FA Cup Semi Final 1991 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal (DVD)

...It was the first ever FA Cup semi-final to be held at Wembley, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Tottenham went onto to win the Cup that year, and by knocking Arsenal out in the semi's made sure that the Gunners could not achieve the double!. Result. Tottenham's form going into the game was indifferent to say the least, Arsenal seemed untroubled and very confident before the game, oh how that was to change!.

Tottenham's season had ...
...the financial trouble was the FA Cup, and with Paul Gascoigne put in some outstanding performances along the way, put Spurs in a great position to make it to the final. Spurs, under Terry Venables, had major injury doubts going into the game, Gazza himself being declared as only as 'half-fit' and were forced to make a couple of changes prior to the game. The gamble that Venables took with Gascoigne could have been critical, but instead ensured of ... more

After Tottenham's embarrassing lose yesterday to their rivals Arsenal in the traditional North London derby by three goals to nil, I felt it was time to dive into the DVD collection and cheer myself up. I stumbled across this classic game and it really did the job!.

The DVD itself was purchased around six months on Amazon for £4.99 and the price has not changed. It is a decent price for a DVD, but the lack of features could change this opinion for some people. There were also a few items on eBay of this item so definitely shop around when looking to buy it.

The game itself is an enthralling one. It was the first ever FA Cup semi-final to be held at Wembley, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Tottenham went onto to win the Cup that year, and by knocking Arsenal out in the semi's made sure that the Gunners could not achieve the double!. Result. Tottenham's form going into the game was indifferent to say the least, Arsenal seemed untroubled and very confident before the game, oh how that was to change!.

Tottenham's season had been blighted by financial difficulties, and reports recently have claimed that the club had been extremely close to administration. A welcome break to the financial trouble was the FA Cup, and with Paul Gascoigne put in some outstanding performances along the way, put Spurs in a great position to make it to the final. Spurs, under Terry Venables, had major injury doubts going into the game, Gazza himself being declared as only as 'half-fit' and were forced to make a couple of changes prior to the game. The gamble that Venables took with Gascoigne could have been critical, but instead ensured of a famous Spurs win again their nearest rivals.

Arsenal on the other hand, going into the match were hot favourites, George Graham had got the team playing simple, effective football and would eventually reap the rewards...his team losing just once in the whole of the League One campaign before picking up the championship. This all making the final result even more outstanding.

After the normal national anthem, various meetings of the Royal Family and the photos, it was game time for the two rivals...

Spurs looked on top in the opening stages and were rewarded with one of the most memorable goals ever scored at Wembley. 'He's surely not going to shoot' must have been in every Spurs fan's minds (as well as the commentator Barry Davies who actually said, followed by, "Oh he is") as Paul Gascoigne stepped up to a free-kick around thirty-five yards out. Shoot he did, and what a shot it was, flying into the top left-hand corner of the net, away from a helpless David Seaman. Cue ecstatic scenes from the Tottenham areas of Wembley. When watching the DVD, it still brings the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, a proper 'chill down the spine moment' for any Tottenham fan.

Gary Lineker doubled the Spurs advantage, finishing neatly after good Spurs inter-play to send the Spurs fans into more delirious scenes. However, in typical Tottenham fashion, they let a goal in before half-time after some sloppy defending. Alan Smith reacting first to give Arsenal a glimmer of hope heading in at half-time with the score 2-1. Tottenham come out in the second-half playing the similar fast-paced game they showed in the first-half and deservedly (in my opinion!) take a 3-1 lead when Gary Lineker notches his second.

Spurs hold onto the 3-1 win and at the final whistle there are scenes of pure joy among the Spurs players and fans alike. It really was a monumentous win for the White Hart Lane boys, and watching it gives you a feeling of what it was actually like to be there on the day. This win also gave them the momentum to continue in the FA Cup and eventually win the competition, beating Nottingham Forest in the final by two goals to one, with Gazza hitting the headlines once again.

For the neutral, this is a DVD worth buying as it really was a classic game, and is a piece of history by being the first semi-final to be played at Wembley. I thoroughly recommend any Tottenham fan to buy this DVD as it really does cheer you up, particularly after results such as yesterday's atrocious scoreline!.

The only thing that I can think of that is lacking is possibly the lack of features. A few interviews maybe with the players and managers prior to the game, the press build-up and interviews after the game would have brought more meaning to the game for the neutral, and it would be very informative for any Spurs fan that maybe wasn't born when this game was played. Unfortunately there wern't any extras, a bit of a disappointment possibly to some.

However, for £4.99 it really is a bargain.

 

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