A hat-trick from Fredi Kanoute saw Spurs through to the 4th round of the FA Cup.

However it was Stephane Dalmat's performance that will stick in the mind as he wreaked havoc in the Palace defence all afternoon.

From the off, Palace struggled to contain a Spurs side determined to avoid an upset, with 2 Eagles picking up yellow cards in the opening quarter of an hour. Kanoute opened the scoring on 14 minutes having missed a good chance moments earlier, collecting Poyet's lovely through ball and beating the keeper at the near post.

Jackson just failed to get on the end of a Dalmat cross before the Frenchman produced a bt of skill that radio commentators compared to the great Ricky Villa. He surged forward, beating three defenders with an outrageous piece of skill shifting the ball from one foot to the other in full flight. Having done all the hard work and drawn the keeper out, he squared it for Kanoute to tap in to the unguarded net.

Taricco volleyed wide, Symons cleared Jackson's goalbound effort and Kanoute's volley was saved as we were unable to build on the 2 goal lead before half time.

3 minutes into the second half we extended our lead as Dalmat created space befor laying the ball back to King who played a perfectly weighted ball over the defence to Kanoute who slotted home for his third of the game.

We continued to dominate and almost an hour was gone before Palace had their first real sight on goal but Keller comfortably saved Watson's drive.

With just under 15 minutes to go and the result in no doubt, the match started turning nasty. Freedman fouled Poyet and kicked out at him while he was on the floor. Poyet retaliated immediately and again once he'd got back to his feet, leaning into Freedman with his head. The referee and linesman interpreted that as a headbutt and showed Poyet the red card with the Palace player lucky to only be cautioned.

A couple of minutes later a spiteful late tackle from Palace substitute Smith on Zamora sent the players into another rage. In the confusion referee D'Urso managed to send off Butterfield - who bears no resemblance to Smith. Butterfield was understandably annoyed at the decision and took his time leaving the field.

It only remained for Dalmat to have a shot cleared off the line, when a goal would have capped a superb display.

The draw for the 4th round is made tomorrow

MOTM: Dalmat - Finally a performance from the on-loan Frenchman that was consistently brilliant through the whole 90 minutes. Hopefully the new manager will provide him to stay past the end of this season.

Nothing major has happened since I last posted. Well it probably has but I can't think of anything specific.

Work is the same old story. Missus is still generally moody.

Had the majority of my hair lopped off. Went for a grade 4 on top with a 2 on the back and sides. Had a few comments from people at work, but that was to be expected.

Got a phone call from a mate from Uni who's arranging a weekend up in Brum in February so hoping to get to that and see a load of people I haven't seen for quite a while. Really looking forward to that.

Helder Postiga's 1st Premiership goal secured a fourth successive win for Spurs and lifted them to 12th in the league.

Another resolute performance from Anthony Gardner and the incredibly improving Gary Doherty at the back managed to restrict Liverpool to very few clear cut chances throughout the match.

Postiga was determined to make the most of his chance in the starting line-up, replacing Kanoute who has gone off to play for Mali in the African Nations Cup. (The programme had finally changed the flag next to his name from France to Mali). After Michael Owen fired a volley just wide in the first 5 minutes. Postiga went past Henchoz, who struggled against Spurs' lively attacking play all game, and fired a shot at goal which was gathered at the 2nd attempt by the on-loan Paul Jones.

A lot of the play failed to get out of the midfield area for the next 15-20 minutes until Keane controlled a great pass from Gardner. Biscan clipped him and Keane went down. The penalty was awarded and Keane converted it himself. First penalty awarded to Spurs all season!

Owen managed to spring the offside trap just before half time. The ball eventually got squared to Kewell but his shot was comfortably saved by Keller.

Dalmat was replaced by Johnnie Jackson at half time due to an injury from a Traore tackle - which went unpunished. Heskey headed a corner wide and then allowed Carr to clear before Postiga's next chance came along. The Portugese youngster picked up the ball from Taricco's quick throw and lashed a shot over when a cross to the well placed Keane may have been a better option - Keane's reaction showed he certainly thought that way.

2 minutes later that 1st Premiership goal finally arrived. Jackson played a clever ball through to Postiga. He found a yard of space and held off Biscan to fire past Jones. Liverpool brought on the more attacking Riise for Traore before Hamann and Carr were booked for fouls. Biscan's bad day at the office ended after 65 minutes when Finnan replaced him.

