Tottenham 2 Blackpool 0Juande Ramos has barely had time to introduce himself to his new players and yet, already, the Tottenham fans are chorusing that "Spurs are on their way to Wembley".
Championship opponents were overcome here last night, not without plenty of uncomfortable moments, to propel the Londoners into the quarter-finals and the Spaniard has his winning start.
Not that Ramos will rest easily after this victory. Spurs creaked at times against a busy Blackpool side, albeit one who have now failed to win in seven games, with the visitors striking the woodwork and exposing the hosts' back line for the ramshackle rearguard it has become this term. Had the returning Paul Robinson not saved brilliantly from Gary Taylor-Fletcher when Tottenham led 1-0, then this might have turned out differently.
Despite their brittle defence the hosts have a vibrancy in attack and in Robbie Keane theirs is the striker of the moment. Keane was alert as Dimitar Berbatov flicked Robinson's punt inside Michael Jackson, the acting captain bursting into space to clip his 24th goal in 31 club appearances beyond the advancing Paul Rachubka with the outside of his right foot.
With tensions rising as the hour approached, Steed Malbranque's corner was headed powerfully beyond Rachubka by Chimbonda, charging late into the area, to leave Ramos punching the air in celebration.
TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Chimbonda, Kaboul (Tainio 56), Dawson, Lee, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov (Bent 72), Keane (Defoe 60). Subs not used: Cerny, Boateng. Booked: Kaboul, Tainio. Goals: Keane 18, Chimbonda 58.
BLACKPOOL: Rachubka, Barker, Michael Jackson (Coid 68), Gorkss, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher, Flynn (Welsh 78), Fox, Hoolahan, Parker, Vernon (Morrell 69). Subs not used: Jorgensen, Bean.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
