SPURS TO FACE UNITED IN FA CUP

 

(Image taken from Manutd.com)

Well last time round, Reading faced Burnley at the Madjeski Stadium in the FA Cup 3rd round, and though the underdogs attempted a comeback it proved too little too late - Reading won 3-2. Spurs had a harder time of it, drawing 0-0 with Cardiff at Ninian Park. That forced them to take the Championship side back to White Hart Lane for a replay which went much smoother for them, winning 4-0 with three of the goals scored before half time.

This time round, the two Premiership sides wound up facing each other and the result was a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane despite Spurs having led for most of the half. So that meant a replay at the Madjeski Stadium in a competition that Dave Kitson claimed his team didn't want anything to do with! Even if Reading were playing their reserves on the night though, United fans would remember that they certainly have their uses in the Cup and the winner was headed to Old Trafford in the 4th round.

Spurs were on the attack from the start and Fabio Capello can at least claim there was some English involvement in the goal that came in the 15th minute, a Jermaine Jenas cross finding Younes Kaboul who set up Robbie Keane to put it in the net. Reading had the moments before half time in terms of getting an equaliser but never really dominated the match, skying their best chance didn't help either. Spurs weren't in the 4th round yet though.

Reding brought on fresh legs at half time but it took a while for anything to get addded to the highlight reel in the second half though it was Reding that turned up the heat first. Spurs replied soon afterwards and though Reading had the more shots on goal in the second half they weren't able to find the net. Steve Coppell's team's last chance came through sub Stephen Hunt, and that shot got blasted off the bar! Nothing spectacular, but job done for Spurs!

Elsewhere, Man City faced West Ham at the City of Manchester Stadium. The first half saw the Hammers half the edge but it was a pretty dullsville affair. City got their act together after half time though and Elano went on to hit the winner in what was always going to be a tight cup tie between two evenly matched teams. Fulham and Derby were the potential mugs of the 3rd round replay schedule but both of their matches got postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

So, in the 4th round United face Spurs at Old Trafford. On the one hand, this is another all-Premiership tie and nothing can be taken for granted here, Spurs have good form under Juande Ramos. On the other hand, we haven't failed to beat Spurs for ages and the most recent defeat that comes to mind was a Premiership match at White Hart Lane back in the late 90s! Spurs are very beatable at Old Trafford, we should make the next round.

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