Tottenham Hotspur 3 Coventry City 0

Saturday’s FA Cup 3rd Round tie at White Hart Lane saw Tottenham Hotspur take on Coventry City in a game which generated plenty of column inches in its build-up, not for the match itself which was expected to be a comfortable home win but for the chance to look back at the 1987 final between the two sides.

The small gap which existed then between one of the self-styled ‘Big Five’ and their Division One counterparts has, since the turn of the century, grown into a yawning chasm as the Sky Blues have fallen through the divisions and battled with a series of financial problems.

But, although the nostalgia has been nice to wallow in, the away fans heading to North London were not just there to remind themselves of the good old days.

‘numbers’

For the first time in recent seasons the pride has been put back into being a Coventry City supporter and they turned out in numbers to see whether Mark Robins could inspire a cup shock against the team currently in 3rd place in the Premier League.

To lessen the chances of an upset, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas paid the Sky Blues the compliment of naming a strong starting XI, the returning Scott Parker and star man Gareth Bale being the most notable inclusions.

City handed a first start to Leon Clarke, with David McGoldrick having left the building, James Bailey replaced John Fleck in midfield and Jordan Clark came in for Cyrus Christie in a bid to combat the attacking talent on show from the hosts.

‘dispelled’

Hopes of anything other than an easy home win, however, were quickly dispelled as Tottenham came out of the traps fast to virtually put the game to bed within 37 minutes, the time it took Clint Dempsey to net twice, sandwiched by a Bale strike which left Coventry hoping that the second-half would see their hosts take their foot off the gas.

That turned out to be the case as City finally forced Brad Friedel into action and Spurs gradually eased off, Bale departing on 70 minutes for Andros Townsend.

The Sky Blues are left to concentrate on their own roads to Wembley, in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and (hopefully) through the play-offs, and applaud the quality of their opponents as they chase FA Cup glory.

Reaction: Mark Robins said afterwards: “We always knew it would be difficult but it got more difficult when we saw the team sheet.

“When you come to places like this you always hope the team you play against has a bit of a dip and that they take a few liberties, but they didn’t.

“Spurs were magnificent today. Scott Parker led it and everyone followed suit. Whenever we got the ball, they were quicker than us and they got it back.”