Dier Straits

In this FA Cup 5th Round tie between Tottenham Hotspur & Norwich City; we were given another reminder why the FA Cup is one of the most beautiful competitions in the world; the magic; the ecstasy; the heart-splitting upsets; and the glory of the occasion.

Spurs came into this one in bad form; with three consecutive defeats in all competitions; and I don't get Jose Mourinho's constant gripe about injuries to key players (such as Harry Kane & Son Heung-Min) debilitating their form and structure. Surely it would be more constructive to give your own players confidence and try to rouse them despite the setbacks; as what a top team should.

Anwyays; I thought he did well to revert back to their tried-and-tested 4-2-3-1 formation instead of the shaky back-three employed previously against Wolverhampton Wanderers; and one of the entrants Jan Vertonghen indeed lived up to his 'Superman' tag as he headed them in front after 13 minutes from a Giovani Lo Celso free-kick.

Things looked nice and rosy for Spurs; but gradually Norwich started to come back into it with their trademark silky passing and movement; with Todd Cantwell particularly easy on the eye. You sensed the worst coming for Spurs then it happened; as a mistake by Michel Vorm allowed Josip Drmic to pounce for the equalizer. You sensed panic stations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and for the rest of this enthralling game; both sides hung in the balance as neither team could deal the killer blow; even into the excruciating 30 minutes of extra-time.

In the penalty shoot-out, Norwich 'keeper Tim had Krul intentions; as he made two expert saves from young substitute Troy Parrott & recent signing Gedson Fernandes to send the away fans into raptures. This was a classic FA Cup victory for the underdog they will never forget. And it just sent Tottenham's despairing season into a further nose-dive.

After the match ended, the drama was still not over as Eric Dier somehow got involved in a nasty confrontation with a Spurs fan in the stands; as he angrily clambered up the railings into the stands in an angry confrontation with a Spurs supporter; with people all around looking aghast.