On This Day in 1991 Tottenham Beat Nottingham Forest in FA Cup Final

1991 FA Cup Winners [Photo: Logan Holmes]Tottenham’s last FA Cup success was in 1991 when they defeated Nottingham Forest after extra time. Their 8th FA Cup win, equalling the then record, is probably best remembered for the few minutes of Paul Gascoigne’s hyper-activity which led to his injury and raised serious issues over the club’s future as well as the player’s career.

On This Day

18th May, 1991

Tottenham Hotspur 2  Nottingham Forest 1 (aet)

Scorers: Stewart, Walker o.g.      Pearce

Team: Thorstvedt; Edinburgh, Van den Hauwe; Sedgley, Howells, Mabbutt (Captain); Stewart, Gascoigne (Nayim), Samways (Walsh), Lineker, Allen.

A difficult season ended in glory but at the expense of injury to the star who had single-handedly brought the team to the Final. Paul Gascoigne had been the talisman throughout the early rounds of the competition and inspired the team in the semi-final.

However, he was so fired up for the Final that he appeared to be almost out of control and in fact lasted only 13 minutes when he was carried off injured. Spurs were a goal down from the free-kick that had been awarded for his reckless challenge and he could have been sent off for an earlier indiscretion.

The rest of the team responded positively to these set backs and gradually pulled themselves back into the game. Gary Lineker had a goal disallowed for off-side and then had a penalty saved after being pulled down.

Into the second half and Paul Stewart stepped forward and proved himself the hero by scoring the equaliser to take the game into extra time.

From a corner, Des Walker deflected the ball into his own goal and Spurs had won their eighth F.A.Cup, a new record.

The future of the club was still in doubt and Gascoigne’s career never really reached the heights that had promised before his serious injury.

#knowyourtottenhamhistory  17th May, 1987  Spurs Lose to Coventry in FA Cup Final