Spurs produced a nervy display but a Rafael Van der Vaart strike just before half-time was enough to see off a spirited Watford side in this FA Cup fourth-round clash at Vicarage Road.
Manager Harry Redknapp named a strong starting line-up as he put his legal woes to one side for the evening and returned to the dugout. Luka Modric, Emmanuel Adebayor, Rafael van der Vaart and Scott Parker all started in a strong Tottenham team that contained five changes from the one that lost to Manchester City last weekend.
Watford started well, pressing hard and denying their illustrious opponents any time on the ball in front of a very vocal home support at Vicarage Road. They carved out the game’s first chance on five minutes when Joe Garner released Sordell after a slip by Younes Kaboul, but the England Under-21 striker could only shoot weakly at Carlo Cudicini. The Italian then spilled Sean Murray's effort after a rare Modric error, but Kyle Walker hooked the ball clear. Then Garner almost got on the end of a Deeney cross as the home side looked increasingly threatening.
Spurs were struggling to create chances and their passing wasn’t as slick as might be expected from a side that has won widespread plaudits for its exciting style of play and is still challenging for the Premiership title at the end of January.
But, with half-time looming and the home side still on top, Spurs were suddenly ahead. Michael Dawson had to stretch to clear a Watford attack. He released Kyle Walker who went on a mazy run out of his own half before releasing Van der Vaart about 35 yards from goal. Unchallenged he took it on towards the Watford box before unleashing a low shot which bounced cruelly past Loach into the bottom right-hand corner. It was scarcely what the Londoners deserved but they were 1-0 up at the break.
Eustace blazed over from the edge of the box for Watford immediately after the restart. At the other end Loach had a tip a Livermore header over the bar after good work by Rose. Spurs looked comfortable for a spell, Van der Vaart hitting the bar on 64 minutes after a good cut back by Lennon on the edge of the Watford box, but it didn’t last and the home side started to dominate as the Premiership side’s midfield was overrun.
Eustace was narrowly wide with a header from a corner as game entered the last 20 minutes and then Buaben forced a good stop from Cudicini who got down well to save from 20 yards. Watford began to sense that they might yet get something from the game and Cudicini was forced into action again moments later when he saved then saved brilliantly from Nosworthy from eight yards as the ball ricocheted around the Spurs box following a Yeates free kick.
Watford continued to press but were unable to make their superiority pay and Spurs will be relieved to still be in the hat for the fifth round draw on Sunday.