Spurs scorer:-
Ginola, 68

Attendance:- 18,793

Referee:- Mike Reid

Teams:-

Barnsley (4-4-2):- T. Bullock; Eaden, De Leeuw, Tinkler, Morgan; Moses, Blackmore ( sub M. Bullock, 75) Mc Clare ( sub Van Der Laan, 66), Jones; Dyer ( sub Sheron, 85 ), Hignett

Subs not used:- Leese (GK); Appleby

Booked:- Moses ( who was sent off for a second bookable offence ), Tinkler, Morgan

Spurs (4-4-2):- Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Taricco; Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Ginola ( sub Sinton, 89 ); Ferdinand (sub Iversen, 81 ), Armstrong

Subs not used:- Baardsen; Young; Nielsen

Booked:- Carr, Anderton

David Ginola scored a marvellous individual goal to take Spurs through to a semi-final meeting with his old club, Newcastle, at Old Trafford on Sunday April 11th. Scoring vital cup goals is becoming a habit for Ginola, and winning cup games is becoming a regular occurrence for Tottenham. Barnsley were in fact, the last team to beat Spurs in a cup match, when they won a fraught 4th round replay last year at Oakwell. At that time, these two clubs were both fighting relegation, and since then, the fortunes of the two have gone in opposite directions.

Both Ruud Gullit, and Martin O'Neill were at the ground to size up their next cup opponents. Spurs were still not at their best in this patchy game, and hopefully, neither of them will have learnt too much from their observations. The first 10 minutes were very tentative, with neither side making any inroads near the goal. The first clear chance fell to Sherwood, who received the ball in the right hand side of the penalty box, after good work by Anderton, and Carr. Sherwood got into a good shooting position, but was adjudged somewhat harshly, I thought, to have handled the ball to gain initial control. Shortly after this, Chris Armstrong was given the first of many opportunities to score, by Anderton, but he failed to convert.

Sol Campbell had a very solid game, as did his defensive colleagues, but one chance fell to Hignett, after Campbell miscued a pass in the midfield. Walker held the resulting shot with ease, and in truth, the home side never really troubled the visitors. In the first half, Ginola and Anderton were generally being frustrated by the defence, and the ball spent too much time in the air, and not being controlled effectively by the forwards.

After 21 minutes, Ginola sent a cross from the right, and Armstrong headed powerfully, but the goalkeeper tipped over the bar. From an ensuing corner, a Freund pass found its way via Campbell, and Vega, to Armstrong, in space on the right of the area. The striker should have done far better with this clear scoring chance, than to fire weakly at the goalkeeper.

Carr was booked for what seemed like a minor infringement, as was Anderton later in the game. Anderton's booking was his fifth of the season, and he will miss either the Leicester or Newcastle league game as a result ( I believe ). The best piece of work from Ginola in the first half came when he turned two defenders, and found Les Ferdinand with his cross. The ball appeared to have been cleared for a corner by the defender, but a goal kick was given.

Early in the second half, Vega nearly made contact with another Ginola cross. Controversy came after 58 minutes, when Moses was booked for obstructing Ginola. The Barnsley team ( players, bench, and crowd ! ) accused Ginola of making a meal of things. Within a minute, Moses was sent off, as he earned a further booking for a definite late tackle on Ferdinand. Hereafter, the atmosphere got hotter! Armstrong headed to the goalkeeper, again, from the resulting free kick.

Some more good work from Carr, then Anderton gave Armstrong yet another chance within the area. Read my lips:- "Armstrong shot wide" ! Soon after this, Barnsley lost perhaps their brightest player, McClare, who had managed a couple of shots on goal, to injury.

After 68 minutes, came the scintillating match winning goal from Ginola. Ferdinand, in the middle of the park, passed to Taricco, who fed the ball to Ginola on the left touchline, at least 40 yards from goal. David zig-zagged his way at speed towards goal, leaving at least five, and arguably 6 defenders in his wake, before shooting home to the left of the goalie. This is a goal that can be placed alongside Ricky Villa's cup winning goal of 1981, and one or two by Jimmy Greaves in the sixties. Ginola ripped off his shirt, waving it to the Spurs support, and the celebrations were ecstatic. I can add here that there were 4-5,000 watching at The Lane, who were also roaring their appreciation!

Dyer had a headed chance shortly after the goal, but Barnsley became rather ragged in my opinion over the remainder of the game. Taricco gave Armstrong another good pass, but (you can complete the sentence...............). Ginola started to really enjoy himself, giving the tiring Eaden a hard time, and in fact leaving more than one defender in his wake at times. He was allowed his own ovation, as he was substituted shortly before the end. Iversen was energetic in the time he was given, and had one glancing header opportunity.

Spurs next four games are against Leicester (twice), and Newcastle ( twice ). They will be well pleased if they only win the first and fourth of these fixtures. A Wembley double is teasingly within our grasp!

· Brian Judson's extensive preview for this tie. Note that this match was postponed due to snow, and Brian wrote two articles. Both are worthy of your attention from a historical perspective

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