Tottenham’s Record against Norwich City in the Cup

Ralph Coates

Tottenham have played Norwich City in the League Cup twice but the clubs have never met at Carrow Road. The first occasion was in the final at Wembley in 1972-73 and the next at White Hart Lane in 1991-92. The teams have met in the FA Cup on a number of occasions with Norwich triumphing in the first three matches at their home ground. Spurs have only recorded one Cup success at Carrow Road, that was on the last occasion that the clubs have been drawn together in a Cup tie in January, 1993.

1973 Football League Cup Final

Ralph Coates goal scorer in 1973 League Cup Final against Norwich

In March, 1973 Totttenham returned to Wembley for the League Cup Final for the second time in three years. As in their previous Final two years earlier, Spurs were expected to win the game with ease but Norwich made it very difficult by playing very defensively. In a dull game, the goal was the only memorable moment.

John Pratt had started the game ahead of Ralph Coates but he was injured early on with Coates replacing him after twenty five minutes. Coates duly took his moment and scored the goal with eighteen minutes remaining which won the trophy to maintain Spurs’ unbeaten record in Cup Finals and at Wembley. It also ensured that Spurs played in Europe the following season.

This was possibly Coates’ greatest moment in a Spurs’ shirt. He had signed from Burnley in May, 1971 but had taken time to settle after moving to London even though he had played in the successful UEFA Cup winning team the previous season.

Team: Jennings, Kinnear, Knowles, Pratt (Coates), England, Beal, Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Capt),Pearce.

The following week, the two teams met at White Hart Lane in a League game and Spurs won 3-0, with the goals coming from Martin Chivers (2) (1 pen), Jimmy Pearce.

January, 1992 League Cup (Q/f)

The competition was known as the Rumblelows League Cup and Spurs had home advantage having beaten Swansea City, Grimsby Town and Coventry City in the previous rounds. Spurs won 2 – 1 with goals from Paul Walsh and Gary Lineker’s traditional goal against Norwich. The visitors’ goal was scored by Robert Fleck. Nottingham Forest beat Spurs in the semi-final denying them a return to Wembley following their FA Cup triumph the previous year.

FA Cup

• The first Cup tie with Norwich was in January, 1915 in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup. Norwich were a non-League team but the won 3 – 2 at Carrow Road.

• The next occasion was a famous Cup giant-killing feat when Norwich went on the the semi-final where they lost out to Luton Town after a replay. They defeated Spurs in the 5th Round having overcome Manchester United 3 – 0 in the 3rd Round. Norwich were in the 3rd Division and held Spurs to a 1 – 1 draw at White Hart Lane with Cliff Jones equalising in the last minute. They then triumphed 1 – 0 in the replay with Terry Bly scoring their goal.

• In January, 1984 Norwich held Spurs to a goalless draw at White Hart Lane in the 4th Round of the Cup. Norwich were now a 1st Division club and won the repay 2 – 1. Spurs goal was scored by Mark Falco.

• Teddy Sheringham scored both goals in January, 1993 when Tottenham won 2 – 0 in the 4th Round tie.