Match Report: Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

On Sunday afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Midlands to face National League side Tamworth, in the FA Cup third round proper.

For the task at hand, Ange went with a strong XI, opting for; Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Reguilon; Sarr, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Moore; Werner.

How it all happened when Spurs played Tamworth on Sunday

The game was delayed by five minutes or so, with one of the nets being broken - which had to be fixed by a Tamworth player, who works as a supervisor at Zara.

Within the first 45 seconds, Kinsky was called into action. Beck-Ray Enoru managed to weave through a number of players, before getting a shot off inside the box. The same player whose day job is working at Zara.

After around 17 minutes, another counter attack from the hosts lead to getting a shot away, but Gray was there to block the effort, and send it behind for a corner - which was well claimed by Kinsky.

With a little under ten minutes of the first half remaining, Spurs had their first presentable opportunity of the game. Nice link up in central areas from Maddison and Werner lead to the former having a clean chance at goal, but he could not get the backlift required and his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.

That would be that for the first half, after a really embarrassing 45 minutes from Spurs. Seriously, seriously humiliating.

Ten minutes into the second period, Moore took his man on down the outside, before playing an outside of the foot cross towards the far post. From there, Werner headed the ball back across goal, but it was cleared off the line.

Not long later, Tamworth generated another chance from their giant throw, with Dragusin and Gray having to make crucial blocks inside the area.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Spurs had their first true, clear cut chance of the game. Running through the middle of the pitch, Johnson found Werner with a through ball, but his one on one was a poor finish, and made it too easy for the goalkeeper.

Just a few minutes after, Tamworth had a big chance of their own, from a corner, but could not convert a headed opportunity from close range. Immediately after, Bergvall and Solanke replaced Sarr and Moore.

With twenty minutes or so remaining, a whipped in cross from Reguilon found Johnson at the back post, but he could only stab the ball into the side netting. Tight angle in fairness, but may have done better there.

There were 15 minutes left of normal time when Enoru knocked the ball past Porro, with the Spurs full-back receiving a yellow card for taking him out. Supervisor. At. Zara.

Deep into stoppage time, Tamworth went close from a set piece, twice. The first one was well blocked by Bissouma, and the second was very fortunately a little miskicked. That would be that. An absolutely humiliating game. The first 90 minute draw since the AC Milan second leg in March of 2023.

For extra-time, Ange looked to his bench, as Son, Spence and Kulusevski came on in place of Werner, Dragusin, and Maddison.

After 100 minutes, Spurs finally scored. At long last. After a set-piece, the ball was bundled into his own net by a Tamworth player. The pass from Porro to take the free-kick was clever, but everything else was very fortunate.

One minute into the second half of extra time, a low driven strike from Kulusevski into the bottom corner ended the tie. Make no mistake about it, this was absolutely humiliating. Fans have been crying out for Solanke and Kulusevski to get some rest, and they ended up having to player 52 and 30 minutes respectively against non league opposition. Another 30 minutes for the shattered Son too.

With three minutes remaining, the ball fell to Johnson inside the box, with a smart, swept finish into the far bottom corner. Has there ever been a more annoying 3-0 in football history?

Get out of there, and pretend that game never happened. Very frustrating day. Had Solanke started the game, and been taken off at half time, he would have played fewer minutes than he did. The likes of Kulusveski and Son playing half an hour, not optimal.

Three days before the North London derby, this felt like a good opportunity to get plenty of rest in, whilst they have an intense game against Manchester United. Never mind. In the hat. We go again.