Tottenham were hosting Leeds United in an afternoon game as we rounded up a day of FA Cup football. Tottenham were the clear favorites but all eyes were on League 1 side Leeds United who had won away to Manchester United to get this far.
Many people were watching this game in the hope that Leeds could do what they did against Manchester United and claim another top Premiership scalp, but their hopes sank early on when Tottenham were given a penalty. Defoe stepped up to strike it but his effort was saved by Ankergren.
Tottenham continued to pressure Leeds but the away team had chances of their own in what was a very open and very exciting game. The opening goal came on forty-two minutes as the home side finally made amends for the penalty miss. Bale raced away down the left flank and played it in to the feet of Kranjcar, the shot that followed was saved well by the ‘keeper but the ball then rebounded to Crouch and the leggy English striker tucked it away.
On forty-five minutes Jenas had a great opportunity to send Tottenham in 2-0 at Halftime. He accepted the ball in the penalty area and shifted superbly past the defender but he blasted his shot over the bar when he should have scored.
In the second half Leeds came out fighting and they grabbed a vital equalizer after a scrappy corner. Beckford – the man who got the winner against Man Utd – was there again to hit a shot which trickled into the net after deflecting off the Goalkeeper. Leeds continued to look strong after the goal and the game remained open.
After some solid back-and-forth play Tottenham rang the changes and brought on Keane and Pavlyuchenko and this move proved decisive when Pavlyuchenko ended a great moment of passing play by smashing the ball into the net and putting Spurs 2-1 up, just minutes after coming off the bench.
As the game came to a close Leeds really upped their game and threatened Tottenham with wave after wave of attack and with thirty-seconds left to play in stoppage time, Dawson fouled Beckford in the area and the referee award a penalty. Beckford stepped up to take the penalty and he converted well, a fantastic penalty and a fantastic comeback from Leeds.
This game will now head to Elland Road for a replay. An amazing tie in the end and a fair result for both teams.
