Tottenham could have “lost their minds” on their way to beating Tamworth at part-time after extra time in the FA Cup third round, coach Ange Postecoglou has said.
The fifth-tier Lambs had a chance to become only the third non-league team to beat top-flight opponents in the Premier League era, only falling behind thanks to Nathan Tshikuna’s own goal in the 101st minute as Spurs struggled before scoring twice more in their 3-0 win.
“You go into every football match with fear, knowing you could make a mistake because of the challenges,” Postecoglou told ITV Sport after avoiding embarrassment in a team 96 places below Tottenham in the football pyramid.
“We had some challenges but, for the most part, the guys kept their heads and handled it well. “It’s very easy to lose your mind on a day like this, when things don’t go your way and you realize the consequences.”
Djed Spence’s dance 🔥
Kulusevski’s shot 😮💨Tottenham finally produce a moment of great quality to end the match #ITVFootball | #FACcup pic.twitter.com/1aNMGR7noj
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
‘Difficult to score’ against Tamworth
Spurs became the second team this season to beat Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday, but the 16th-placed team in the National League proved more problematic at the capacity Lamb Ground. for 4,000 people.
“It’s just a football game,” Postecoglou responded when asked about the apparent difference in his team’s performance in the space of four days.
“It’s difficult to score goals, no matter who you play against. It will always be a matter of staying calm and being persistent.
“We stayed calm and we could see that they were tired, which gave us more room to play. As far as I know, we have moved on to the next round, and that was the goal.”
“As far as I know, we have gone to the next round, that was the goal”
Ange Postecoglou talks to @GabrielClarke05 on its sides #FACcup Third round performance against Tamworth#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/jRXyxupPhc
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
FA Cup third round: Spurs go through
Postecoglou’s strong starting team struggled to find creative inspiration, with only James Maddison looking a real threat before the break.
Home goalkeeper Jas Singh made several good saves, while teammates Thomas McGlinchey and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd had close-range opportunities shortly before the end of normal time.
“We felt proud”
Haydn Hollis reflects on a magnificent Tamworth performance and THAT ability 😮💨#ITVFootball | #FACcup | @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/pIQQ8kYZ9v
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Dominic Solanke was among the players substituted for Spurs during the second half, while the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min joined the England striker during extra time.
Kulusevski’s clinical shot and a Brennan Johnson shot from inside the area sealed the victory for the Spurs, who will discover their fourth round opponents around 5 pm GMT on Sunday.
