Four-time FA Cup winner Roy Keane felt Tottenham showed a “lack of quality” as the Premier League side struggled to break down non-league Tamworth in the first half of their third-round tie in the competition.
The part-time National League hosts posed Spurs problems immediately through Beck-Ray Enoru, whose angled shot was tipped over the crossbar by FA Cup debutant Antonin Kinsky as part of an impressive first period for the Tamworth attacker.
James Maddison curled a shot over the target for the visitors and tested goalkeeper Jas Singh, but Tamworth were not greatly troubled by any other opposition players as they belied a 96-place gap between the teams.
A nice save from Jas Singh! 🧤
It is the first time Tottenham have truly tested Tamworth, 31 minutes in #ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/dCtBexUX61
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
FA Cup third round: Tamworth vs Spurs
“It’s a lack of quality,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told ITV Sport. “Spurs have got into some decent areas but good, established players have not been picking the right passes or over-hitting it. It’s not good enough from Spurs.”
Tottenham fielded a strong starting side, although the likes of England forward Dominic Solanke, South Korea talisman Son Heung-min and Sweden midfielder Dejan Kulusevski were initially kept in reserve.
The Lambs have lost their last two matches, are 16th in the fifth tier of English football and have conceded the fifth-most goals in their division.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright called Tottenham “very wasteful”. “The way this game’s going, I would probably have started Solanke,” he added. “I’d like to see Spurs play it into him and then play it across him.”
Jas Singh denies Timo Werner!
What a performance @tamworthfc‘s goalkeeper is having 👏#ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/ubP2kP2NCI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth vs Tottenham latest
Kick-off was delayed because Singh wanted a gap between the top of his net and the crossbar fixed at the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground.
The 34-year-old made another good stop early in the second half to keep a Timo Werner shot out, and defender Haydn Hollis then did well to clear Werner’s header off the line.
Spurs have taken a point from their last four Premier League games but were seeking consecutive cup wins following their 1-0 victory at home to Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
5 ⭐️ skills from Haydn Hollis 😍#ITVFootball | #FACup | @tamworthfc pic.twitter.com/cX20517nhI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth, who had two shots in quick succession blocked later in the half following a Tom Tonks long throw, beat third-tier clubs Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion to reach the third round.
“There’s not enough coming from the front three of Tottenham,” former Scotland striker Ally McCoist said. “They need more movement on the right-hand side through Brennan Johnson, and certainly more in the centre from Timo Werner.”
Extra time and penalties will be used to decide the game if necessary.
