Dempsey Double Leads Spurs

Clint Dempsey celebrates one of his two goals against Coventry. (Photo: Tottenham Hotspur)

Clint Dempsey picked up on Saturday where he left off on Tuesday, scoring two goals and adding an assist in Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 win over Coventry City in FA Cup Third Round action at White Hart Lane. Dempsey got the start after scoring off the bench in Spurs 3-1 win over Reading on New Year’s Day.

The win over Coventry, who sits two leagues below Spurs in League One, earned Tottenham a spot in the fourth round with their opponent to be determined in a random draw on Sunday. The win extended Tottenham’s unbeaten run through all competitions to six games.

“We knew it was going to be tough and we had to be professional,” Dempsey told Tottenham’s official Twitter. “We had to take the game to them and score early.”

The match was Dempsey’s first start since returning from a groin injury a week ago.

Dempsey opened the scoring for Spurs in just the 14th minute after the home team earned a free kick when Gylfi Sigurdsson was fouled on the right flank. Sigurdsson curled in the ensuing set piece and Gareth Bale flicked it on to Dempsey, who slotted it in from close range.

“I feel like I’m doing well and getting assists or goals so it’s good to be back after my injury,” Dempsey told Tottenham’s official Twitter.

Dempsey would turn provider 19 minutes later when his shot deflected to Bale, who volleyed home to put Spurs up 2-0.

Five minutes later Dempsey and Bale would combine for the third time to finish the scoring. This time Dempsey headed in a Bale corner to make it 3-0 and put the game out of reach.

Dempsey came close to adding to his tally with a volley just before halftime, but the former New England Revolution star’s effort went just high.

Former U.S. International Brad Friedel made four saves in the match and Spurs comfortably closed out the game in the second half.