Tottenham Hotspur secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory against Burnley. The match, largely uneventful for the most part, was decided by Pedro Porro’s first goal of the season in the 78th minute. Porro’s stunning long-range effort came after intercepting a throw from Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, finding the top far corner of the net.
Brennan Johnson, Spurs’ forward, acknowledged Porro’s habit of frequent shooting in training, humorously noting his misses but praising the quality of the decisive goal against Burnley.
Tottenham, under manager Ange Postecoglou, were missing several key players due to injuries and international commitments. Son Heung-Min, the team’s South Korean captain, was away at the Asian Cup, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma were participating in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite these absences, Postecoglou expressed satisfaction with advancing to the next round, emphasizing the unique challenges of cup games. He did, however, note Tottenham’s wastefulness in the final third, given their control over much of the match.
Burnley had a notable chance in the first half through Zeki Amdouni, but his effort went over the bar. Overall, they struggled to create significant threats against Tottenham, who managed to grind out a win.
The FA Cup schedule is packed with 27 games slated for Sunday and a notable match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United on Monday. Everton and Crystal Palace will clash in a replay on January 17 to conclude the third round, with the fourth round set for the weekend of January 27.
Tottenham’s win, though not flashy, was a testament to their ability to secure results in crucial games, especially in the absence of key players. Their progression in the FA Cup adds another dimension to their ongoing campaign across competitions.
