League One strugglers Colchester United were eyeing a big upset in the fourth round of the FA Cup to lift their supporters when Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur visited the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the fourth round on Saturday.
It wasn't to be, though, as Spurs dominated the match and ran out 4-1 winners to reach the fifth round for the first time in four years.
See how it all unfolded in Essex with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
11.47amMorning all! The first of 13 FA Cup fourth-round ties today pits Premier League high-flyers Tottenham Hotspur against League One strugglers Colchester United. Team news is just coming in, so let's get right to it...
11.50amSPURS XI: Vorm; Trippier, Dier, Wimmer, Davies; Bentaleb, Carroll; Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli; Kane
Subs: Lloris, Alderweireld, Walker, Alli, Dembele, Onomah, Son
Subs: Lloris, Alderweireld, Walker, Alli, Dembele, Onomah, Son
11.52am
A few shots of the players arriving a short while ago! #COYS pic.twitter.com/kjNpEpyvfC
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 30, 201611.55amWell that's a strong Spurs side isn't it? Mauricio Pochettino has made seven changes to the side that won 3-1 at Palace last Saturday, but that's still mean lineup, with Harry Kane leading the line and captaining the visitors.
11.57amCOLCHESTER XI: Kean, Brindley, Wynter, Eastman, Vincent-Young, Massey, Garvan, Gilbey, Moncur, Ambrose, Porter
Subs: Parish, Edwards, Lee, Bonne, Sordell, Kent, Briggs
Subs: Parish, Edwards, Lee, Bonne, Sordell, Kent, Briggs
12pmKevin Kean makes three changes to his U's side, with Kane Vincent-Young, Gavin Massey and Darren Ambrose coming in to the side.
12.03pmBig day for teenager Vincent-Young, who makes his first start since September against the likes of Kane, Lamela and Eriksen 😬
12.06pmBefore we take a closer look at the two teams playing in this match, just a quick note on what happened in last night's first fourth-round tie. Manchester United travelled to Derby County in what many were billing as potentially Louis van Gaal's last match in charge. Defeat would have seen the pressure increase further on the Dutchman, but his side earned a 3-1 win to book their place in the last 16. Here's our match report.
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© Getty Images12.10pmOoook then. Let's give the U's the honour as they're at home. Having finished 20th, 16th and 19th the last three seasons, it looks like it could get worse for the Essex outfit this season. They are rockbottom in the third tier and seven points from safety and they have played 28 games, which is more than anyone else in the bottom four. They are without a win in 14 league games.
12.13pmIn amongst that 14-game winless run was a nine-game losing streak between the end of October and the end of December. A truly torrid run and the only good thing during that time were the two FA Cup wins in the opening rounds over non-league duo Wealdstone and Altrincham.
12.17pmEarlier this month they got the better of Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic to reach the fourth round for the first time in 10 years. They got a big draw in Spurs and in fact, today's match is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two.
12.20pmSTAT: Tottenham have not progressed past this stage since they reached the semi-final in 2012, while Colchester last reached the fifth round in 2006. Both sides were undone by Chelsea in those seasons.
12.23pm
Today's is @NChadli's 100th #THFC appearance in all competitions! Will he score? Tell us your predictions! #COYS pic.twitter.com/mSHQq8dMBK
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 30, 201612.26pmQuick bit of news to bring you away from this match as it has been reported that Pochettino, who is undoubtedly doing a great job at Spurs, will be offered a new big-money contract to stay at White Hart Lane. The Argentinian has been strongly linked with the Chelsea job of late.
12.29pmThe visitors come into this match on a three-game winning streak, the middle game being the 2-0 win at Premier League leaders Leicester in the third-round replay 10 days ago. In the league, Spurs have the best defence, the joint-best goal difference and sit just two points behind City and Arsenal and five behind Leicester. There's a real chance they could win the league this year.
12.32pmWith the youngest squad in the Premier League, these are certainly very exciting times for Spurs fans and in Kane they have one of England's brightest young talents. The striker shot to stardom last season, but he has done even better this term by proving that it was not a flash in the pan. Kane has been in unstoppable form recently, scoring 15 goals in his last 18 appearances in all competitions. 🔥🔥
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© Getty Images12.35pmSTAT: Spurs have lost just one of their last 13 FA Cup games against lower league opposition (W9 D3), but that defeat was their most recent encounter against Leeds United in the fourth round in 2013.
12.38pmOnly Arsenal (12) and Man Utd (11) have won the FA Cup more times than Spurs (8). The North London side also have an incredible record when they get to the final, losing only once in the 1987 showpiece 3-2 to Coventry City. They last won this Cup in 1991 and last won a trophy eight years ago with the League Cup. With the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League all possibilities this term, it could be a magical few months.
