Tottenham Hotspur have completed their compulsory task in the FA Cup against Burnley. Pedro Porro’s dream goal against the promoted side ensured the favorites progressed
Tottenham went into the third round of the FA Cup with four wins from their last five games, but were faced with two significant personnel losses. Ange Postecoglou had to make do without the two key players Sarr and Son, who were away at the Africa and Asia Cups respectively, compared to the 3-1 win against Bournemouth. Skipp and Kulusevski started in their place and helped Spurs dominate the game, with Richarlison and Johnson producing the first really dangerous finish after two half-chances (11′).
Amdouni misses out on a surprise lead
Burnley struggled to get into the game. Vincent Kompany had made five changes to his side from the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa – including the absence of the injured ex-Gladbach player Beyer – and the Clarets’ performance was noticeable. It took around 15 to 20 minutes before the visitors were more compact and then became dangerous themselves. Zaroury set up Amdouni with a wonderful pass, but the Swiss player got too far behind Vicario (27′).
After an uneventful first half, the hosts came out of the dressing room with anger in their bellies and wanted to finally turn their superiority into something tangible in the second half. Numerous waves of attacks collapsed on the North English side’s backline, but once again rarely posed as much of a threat as Johnson’s volley in the 66th minute
Pedro Porro’s dream goal for the next round
In the closing stages, the hosts stepped up the pressure once again, pressed high up the pitch and were finally rewarded with a magnificent individual effort. Pedro Porro picked up the ball after a Muric clearance against Al-Dakhil and, after a few meters, fired the ball into the far corner with a wonderful long-range shot to make it 1:0 (78′).
Consequently, the favorites took their foot off the gas in the final minutes, but still remained the more dangerous team. Sessegnon (86′) and Scarlett (87′) missed the final decision before the Londoners actually had to tremble again in the final seconds of seven minutes of stoppage time. First, Delcroix’s effort was blocked for a corner, after which the upfield keeper Muric found Amdouni, whose artistic finish with his heel sailed just past the angle (90.+7).
Tottenham now have some time to catch their breath. Spurs do not host Manchester United until next week on Sunday, January 14 (5.30pm). Burnley even host Luton a day later (8.45pm)
