New Delhi: Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the FA Cup fourth-round draw, but it was anything but straightforward against National League side Tamworth. At the Lamb Ground, Spurs were pushed to their limits, requiring extra time to earn a 3-0 victory. While the final scoreline may suggest a routine win, the reality was far more dramatic, with the underdogs delivering a performance full of grit and heart.
Tamworth, 16th in the National League, matched their Premier League opponents for much of the game, frustrating Ange Postecoglou’s side for 90 minutes. Spurs, despite fielding a strong XI, looked disjointed and laboured, struggling to break down their well-organised hosts.
In the end, it took an own goal and two late strikes in extra time to seal the result, sparing Tottenham the embarrassment of a shock exit. For Tamworth, the match was a testament to the magic of the FA Cup, as they nearly pulled off one of the competition’s great upsets.
Spurs struggle against resilient Tamworth
Through to the next round! pic.twitter.com/KNKG3zuAyh
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2025
The game began with an unusual delay as a Tamworth player, also a supervisor at Zara, fixed a broken net. Once underway, Tamworth’s energy stunned Spurs. Beck-Ray Enoru forced a save from debutant Antonin Kinsky in the opening minute, setting the tone for a spirited performance.
Spurs, fielding a strong line-up including Timo Werner and James Maddison, looked sluggish. Their first real chance came late in the first half when Maddison’s shot lacked power. Tamworth, meanwhile, grew in confidence, with Jordan Cullinane-Liburd nearly winning it late in normal time, only to be denied by Kinsky.
Extra time finally saw Spurs break the deadlock through an own goal by Nathan Tshikuna, who inadvertently bundled the ball into his net after a scramble in the box. Moments later, Dejan Kulusevski doubled the lead with a clinical low finish following a pass from Son Heung-min. Brennan Johnson added a third late on, sweeping home inside the box.
Despite the victory, the match was far from ideal for Spurs, with key players like Kulusevski, Son, and Dominic Solanke playing extra minutes just days before the North London derby. Fans expressed frustration over the team’s inability to rest their stars against lower-league opposition.
Tottenham’s focus now shifts to their upcoming clashes, but this nervy win highlighted the FA Cup’s unpredictable charm and Tamworth’s valiant effort.
Spurs avoided an FA Cup upset, beating Tamworth 3-0 in extra time. A Tshikuna own goal, Kulusevski’s strike, and Johnson’s finish eventually broke the underdogs’ remarkable resistance. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
