the two strikers signed the previous summer scored the goals required to take Spurs into the 5th Round.

5th Round: v Coventry City (h) Won 3 - 1 Hughton, Ardiles, Archibald
Another home tie but against 1st Division opposition who were dismissed and Spurs supporters started to consider the possibility of the Cup returning to White Hart Lane as the year did end in '1'.

6th Round: v Exeter City (h) Won 2 - 0 Robertts, Miller

The draw once again proved favourable for Tottenham with a home game against the last lower League team left in the competition.  However, Exeter proved more difficult than had been expected bur two goals from central defensive partners Paul Miller and Graham Roberts took Spurs to the semi-finals for the first time since 1967.

Semi-Final: v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Hillsborough) Draw 2 - 2 (aet) Archibald, Hoddle
Ricky Villa returned from injury to start his first game since the 3rd Round.  Steve Archibald gave Spurs an early lead only for Wolves to draw level.  Before half-time Spurs went ahead through Glenn Hoddle and retained their lead until going into the final minutes when Wolves were awarded a controversial penalty.  Hoddle was penalised for a tackle which took place outside the penalty area.  Wolves scored from the spot taking the game went into extra time but neither team could settle the tie so requiring a replay.

Replay: v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Highbury) Won 3 - 0 Crooks (2), Villa
Tottenham took over Highbury and Garth Crooks scored twice with the third coming from Ricky Villa - a fierce drive following a run from halfway.

FA Cup Final: v Manchester City (Wembley) Draw 1 - 1 (aet) Hutchinson (og)
In a game that was rather dour, Manchester City's non-stop commitment and effort denied Tottenham and they took the lead through Tommy Hutchinson after half an hour.  It was a disappointing display from Spurs who couldn't get their game going and with twenty minutes remaining Ricky Villa was substituted.  The lasting memory is of the Argentine forlornly and slowly making his way past the Wembley stands to the dressing room - dejected and disappointed with his contribution to the game.  However, eleven minutes from time, good fortune favoured Tottenham.  They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and when Hoddle struck it, Hutchinson in trying to defend it only succeeded in deflecting it into his own goal.  Tottenham had been given a second chance.

Replay: v Manchester City (Wembley) Won 3 - 2 Villa (2), Crooks

For the replay, manager, Keith Burkinshaw, made a brave decision to include Ricky Villa as many had expected him to be dropped after his poor display on the Saturday.  However, having been given a reprieve, Villa immediately set about proving the manager correct by scoring the opening goal after eight minutes, a good strike as the ball fell to him in the penalty area.  The lead was short lived as three minutes later City equalised with a well struck shot from the edge of the box.  In a game that was much more open than the first match, City went ahead with a penalty early in the second half.  Tottenham battled on and equalised with a goal from Garth Crooks.  Level with twenty minutes remaining either team could have won but seven minutes later, Tony Galvin made a short pass to Ricky Villa wide on the left just inside City's half.  Villa set off on a run that took him past the City defenders and on into the penalty.  He continued his mazy dribble with team mates waiting for a pass, until finally getting past the last defender he placed the ball beyond the despairing keeper to score the winning goal.

That wonder goal not only won the FA Cup for Spurs for the sixth time but it turned Ricky Villa into an instant Tottenham legend and provided supporters with a moment in their lives that they will never forget, whether having been at Wembley or simply watching on television.  The joy of winning the Cup for Tottenham.
Team: Aleksic; Perryman, Roberts, Miller, Hughton; Ardiles, Hoddle, Villa, Galvin; Archibald, Crooks. Sub: Brooke (unused)

Ricky Villa Cup Hero

Ricky and Ossie Celebrate FA Cup win

Ricky Villa had arrived at Tottenham in the summer of 1978 with fellow Argentine, Oswaldo Ardiles, having helped their country win the World Cup.  Spurs had just won promotion from the 2nd Division after one season out of top flight football.  The news of their arrival caused great excitement not just at Tottenham but in English football in general as grounds were packed to see the two World Cup winners.  However, the reality was that Spurs were finding it difficult back in the 1st Division and the two new players needed time to adjust to English football.  In time Ardiles settled into the team but it was more difficult for Villa who was missing his home country and on occasions struggled with injury.  The manager struggled to find a suitable position for his new player who was not guaranteed a start in every game whereas Ardiles had quickly become an influential member of the team.  However, by the start of the Cup winning season, Villa had become a regular in midfield but injury in the first game of the Cup campaign saw Villa missing until the semi-finals.  What a contribution he made to the drama and excitement of the FA Cup in those four games which led to Tottenham enjoying a period of success not seen since the days of Bill Nicholson.

18th March - Spurs in History

18th March, 1961

FA Cup Semi-Final Day

Spurs 3 Burnley 0 (Villa Park) Smith (2), Jones

Champions, Burnley against the Champions 'elect' and Spurs came out on top. The games between these sides were always close and contested to the full - as is evident by the 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane earlier in the season when Spurs had been four up after 35 minutes.

Villa Park was not Spurs favourite ground for FA Cup semi-finals, having lost the last three played there in 1948, 1853 and 1956 although in League games against Villa they were undefeated since the war.

Burnley started best but after half an hour Spurs had a slice of good fortune that had been missing on the previous semi-final occasions. A Burnley defender misjudged the ball which fell to Bobby Smith who scored. A fortunate and undeserved lead but Spurs should have had a penalty before half-time when the Burnley full back punched out a Terry Dyson header.

Burnley seemed to have equalised two minutes after the break but the goal was disallowed and then Burnley should have had a penalty when Ron Henry clearly handled the ball on the line. Again the referee waved play on and Spurs immediately scored their second.

Smith's second goal took the sting out of Burnley's game and Cliff Jones made sure with the third.

Spurs were on their way to Wembley for the FIRST time.