SPORT / FOOTBALL
Spurs reach 5th round
Late show sees Spurs past Wycombe
Published: Jan 26, 2021 05:03 PM

Gareth Bale (left) of Tottenham Hotspur stretches past Fred Onyedinma of Wycombe Wanderers on Monday in High Wycombe, England. Photo: VCG

Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele struck late goals as Tottenham Hotspur survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a 4-1 victory at Wycombe Wanderers on Monday.

With 86 minutes on the clock and the score at 1-1 Spurs were struggling to put away the second-tier Championship's bottom club but the battling hosts finally caved in.

Winks curled Tottenham ahead before substitute Ndombele struck twice in a cruel end to Wycombe's challenge after manager Jose Mourinho brought on the big guns including Harry Kane.

Spurs were stunned when Fred Onyedinma gave Wycombe the lead in the 25th minute and a shock was brewing on a freezing night at Adams Park as the visitors were twice denied by the crossbar.

But Gareth Bale leveled with a clever finish just before the interval and Tottenham's second-half dominance eventually earned them an away trip to Everton.

Mourinho made 10 changes to the side that beat Sheffield United in the last game but it was still a strong lineup.

Bale started for the first time since December 23 and completed his first 90 minutes since returning on loan from Real Madrid.

Tottenham started in business-like fashion with Erik Lamela having a shot blocked and Bale heading Lucas Moura's corner wide before he missed the target with another half chance.

Yet it was Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart who made the first save, reacting sharply to tip Leicester City loanee Admiral Muskwe's flicked header around the post.

Wycombe, with their music-loving manager Gareth Ainsworth braving the cold in tight leather jacket and skinny jeans, began to settle and rocked the visitors in the 25th minute.

Uche Ikpeazu rolled Toby Alderweireld and his cut back deflected off Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez and fell invitingly for ­Onyedinma to fire low past Hart.

Spurs responded with Bale shooting into the side-netting and when Moussa Sissoko's deflected effort hit the woodwork and then Japhet Tanganga's header from Winks' delivery also bounced off the frame, it felt like it could be a thrilling FA Cup night.

Had Wycombe, who lost 4-3 to Spurs in a fourth-round classic four years ago, reached the break in front the outcome may have been different. But they switched off in stoppage time and Bale ghosted behind the defence to flick in Moura's pass.

Mourinho sent on England striker Kane just before the hour mark and, with Wycombe still holding firm, he then introduced Son Heung-min and Ndombele to try and get the job done.

In contrast, Ainsworth introduced 38-year-old journeyman striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Allsop denied Kane twice but he was powerless as England midfielder Winks produced a superb left-foot ­finish when the ball came out to him on the edge of the area.

Wycombe's spirit was broken and Ndombele rubbed salt into their wounds with a classy late double.