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Following three straight league defeats in which the Clarets had conceded an alarming twelve goals, many of the home supporters had approached this game in a state of dread anticipation. Prior to kick-off, the best some fans had dared dream of was a damage limitation exercise. Mid-way through the second half, however, the boot was firmly on the other foot as an almost full-strength Tottenham struggled to keep a rampant Burnley at bay. And at full-time the visitors could have no complaints about the result.
Pre-match, confidence amongst the Harry Potts Way faithful hardly rocketed on learning that Mark McGregor was to partner Arthur Gnohere in the heart of defence – the same combination that had shipped six against Grimsby a week or so earlier. In a move to restrict Spurs attacking options, Ternent eschewed his recent three man attack to go four across the middle, Briscoe and Weller being the wide men whilst Grant and Davis toughed it out down the middle. Ian Moore played odd man out with Blake and Taylor preferred as the front pair.
Unlike the past couple of games, Burnley gave themselves a chance by not going behind in the first five minutes, although Spurs made the early running. In the sixth minute, Matthew Etherington’s cross was headed headed down by Steffen Iversen. Initially it appeared that Marlon may have taken the ball over the line as he saved it, but the match officials were unimpressed. The early pattern suggested that all Tottenham’s best work would come down the flanks, a pattern confirmed when Les Ferdinand volleyed over a Simon Davies cross on eight minutes.
Shortly after the quarter hour, the North Londoners made their breakthrough. Simon Davies’ corner saw Gus Poyet evade his markers and make his trademark late run into the box to plant a firm header into Beresford’s goal. One down and we hadn’t even had a shot on goal.
Following the goal, Spurs continued to look the most likely, as another Etherington cross was put over by Iversen. On twenty-one minutes, Robbie Blake finally sent a shot towards Spurs’ goal, but the effort was tame and easily held by Keller.
Then came the first turning point of the game. With Burnley looking like they would never score, set up as they were, Ternent substituted Mark McGregor for Glen Little. Steve Davis dropped back into defence, and Paul Weller moved to a more central role.
On the half hour mark, the Clarets produced their first real chance of the game. Robbie Blake swung a cross over to the back post, but Taylor couldn’t quite grow enough to make any meaningful contact. In the opposite penalty area, a Stephen Carr cross ended up with Gus Poyet heading more or less straight at Beresford.
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The half ended with each side going forward. Etherington played in Ferdinand, only for Beresford to save with his legs, whilst at the other end Blake’s through ball to Weller saw the midfielder leave the ball behind, and the opportunity was gone. We may have been one down at the interval, but the signs were there that all was not lost.
Burnley began the second half with increased momentum. Almost immediately, Graham Branch’s deep cross was headed over the bar by Gareth Taylor, as the Clarets looked to even things up. On fifty minutes, Weller’s cross was knocked back by Grant, Taylor’s shot was blocked and from the edge of the area West showed just why he should be relieved of free-kick duties as he blasted wildly over the bar from the edge of the area. Weller was the next to miss the target after Briscoe headed down Little’s cross.
If Burnley were going to get back in the game, they had to score during this spell. And that’s just what they did. Two minutes before the hour, the Clarets got what they deserved. Weller linked with Little who released Blake. Moving into the area, Blake cracked a shot towards the top corner. The ball may haver taken a deflection on the way in, but that didn’t matter to Burnley’s supporters who roared their approval. Now things were getting interesting.
The euphoria surrounding the goal seemed to effect the players. They temporarily switched off, allowing Robbie Keane to hare through down the middle, but the Republic of Ireland World Cup hero fired his shot wide with just Beresford to beat.
Three minutes later came one of those moments that will live long in the memory. From a Glen Little corner, Steve Davis did what he has done all too infrequently in the last year, rising head and shoulders above the opposition defence to thud home a bullet header. Turf Moor became a cauldron of white noise as the home supporters celebrated the most joyous goal of the season thus far.
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By this point Glen was busy giving an absolute masterclass in the art of wingplay. Little called it his finest sixty-five minutes, and namesake Hoddle was forced to admit that his defenders found themselves unable to live with him. With fifteen minutes remaining, Weller, increasingly influential throughout the course of the tie, passed to Robbie Blake. For once Keller was not made to work, as Blake’s effort flew well over.
As well as Burnley were playing, the result was never in the bag with the score at 2-1. As if to underline the point, the home side’s supporters had their hearts in their mouths as Robbie Keane was again one-on-one with Beresford, but the Spurs hitman tamely lobbed the ball into Beresford’s hands.
The last ten minutes saw some nervousness and tiredness creeping into the Clarets performance, which was wholly understandable. Dimi came on to replace the outstanding Robbie Blake who was given a standing ovation. To be fair, anything less would have been a massive understatement. And for the last couple of minutes Lee Briscoe, who looked as tired as a marathon runner at the twenty-six mile mark was subbed for Paul Cook.
Burnley had one last scare to endure, as livewire Robbie Keane showed sublime skill in bringing the ball down, swivelling and crashing his effort goalwards in one graceful movement. Beresford was equal to it, showing tremendous agility in tipping the ball onto the bar and away for a corner. But not according to referee Dermot Gallagher who awarded a goal kick much to Keane’s frustration. Mind you, it was hardly a surprise. Gallagher had got little right all evening. Every fifty-fifty went the way of Tottenham. In fact most of the seventy-thirties did too. In one incident in the closing stages, Gareth Taylor was penalised for having the temerity to allow himself to be used as a climbing frame by a Spurs defender.
Yet to nit-pick would be to miss the point entirely. Following a tentative start, Burnley grew in confidence throughout the game and ultimately ended up worthy winners, and those who were at Turf Moor will cherish this victory for years to come. There is a long tradition of classic encounters between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur, and tonight was simply another chapter in that tradition. The next thrilling episode takes place on Saturday at 2.30, when Burnley discover the identity of their opponents in the last sixteen.