Spurs complete last eight

Tottenham are through to the final eight of The FA Cup after they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground.

While dominating possession, Spurs couldn't find way through a well-marshalled Forest defence and had to wait until the just after the hour mark when Noe Pamarot broke the deadlock.

He did very well to glance a Reto Ziegler corner past the home keeper Paul Gerrard, who was beaten for a second time by Robbie Keane.

In the final minute Mido added a third after he headed home after Michael Brown had hit the woodwork with a powerful shot.

The Premiership side deserved their win after they dictated the play from start to finish and the margin of victory could have been greater if it weren't for an inspired performance from Gerrard in the home side's goal.

In the first half Keane was thwarted by a wonderful fingertip save from the 'keeper after the Irish international had been played in by strike-partner Fredi Kanoute.

Gary Megson's side did have their moments, most notably when Paul Evans shot at goal a minute short of the half time interval. His effort was too close to the in-form Paul Robinson, who saved well.

After a half-time team-talk from Martin Jol, Spurs came out in more determined fashion in the second period.

Chances fell to Timothee Atouba and Ziegler, but neither player could get a shot in to challenge Gerrard's goal.

Ziegler, who was at the heart of much of the action, made amends for rushing that chance when he swung in a corner which Pamarot flicked in from the near post area.

The goal seemed to give Tottenham the boost that they needed and soon they started to carve out chances with relative ease.

Ziegler had a shot when he could have set up the better-placed Keane but moments later he set up Spurs' second with another in swinging corner.

This time Michael Brown flicked the ball on for Keane to finish at the far post.

James Perch went close to scoring a late consolation for the home side, volleying narrowly wide.

Egyptian on-loan signing Mido then wrapped up the scoring in injury time, heading past Gerrard after the excellent Brown was denied by the crossbar.

After the match, Spurs boss Martin Jol stressed the importance of The FA Cup to his side.

“I think it was a professional, solid performance,” said Jol. “We’re very pleased to be in the quarter-finals. I know The FA Cup is important and it’s a big thing for us to be in the last eight.”

Forest manager Gary Megson admitted: “We never made it a Cup tie because we didn’t go about it the right way from the outset.”