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AS IT HAPPENED

FA Cup as it happened: Watford v Tottenham

We went minute-by-minute as Watford hosted Tottenham in the first of this weekend’s FA Cup games.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this evening’s game. E-mail paul@thescore.ie,tweet @thescore_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Watford 0-1 Tottenham (FT)

Everton 2-1 Fulham (FT)

Hello, and welcome to the first of this weekend’s FA Cup liveblogs. We’ll be following Tottenham versus Watford, in addition to keeping you up to date with the other tie taking place tonight – Everton against Fulham.

Here are your teams:

Watford: Loach, Hodson, Mariappa, Nosworthy, Doyley, Eustace, Deeney, Buaben, Murray, Sordell, Garner. Subs: Bond, Dickinson, Yeates, Iwelumo, Forsyth, Jenkins, Whichelow.

Tottenham: Cudicini, Walker, Kaboul, Dawson, Rose, Parker, Van der Vaart, Modric, Livermore, Adebayor, Defoe. Subs: Friedel, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko, Bassong, Kranjcar, Assou-Ekotto, Pienaar.

And we’re off…

Harry Redknapp has confirmed Gareth Bale is absent through injury. He says he’s out with what sounds like “a figh strain”. I presume he means thigh.

Not much to report on so far. The Tottenham players have been exchanging slick passes – as they often do – without really threatening the Watford goal.

First chance of the game goes to Watford. Murray’s well-struck shot is spilled by Cudicini and a last-ditch tackle from Walker prevents Sordell from scoring on the rebound.

Apparently some Newcastle representatives are in attendance to watch Watford defender Adrian Mariappa.

There seems to be a considerable number of empty seats in the ground tonight. Further evidence of people’s dwindling interest in the FA Cup perhaps?

Sordell found himself unmarked at the near post, but his connection with the cross goes narrowly wide. Meanwhile Burben fizzes a shot just past the post. Watford certainly don’t look in awe of their Premier League counterparts.

Garner has just fallen over, despite the fact that the Tottenham players were nowhere near him. It’s possibly the worst dive I’ve ever seen.

Harry Redknapp is at the stadium tonight, despite presumably having other things on his mind.

In tonight’s other game, Fulham have taken the lead with a Danny Murphy penalty.

Craig Burley makes the point that Tottenham are “a different team” as a result of the absence of their speedy wingers. However, he hasn’t accounted for the presence of full-back Danny Rose, who outpaces his marker before winning a free kick in a Lennon-esque fashion.

Modric hasn’t looked his usual self tonight, as demonstrated by the fact that he has played more than one or two sloppy passes already.

With less than ten minutes until half time, Tottenham still haven’t created a clear-cut chance. They need a wake-up call seemingly.

Meanwhile Craig Burley suggests Adebayor looks less-than-enthused about having to play at Vicarage Road on a cold Friday night. Perhaps he wishes he was at the African Nations Cup.

Another woeful pass from Modric. Chelsea or United won’t come calling based on tonight’s evidence anyway.

GOAL  FOR TOTTENHAM!

Spurs open the scoring against the run of play. Van der Vaart’s shot from just outside the box seems to take a slight deflection, but even still, Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach will be disappointed not to save it, with the ball all too easily bouncing over his out-reached hands.

HALF TIME: WATFORD 0-1 TOTTENHAM

The half time scoreline is a bit harsh on Watford – Loach’s momentary loss of concentration has cost them dearly. Meanwhile, the Tottenham fans are, rather tellingly, singing: “We’ve only had one shot.”

And in tonight’s other FA Cup tie, Everton have equalised through Denis Stracqualursi (try pronouncing that).

Here’s a poll to keep you busy while we’re waiting for the second half. It’s inspired by the fact that Watford’s manager is the unfortunately-named Sean Dyche.

What’s the silliest footballer name you’ve ever heard?


Poll Results:

Ars Bandeet (45)
Rod Fanni (16)
Wolfgang Wolf (12)
Chiqui Arce (11)
David Goodwillie (9)
Segar Bastard (8)
Danny Shittu (8)
Argelico Fucks (7)
Milan Fukal (4)
Rafael Scheidt (2)
Sean Dyche (1)
Paul Dickov (1)

Aaron Lennon has replaced Luka Modric, who (as I mentioned earlier) looked off form.

The second half is underway…

Murray’s shot has just been touched onto the post by Cudicini. Watford are continuing where they left off in that first half, despite their recent setback.

Deep cross from Rose and Walker’s powerful header is touched over the bar by Loach. Another Spurs goal would surely kill off any chance of a Watford comeback.

Here’s another look at that Van der Vaart goal:

Tottenham look slightly more assured this half, with the extra width provided by Lennon making a difference. However, they’re still well below their best.

Van der Vaart hits the crossbar after a layoff from Lennon just inside the box. The Dutchman may not be the most mobile player in the Premier League, but few players possess a superior shooting technique.

On more than one occasion, Spurs have tried to play it out from their own box, and have almost been punished as a result of losing possession in these dangerous areas.

Meanwhile Ireland’s Mark Yeates (formerly of Tottenham) has come on for Watford.

Jon Champion has just informed me that this game is being screened live across the United States, due to the fact that a number of Americans are playing tonight. No sign of Brad Friedel though.

Garner has just met Yeates’ corner and headed the ball narrowly wide. Watford are still very much in this game.

Nosworthy has almost scored his first goal in eight years, as his shot rebounds off Cudicini’s legs and away to safety.

Jermain Defoe has been replaced by Pienaar, as Tottenham interestingly look to shut up shop by playing five across midfield.

The Telegraph’s Henry Winter has just tweeted this:

How do you solve a problem like Mariappa? Adebayor can’t get past him. Mariappa outstanding. No wonder #nufc interested in

Everton have just gone ahead in this evening’s other game courtesy of a Fellaini goal.

And here’s another tweet, this time from The Examiner’s Fintan O’Toole:

Fellaini puts Everton up 2-1 against Fulham. Or as Fox Soccer put it, Landon Donovan gave ‘the assist for the go-ahead goal’

It’s announced that Van der Vaart has been voted man of the match by the viewers tonight. And Craig Burley is NOT impressed. “What did he do apart from the goal?” he asks, while suggesting one of Watford’s players should have received the accolade.

Less than a minute to go now…

FULL TIME: WATFORD 0-1 TOTTENHAM

Watford will be desperately disappointed, as they could easily have gotten more from that game. They receive a deserved round of applause from their fans.

In contrast, it’s hard to think of many positives that Harry Redknapp can take from tonight’s performance, other than the obvious fact that they won the game (somehow) and kept a clean sheet in the process.

Interestingly, man of the match Rafael van der Vaart has suggested Watford “deserved to win” tonight.

Watford manager Sean Dyche has said they deserved a “draw minimum” from tonight’s game.

Tonight’s other game has finished, with Everton beating Fulham 2-1.

“It’s better to be lucky than good” is Harry Redknapp ‘s assessment of tonight. He also uses words like “poor” and “unbelievable” to describe Tottenham’s performance, and reveals that the Spurs doctor only told him Luka Modric had been unwell for the past three days after he selected his team. He also says Tottenham have “a good chance” of winning the FA Cup and claims he probably won’t be buying anyone before the transfer window closes.

Okay, that’s it from me for tonight. We’ll have more FA Cup liveblogs throughout the weekend, including Liverpool versus Man United tomorrow. Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.

Read: The Departures Lounge: your daily transfer gossip round-up>

Read: I wouldn’t have been bothered switching allegiance had it not been for Sean McCaffrey’ – Kearns>

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