Tottenham Hotspur are the first team into the hat for the Emirates FA Cup fourth round draw after they powered to a 7-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Fernando Llorente bagged a hat-trick, Serge Aurier helped himself to brace while Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane scored a goal apiece.
This tie on the Wirral kicked off a busy weekend of third round action and Mauricio Pochettino’s men were quickly into their stride.
Tranmere keeper Scott Davies was called into action early on as he denied both Son and Lucas Moura from close range.
The hosts did well to hold out until almost half time, but Ivory Coast international Aurier broke their resistance with a deflected 20-yard strike after 40 minutes.
And Spurs ran riot after the break with Son instrumental in three of their six second-half goals.
The South Korea star set up Llorente for his first and Aurier for his second in between producing a powerful run and finish of his own.
Son was substituted to a standing ovation from the travelling fans, who watched on with glee as Llorente completed his hat-trick midway through the second half before England captain Kane made it seven late on.
Facts and stats:
- This was Tottenham’s biggest margin of victory in a competitive match since they beat Wigan Athletic 9-1 in the Premier League in November 2009, and their biggest in The FA Cup since they beat Crewe 13-2 in a fourth round replay in February 1960.
- Both of Tranmere Rovers’ heaviest defeats in The FA Cup have now come against Spurs (9-1 in January 1953 and 7-0 today).
- Tottenham have already won as many away matches in all competitions this season (13 wins from 18 matches) than they managed in the entirety of 2017-18 (13 of 26).
- Heung-Min Son has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last six games for Tottenham in all competitions (seven goals, five assists), as many as he was in his previous 31 combined prior to this.
- Fernando Llorente has scored his second hat-trick for Spurs, with both coming in his last two starts in The FA Cup (the first against was against Rochdale in February 2018).
- Serge Aurier has scored as many goals against Tranmere (two) as he had in his first 35 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions combined before today.
- Harry Kane has scored nine goals in his last eight Emirates FA Cup appearances, with eight of those coming against opposition from outside the Premier League.
