Neil Redfearn's deserved leveller proved that troubled Tottenham are still a
long way from turning the corner as Barnsley piled more problems on Christian
Gross.
Tykes skipper Redfearn showed no nerves as he smashed home from the spot on
the hour after Clive Wilson was adjudged to have downed hard-working Ashley
Ward.
Redfearn's unstoppable strike cancelled out the first half header from Sol
Campbell that looked as if it would be the start of a simple win to take Gross'
side into the FA Cup fifth round.
But with Jurgen Klinsmann looking a yard short of the player idolised in his
last spell at the club, Les Ferdinand well off the pace and David Ginola his
usual frustrating mix Tottenham could not build on that advantage.
Danny Wilson's braves had conceded 18 goals on their previous four visits to
London, but they were never going to suffer more capital punishment as they more
than matched the Londoners.
They could well have got on level terms long before Redfearn fired home, even
if Ginola did hit the bar.
While Spurs mounted a late siege it was too little, far too late, simply not
good enough.
What Bill Nicholson, seated in the director's box in the week of his 78th
birthday, thought of it will remain a mystery.
But he would surely have been muttering under his own breath as Ferdinand's
response to his early substitution was for the striker to walk straight past
Gross and down the tunnel without even acknowledging the manager's presence.
The fall-out from that could be very interesting.
The home fans had come in expectation of an easy win. Last month, with Ginola
leading the Tykes a merry dance, the game had been all over inside 18 minutes.
Today, despite the return of Ferdinand to the Spurs line-up, Barnsley were far
more committed to the cause, and with Ward his normal bustling self and Clint
Marcelle a handful, Spurs struggled to get into their stride.
Once they did, it was Ginola who caused the problems, Klinsmann's control
twice letting him down after astute passes from the Frenchman, although the
class act was Italian ironman Nicola Berti.
Ferdinand, back after five games, was slow to find his feet, but his ability
in the air has never been in doubt, and he demonstrated that to almost stunning
effect in the 25th minute.
A Spurs move appeared to be petering out until Ginola picked up possession and
spotted Ferdinand lurking four yards outside the box.
The delivery was excellent, the thunderous header even better, but matched by
an outstanding back-pedal and tip over by Dave Watson.
Watson could certainly not be blamed when Spurs went in front five minutes
later, although Barnsley were claiming the corner decision should have gone
their way, Arjan de Zeeuw's foot making contact with Klinsmann's head, not the
ball.
That was no excuse for them allowing Campbell to muscle his way through to
connect with Ginola's centre, the England defender claiming his first of the
season with a close-range header.
The goal gave Spurs the lift they were looking for, Berti, Ginola and
Ferdinand all involved although the final ball was slightly lacking.
And Barnsley, very much still in it, kept working. Redfearn and Eric Tinkler
extended Espen Baardsen, and after Watson had rushed outside his box to block
Ferdinand, Ward was allowed to bulldoze his way through the middle before
allowing Baardsen to save.
Plenty of reason for belief at the break then, and even with Tinkler forced
off in favour of Jovo Bosancic, Wilson's side were the more convincing after
it.
John Hendrie was a foot or so wide with a left-footer after Ward had won the
ball once again, and defender Nicky Eaden flashed across goal.
A surging run by Ginola was halted by a clumsy De Zeeuw, and the Frenchman's
superbly-struck free-kick beat Watson for dead only to bounce high into the air
off the bar.
And taking full advantage of their extra life, Barnsley were deservedly on
terms on the hour, with referee Gerald Ashby in no doubt whatsoever that contact
had been made, Redfearn drilling home after Ward tumbled after latching onto
Hendrie's pass.
Ferdinand was frustrated and clearly unhappy at being replaced by Colin
Calderwood, and with Ginola's influence fading away, it was Barnsley who looked
the more likely.
Berti might have changed things with a caressed volley which dropped on top of
the net 12 minutes from time.
That heralded a late surge, Klinsmann's looping header beating Watson but
headed off the line by Darren Barnard, with Calderwood blasting over, before
Watson grasped Klinsmann's header.
Three minutes from time, Watson clawed away Andy Sinton's curler, Klinsmann
failing to find the target from the resulting corner, with Ginola a whisker wide
at the death.
But the flurry could not hide the truth. Spurs are still a sorry sight and
Barnsley will fancy their replay chances.
Tottenham: Baardsen, Fox, Ferdinand (Calderwood 62), Carr,
Ginola, Vega, Wilson, Sinton, Campbell, Klinsmann, Berti.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Howells, Clemence, Brady.
Booked: Calderwood.
Goals: Campbell 30.
Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Sheridan, Moses, De Zeeuw,
Hendrie (Liddell 88), Redfearn, Marcelle, Tinkler (Bosancic 46),
Barnard, Ward.
Subs Not Used: Leese, Bullock, Morgan.
Booked: Sheridan.
Goals: Redfearn 59 pen.
Att: 28,722
Ref: G R Ashby (Worcester).
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