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Played
January 27, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Vicarage Road Stadium — Watford
Referee: C. Foy
Attendance: 15384
January 27, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Vicarage Road Stadium — Watford
Referee: C. Foy
Attendance: 15384
Top of the Match
Rafael van der Vaart
Tottenham
Tottenham
Rafael van der Vaart
Tottenham
Tottenham
Flop of the Match
Scott Loach
Watford
Watford
Lee Hodson
Watford
Watford
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Watford 0-1 Tottenham: Rafael van der Vaart strike secures Spurs' passage to FA Cup fifth round
Sloppy Londoners experienced enough to see off lower division opponents despite the Hornets having plenty of chances at an equalizer they and their fans probably deserved.
By Nathan Lowe
Getty Images
Tottenham has reached the fifth round of the FA Cup after Rafael van der Vaart's first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over Watford.
Spurs could do little more to contain the Hornets on the night as the home side frantically searched for a goal throughout.
Watford ended up with over 20 shots with 12 on target but ultimately lacked the conviction and composure to seal a deserved replay.
Neither side was played much defense as the match began.
Both teams exchanged carefree attacks at the other's goal throughout the first quarter hour, though only the home side mustered shots on target during the spell.
The Hornets had much joy down Spurs' left flank as the match continued. Left winger Rafael Van der Vaart offered little help to overwhelmed youngster Danny Rose as Watford coursed up and down the touchline at will.
After 20 minuets, the home side had managed 10 shots at Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini while Tottenham had none.
harry Redknapp's men finally mustered their first shot after a half-hour. It was tame but on-target from Jermain Defoe after quick buildup from the visitors.
Tottenham's class in the middle of the park wasn't translating into the final third of the field, but the Premier League club began to control the midfield and thus possession over its Championship opponents.
Just before halftime, after a spell of unfruitful Spurs' possession, Watford had a then rare foray into the visitor's half which Tottenham immediately countered from.
Right winger Kyle Walker strode down the right side and fed inside to the hitherto dormant Van der Vaart.
The Dutchman curled low from 25 yards, his dipping shot befuddling Scott Loach completely as it nestled into the Watford net to give Spurs the 1-0 lead into the tunnel.
Redknapp brought in Aaron Lennon for the second half at the expense of Luka Modric, but it was the Hornets who struck first.
Spurs center backs Michael Dawson and Stan Livermore got in a muddle in their own box, ultimately gifting possession to a wide-open Sean Murray.
The composed 18-year-old curled around Cudicini but his finessed shot could only strike the post on his team's best chance of the match.
The visitors finally forced a decent save from Loach minutes later when Luke Walker headed a Rose cross from close range and the keeper parried over.
For the next 20 minutes Spurs clung to their narrow advantage while the home side outhustled the bigger club.
Headers and shots came from every virtually Watford player but each lacked conviction and arrived tame or off target.
The inspired home side and their boisterous support deserved an equalizer but Tottenham had all hands at the pumps at the back.
Watford had two more brilliant chances with just over 10 minutes remaining. Mark Yeates sent in a long free kick which bundled around the area.
Nyron Nosworthy fired the loose ball inside the loose ball from point-blank but Dawson desperately blocked it on the line.
Spurs managed to pass the ball around the back for much of the final 10 minutes to maturely see out the result.
Watford deserved a replay on form and desire but lacked the conviction throughout to equalize against the London club.
Redknapp and company continue their stellar season to enter the fifth round of the FA Cup while sitting in third place on the Premier League table.
Spurs could do little more to contain the Hornets on the night as the home side frantically searched for a goal throughout.
Watford ended up with over 20 shots with 12 on target but ultimately lacked the conviction and composure to seal a deserved replay.
Neither side was played much defense as the match began.
Both teams exchanged carefree attacks at the other's goal throughout the first quarter hour, though only the home side mustered shots on target during the spell.
The Hornets had much joy down Spurs' left flank as the match continued. Left winger Rafael Van der Vaart offered little help to overwhelmed youngster Danny Rose as Watford coursed up and down the touchline at will.
After 20 minuets, the home side had managed 10 shots at Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini while Tottenham had none.
harry Redknapp's men finally mustered their first shot after a half-hour. It was tame but on-target from Jermain Defoe after quick buildup from the visitors.
Tottenham's class in the middle of the park wasn't translating into the final third of the field, but the Premier League club began to control the midfield and thus possession over its Championship opponents.
Just before halftime, after a spell of unfruitful Spurs' possession, Watford had a then rare foray into the visitor's half which Tottenham immediately countered from.
Right winger Kyle Walker strode down the right side and fed inside to the hitherto dormant Van der Vaart.
The Dutchman curled low from 25 yards, his dipping shot befuddling Scott Loach completely as it nestled into the Watford net to give Spurs the 1-0 lead into the tunnel.
Redknapp brought in Aaron Lennon for the second half at the expense of Luka Modric, but it was the Hornets who struck first.
Spurs center backs Michael Dawson and Stan Livermore got in a muddle in their own box, ultimately gifting possession to a wide-open Sean Murray.
The composed 18-year-old curled around Cudicini but his finessed shot could only strike the post on his team's best chance of the match.
The visitors finally forced a decent save from Loach minutes later when Luke Walker headed a Rose cross from close range and the keeper parried over.
For the next 20 minutes Spurs clung to their narrow advantage while the home side outhustled the bigger club.
Headers and shots came from every virtually Watford player but each lacked conviction and arrived tame or off target.
The inspired home side and their boisterous support deserved an equalizer but Tottenham had all hands at the pumps at the back.
Watford had two more brilliant chances with just over 10 minutes remaining. Mark Yeates sent in a long free kick which bundled around the area.
Nyron Nosworthy fired the loose ball inside the loose ball from point-blank but Dawson desperately blocked it on the line.
Spurs managed to pass the ball around the back for much of the final 10 minutes to maturely see out the result.
Watford deserved a replay on form and desire but lacked the conviction throughout to equalize against the London club.
Redknapp and company continue their stellar season to enter the fifth round of the FA Cup while sitting in third place on the Premier League table.
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Results
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Match News
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