‘Never try that again’ – Tottenham suffered semi-final heartbreak when striker left manager furious
Even if Tottenham has a chance to advance to the Europa League final, supporters with fond memories will recall how quickly things can go wrong.
Spurs are seeking just their sixth cup final since one went astray under strange circumstances thirty years ago, and they are leading 3-1 overall going into their second leg matchup against Bodo/Glimt.
We frequently discuss how the north London team hasn’t taken home a trophy since 2008, but we seldom ever bring up their poor luck prior to that.
However, a substitution that is known as one of the most bizarre ever made during the 1994–95 FA Cup season left many fans feeling cursed.
Spurs’ match against Everton was played at White Hart Lane, and Wembley was just around the corner.
Jurgen Klinsmann, who was virtually certain to score, was in the starting lineup for the home team as the hosts fought for Europe and the visitors fought relegation.
“If you play the same position, you jump off your feet and start warming up and getting ready,” Amokachi recounted after Rideout was knocked down.
“He got up but went down again. Everybody knew I was in very good shape and ready to go.
“The gaffer says you need me on,” I told Willie Donachie, assistant manager, when I recently visited him.
As Royle continued to shout and rave while doing nothing to stop Amokachi from substituting herself, Donachie and the fourth official soon understood they had been duped.
“When you look back at the clip, you can see how furious Joe Royle was,” the striker remembered.
“He ran to the touchline, [saying] ‘What are you guys doing?’ I looked back at him – we had done it already. If you pull me back, we’ll play with one less anyway.”
Amokachi then put a stop to Spurs’ comeback with a far-post header and another tap-in to make it 4-1, two moments that will go down in FA Cup legend.
“Ten minutes later – bang,” Amokachi recalled, recalling the scenes. Then, with a boom, Everton scored another goal and advanced to the final.
Ahead of the potential Man United vs. Tottenham final, Arsene Wenger demands a significant revision to the Europa League rules.
“Legendary moments like that keep your name in the limelight.
“It was meant to be, because if I didn’t score then it would probably have been my last game for Everton.”
Royle soon saw the funny side, and told the media post-match: “It was the greatest substitution I never made.”
He was certain to provide a severe warning, though, back in the dressing room.
“It was the gaffer that went to the press conference and told the whole world about it,” the Man of the Match explained.
“Then he came into the locker room and hugged me, gave me his hand and said, ‘Well done, son, but never try that again.'”
Rideout scored the first goal against Manchester United around the half-hour mark in the final, thus Amokachi didn’t need to repeat his feat.
Amokachi entered the game in the 69th minute, but Everton had already won and the match was over.
