The sport plan was very sensible from Morecambe: struggle, pester, deal with, nick a purpose.
Not that Antonio Conte would have seen it that method; this might have seen extra like a comedy of errors than a comedy sketch for Tottenham's boss.
The technique rigorously devised by supervisor Stephen Robinson - who missed this sport after contracting Covid - and his assistant Diarmuid O'Carroll took Morecambe throughout to the eighty fifth minute with a hope of inflicting an almighty upset.
Ultimately, they have been left heartbroken; Tottenham in some way scrapping a victory from a match that seemed like ending in utter humiliation.
However to name Morecambe the losers right here doesn't do them justice. Out of the cup? Sure. Losers? Completely not.
The League One aspect have been courageous and brave; had they'd displayed a little bit extra high quality in entrance of purpose then who is aware of?
Nonetheless, this proved an almighty fright for Tottenham and Conte, who regardless of the victory received't have veered away too dramatically from the scathing evaluation of his Spurs gamers in midweek during which he branded them a 'middle' workforce. If something, the Italian's opinion received't have improved after this.
Conte rested his big-hitters for this; a logical determination given their week forward - a 2-0 deficit to beat in Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg versus Chelsea earlier than Sunday's north London derby.
This was a possibility for Tottenham's fringe gamers to make a mark - however one they woefully handed up.
MATCH FACTS
Targets: O'Connor 33.
Boos rang around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the break and Conte's gamers can haven't any complaints.
It wasn't solely the actual fact they have been trailing to a workforce preventing relegation from League One, although that was diabolical in fact.
However the efficiency was devoid of any verve, high quality or urgency. Tottenham's second-string merely anticipated to show up and win.
They realized the arduous method. Had Tanguy Ndombele and Ben Davies transformed first rate possibilities contained in the opening three minutes then maybe this story would learn otherwise.
Had Matt Doherty not struck a put up from Giovani Lo Celso's nineteenth minute nook, then perhaps they'd have been spared the half-time jeers.
If, buts and maybes don't minimize it, although. They actually received't for somebody of Conte's calibre.
And Tottenham solely had themselves guilty when Morecambe captain Anthony O'Connor escaped the attentions of Japhet Tanganga within the thirty third minute to thump residence Alfie McCalmont's nook.
The travelling supporters misplaced it, very like Tanganga had misplaced O'Connor. You'd think about Conte, at the least on the within, was overcome with emotion too - however not of the completely satisfied form.
Had Jacob Bedeau generated extra buy on his header within the forty second minute then who is aware of how the struggling Spurs followers would have reacted as John Brooks blew up for the break.
Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Oliver Skipp have been despatched to warm-up instantly after the restart.
But the specter of the hook appeared to have zero clout with the Tottenham gamers on the sector as Cole Stockton squandered one other first rate Morecambe alternative within the fiftieth minute.
Dele Alli, although pressured Trevor Carson into an instinctive save within the 54th minute with a intelligent flick earlier than Doherty nodded Lo Celso's nook broad from the resultant nook as Tottenham lastly flexed their muscle tissues.
Ryan Sessegnon then flashed an effort narrowly broad within the 62nd minute because the stress on Morecambe's heroic back-five, led excellently by O'Connor, got here underneath mounting stress.
The heavy artillery arrived within the 69th minute, Kane, Skipp and Moura all launched to an emphatic reception from residence followers - although the choice to interchange Ndombele was met with disdain from supporters.
It was a determined transfer from Conte, who certainly didn't need to use the trio. However these have been actually determined occasions.
What began as first-half glitch was growing into an almighty nightmare. Ultimately, although, the calvary got here to Tottenham's rescue. Harry Winks nearly couldn't deliver himself to have fun after his inswinging free-kick from the left escaped everybody within the field together with goalkeeper Carson to sail in on the back-post to equalise for Spurs within the seventy fifth minute.
Winks and Tottenham dashed again to restart the sport; Morecambe knew what was coming - the kitchen sink. And whereas Morecambe have been nonetheless hoping for a miracle, Winks' purpose would have left them on the ground.
Certainly, spare a thought for Ryan McLaughlin, whose mistake finally killed the dream. There seemed little hazard when the defender acquired the ball effectively inside Tottenham's half however he hesitated. And hesitated once more. Subsequent factor he knew, Moura stole the ball off him and was off sprinting in the direction of Morecambe's purpose.
No-one was catching the Brazilian, who rounded Carson, earlier than scoring the winner. Kane scored one other earlier than the top to seal victory however Morecambe have been flat-out by then.
Spurs, their boss and supporters breathed a heavy sigh of aid. All that McLaughlin heard was noise - his colleagues tried consoling him however he'd have taken no discover.
Tottenham are within the hat, simply.
