Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham (AET): Spurs Survive FA Cup Scare in Extra Time

Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the FA Cup fourth round, but it took extra time to overcome National League side Tamworth in what proved to be a challenging and tense third-round tie on Sunday.

Despite the gulf in divisions between the teams, Andy Peaks’ Tamworth put up a spirited fight, frustrating their Premier League visitors for 90 minutes before eventually succumbing in extra time. Goals from Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, and a Tamworth own goal secured Spurs’ passage into the next round.

Match Summary

The match began with an unexpected delay due to an issue with one of the nets, which required a DIY fix led by Tamworth winger Beck-Ray Enoru. Once underway, the hosts showed no signs of intimidation, with Enoru causing early problems for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro.

Tamworth’s sloping astroturf pitch and determined pressing unsettled Spurs’ rotated lineup, though James Maddison and Yves Bissouma managed to provide some control in midfield. Maddison came close on multiple occasions, but Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh was equal to the challenge, ensuring the first half ended goalless.

Spurs upped the tempo in the second half, with Mikey Moore providing a spark down the left wing. However, Tamworth defended resolutely, with Hadyn Hollis clearing a Timo Werner header off the line and Singh making a critical one-on-one save against the German forward.

Tamworth nearly caused an upset in stoppage time, but Spurs held on to force extra time. The additional 30 minutes proved too much for the non-leaguers as Tottenham’s quality finally shone through. An own goal opened the scoring before Kulusevski and Johnson added further goals to seal the win.

Key Talking Points

1. Spurs’ Predictable Struggles

Tottenham entered the tie as overwhelming favorites, but their disjointed display highlighted the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar conditions. Playing on Tamworth’s uneven surface, Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled to assert themselves until their star players were introduced in extra time.

Despite creating enough chances to finish the game in regulation time, Spurs’ performance raised questions, with many players failing to meet expectations. Yves Bissouma stood out in midfield, and the substitutes eventually provided the spark needed to avoid an embarrassing upset.

2. Timo Werner’s Continued Woes

Timo Werner’s lack of form was evident throughout the match. The German forward squandered a golden opportunity when played through by Brennan Johnson, shooting low and allowing Singh to save. Werner also failed to provide the technical security needed in Spurs’ attack, particularly on a challenging pitch.

His performance highlighted Tottenham’s reliance on their attacking depth, as the introduction of Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min ultimately changed the game.

3. Tamworth’s Heroic Effort

Tamworth’s performance exemplified the magic of the FA Cup. Despite being 96 league places below their opponents, the non-league side frustrated Tottenham for 90 minutes and came close to a historic upset.

Haydn Hollis delivered a standout performance at the back, while Beck-Ray Enoru impressed with his energy and creativity on the left wing. Goalkeeper Jas Singh made several crucial saves, ensuring Tamworth stayed in the game until extra time.

While the result didn’t go their way, Tamworth’s effort will be remembered as one of the club’s greatest moments.