FA Cup: Ziege makes dramatic return for Spurs

Tottenham 4 Tranmere 0

Christian Ziege made a dramatic return from injury by firing Tottenham ahead after only eight minutes of this FA Cup fifth round clash.

Germany international Ziege had missed seven matches with a knee injury, but he struck after only eight minutes as he controlled a pass from Simon Davies on the edge of the box and rifled home his sixth goal of the season.

Gustavo Poyet doubled the lead after 35 minutes, popping up in the box to finish off a vintage passing move involving four players.

Ziege was clearly glad to be back, and after being fed by Teddy Sheringham on the left edge of the box after 22 minutes his drilled a low shot just past the far post.

Davies is a youngster who is growing in stature with every game he plays, and the Wales international played a super pass after 26 minutes to release Mauricio Taricco down the right flank.

The Argentinian defender has never scored for Spurs, and perhaps he was hoping to change that as he cut in and let fly with a shot which Achterberg saved diving low to his left.

It will be interesting to see if Welshman Davies keeps his place for next week’s final which he probably deserves to as he unfortunately looks the obvious choice to make way for the return of Anderton, unless Hoddle tries something unexpected.

Tranmere had an aerial presence about them and were unlucky a minute later when skipper Clint Hill rose well to head down a corner which was scrambled clear.

Ziege turned provider after half an hour with a low cross from the left, and it was a surprise to see skipper Sheringham drive the ball wide of the target from six yards.

Gareth Roberts was lucky to avoid a booking a minute later as he sent Taricco clattering into the advertising hoardings and escaped with just a lecture from referee David Elleray.

Ziege and Sheringham combined from the opposite flank after 33 minutes, and this time the German saw his cross headed over the crossbar.

Tottenham’s passing began to flow, and they outclassed their lower division opponents after 35 minutes with a vintage move which produced their second goal.

It started on the right flank as Taricco headed inside to Poyet, who fed Sheringham, and he helped it out wide to Ziege. The low cross came in first time, and it was Poyet who had made the run to finish it off with a sweeping shot from close range.

It was getting a bit much for Tranmere to keep up, and Ian Sharps picked up the first yellow card after 40 minutes for a late foul on Sheringham.

Tranmere tried to respond in the final minute of the half when Hill saw a free-kick deflected for a corner, then had a header saved by Neil Sullivan.

Spurs could afford to just keep the ball and pass it around at the start of the second half, knowing that with Tranmere having to chase the game they had every chance of catching them on the break.

Tranmere were reduced to long-range efforts and Nick Henry was well wide from 25 yards after 53 minutes.

A minute later, Spurs tried to be too intricate in the visitors’ box, and after Poyet and Sheringham combined to feed Ziege he wasted the chance by sending a cross high and wide.

The only danger to Spurs was when they let their concentration slip and Tranmere gave them a scare when they had two good chances in the space of a minute.

After 57 minutes Henry had a shooting chance from six yards but could not muster the power to trouble Sullivan.

Then veteran striker Paul Rideout who played in the Everton team which beat Spurs in the 1995 semi-final of this competition - dummied Dean Richards before shooting into the side netting.

But it was a brief respite for Rovers as Spurs put the game beyond their reach with a third goal after 64 minutes.

Taricco sent a high cross towards the six-yard box and Ferdinand jumped up to challenge Achterberg. As they collided, the loose ball dropped at the feet of Sheringham who calmly slotted home his eighth goal of the season.