Analyzing Tottenham’s chances of winning the FA Cup

Tottenham snuck past Southampton with a last-gasp Son Heung-Min penalty to progress to the FA Cup fifth round against Norwich on March 4. 

So what are the chances Tottenham will win the competition and lift their first trophy since 2008? Without a convincing performance to stand by, most neutrals rate low the Lilywhites chances of ending their trophy-less dry patch.

Spurs have needed replays in succession – against Middlesbrough and Southampton – to fight another day. And neither replay saw Tottenham put their opponent to the sword.

Lucas Moura equalized at the Riverside to earn the away side a hard-fought draw. Jose Mourinho’s men dominated for large portions of that match. But Boro had their chances too, and could have almost as easily progressed to the fourth round.

Buoyed by a ardent partisan support, Spurs carried the impetus in the first half of the replay. By not putting the tie to bed, Boro grew in confidence and took a stronghold after the interval. But Spurs held on to an unconvincing victory.

The tale didn’t alter much against Southampton, with Spurs showing their away frailties. Unable to boss proceedings, Spurs were forced to do things the hard way yet again. But akin to many performances by a Mourinho team, Tottenham got the job done in unconvincing, rather ugly fashion.