Tottenham headed north of Birmingham for one of the pick of the ties on FA Cup third-round weekend. Spurs have won this competition eight times and made hard work of it against the lowest-ranked team left in the draw.
Ange Postecoglou has said he “always” wins silverware in his second season at a club and he is eyeing another cup run, with Spurs also in a good position to reach the Carabao Cup Final after a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday. Tamworth are down in 16th place in the National League but the artificial pitch at their Lamb Ground added an intriguing element to this David versus Goliath contest.
Spurs will have had one eye on the north London derby against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and just about avoided an upset here. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground.
Tamworth vs Tottenham latest updates
- GOAL! Spurs find breakthrough in extra-time
- GOAL! Kulusevski settles it
- How to watch
Full-time: Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham (AET)
15:10Spurs are through to the fourth round after a major FA Cup scare...
Through to the next round! pic.twitter.com/KNKG3zuAyh
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2025
GOAL! Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham | Johnson 117’
15:07 , Giuseppe MuroJohnson curls a third into the corner and a tired Tamworth are beaten.
Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham
15:01113 mins: Tamworth are still working hard but their race looks run now.
GOAL! Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham | Kulusevski 107’
14:55 , Giuseppe MuroPremier League quality finally tells. Son feeds Kulusevski who shoots into the far corner and that should be that.
Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham
14:54 , Giuseppe Muro106 mins: Back underway for the start of the second half of extra-time. Have Tamworth got anything left?
Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham
14:51Half-time in extra-time. Spurs are 15 minutes away from the fourth round...
GOAL! Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham | Tshikuna own goal 100’
14:45Heartbreak for Tamworth and a real scrappy goal. Tamworth switch off, Porro slides the free-kick to Johnson and his cross is bundled over the line by unfortunate Tamworth sub Tshikuna.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:44 , Giuseppe Muro100 mins: Son drives Spurs up the pitch and wins a free-kick about 30 yards out. Porro standing over it...
98 mins: Spurs are having a lot of the ball but without testing the Tamworth goalkeeper.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:3893 mins: Son works a crossing chance for Reguilon on the left but Tamworth clear. Can Spurs raise it in extra-time?
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:35 , Giuseppe Muro91 mins: We’re underway in extra-time. Son, Kulusevski and Spence are on.
Spurs have been awful. Remember Tamworth are part-timers!
Full-time: Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:29 , Giuseppe MuroWe’re heading into extra-time...
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:28 , Giuseppe Muro90+7 mins: Another chance for Tamworth to win it! From the resulting corner and Kinsky has to save.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:28 , Giuseppe Muro90+6mins: Big chance for Tamworth! And Bissouma needs to make a big block. Spurs were close to going out there!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:22 , Giuseppe MuroSix minutes of added time for Spurs to find a winner...
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:21 , Giuseppe Muro88 mins: A long ball over the top tries to find Werner but he is hesitant and Tamworth clear.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:19 , Giuseppe Muro85 mins: Spurs don’t really look like scoring to be honest. Extra-time would be a nightmare for them ahead of the north London debry on Wednesday.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:14 , Giuseppe Muro80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes...
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:10 , Giuseppe Muro77 mins: Spurs are pushing now and finally playing with a bit of urgency. Porro gets to the byline but his cross is cleared.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:08 , Giuseppe Muro75 mins: Whatever happens Tamworth deserve so much credit for the way they’ve played today. They’ve been organised and caused Spurs problems down the other end.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:04 , Giuseppe Muro71 mins: Chance for Spurs! Reguilon crosses for Johnson who is unmarked at a back post but he fluffs his lines and can only turn the ball into the side netting when he should do better.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:0068 mins: Here come the Spurs changes. Bergvall and Solanke on for Moore and Sarr.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:59 , Giuseppe Muro67 mins: Tamworth go close! From a corner a header goes inches wide of the post.
