Tottenham On This Day: Spurs Lose FA Cup Semi-Final To Arsenal

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On 4th April 1993, Tottenham and Arsenal met in an FA Cup semi-final for the second time in three years. Unfortunately, the outcome was not as pleasing for Spurs supporters.

Tottenham on this Day

4th April, 1993

FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Arsenal 1

Scorer: Adams

Team: Walker; Austin, Mabbutt, Ruddock, Edinburgh; Allen, Samways (Barmby), Sedgley (Bergsson), Nayim, Anderton; Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton [Photo: Logan Holmes]In the first 101 years of the FA Cup there had been only two Cup meetings between the north London rivals – in 1949 and 1982. Now, there had been two meetings in three seasons as the clubs again went to Wembley for the semi-final. Spurs lost to a headed goal but should have had a penalty when Darren Anderton was scythed to the ground in the penalty area. The referee gave a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Poor marking at a free-kick saw Spurs succumb to a goal from Tony Adams’ header in the 79th minute and then Lee Dixon was sent off for tripping Justin Edinburgh, three minutes from the end.

In his book, ‘The Glory of Spurs’, Jim Duggan includes the match in the section entitled ‘Eight FA Cup Semi-Final Injustices’ and describes it,

‘After about 20 minutes, Anderton was taken down just inside the box, deserving a penalty and a red card for the offending Arsenal player. The referee saw things differently and gave Spurs a free-kick outside the box, also allowing Andy Linighan to stay on the pitch. Arsenal toughed it out with 11 men and nicked it near the end’.

Also on this day…..  4th April, 1983  Spurs 5 Arsenal 0