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Cup Record v Manchester City
FA Cup
08-09 Rd 1 v Man City (a) 4-3
13-14 Rd 2 v Man City (a) 1-2
21-22 Rd 3 v Man City (h) 2-1
29-30 Rd 3 v Man City 2-2 (h)
Replay 1-4 (a)
34-35 Rd 3 v Man City (h) 1-0
53-54 Rd 4 v Man City (a) 1-0
55-56 S-F v Man City (Villa Park) 0-1
68-69 Rd 6 v Man City (a) 0-1
80-81 Final v Man City (Wembley) 1-1
Replay (Wembley) 3-2
92-93 Rd 6 v Man City (a) 4-2
03-04 Rd 4 v Man City (a) 1-1
03-04 Rd 4 (R) v Man City (h) 3-4
FL Cup
92-93 Rd 3 v Man City (a) 1-0
03-04 Rd 4 v Man City (h) 3-1
Many Spurs fans will travel to The City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow with poignant feelings about the last Cup trip to this venue. It was in January, 2004 when the fondly remembered Fred Dowry passed away en route to the game.
Fred is remembered in the thoughts of many, but his name also lives on in the shape of the Spurs Trust Breakthrough award - given annually to the young player deemed to have made the most impactive start in the first team in any season. Previous winners have included Stephen Kelly, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone. Jamie O'Hara, who made such a great start at Portsmouth last Saturday, has clearly stated his credentials for the award to be made at the end of this season.
That fourth round FA Cup tie in January and February, 2004 became memorable for the shock result in the replay at White Hart Lane. Having secured a 1-1 draw at Eastlands (where Spurs have yet to lose a game in 5 visits), we went three up at half time at The Lane. Joey Barton got sent off on the stroke of half-time for a second bookable offence, and most of us thought it was game over. of course it wasn't, as Kevin Keegan's 10-man City proceeded to astound even their own fans with a historic turn-around. We can expect to be reminded of that day in tomorrow's programme and preamble.
Spurs also met City in the same season's League Cup, beating them 3-1 at The Lane, with goals from Anderton, Postiga and substitute Fredi Kanoute. Gus Poyet played in both that 3-1 victory and the 4-3 defeat, so he knows this piece of history all too well. 2003-04 was Poyet's last season as a player.
The only other time these two teams met in the League Cup was in the 92-93 season, when they again met both Cup competitions! In October 1992, Spurs beat City at Maine Road in front of just 18,399, with a goal by Vinny Samways. The FA Cup meeting was more famous, when Nayim scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 win, and a line of police horses and riders was needed across the pitch to quell the potential trouble between the fans.
City's 100% home record this season includes their one home game in this competiion, when they beat Norwich with a Samaras goal in the last minute. In Round Two, City beat Bristol City away, and in round 4 their victims were Bolton, thanks to an Elano penalty.
Elano is now close to fitness after a hamstring injury and played no part in Saturday's exciting 4-2 win over Bolton. Bianchi, who scored at Tottenham 10 days ago scored on Saturday, along with Darius Vassell and Kelvin Etuhu. Perhaps Elano will not be risked in this game, before City's important league game at Villa Park on Saturday. Their team will surely not differ greatly from that which we beat 2-1 thanks to Chimbonda's dubious goal, and Defoe's winner.
Robbie Keane completes his three match suspension with this game, and we wait to see if Michael Dawson will return from illness, and whether or not Jermain Defoe gets well-deserved start. Spurs too are not likely to be radically different from the line-up at Portsmouth.
It is bound to be a good battle, and there is a potential conflict of playing styles. City tend to adopt a cautious approach with men behind the ball, and their midfield breaking out quickly and impactively. Spurs - whether at home or away - still like to attack more freely, and bearing in mind the fact the game must be decided tomorrow night, I expect little caution from Spurs, who I fancy to win 2-1.
Look out for the Spurs Odyssey report on Wednesday!
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