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
13:58 , Giuseppe MuroA marked improvement from Spurs, who have upped the ante in recent minutes. Bergvall is being prepared, and Solanke too.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:58 , Giuseppe Muro66 mins: Another chance for Werner! This time his goalbound effort is blocked.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:5765 mins: Huge chance for Spurs! Johnson slides a brilliant ball through for Werner, who is one-on-one with the Tamworth goalkeeper but shoots straight at Singh. The best chance Spurs have had. The Tamworth goalkeeper did spread himself well but Werner has to be doing better there.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:52 , Giuseppe Muro60 mins: An hour played and still no breakthrough for Spurs. A reminder there is no replays in the FA Cup this season, so we will be heading to extra-time after 90 minutes...
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:51 , Giuseppe Muro58 mins: Chances for Tamworth! Another long throw causes havoc in the Spurs box and Tamworth have two shots blocked.
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
13:49 , Giuseppe MuroMoore with some speedy work down the left, but Werner’s header never looked pacey enough to make it all the way in. A good block on the line. On we go… 0-0.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:48 , Giuseppe Muro55 mins: Off the line! The closest Spurs have come as Moore does well to get to the byline, he stands up a cross to the back post for Werner and his header back across goal is headed off the line.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:4449 mins: After making that save, the Tamworth goalkeeper stays down holding his right side. Singh gets some treatment but is OK to continue.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:41 , Giuseppe Muro48 mins: Chance for Spurs! And it’s Maddison providing their biggest threat again. This time Porro feeds the midfielder inside and he forces another save from the Tamworth goalkeeper.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:37 , Giuseppe Muro46 mins: Back underway at the Lamb Ground. Can Spurs find a breakthrough in the second half?
This Tamworth fan has a great view...
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
13:25 , Giuseppe MuroA noticeably loud cheer here at the interval as the half-time whistle is blown.
Tamworth have done brilliantly. Still goalless.
Half-time: Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:22 , Giuseppe MuroGoalless at the break. Work to do for Spurs in the second half.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:22 , Giuseppe Muro45 mins: Spurs win a corner right at the end of the first half but Porro’s delivery is cleared.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:18 , Giuseppe Muro41 mins: Tamworth are growing in confidence here and the crowd sense it. Spurs have been off-it so far.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:17 , Giuseppe Muro40 mins: A scary moment for Spurs as a bad backpass from Dragusin forces Kinsky to scramble clear under pressure.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:16 , Giuseppe Muro39 mins: Patient build-up play from Spurs and they work the ball to the right for Johnson to cross, but Tamworth clear.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:14 , Giuseppe Muro37 mins: Good chance for Spurs! Bright play from Maddison, who turns well in the box but can only shoot straight at the Tamworth goalkeeper.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:12 , Giuseppe Muro34 mins: Tamworth take a throw short and win a corner. There’s a bit of wrestling in the box but Kinsky again comes out and claims it well.
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
13:09 , Giuseppe MuroOther than Maddison’s two shots - one over, one saved - Spurs have created very little so far.
It’s a stodgy performance from them at present.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:09 , Giuseppe Muro31 mins: Spurs threaten from the resulting corner and Sarr has a shot blocked
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:08 , Giuseppe Muro30 mins: Chance for Spurs! And the first moment of quality we’ve seen, as Maddison creates space for a shot from the edge of the area and forces the Tamworth goalkeeper into a decent save.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:07 , Giuseppe Muro26 mins: A frustrating afternoon so far for Spurs, who are yet to test the Tamworth goalkeeper.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:01 , Giuseppe Muro23 mins: Tamworth are defending resolutely. No way through for Spurs at the moment and not much creativity from Werner, Johnson and Moore.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:58 , Giuseppe Muro20 mins: Spurs have had a lot of the ball without really testing the Tamworth goalkeeper yet. Tamworth will be happy with how this is going.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:54 , Giuseppe Muro18 mins: Tamworth go on the attack and a goalbound shot is blocked by Gray. Kinsky then comes out confidently to claim the corner.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:53 , Giuseppe Muro15 mins: Some decent play from Spurs involving Maddison and Porro leads to a shooting chance to Maddison on the edge the area but left footed he fires over.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:50 , Giuseppe Muro13 mins: Maddison gets clattered from behind. Then we get Another Tonks long throw which causes havoc in the Spurs box! The ball actually hits the backs post but the referee blows up for a foul on Kinsky.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:47 , Giuseppe Muro10 mins: Tamworth have made a decent enough start here. Spurs are yet to get into their flow but the 3G pitch doesn’t seem to be causing too many issues.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:469 mins: Maddison works a shooting opportunity in the box but Cullinane-Liburd makes a good block.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:43 , Giuseppe Muro7 mins: Spurs work the ball well out to the right but Johnson gets it all wrong and hits a cross straight out of play from a good position.
