Berbatov strike sinks Spurs

Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov netted against his old side to send Man United through to the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Roman Pavlyuchenko put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute with a glancing header from a Tom Huddlestone cross.

But Paul Scholes got the equaliser for the Red Devils after 35 minutes when his long range effort was deflected by Huddlestone into his own goal.

Berbatov then got the winner a minute later with a pin-point strike after being picked out by an exquisite pass by Michael Carrick, himself a former Spurs player.

Despite having 10 senior players missing, United remain on track for an unprecedented quadruple after this victory, although for Tottenham the true test of the week will come against Stoke on Tuesday while Sir Alex Ferguson's team tackle West Brom.

Youngsters Fabio, on his debut, and Danny Welbeck both impressed, while Carlos Tevez buzzed about in his usual enthusiastic style and Berbatov, so hated by the visiting fans, seemed to have all the time in the world.
Deft header

Still, when Nemanja Vidic got himself in a muddle and allowed Pavlyuchenko to give him the slip and turn home a deft header, United must have been slightly concerned.

The trouble for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was his side still had 85 minutes to hold out, although having survived a quarter-final pummelling to emerge victorious with eventual tournament winners Portsmouth on the same ground last term, he knew it could be done.

But as the chances piled up, it was beyond imagination that Tottenham could survive. How cruel, though, that one of their old boys should wreak the havoc.

Michal Carrick's move north from White Hart Lane created none of the animosity Berbatov's did. But in the same quiet way, Carrick has gone on to become one of the most influential members of Ferguson's squad.

When he spotted Scholes lurking with menace on the edge of the box, he coolly rolled a corner into the veteran's path. The shot was pretty fierce and once it had flicked off Huddlestone, Ben Alnwick did not have a hope of keeping it out.

A minute later Carrick floated a pass over the Spurs defence. Berbatov's first-time control was awesome and his second touch was a precise shot into the bottom corner that again left Alnwick flailing.

Transformed

In the blink of an eye, or two Carrick passes, the tie had been transformed.

Not though United's injury woes as Fabio collapsed in agony in the early moments of the second period after he had landed awkwardly following an aerial duel with Spurs substitute Giovani dos Santos.

The young Brazilian hobbled off, almost certainly making it an entire team Ferguson will be missing at West Brom on Tuesday.

Fabio was replaced by Richard Eckersley, while United's next substitution heralded the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, who headed straight for the dressing room after wishing Zoran Tosic the best of luck on his debut.

At the same time, Redknapp replaced David Bentley with Jermain Defoe.

Welbeck then joined United's walking wounded late on and a late penalty shout was the best Spurs could muster.