Nacer Chadli double puts Spurs through against Colchester

Two goals from Nacer Chadli helped Spurs to a 4-1 win over Colchester United in the FA Cup at Colchester Community Stadium.

Colchester started the game more than 60 places beneath Spurs in the league tables, and they quickly suffered a double blow. Tom Eastman and Alex Wynter clashed heads; Wynter left immediately to hospital suffering concussion, and the bandaged Eastman exited within half an hour. Wynter was later confirmed as conscious and talking.

After Eastman’s departure, Nacer Chadli put Spurs ahead with an accurate, arrowed shot across Kean into the far corner, but Spurs couldn’t add another before the interval, for his third goal in three appearances.

In the second half, Eric Dier made it two with a shot that deflected off Matthew Briggs, and Mauricio Pochettino started making changes to protect Harry Kane and Erik Lamela.

Chadli added another with a late header, and seconds later Ben Davies’s own goal gave Colchester a late consolation - but that’s all it was, as Tom Carroll added a fourth.

1’ - EARLY INJURIES - Wynter goes down after colliding with Eastman, as they clash heads. Eastman is bleeding from his forehead too, but Wynter requires much more serious treatment.

27’ - GOAL! Colchester 0-1 Spurs. Chadli scores - Chadli receives a pass from Lamela, who takes an early shot from just inside the box, that takes Kean by surprise and finds the net.

64’ - GOAL! Colchester 0-2 Spurs. Dier scores - Dier lines up a shot from 25 yards out. It's well struck, but flicks off Briggs' back, and flies past Kean.

79’ - GOAL! Colchester 0-3 Spurs. Chadli scores - Trippier curls a cross to the near post, Nadli meets it with his head, and the slight deflection off Kent sees the ball squeeze in at the near post.

80’ - GOAL! Colchester 1-3 Spurs. Davies scores an own goal - Massey receives a pass on the edge of the box, toes a shot at the post, only for Davies to follow up and inadvertently bundle it over the line.

82’ - GOAL! Colchester 1-4 Spurs. Carroll scores - Chadli turns a defender, blasts a low cross to his right and Carroll cleverly flicks the ball over the 'keeper.

Tottenham have now scored in 15 consecutive away games in all competitions, their longest such run since April 1987. Cruise. (Opta)

Nacer Chadli has scored four goals in his last three games.

Colchester will regret their early misfortune. To succeed against a side so far ahead of them in terms of talent and resources, they needed most of the breaks. The injury to their two central defenders within the opening stages left them disorganised at the back, which Spurs ultimately exploited with increasing ease.

Nacer Chadli (Spurs): Chadli was the man to break the deadlock, and his second calmed Spurs’ nerves as Colchester refused to lie down. He again intervened just seconds after Spurs conceding a goal, assisting Tom Carroll. It wasn’t a vintage Spurs performance, but playing a lower league side can be tricky, and Chadli’s ruthlessness ensured it wasn’t.

Colchester United: Kean 5, Brindley 6, Wynter N/A, Eastman 6, Vincent-Young 6, Massey 6, Gilbey 5, Garvan 5, Ambrose 5, Moncur 5, Porter 5. Subs: Sordell 6, Kent 6, Briggs 6.

Tottenham Hotspur: Vorm 6, Trippier 7, Dier 6, Wimmer 6, Davies 6, Bentaleb 6, Carroll 7. Lamela 6, Eriksen 6, Chadli 8. Kane 7. Subs: Dembele 6, Onomah 6, Son 6.