Published: 15 January, 2015
by DAN CARRIER

SPURS boss Mauricio Pochettino praised “the character” his team showed to come from 2-0 down to beat Burnley last night (Wednesday) in their FA Cup third round replay at White Hart Lane. 

Pochettino’s decision to make eight changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace at the weekend looked like it was going to backfire as the visitors raced into a 2-0 lead after only eight minutes. 

But a spirited fightback saw Spurs keep their hopes of winning a cup-treble alive. Pochettino said afterwards: “If you forget the first eight minutes, we deserve to be in the next round. I am happy with the character we showed. We had faith.” 

The Argentine also praised the players who were picked, including club captain Younes Kaboul, who has not started a game for more than two months. “Different players had an opportunity. They showed they can fight for every place in the first team,” he said. 

Tottenham were caught napping after only two minutes as Burnley forward Marvin Sordell raced onto a through ball and hit a first-time shot past goalkeeper Michael Vorm. It got worse on eight minutes. A free kick by Ross Wallace burst through the wall and extended the Clarets’ lead. 

The sudden 2-0 deficit shook Spurs, but seconds later, Andros Townsend broke on the right and his cross was turned in from close range by Paulinho, who ignited the comeback. 

In the dying moments of the first half, stuttering striker Roberto Soldado hit the bar when the goal was gaping – but as a shocked silence went round the ground, Etienne Capoue struck from the edge of the box to leave things level at the break. 

Within five minutes of the restart, Vlad Chiriches bundled home from close range to give Spurs the lead before Danny Rose made it four to keep FA Cup hopes alive.