Four-time FA Cup winner Roy Keane felt Tottenham showed a “lack of quality” as the Premier League side struggled to break down the non-league Tamworth side in the first half of their third-round tie in the competition.
The part-time National League hosts caused Tottenham problems immediately through Beck Ray Enoro, whose angled shot was headed over the bar by Antonin Kinski, making his FA Cup debut, as part of an impressive first spell for the Tamworth striker.
James Maddison volleyed over the goal for the visitors and tested goalkeeper Jas Singh, but Tamworth were faced with no major trouble by any of the other opposition players as they belied a 96-place gap between the two teams.
Great save by Jas Singh! 🧤
This is the first time Tottenham have actually tested Tamworth, after 31 minutes #ETVfootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/dCtBexUX61
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
FA Cup Third Round: Tamworth vs Tottenham
“It's a lack of quality,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told ITV Sport. “Tottenham got into some good areas, but the good, established players didn't pick the right passes or over-hit them. It's just not good enough from Tottenham.”
Tottenham fielded a strong starting lineup, although England striker Dominic Solanke, South Korean star Son Heung-min and Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski initially remained in the reserves.
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 league.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright described Tottenham as “extremely extravagant”. “The way this match is going, I probably would have started with Solanke,” he added. “I would like to see Tottenham play with him and then play against him.”
Jas Singh denies Timo Werner!
What a performance @tamworthfcThe goalkeeper has 👏#ETVfootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/ubP2kP2NCI
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth vs tottenham latest match
The kick-off was postponed because Singh wanted to install a gap between the top of his net and the crossbar at the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground.
The 34-year-old made another fine save early in the second half to keep out Timo Werner's shot, and then defender Hayden Hollis did well to clear Werner's header off the goal line.
Tottenham have taken a point from their last four Premier League matches, but were seeking back-to-back cup victories after a 1-0 win over visiting Liverpool in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.
5 ⭐️ Skills from Hayden Hollis 😍#ETVfootball | #FACup | @tamworthfc pic.twitter.com/cX20517nhI
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth, who blocked two shots in quick succession later in the first half after a long throw from Tom Tonks, beat Third Division clubs Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion to reach the third round.
“There is not enough in the attacking three for Tottenham,” former Scotland striker Ally McCoist said. “They need more movement down the right side through Brennan Johnson, and certainly more in the middle from Timo Werner.”
Extra time and penalty kicks will be used to decide the match if necessary.
