Tottenham 3-0 Cheltenham: Giovani dos Santos strike seals fine individual display as Spurs ease to FA Cup progression

Tottenham cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup for the sixth consecutive season following their 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at White Hart Lane.

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The first half was a less than electrifying affair, with the visitors failing to build on their bright start. Following Jermain Defoe’s opener midway through the half, the home side went into cruise control before doubling their lead on the stroke of half time thanks to Roman Pavlyuchenko.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first, with the visitors starting brightly yet ultimately having nothing to show for it, as the home side put the game to bed late on with a Giovani dos Santos strike.

As anticipated, Harry Redknapp made wholesale changes to the Spurs side. Defoe was the only survivor of the starting XI that took all three points against West Brom on Tuesday, with Michael Dawson making his long-awaited return to the side.

Aaron Lennon made his first start in four games after injuring his hamstring in the league victory over Sunderland, Rafael van der Vaart was named as a substitute.

For the visitors, Mark Yates made just one change to the side that picked up all three points away at Port Vale on Monday. On-loan Huddersfield forward James Spencer was chosen to spearhead the Robins attack, with Darryl Duffy dropping to the bench.

The League Two side made a lively start to the game with Kaid Mohamed looking to isolate the out of position Jake Livermore down the Cheltenham left. However after beating his man, the forward’s delivery was poor.

The home side’s first chance of the game came via Pavlyuchenko. The Russian, making his first start since the beginning of November, showed impressive footwork before curling his left-footed effort onto the roof of the Cheltenham net.

The Robins’ resistance lasted a little over a quarter of the game. After a Cheltenham free-kick was cleared, suddenly Giovani found himself in the clear. The Mexican showed Premier League quality to dink the ball over goalkeeper Scott Brown, only for Defoe to show a striker's instinct and prod the ball into the empty net.

The rest of the half was played at a walking pace by Spurs, with the away side looking like they would go into the break within touching distance of their Premier League opponents.

However, with just two minutes of the 45 to play, Harry Redknapp’s men stepped it up a gear and doubled their lead. A lovely passing move culminated in Defoe working the channel before squaring for Pavlyuchenko who was left with a simple finish, leaving Mark Yates’ men with a mountain to climb.

The Robins again began the half the brighter of the two sides, but unlike their counterparts were unable to create any clear-cut chances with Carlo Cudicini still to be tested.

Finally the away side gave their army of travelling supporters something to get excited about. Substitute Brian Smikle was sent down the left hand side, and after beating Livermore, pulled the ball back to find Russell Penn, who contrived to fire his effort over from 10 yards.

The opportunity rejuvenated a flat encounter, as the away side began to sniff an upset, pinning their opponents back in their own half.

However, they were again dealt a sucker punch as Giovani put the game to bed with just three minutes to go, after his effort deflected off Alan Bennett to leave Brown helpless in the Cheltenham goal.

The win sees Tottenham’s unbeaten run stretch to seven games in all competitions as Spurs continue to march on.