Inspired Ndombele Ensures Spurs Go Marching On

Spurs advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a late blitz of three goals in the final five minutes at Adams Park.

That Tottenham’s safe passage was only secured following the second-half introduction of star names Kane, Son and Ndombele from the bench is testament to both a spirited Wycombe display and the profligacy of those given a rare chance to impress from the start by Jose Mourinho.

On the back of an entire week without a fixture – a relative luxury in this most relentless of seasons – Tottenham started the match brightly. Combining with Carlos Vinicius inside the first two minutes, Erik Lamela fired in a shot that the Wycombe defence did well to block away at the expense of a corner. Lucas Moura took it, swinging the ball on to Gareth Bale’s head. The Welshman rose unopposed but failed to hit the target. It would be a recurring theme for Spurs throughout the match.

On the quarter-hour mark, a weak defensive header by Wheeler presented Bale with another chance to open the scoring. While the forward’s finish again disappointed – a skewed shot wide of Allsop’s near post – this was the sharpest Bale has looked so far during his Spurs second coming. At last, we saw the quick feet and explosive pace that, in his first spell, propelled Bale into the pantheon of true Tottenham greats.

But just as a breakthrough for the visitors looked inevitable, Wycombe stole the lead. A quick throw-in down the right-wing saw the ball played into the powerful Uche Ikpeazu. Sensing Toby Alderweireld’s overly close attention, the Ugandan international striker rolled the Spurs defender with ease before firing the ball across the box. Fred Onyedinma pounced on a fortunate deflection to rattle a shot beyond Joe Hart from close range.

Tottenham poured forward in search of an immediate reply. The lively Lucas Moura slid a pass into Bale on the right corner of the box. Two dizzying stepovers created a shooting opportunity but, again, Bale erred. His right foot shot only finding the side netting.

Ten minutes before the interval Spurs went closer still. Bale dashed in field before teeing up Moussa Sissoko. The Frenchman’s tame effort posed no real threat to Allsop’s goal until it cannoned off Darius Charles and onto the post.

With Wycombe imploring referee John Moss to blow for half-time, the North Londoners struck the woodwork again. Moura’s inswinging corner was attacked by Japhet Tanganga who, from no more than six yards, planted his header against the crossbar.

Spurs did not dwell on their disappointment. Collecting a throw-in on the left-wing Moura was afforded sufficient space to look up and spot Gareth Bale’s dart beyond the Wycombe back-line. Bale’s smart finish, confidently flicked beyond the advancing Allsop, belied the catalogue of missed chances that had gone before.

The timing of the goal proved decisive. The second period was played almost exclusively in Wycombe’s half. With Hojbjerg on for Tanaganga and Sissoko shifted to right-back, Tottenham launched attack after attack. Wycombe had no route to get up the pitch and with Ikpeazu starved of the ball any path to a famous upset disappeared. Lamela, Moura and Bale all went close before the ineffective Vinicius was replaced by Harry Kane just before the hour. Ten minutes later, as Jose Mourinho sought to avert the unwelcome prospect of extra-time, Son and Ndombele were also sent on to supplement the England captain.

Kane went close on seventy minutes, feathering down Ben Davies searching pass. On the stretch, the striker was just unable to divert the ball beyond Allsop who saved well. Son then spurned two excellent opportunities to win the tie. First – following his own good work – flashing a left-footed strike wide of the far post. Then ballooning a shot over the crossbar from Sissoko’s cut back.

With five minutes to play, Ndomebele took control of proceedings. His delicate chipped pass found Kane at the far post who forced the ball across goal where it eventually fell to Harry Winks. Tottenham’s number eight steadied himself before caressing a left-footed shot into the far corner to finally break Wycombe’s brave resistance.

With their next attack, Tottenham scored again. Hojbjerg’s long diagonal set Son away on the left. The South Korean guided a low pass into Ndombele at the back post, who with one touch deftly steered the ball home.

Moments later, Ndombele added a fourth. Hojbjerg’s penetrating pass found the midfielder inside the Wycombe box. Confronted by two defenders, the Frenchman dragged the ball back on to his right foot before whipping a fierce shot inside the near post. It was the finish of a man brimming with confidence. There are precious few players in the English game with Ndombele’s sheer talent and imagination. Like Kevin De Bruyne, he has become an absolute joy to watch.

Spurs now travel to Goodison Park in the next round with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. If Mourinho’s brief was to win a trophy, he looks increasingly on track.