12.41pmPREDICTION: The two teams have just come out of the tunnel, so it's about time I made my prediction: Surely this is going to be an away win. Spurs are unbeaten in nine away games and they have put out a really strong side against a Colchester team desperately struggling in League One. I fear for the U's here, 4-0 to Spurs.
12.44pmEven though Colchester play in blue-and-white stripes, Spurs are in their home colours of white tops and navy shorts.
0 minKICKOFF! We are underway at what is a very blustery Weston Homes Community Stadium.
1 minSpurs start well as Trippier beats his man down the right before crossing into the box for Chadli, whose header is weak and easy for Kean to gather.
4 minOwww! Worrying times here for Colchester as teammates Wynter and Eastman clash heads. Eastman ran down the tunnel with blood streaming his face to get stitches, but Wynter is still down and receiving treatment from the paramedics.
6 minCOLCHESTER SUB: Eastman is stretchered off the pitch and replaced by Frankie Kent.
7 minCLOSE! Trippier loves getting forward down the right and he's just produced a fantastic low cross that, to be fair, was really well dealt with the U's backline, even though they are down to 10 men and without post centre-backs that started the game.
8 minSAVE! It's all Tottenham early on as Eriksen, a player in good goalscoring form at the moment, unleashes a shot with his left foot that Kean beats out.
9 minSAVE! Kean tested again as Chadli beats the offside trap, turning his man and then firing low to the near post where Kean got down to hold the ball.
10 minLamela finds space on the right of the box, but his shot is blocked at the last moment by Vincent-Young. Colchester really hanging on here, how much longer can they hold out with only 10 men on the field?
12 minOFF THE POST! So much space and time for Lamela to cut inside and curl for the far corner. Kean is beaten, but the post is not as it clangs off the upright.
13 minEastman is bandaged up and finally returns. That should help ease the pressure a little.
15 minCLOSE! Trippier has Ambrose on toast down the right before crossing to the near post, where Kane's flick has too much on it and goes into the side-netting.
18 minColchester are yet to threaten once at the other end as Spurs continue to pepper the U's goal. Eriksen is the latest to try his luck, but both of his efforts from inside the box are blocked.
21 minCOLCHESTER SUB: Cruel blow for the U's as it's decided that Eastman can't continue. He's replaced by Briggs and that's both Colchester centre-backs that have had to be substituted. As if it wasn't hard enough already.
22 minFirst nervy moment for the visitors as Vorm drops the ball before taking it out of the area. Ambrose looks to pounce, but Dier is on hand to ensure that his goalkeeper can regather possession.
24 minHere's Wynter receiving treatment on the pitch earlier. He has been taken to hospital for concussion treatment
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© Getty Images26 minCHANCE! Kane does brilliantly to hold up the ball in midfield and he finds Eriksen charging through on goal. The Dane has to take the shot early as Briggs gets across and he fires just over the bar.
27 minGOAL! COLCHESTER 0-1 SPURS (NACER CHADLI)
27 minWell you can't say it wasn't coming. Chadli scores on his 100th Spurs apperance and it's a third game in a row in which he's netted. Lamela finds the Belgian on the right and he takes one touch before curling over Kean and into the far corner. Super finish.
29 minAfter 11 Spurs shots on goal, the home side finally have an effort themselves, but Moncur's left-footer is blocked by Trippier after he was found by Ambrose.
30 minKane tries his luck from a tight angle at the other end, but can only find the side-netting. One thing Kane usually does so well is hitting the target, but his radar was a little off there.
31 minCHANCE! Kane should score here! Davies dinks in a cross and Kane only manages to head at Kean. A good stop, but Kane should not be missing from there.
33 minGreat cross by Brindley, but it's just between Porter and Moncur in the middle. Dier heads it out for the U's first corner, but it comes to nothing as Vorm rises up and collects.
36 minChadli has now scored 22 goals in 100 competitive appearances for Tottenham
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© Getty Images39 minA second goal before half time might just kill this tie off and Spurs threaten again with their 14th shot of the half and Carroll fires over a little off balance.
42 minThe only way this could have gone worse for Colchester would be if they had conceded more than one. They've hardly caused Spurs any problems and lost their two starting centre-backs to injury.
45 minBecause of that earlier injury to Wynter, we will have at least five minutes of added time.
45+1 minIt's actually six additional minutes we'll have. Can Spurs get another to double their advantage before the break?
45+2 minHow has this not gone in? Again it's Trippier causing problems down the right, his cross reaches Kane at the back post, but somehow the England striker can't turn it home as it hits him on the knee. It wouldn't have counted, though, as the offside flag was up.
45+3 minVincent-Young's loose pass gifts the ball to Kane, who runs at Kent but can't beat the U's centre-back, who makes a fantastic last-ditch tackle.
45+6 minInto the final minute of added time as Bentaleb blasts way over the top from 25 yards.
