The FA Cup tie against Leeds tomorrow has reminded me of the last time that we met them in the competition. It was a game most notable for two brilliant Spurs goals and an effort from David Ginola, that had it crept in, would surely be remembered as one of the greatest Tottenham goals of all time.
Having played out a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in 1999, we took Leeds back to our place for the replay. After a goalless first half, the game sprung into life after the break.
After 54 minutes, David Ginola got the ball wide on the right and went on a run across the width of the Leeds area, leaving a trail of players in his wake. Having carried the ball into the left side of the Leeds penalty box, he hit a rasping shot that struck the inside of the post and rebounded across the goal line.
If that had gone in, then I think the likes of Jimmy Greaves, Glenn Hoddle, Ricky Villa and Paul Gascoigne, might have to concede that Ginola had bested them.
A few minutes later Ginola won a free kick on the left and passed the ball across the pitch to Darren Anderton. The brittle midfielder took a touch to tee himself up before unleashing an unstoppable 30 yards drive into the top corner.
Having cracked the post again, after another penetrative run at the Leeds defence, Ginola finally got his reward. Jonathan Woodgate’s clearance looped into the air (whatever happened to him anyway?) and fell to Ginola, who without missing a step, volleyed it with his right foot from outside the area and saw it bounce past Nigel Martyn in the Leeds goal.
2-0. Game over and I’m officially in love with David Ginola all over again.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Totally awesome night that one!!!!
Hairs on neck stuff…..
The second “hit the post” from Ginola is being dismissive. The woodwork deprived us of the greatest hattrick ever!
Ginola and Anderton were both awesome that night.
That’s true. Couldn’t find footage of it, but if I remember the ball smashed against the post really hard and came back like it had a rocket attached.
Just wanted to say this blog is getting better and better. Love the match reviews and highlights clips, love the little articles about books and games from the past and things like that. And you get the length and tone of the entries spot on too. Keep up the good work mate.
I’m welling up… Thanks, very much appreciated and evens out all the people who come on here and call me a tosser, because they slightly disagree with my opinions.
Tosser. Only joking.
Runs down the wing….puts the ball over….he is Ginola…..
that Ginola effort that hit the post was actually touched onto the post by Martyn. there’s another angle that shows this that i can’t find on youtube, but it was going in until the keeper got a touch to it
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