Jurgen Klinsmann Hat-trick at Tottenham Defeat Watford in League Cup
By Logan Holmes
Jurgen Klinsmann hat-trick against Watford
Jurgen Klinsmann’s introduction to life with Tottenham Hotspur continued with a League Cup 1st Leg tie at Vicarage Road against Watford who were in the 1st Division. Spurs’ form in the Premier League was inconsistent where they had just lost two consecutive matches.
21st September, 1994
Watford 3 Tottenham Hotspur 6
Scorers: Ramage, Mooney, Mabbutt o.g. Klinsmann (3), Sheringham, Dumitrescu, Anderton
Team: Walker; Kerslake, Campbell, Mabbutt, Edinburgh (Howells);Hazard (Hill), Anderton, Popescu, Dumitrescu; Sheringham, Klinsmann
This Coca-Cola Cup 1st Round 1st Leg match typified the Ossie Ardiles’ philosophy of attack and let the defence take care of itself. Four of the famous attacking five played, only Nicky Barmby was missing. Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton and Ilie Dumitrescu all scored and with Jurgen Klinsmann getting a hat-trick on his debut in Cup football in England on the ground where he had made his first Spurs’ appearance in a pre-season friendly the previous August, his star continued in the ascendancy.
Watford took the lead in the opening seconds through Ramage but Darren Anderton levelled with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Jurgen Klinsmann completed his hat-trick before half-time to give Ossie Ardiles’ attacking team the advantage. The first came when he took on the defender with a run from halfway and the second was a header from a cross by full back David Kerslake. The third was a shot from the edge of the box after Dumitrescu had set him up.
After half-time Watford pulled a goal back through Mooney before Teddy Sheringham restored their three goal lead, played in by a long ball forward by Danny Hill. Ian Walker then conceded a penalty but saved Porter’s shot. Dumitrescu scored Spurs’ sixth when Klinsmann linked with Sheringham who headed it down for Dumitrescu to score. Watford pulled another goal back through a Gary Mabbutt own goal.
Watch Highlights of Watford v Tottenham at HotspurHQ Hub: here
While Tottenham was creative going forward and seemingly able to score at will, the defence was porous and conceded goals frequently. Against lesser opposition this policy worked but in the sterner test of League football Spurs and Ossie Ardiles were having difficulties and were heading for a parting of the ways.
#knowyourtottenhamhistory 20th September, 1961 Tottenham 8 Gornik 1 (European Cup)