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
12:40 , Giuseppe MuroAnge Postecoglou in good spirits, gesturing like he’s conducting an orchestra as the Tamworth fans taunt him with chants of “FAT AUSSIE B***TARD”.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:39 , Giuseppe Muro4 mins: Here we go... the first look we get of Tonks’ long throw. Tamworth load the box but Spurs deal with it well and clear.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:38 , Giuseppe Muro2 mins: Down the other end, Reguilon wins a corner for Spurs. Maddison takes but it’s straight into the arms of Tamworth goalkeeper Singh.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:37 , Giuseppe Muro1 min: Early chance to Tamworth! Kinsky makes a decent save and Tamworth get a corner, which comes to nothing
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:36 , Giuseppe Muro1 min: Underway in this third-round tie as Spurs bid to avoid an upset…
A delay to kick-off here as Tamworth staff work to fix in the net in one of the goals.
Here come the two teams. Spurs led out by James Maddison, who is captain today
Tamworth and have a not-so-secret “weapon” in their armoury.
The non-League side have already knocked out League One side Huddersfield, with the goal coming from monster throw-in master Tom Tonks.
Tonks, a journeyman midfielder, has built up a reputation for throwing a football further than some can kick it, and his long, looping throw from the touchline in November dropped under the crossbar was inadvertently punched into his own net by Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.
Here’s what is waiting for Spurs...
Get ready for this, Tottenham fans! ☄️
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 10, 2025
Tamworth's Tom Tonks has a long throw that's "more of a weapon than a corner".#BBCFACup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/HtheWEA2Wt
Dom Smith at the Lamb Ground
12:21 , Giuseppe Muro— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) January 12, 2025
Postecoglou welcomes no VAR
12:17 , Giuseppe MuroAnge Postecoglou has welcomed the lack of VAR for today’s tie - but says he will stop speaking about technology.
Postecoglou witnessed history in English football on Wednesday when - for the first time - referee Stuart Attwell explained a VAR decision to fans inside the stadium during a 1-0 semi-final first-leg win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Post-match, the Spurs boss questioned if the VAR announcement had given everyone a buzz and expressed his bemusement at the little opposition there appeared to be, given how much technology has changed football in recent years.
However, the 59-year-old appeared to have given himself a self-imposed ban on speaking about VAR before a rare fixture without technology this weekend.
"My answer is yes. You asked me if I was relieved (at no VAR) and I said yes," Postecoglou said.
"Look, I had my say after the game and felt I had to because I had to clarify my position on it.
"But at the same time, I am also mindful that I think sometimes I have overstepped the mark because in some of those situations, I talk as an individual and as a person who loves the game and is passionate about the game, but I am also representing this football club.
"I have just to be careful about how much I talk about it and I would rather talk about football to be honest.
"I think I have had my say on those kind of bits and I've left it for other to judge. I would much rather talk about football."
The Spurs players are out for their warm up at the Lamb Ground...
Time to get warm ⏱️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2025
🌟 @BetMGMUK pic.twitter.com/fRflVMVEXt
In April, the FA took the decision to scrap FA Cup replays to help ease fixture congestion, mainly for the bigger clubs who compete in Europe.
This means if Tamworth were to miraculously end 90 minutes with a draw, they would not be given the opportunity to play a replay at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they would have in previous years.
Tamworth boss Andy Peaks has admitted it was a shame for non-league clubs but joked the scrapping of replays helped them in the last round where they earned an extra-time win over Burton.
"I enjoyed it at Burton," he said. "I think it's harsh on non-league clubs really because it's all about the big clubs not wanting replays and having too many games.
"But for the non-league clubs, like the last round with Harborough Town, they could have got a replay (against Reading).
