Loach in the dock as Harry gets out of jail

Harry Redknapp was made to endure a nervy night on his return to the Tottenham dugout as his team edged into the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to Rafael van der Vaart’s first-half strike against Watford.

Redknapp, back on the touchline after spending his week contesting two charges of tax evasion, made the journey across London from Southwark Crown Court and watched his team put on a poor display in the first half, until Watford keeper Scott Loach allowed Van der Vaart’s low drive to beat him from 30 yards.

Npower championship side Watford, 35 places below Spurs in the league ladder, rattled the Tottenham woodwork on two occasions and keeper Carlo Cudicini performed well to keep out lively striker Marvin Sordell in the second half as Spurs were made to work hard for their place in the next round.