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Tottenham out of FA Cup after losing to Norwich on penalties

By Gary Pearson

Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho (1st-R) watches his players from the touchline during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Match 4, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho (1st-R) watches his players from the touchline during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Match 4, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham, after another unconvincing home performance, are out of the FA Cup after losing on penalties to Norwich. 

Tack on another listless display from a Tottenham Hotspur side struggling mightily with their identity. Other than Vertonghen’s header and Lucas Moura’s chance from close range, Spurs sparsely threatened Norwich’s goal.

Spurs started well and took the lead through Jan Vertonghen’s strong downward header at the back post. Giovani Lo Celso delivered well from the set piece, which the Belgian deposited with a forceful leap. The tide changed thereafter, though.

On the back foot for most of the second half, Tottenham absorbed Norwich’s constant pressure. Supporters were noticeably restless after the break, willing their side on in a particularly apprehensive and tense environment.

Disaster struck when Michel Vorm, returning to action after a long injury layoff, bobbled a straightforward long-range effort. Davinson Sanchez wasn’t quick enough of the follow up, allowing Josip Drmic to pounce for the agonizing equalizer. Though Vorm is fully accountable for the nightmare mishap, the equalizer had been coming from the away side, who dominated the second half.

Serge Aurier was a whisker away from bagging the winner in the dying embers, but his attempt was cleared off the line.

Extra time was headlined by fatigue and visible wear and tear from both sides. Too many slow, lateral passes dismayed the partisan support at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The additional 30 minutes was, for the most part, a non-event. Though Spurs did have the better of the extra two frames. Gedson Fernandes had the clearest chance but blasted over from just inside the box.

Supporters demand a certain flair from their side befitting of a club that has appeared in the Champions League for four seasons running, which they haven’t seen since before the turn of the new year. Unfortunately performances over the last six to eight weeks have lacked drive, purpose, identity and, maybe most concerning, an iota of inspiration.

It feels like the club currently lacks direction. The absence of a bonafide leader is obviously hampering severely the club’s belief, which isn’t being helped by the gaffer’s negative approach.

Hopes of salvaging anything from this season might have gone out the window with tonight’s devastating defeat.

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