Spurs were ‘scared’ in the third round of the FA Cup – Postecoglou
Tottenham could have “lost their head” as they looked to beat part-timer Tamworth after extra time in the FA Cup third round, coach Ange Postecoglou said.
The fifth-tier Lambs had a chance to become only the third non-league team to beat top opposition in the Premier League era and only fell behind to Spurs’ earlier goal thanks to Nathan Tshikuna’s battered 101st-minute own goal had to fight scored two more goals in the 3-0 win.
“You go into every football game with fear because you know you could make a mistake because of the challenges,” Postecoglou told ITV Sport after escaping embarrassment at a team 96 places below Tottenham in the football pyramid.
“We had some challenges, but for the most part the boys kept a cool head and handled things well. It’s very easy to lose your head on a day like this when things aren’t going your way and you realize the consequences.”
The ball from Djed Spence 🔥
Kulusevski’s goal 😮💨Tottenham finally produced a moment of top quality to end the game #ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/1aNMGR7noj
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
“Hard to score” against Tamworth
Spurs became the second team this season to beat Liverpool in the first leg of Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final, but the 16th-placed National League team proved more difficult at the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground.
“It’s just a football game,” Postecoglou replied when asked about his team’s apparent difference in performance in four days.
“It’s difficult to score goals no matter who you’re playing against. It always came down to us staying calm and persevering.
“We stayed calm and noticed that they were tiring, which gave us more leeway. As far as I know, we’re in the next round – and that was the goal.”
“As far as I know we are in the next round, that was the goal”
Ange Postecoglou speaks with us @GabrielClarke05 across its pages #FACup Third round performance against Tamworth#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/jRXyxupPhc
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
FA Cup third round: Spurs through
Postecoglou’s strong starting side struggled to find creative inspiration and only James Maddison looked a real threat before the break.
Home goalkeeper Jas Singh made several great saves, while his teammates Thomas McGlinchey and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd had chances from close range in quick succession just before the end of normal time.
“We have made ourselves proud”
Haydn Hollis reflects on a great Tamworth performance and THAT skill 😮💨#ITVFootball | #FACup | @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/pIQQ8kYZ9v
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Dominic Solanke was among the players who came on as a second-half substitute for Spurs, while the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min joined the England striker in extra time.
Kulusevski’s deft shot and a curling effort from Brennan Johnson from inside the box sealed the victory for Spurs, who will clinch their victory fourth round Opponent on Sunday around 5pm GMT.
