Lamela shines as Spurs cruise into fifth round

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Tottenham 2 Newport 0

Erik Lamela scored his first goal of the season as Tottenham cruised into the FA Cup fifth round.

The Argentinian forward, who returned from more than a year out with injury earlier this season, produced an excellent display and slotted home his side’s second before the break.

Newport left-back Dan Butler turned Moussa Sissoko’s cross into his own net for the opener on 26 minutes and substitute Dele Alli hit the bar late on for Spurs, who face Rochdale in the next round.

The inclusions of Lamela and Sissoko were two of 10 changes to the side that drew at Liverpool on Sunday, with Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose making their returns from long-term injury.

Spurs had complete control of the first half and the lively Heung-Min Son – the only survivor from the 1-1 draw at Anfield – had three good efforts in search of a third goal before the interval.

Fernando Llorente, who has struggled to make an impact since joining in the summer, had two glorious chances late on that he should have converted, as Lamela pulled the strings.

His beautifully chipped pass set Llorente up for a close-range header that went wide of the far post before the Spaniard did the same with a volley from Christian Eriksen’s cross to the back post.

Alli smashed against the woodwork and missed with another fierce effort after replacing Victor Wanyama, and Michel Vorm was needed to deny Newport a goal at the death with a fine close-range save.