Tottenham book FA Cup home semifinal with resounding 3-0 win over Swansea

Christian Eriksen bagged a brace and Tottenham trounced Swansea 3-0 to book their place in the FA Cup semifinal for the second year running. 

The quarterfinal tie, after Eriksen gave Spurs an early lead, was never really in doubt, such was the away side’s domineering all-round performance on a brisk day in Wales.

First half

Spurs broke quickly, with Christian Eriksen allowed to maraud forward unmolested, sweeping a sweetly left-footed in-swinger into the side netting from outside of the box to put the away side ahead in the 11th minute.

Swansea were unable to interject as Eriksen and Erik Lamela played tag down the pitch. Eriksen had only one thing in mind and executed perfectly. It was the Dane’s 10th goal of the season in all competitions.

More from Match Reports

• From glory, glory to gory, gory, for Mason and Tottenham Hotspur
• Ryan Mason’s Elegant Solution to Tottenham’s Problems
• Tottenham – Defensive needs show over last two games
• Tottenham Hotspur hold off Brighton in much needed 2-1 win
• Mason moves make the difference for lucky Tottenham against Brighton

A few minutes later Lucas Moura slithered through Swansea’s static defence, demonstrating high speed at close control. He wasn’t able to get much purchase on his resulting shot, though.

Video Assistant Referee  (VAR), when it confirmed Son Heung-Min was marginally offside, reared its ugly head in the 23rd minute. Distinct and verifiable proof contrary to the call on the field is required to overturn the decision; there was no such proof on this occasion, which doesn’t take anything away from Son’s lethal, smash-mouth finish.

Eriksen let fly with a fierce drive in the 37th minute. With almost no backswing, Eriksen’s magic left foot forced Kristoffer Nordfeldt into an outstanding reaction save, touching the Dane’s missile on to the crossbar and eventually away from danger.

Eric Dier fluffed his lines on what appeared to be a clear chance from a corner, the Englishman wastefully heading over from close range.

Kyle Naughton was dispossesed on the cusp of halftime by Eriksen, who enjoyed a blinder of a first half. The Dane utilized the easy option and Moussa Sissoko found Erik Lamela darting through the middle.

The Argentine created space with some fancy footwork, shifted the ball on to his right foot and smartly used Kyle Bartley as a screen. Blinded by his staunch centre back, Nordfeldt was rooted to the ground, and could only watch Lamela’s strike hit the back of the net.

Second half

Michel Vorm earned his pay in the opening minutes of the second stanza with a magnificent double save, the first off a well struck Martin Olsson effort from distance. He then popped to his feet and stopped Tammy Abraham on the follow-up.

Nordfeldt used his Inspector Gadget slinky arm to save Dier’s perfectly struck shot from distance minutes later.

Next: Pochettino says Spurs won't buy trophies

Moura set Eriksen up on a platter in the 62nd minute and Spurs’ maestro duly obliged, smashing home his second of the day to put the match beyond doubt.

Mauricio Pochettino once again got his team selection perfect, as Moura, Lamela, Eriksen and Son combined wonderfully throughout. Sissoko and Dier offered confident cover and worked well as conduits going forward.

Who would you like to see Spurs play in what is tantamount – bar the opposition fan allocation – to a home FA Cup semifinal?