"Non-league, we have so many midweeks later in the season where we don't have any games that we have the capacity to have replays, but it doesn't matter what I think. The FA Cup has been good to us so I can't complain."
Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to ITV before the game.
“Great to be here,” he said. “The boys are genuinely excited by it, it is a different experience.”
"Given a little present"
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭" 🤣
Welcome to an English non-league ground, Ange Postecoglou 🤝#ITVFootball | #FACup | @GabrielClarke05 | @markpougatch pic.twitter.com/B2cq2zXf6i
Tamworth have reached the third round of the competition for the first time since 2012 and will be the first non-league opponents that Spurs have played since they defeated Marine back in 2021.
Four goals in 13 first-half minutes on that day helped Spurs to a 5-0 win.
Tamworth boss Andy Peaks admits Spurs have the quality to "steamroll" his team but is hoping not to be embarrassed come the 90th minute on Sunday.
He said: "It's going to be tough, I'm not going to lie.
"Yes, there's a bit of apprehension because they could absolutely steamroll you and I know that because I don't want it to be embarrassing for the players or anyone at the club but football is football, isn't it?
"They have got loads of good players so it is going to be tough but you need to look forward to it."
Here’s the Tamworth team news.
Tamworth XI: Singh, Cockerill-Mollett, Tonks, Milnes, Creaney, Morrison, Cullinane-Liburd, McGlinchey, Enoru, Hollis, Crompton
Subs: Phillips, Curley, Digie, Fletcher, Finn, Wreh, Williams, Tshikuna, Sundire
📄 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘-𝗨𝗣 📄
— Tamworth Football Club (@tamworthfc) January 12, 2025
🐑 Your Lambs starting XI to face @spursofficial in the @emiratesfacup #bristolstreetmotornationtamworth | #COYL 🐑⚽️ pic.twitter.com/K3OiXz5jxq
We’re still waiting on confirmation of the Tamworth team, but Ange Postecoglou has gone pretty strong with his Spurs team.
Mikey Moore gets a start.
Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke get a rest and it looks like Timo Werner will play through the middle.
Spurs checking in at Tamworth📍 pic.twitter.com/Ko05yJl4V4
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2025
Tamworth vs Tottenham team news
11:31 , Giuseppe MuroTottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Reguilon; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Werner, Moore
Subs: Austin, Spence, Dorrington, Bergvall, Olusesi, Kulusevski, Son, Solanke, Lankshear
Here’s the Spurs squad arriving at Tamworth…
📍Tottenham arrive at Tamworth for the pick of the FA Cup Third Round ties. Featuring broad smiles from Brennan Johnson and Lucas Bergvall, plus a Tamworth fan spotting an Ange lookalike 😂🏆 #Spurs #THFC pic.twitter.com/oNwTB1e3tS
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) January 12, 2025
Team news coming up shortly from the Lamb Ground.
Ange Postecoglou has said Tamworth's 3G pitch will play a part in his thinking when it comes to choosing his team.
Spurs players trained on a 4G pitch at the club's training ground on Saturday in preparation for the fixture.
"The artificial surface does play a part in (team selection),” said Postecoglou.
“We have to be really careful about which players we expose to that.
“I have a fair bit of experience of that, in terms of playing on artificial pitches.
“I think guys coming back from injury, it's probably unwise to expose them to that."
Here’s Spurs chairman Daniel Levy arriving at the Lamb Ground
Tamworth want to bring Spurs 'down to our level'
11:05 , Giuseppe MuroTamworth boss Andy Peaks says he wants to bring Tottenham “down to our level”.
The Lambs sit 16th in the National League but have already seen off two EFL clubs on their run so far, having beaten League One Huddersfield and Burton.
Peaks signed a new full-time contract with Tamworth ahead of the Spurs tie that will run to 2027, and he is looking forward to welcoming their top-flight opponents on the weekend.
He said: "We have to try and use that (home conditions and facilities) to our advantage.
"They'll get that respect from me and my players before and after but during, we have to be competitive.
"We have to fight for every ball and make it an intimidating place, bring them down to our level and make it uncomfortable for them.
"You'd like to think it (plastic surface) would be a leveller, it will be to a degree but they have technically good players.
