Tottenham 3-1 Morecambe: Spurs survive big FA Cup scare

Tottenham survived a huge scare at home to third-tier strugglers Morecambe as they came from behind to win 3-1 and advance to round four of the FA Cup. 

Antonio Conte fielded an unfamiliar XI that showed eight changes from the midweek EFL Cup loss to Chelsea, and Spurs went behind to Anthony O'Connor's close-range finish.

Spurs boss Conte, who has reached the final in his only two previous seasons in the competition, turned to Harry Kane and Lucas Moura with a little over 20 minutes remaining. 

Tottenham levelled soon after through Harry Winks' fortuitous free-kick and Lucas completed the comeback in the 85th minute, before Kane netted to seal a nervy passage through.

Matt Doherty, one of three Spurs players to retain his place in the side along with Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga, headed against the post from an acute angle in a lively start.

But Tottenham found themselves behind after 33 minutes when visiting captain O'Connor volleyed Alfie McCalmont's inswinging corner past Pierluigi Gollini from six yards.

Spurs were booed off at the break but Conte held off from introducing Kane for the hosts, who went close through a flicked Dele Alli shot that Trevor Carson superbly tipped over.

Ryan Sessegnon then dragged wide from a good position, after Alli's penalty appeals were waved away, prompting Conte to bring on Kane, Lucas and Oliver Skipp.

That sparked some life into the home side, with Carson misjudging Winks' free-kick from close to the left touchline as Spurs levelled.

Lucas put Tottenham in front for the first time when the Brazilian caught Ryan McLaughlin in possession, raced clear and rounded Carson for a simple finish into an empty net.

Kane, who missed a great headed chance prior to Lucas' crucial goal, added a third for Spurs with a smart finish away from the despairing Morecambe goalkeeper's reach.

What does it mean? Conte's cup hopes still alive

Conte has targeted silverware with Tottenham and has a great record in the FA Cup, a competition he reached the final in with Chelsea in 2017 and won the following year.

Trailing the Blues 2-0 in the EFL Cup semi-finals, and having been effectively kicked out of the Europa Conference League, this is now Tottenham's best shot at success this term.

Spurs did it the hard way against Morecambe, who are in the League One relegation zone, but ultimately avoided elimination at this stage for just a second time in 16 campaigns.

Lucas the saviour

Kane added a late third but it was Lucas' goal that prevented Tottenham from playing extra-time, which would have been embarrassment in its own right for Conte's men.

The Brazilian winger has now scored five goals in 13 games under Conte, having previously scored just once in the same number of appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Tanguy's torrid tie

Not for the first time this season – or indeed the past number of seasons – Tottenham's fringe players failed to step up when given a chance in the cup competitions.

Tanguy Ndombele very much fits into that category, with the midfielder seemingly jeered off the pitch by his own fans after an ineffective display that saw him fail to win any tackles or create a chance.

What's next?

Tottenham will be looking to overturn a two-goal deficit when they face Chelsea in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Morecambe are back in action with a trip to Wimbledon in League One next Saturday.