Carr returns, Graham hails Doherty - February 8, 2001
Republic of Ireland full back Steven Carr made his return for Tottenham last night, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute in the 4-2 FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.
Carr has been absent since he limped out of Spurs' Premiership match against Southampton on December 27 and his comeback will be welcome news for Mick McCarthy as he surveys his injury ravaged squad ahead of this month's friendly against Denmark.
But manager George Graham singled out another Irishman, young Gary Doherty, as the player who saved Tottenham's FA Cup dream.
Charlton were 2-0 up and looked to be cruising when Doherty forced Rufus into an own-goal which sparked an amazing revival.
"Gary Doherty did fantastic," Graham said. "He got behind the defender and played a dangerous cross, prompting Charlton to score an own-goal, and that put us back in the game."
Tottenham went on to win 4-2 with goals from Anderton, Leonhardsen and Rebrov - but Graham put it all down to his play-anywhere Irish international.
"Gary is only 21 but having come from Luton he plays with the enthusiasm of a footballer who comes from a smaller club to a bigger one.
"But I still think he's better at the back, where I have been playing him. It was an emergency to use him up front, but there was nothing else I could do."
Elsewhere, in the LDV Trophy, Doherty's Irish u21 international team-mate Clive Clarke inspired Stoke City to a runaway win over Walsall. Clarke opened the scoring as early as the third minute - and Stoke ran out impressive 4-0 winners to book a northern semi-final against neighbours Port Vale.