Tottenham’s Record against Carlisle United

David Ginola scored a penalty on Tottenham’s last match at Carlisle

Tottenham travel to play Carlisle United in the 3rd Round of the Capital One Cup. It is the second time that Spurs have visited Carlisle in the League Cup competition, having met in the 2nd Round, over two legs, in 1997-98. Spurs have twice played Carlisle in the FA Cup and in 1974-75 they met in the League on the only occasion that Carlisle were in the 1st Division. The earliest encounter between the two clubs was in 1970-71 in an FA Cup 4th Round match at Carlisle’s Brunton Park ground.

FA Cup

Jan. 1971 4th Round (a)  Won 3 – 2  Gilzean, Peters, Neighbour

Tottenham faced a Carlisle team unbeaten at home in the 2nd Division and were without regular central defenders Mike England and Peter Collins through injury. Spurs put put under pressure and their inability to cope with high crosses cost them dearly as Carlisle took the lead with under half an hour played. Spurs recovered to score twic ein a minute the first from Alan Gilzean who was in an offside position and the second from Martin Peters who headed in a Martin Chivers cross from the right. In the second half Carlisle equalised but Jimmy Neighbour scored the winner with ten minutes remaining, a memorable goal, his first in only his fourth Tottenham match.

Jan. 1972 3rd  Round (h) Draw 1 – 1  Gilzean

Alan Gilzean put Spurs ahead but Carlisle leveled to tale Tottenham on the long trek north to Carlisle.

Jan. 1972 3rd  Round Replay (a)  Won 3 – 1  Gilzean, Chivers (2)

In must have been being close to Scotland that brought out the best in Alan Gilzean when playing Carlisle. He scored in the replay and two further goals by Martin Chivers ensured Tottenham’s passage into the next round.

League Division 1

Aug. 1974  (a)  Lost 0 – 1

This was the third of the four matches at the start of 1974-75 season which determined Bill Nicholson’s future at White Hart Lane. Spurs played newly promoted Carlisle in a League game for the first time having had lost at home to Ipswich and at Manchester City. Carlisle had won their opening two matches at Chelsea and Middlesbrough without conceding a goal and these opening games Spurs were 21st and Carlisle were sitting proudly at the head of the 1st Division. Tottenham were Carlisle’s first opponents in a home game in the 1st Division and the town was buoyant for the opening game. Carlisle retained their top spot with a single goal victory from a Chris Balderstone penalty, while Spurs slipped a further place to 22nd. Another home defeat followed and Nicholson had made up his mind to resign. Spurs survived the season, just, but Carlisle’s early promise didn’t last although they took a point at White Hart Lane, and ended in relegation.

Team: Jennings; Evans, England, Beal, Naylor; Coates, Perryman, Pratt, Peters, Neighbour; Jones (McGrath)

Oct. 1974 (h)  Draw 1 – 1  Chivers

League Cup (Coca-Cola Cup)

Sept. 1997  2nd Round (1st Leg) (h) Won 3 – 2  Fenn, Fox, Mahorn

Tottenham had a poor start to the season, winning only two of their opening matches prior to Carlisle’s visit. The visitors who were struggling in Division 2 heaped further pressure on Gerry Francis with a 2 – 1 interval lead after Neil Fenn had put Spurs ahead in front of less than 19,500 spectators.. Second half goals from Ruel Fox and substitute, Paul Mahorn, thirteen minutes from time gave Spurs a single goal advantage for the return leg in Carlisle. Fenn and Mahorn scored their first and only senior goals in their short Tottenham careers. The following morning’s papers referred to Tottenham in crisis.

"‘Paul Mahorn saved Spurs from a massive Coca-Cola Cup embarrassment – but could not hide the crisis sweeping Gerry Francis’ side. It did little to disguise another woeful Tottenham performance which had fans booing and jeering long before half-time.’"

Sept. 1997  2nd Round (2nd Leg) (a) Won 2 – 0  Ginola (pen) Armstrong  [Won 5 – 2 on agg.]

A disputed first half penalty scored by David Ginola three minutes before the interval gave Spurs the advantage. Chris Armstrong added the second five minutes into the second half enabling Spurs to take control.