Tottenham Hotspur managed to navigate their way into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-0 victory over National League outfit Tamworth on a bitter afternoon in Staffordshire.
The Lambs, who were in the National League North last term, took their Premier League opponents to extra-time courtesy of a spirited performance against an underwhelming and incredibly poor Spurs outfit.
However, the breakthrough for Ange Postecoglou's side arrived in the first half of extra-time, with Nathan Tshikuna turning into the back of his own net in a desperate attempt to clear ahead of Dominic Solanke.
Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson then scored in the second period of extra-time, as Tottenham managed to advance in the competition, but all of the credit on the afternoon must be given to the team in the fifth tier of English football.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Tottenham are though, but there was only one winner on Sunday, with Tamworth putting in one of the best non-league performances against a team from the top flight in the history of the competition.
It should not have been close in 90 minutes, with the team down in 16th spot in the National League table taking on Premier League opponents, even an outfit which has had as many difficulties as Spurs this season.
Postecoglou's side entered the clash off the back of a 1-0 victory against the best team in the land, overcoming Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, but this was a disastrous performance from the North London outfit.
Tamworth were the team pushing to win it in normal time and came close late on before conceding three in extra-time, but no negatives should be put their way considering their application and quality throughout the 120 minutes of football.
Tottenham have progressed to the fourth round, but it was a poor performance from a team of their ilk, and it is a display that will once again put pressure on their manager.
TAMWORTH vs. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Nathan Tshikuna own goal vs. Tamworth (101st min, Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham)
Tottenham FINALLY bundle one into the Tamworth net ⚽️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Pedro Porro with a moment of ingenuity to set Tottenham on their way#ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/KrbeH1S4kr
Tottenham finally make the breakthrough in the first half of extra-time, and it is an own goal from Tshikuna, who was doing his best to clear ahead of Solanke inside the penalty box - heartbreak for the home side here.
Dejan Kulusevski goal vs. Tamworth (107th min, Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham)
Djed Spence's ball 🔥
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Kulusevski's finish 😮💨
Tottenham finally produce a moment of top quality to put the game to bed #ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/1aNMGR7noj
Tottenham double their advantage in this FA Cup affair, as Kulusevski finds the bottom corner with a low strike; finally some quality from the Premier League outfit, and that is probably that for this contest.
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Tamworth (118th min, Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham)
Brennan Johnson gets in on the act
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tottenham have well and truly broken Tamworth hearts in extra time 💔#ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/VlwwShIJzG
Tottenham make sure of their spot in the next stage of the competition courtesy of a goal from Johnson, who places one into the far corner of the net following another Spurs break.
MAN OF THE MATCH - HAYDN HOLLIS
© Imago
Hollis was sensational on Sunday afternoon, with the 32-year-old a rock in the heart of the Tamworth defence, with the three goals for Spurs in extra-time not changing his performance.
The Englishman has had an impressive career in the game, most notably turning out for Notts County between 2011 and 2018, and he showed up a number of Premier League players in this contest.
Hollis was excellent on the ball, finishing with a pass success rate of 96%, but his fight and desire earns him the man-of-the-match award.
TAMWORTH VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Tamworth 22%-78% Tottenham
Shots: Tamworth 13-17 Tottenham
Shots on target: Tamworth 2-7 Tottenham
Corners: Tamworth 6-11 Tottenham
Fouls: Tamworth 15-12 Tottenham
BEST STAT
4 - Tottenham are only the fourth Premier League side (from 92-93) to be taken to extra-time in an FA Cup game against a non-league club, after Leicester v Hereford in 99-00, Charlton v Dagenham and Redbridge in 00-01, and West Ham v Kidderminster in 21-22. Precarious. pic.twitter.com/joGyaAWfDX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 12, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Tottenham's attention will now switch back to the Premier League and the small matter of a trip to Arsenal for the North London derby on Wednesday night; Spurs are currently 12th in the Premier League table on 24 points from 20 matches.
Tamworth, meanwhile, will take on Boldmere St. Michaels in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday night, before hosting Boston United in the National League next weekend.
Matt Law