"Perhaps if it was any of the other clubs maybe at step two or step three where you have grass, and at this time of year it might be muddy, that would be even more of a leveller, to be honest."
Tottenham have arrived in Tamworth...
Arrived at Tamworth 👋 pic.twitter.com/hP5gBCuh21
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 12, 2025
Tamworth vs Tottenham stats
10:49 , Giuseppe Muro- Tamworth’s only previous FA Cup game against a top-flight side came in the third round in 2011-12, losing 2-0 against David Moyes’ Everton
- Tottenham have progressed from each of their last nine FA Cup ties against non-league opponents. Their last such defeat came against Norwich in 1914-15, when there were only two Football League divisions
- This is Tamworth’s fourth appearance in the FA Cup third round, going out at this stage in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2011-12
- Tottenham have progressed from 17 of their last 18 FA Cup third round ties, with the only exception being a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in 2013-14
Postecoglou: Spurs will not underestimate Tamworth
10:41 , Giuseppe MuroAnge Postecoglou has promised Tottenham will give Tamworth the utmost respect - and insisted the non-league club's artificial pitch is an improvement on the toad-infested surface he once encountered in Fiji.
Spurs will aim to navigate a potential banana skin against a side 96 places below them in the English football pyramid.
When asked about on Tamworth's artificial surface, Postecoglou recounted a tale from his time as South Melbourne boss when they won 5-1 against Nadi in the final of the 1999 OFC Club Championship, which sent them through to FIFA's Club World Championship where they faced Manchester United.
"The toads? I was in South Melbourne back in 1999 and it was the first qualifying for the first-ever World Club Championship in Brazil, which famously Man United pulled out of the FA Cup for.
"A fair bit of prize money at stake I remember for a club like ours and in the final of that we had to play in Fiji, because we were an Oceania team.
"Warming up there were toads we had to remove, which kept jumping on the pitch.
"At the time, you're kind of going 'really?', but when you realise what was at stake, a fair bit of money and the opportunity to play at the Maracana against some of the best teams in the world, we ended up playing Man United, Vasco de Gama and Necaxa of Mexico, it was quite extraordinary.
"Our president at the time, George Vasilopoulos, who is still around, had these worry beads. They got a working out that day, let me tell you!
"He kept thinking about our bank balance and seeing frogs and toads on the field. It's an experience."
Tamworth vs Tottenham match odds
10:32 , Giuseppe MuroTamworth to win: 12/1
Tottenham to win: 1/50
Odds via Betfair (subject to change)
Prediction
10:25 , Giuseppe MuroPremier League quality will surely tell in this one.
While Tottenham have been inconsistent this season, when they’re at their best they are full of goals.
If Spurs can go ahead early then the floodgates could open and Tamworth could find themselves on the end of a heavy defeat.
Tottenham to win 5-0.
Tottenham team news
10:17 , Giuseppe MuroAnge Postecoglou is likely to take the opportunity to rest a few tired bodies this afternoon.
The stretched nature of the Spurs squad means Postecoglou cannot heavily rotate but Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke could be left out ahead of Wednesday’s north London derby at Arsenal.
If Solanke is rested, Will Lankshear is likely to start up front.
Sergio Reguilon is expected to start at left-back and then either Djed Spence or Pedro Porro will be at right-back, with the other getting a rest on the bench.
Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray are likely to continue at centre-back, though Alfie Dorrington pushing for his first Spurs start.
James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr will come back into midfield after being suspended for the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool on Wednesday.
Postecoglou has confirmed new signing Antonin Kinsky will start in goal.
Mikey Moore is available but Rodrigo Bentancur has been ruled out after suffering a concussion against Liverpool.
How to watch Tamworth vs Tottenham
10:08 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via ITVX.
Good afternoon!
10:07 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tamworth vs Tottenham.
A real David versus Goliath contest as Spurs travel to National League side Tamworth in one of the pick of the FA Cup third-round ties.
Spurs are on a high after their Carabao Cup win over Liverpool on Wednesday but Tamworth are out to cause a major shock.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 12:30pm GMT from Lamb Ground.
