Ange Postecoglou said Tottenham got the ‘job done’ despite being forced into extra time during their 3-0 win at Tamworth.
Spurs progressed into the FA Cup’s fourth round with an unconvincing win over the non-league side at The Lamb Ground. A huge 96 places separate the teams in English football’s pyramid, with Tamworth the lowest-ranked team in the third round.
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
The Lambs, who are 16th in the National League and predominantly part-time players, battled brilliantly to frustrate their top-tier opposition. A goalless draw after 90 minutes forced the contest into extra time, where the deadlock was broken when Nathan Tshikuna turned into his own goal after Tamworth switched off at a set piece.
Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson sealed the win for Spurs as the Premier League side’s quality and finish told in the added period.
Postecoglou admits it was a ‘challenging game’ for his team, who became just the fourth Premier League side to be taken into extra-time by non-league opponents.
“It was a challenging game as we expected it to be,” Postecoglou said speaking to ITV.
“They made it hard for us, with the surface it was about us staying clam and being persistent in our football.
“In the end, we got the job done.”
On message going into extra time: “Stay clam and persistent. We knew we would finish strong and you could see they were tiring a bit.
“It’s a game of football you go into it with trepidation and knowing you can slip up with the challenges.
“Most parts the boys kept their heads. I thought they stayed clam and persisted and got through.
“We are through to the next round and that was the objective for today.
“Tamworth did really well and should be proud of their efforts. For us, we move on.”
