A Jermain Defoe hat-trick earned Spurs a fifth-round FA Cup trip to Bolton as they sank Leeds in an absorbing replay.
Tottenham dominated early on and Defoe went close several times before slicing left-footed into the top corner.
But as in the first match Leeds hit back and in first-half stoppage time Luciano Becchio forced home a rebound.
Defoe had a goal ruled out for offside but flicked in a David Bentley cross and in injury time ghosted in to round the keeper and complete his treble.
When Spurs arrived at Elland Road snow was falling heavily and with Leeds having lost only twice in 21 matches at home this season the scent of an upset was evident.
But the Londoners quietened the hostile home crowd by applying an admirable work ethic to their superior technical ability and dominated for the vast majority of the contest.
The pitch looked heavy through the middle but was perfectly playable, and if anything suited Tottenham's slick passing style more.
Defoe might have scored in the second minute when an attempted header back to the goalkeeper from Andrew Hughes fell woefully short, but the England striker scuffed his shot.
The Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong found himself in a surprising amount of space on the penalty spot from Bentley's corner but scooped over when he might have had time to have controlled first.
Defoe looked dangerous whenever the visitors went forward, he should have scored when the ball deflected over the top and found him in the clear, but Casper Ankergren stood up and pushed the shot wide.
The Dane then made an even better save when a fizzing Gareth Bale cross ricocheted off a defender and wrong-footed him, but somehow he tipped it away.
Defoe was incensed when, clean through again, he fell under the challenge of Lubomir Michalik but finally he got himself on the scoresheet, and on a night of sweet strikes on goal it came with a mis-hit.
The diminutive forward pulled back away from goal to collect Bentley's cross and though his left-footed shot was skewed it sailed into the top corner.
But with Tottenham again unable to convert their chances Leeds responded valiantly and Michalik's glancing header was smartly kept out by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.
The League One side were back on level terms as Jonathan Howson hooked the ball back into the six-yard box, Jermaine Beckford's volley was parried by Gomes but Becchio followed up, having moved back onside.
Tottenham started the second half in positive manner and Michael Dawson's near post header from Bentley's corner was brilliantly tipped over by Ankergren.
Bentley, playing a third match in succession for the first time in a year, was full of endeavour and after a forceful run he hit a left-footed drive, but the inspirational Ankergren was up to the task again and touched over acrobatically.
Defoe's eventful night continued when having slid in to meet Bale's cross he was correctly given offside having edged ahead of the defender, but within moments he was in the right place at the right time.
Having been well found out on the right flank by Jermaine Jenas, Bentley sent a delightful low cross into the danger area and Defoe brushed it smartly into the net.
With Bale and Bentley superb down the flanks Spurs looked certain to add a third, and Peter Crouch hit the bar with a far post header.
Unlike at White Hart Lane there was to be no late injury time drama from Leeds and it was Defoe who calmly slotted home his third treble of the season as his side marched into the next round in some style.
8 Replies
13520 Views