45+7 minHALF-TIME: COLCHESTER 0-1 SPURS
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© Getty Images1.37pmThe only positive for Colchester is that it's not more. Spurs completely dominated that half and somehow the lead is only one. We'll be back for the second 45 in no time. Stay tuned!
1.51pmWelcome back, folks. Second half about to get underway in Essex, where Spurs lead thanks to Chadli's third goal in as many games.
46 minKICKOFF! Spurs get us back underway under the bright winter sunshine.
47 minHere's an update on Wynter's condition from PA reporter Matt McGeehan: "Colchester say Alex Wynter is fine and sitting up in hospital now. He did lose consciousness in the collision, so is a bit groggy." Good news for the U's.
47 minCHANCE! Colchester somehow only conceded one in the first half, but they almost go two behind early in the second half as Kane picks out Lamela, whose effort just bobbled wide. Briggs let the Argentine go initially, but then got back well to put him off as he shot.
49 minLamela is seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second half and he has another attempt on goal by cutting in from the left and curling wide. Eriksen was just inside in support and perhaps a pass would have been better.
53 minCLOSE! First real chance of the match for Colchester as Moncur does really well to keep the ball in down the right before teeing up Ambrose, whose shot is deflected and bobbles just wide with Vorm wrongfooted. That could have easily gone in.
54 minSHOT! Colchester enjoying their best spell of the match as Massey drills low from a tight angle. Not the easiest save for Vorm, but he does well to hold it.
55 minAll Colchester! Ambrose finds space down the right and his cross has just too much on it for Porter, who had lost his marker at the back post.
56 minSPURS SUB: Dembele, who signed a new contract yesterday, is on, replacing Lamela.
56 minAppeals for a Colchester penalty as Wimmer slides in on Porter, but the Spurs defender did get the ball. Good decision from referee Michael Oliver.
60 minOFF THE BAR! Chadli misses a sitter! Kane squares the ball to the Belgian, who takes a touch and turns his man before rifling against the crossbar from eight yards.
61 minCOLCHESTER SUB: Third and final change for the home side as Sordell replaces Ambrose. More firepower in attack for the U's.
64 minGOAL! COLCHESTER 0-2 SPURS (ERIC DIER)
64 minThis is so cruel on Colchester, who had been enjoying their best spell of the match. Dier tries his luck from about 30 yards and it's going straight down the throat of Kean before the ball takes a wicked deflection off Briggs and finds the opposite corner. Just not the U's day.
67 minSPURS SUB: No goal today, but Kane has again been pretty good in attack for Spurs. Son Heung-Min comes on in his place.
70 minThat second goal really should see Spurs home today. The second half has been much more competitive than the first, but for the U's to score two goals in the final 20 minutes would really be some feat.
73 minSHOT! Son wants to get in on the action, but his shot is parried out by Kean.
75 min
Tottenham have now scored 2+ goals in 5 of their last 6 away games in all competitions. Enjoying life on the road. pic.twitter.com/7hgspu7qX1
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 30, 2016
76 minOFF THE POST! What a chance for Colchester! Dier loses possession and slips to the floor, so Massey plays the ball through to Sordell, who is clear on goal. He opens his body and curls around Vorm, but it doesn't get inside the post.
76 minSPURS SUB: The visitors then make a change, with Josh Onomah on for Eriksen.
79 minGOAL! COLCHESTER 0-3 SPURS (NACER CHADLI)
79 minGame over! Trippier again with the cross from the right and this time Chadli gets in front of Kean to head home. It looks like it might have taken a nick off Bridge, but that's that.
80 minGOAL! COLCHESTER 1-3 SPURS (BEN DAVIES, OG.)
80 minWell Spurs have had one lucky goal, and here's one for Colchester. Moncur plays in Massey and although his shot comes back off the post, it ricochets into Davies on goes in. At least the home fans have had something to cheer.
83 minGOAL! COLCHESTER 1-4 SPURS (TOM CARROLL)
83 minWell if the own goal gave Colchester a tiny bit of hope, that's been well and truly extinguished now as Chadli crosses into the middle for Carroll to stick home his third goal of the season.
85 minAlmost a fifth for the visitors as Son beats his man down the right before firing into the six-yard box where somehow it doesn't cannon home.
89 minSo Spurs are going through to the fifth round for the first time since 2012, when they went all the way to the semi-finals. Could it be their year?
90+1 minJust the two minutes of added time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
90+3 minFULL-TIME: COLCHESTER 1-4 SPURS
2.42pmThere was a brief spell in the second half where it looked like Colchester might cause some problems, but in the end Spurs safely go through to the last 16. Nacer Chadli with two goals to make it four in three. Thanks very much for joining SM and I urge you to have a click around as there's plenty more live action today!
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