Spurs edge past Reading
Juande Ramos will face Manchester United in the next round
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Tuesday, 15, Jan 2008 10:34
Tottenham have eased past Reading with a 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium nudging the Royals out of this season's FA Cup.
Juande Ramos' side will now face Manchester United in the pick of the fourth-round ties.
Robbie Keane grabbed the only goal of the game after just fifteen minutes and although Stephen Hunt rattled the bar late on for the hosts, it was as close as they were to come to an equaliser.
The Irish striker's opener came after a forceful header from Younes Kaboul had been acrobatically tipped onto the bar by Australian stopper Adam Federici.
The rebound fell straight to the forward's feet and he made no mistake in sweeping home from six yards out.
Jermain Defoe brought another good save out of Federici with a snappy half-volley just before the break as the visitors finished the first half the better side.
Steve Coppell's men struggled to mount any sort of comeback with out-of-favour striker Leroy Lita failing to make an impression on a rare appearance.
Nicky Shorey sent a shot from the edge of the box bobbling wide of the post in a rare foray upfield for the Royals.
The match appeared to be petering out before a late burst of activity saw chances suddenly materialise at either end.
Hunt left the woodwork shaking with a powerful effort before Simon Cox directed a header straight into the midriff of Radek Cerny.
Steed Malbranque then provided Federici with another chance to shine in defeat as he stretched to tip away the midfielder's superb strike.