Davies almost got on the end of a Keane pass a few minutes later before Liverpool pulled  a goal back. Taricco was bundled over, a clear foul by Heskey but referee Rennie let play go on and Kewell was able to progress into the box. As defenders closed him down he fired in a shot which left Keller unsighted and squeezed in at the near post.

A tense 15 minutes followed as the Reds looked for an equaliser. Zamora replaced Postiga as we looked to hold the ball up in the other half more. There were few real scares until right at the end Doherty appeared to handle in the box as he went to clear. The ref wasn't interested in the appeals from the Reds and another 3 points were in the bag after the longest 2 minutes of injury time I've ever endured.

Postiga worked hard, took his goal well and caused problems throughout. Brown gave Liverpool no time on the ball in the middle on his debut. Time will tell if he's the defensive midfielder we've been looking for or whether, as I suspect, he will be a replacement for Poyet due to his goal-scoring prowess. Keane scored in his third successive game.

Man City away in the Cup next before a tricky game at Fulham to end the month. 2 more wins could earn Pleat the Manager of the Month award - and the traditional defeat to start next month with, home to Pompey.

MOTM: Anthony Gardner - Just shading it from his defensive partner, the Ginger Pele, Doherty. Handled Liverpool's taller players well and an outrageous over the shoulder, back-heeled, volleyed clearance towards the end showed the confidence that is growing throughout the defense in recent weeks.

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
12	Tottenham	22	8	3	11	26	31	27

Work is still going ok. Relationship with the missus seems to go from one extreme to the other

Finalised my plans for going to Brum next month. Trying to find a convenient time to have a flat-warming. Only been here 4 months!!

Had fun winding my boss up on Monday as he's a Liverpool fan and been giving it plenty before the game on Saturday.

Had a meeting with the Graduate scheme co-ordinator today. I'd said a while ago I hoped to sit my first 2 exams in February. That seems a bit too close considering how little progress I've made so far. Hopefully I will be able to get them down by the end of March though.

Went bowling with the missus on Friday. Got a turkey (3 strikes in a row) at the start of the 2nd game. Beat her hands down. We'd planned to spend quite a while there but with just the 2 of us we were done in 45 minutes.

Looking forward to payday and getting some expenses refunded by work next Friday. Have been trying to cut down after getting hit with a big credit card bill this month. Had been good but starting to splash out again. Oops.

Was going to do the pub quiz with people from work tonight but everyone's saving themselves for a big one next week when the older graduates get their exam results.

This spent the last hour of my working week. Enjoy.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chris.parker80/dodge.html

My best time is 26.47 seconds.

Edit: Make that 35.59!

For the second time this season Spurs earned an unlikely draw at the City of Manchster stadium. Gary Dohery's second-half header forcing a replay back at White Hart Lane to decide who will go through to the 5th round of the FA Cup.

It had looked rather gloomy for Spurs when, after a bright opening 5 minutes, a couple of defensive lapses allowed Anelka to tap home a rebound after Fowler's header came back off the post. City then proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half with Spurs only notable effort on goal being a Simon Davies shot which was held at the second attempt by Ellegaard in the City goal.

City were constantly looking to spring the offside trap and Fowler broke through after 25 minutes but his lack of pace allowed Gardner to recover. 5 minutes later he delayed, again allowing the Spurs defence to clear. King, returning to the side after injury, played a sloppy backpass which Anelka raced on to but Keller was out quickly and managed to divert the ball away from danger, despite Taricco then trying to play the ball out of danger instead it banging it into touch.

Reyna then tried to lob Keller but failed miserably and Sibierski headed wide as Spurs were grateful to go in at the break only 1 goal behind.

During the break Spurs replaced Taricco, who had damaged his knee and suffered a clash of heads, and Anderton with Johnnie Jackson and Stephane Dalmat. This reshuffle saw Ledley King move to left back and Davies switch to central midfield while Jackson played wide on the left and Dalmat took Anderton's place on the right.

From the off Spurs seemd to have stepped up a couple of gears. Dalmat's deep cross to Keane was blocked by Ellegaard.

The best chance for Spurs yet then fell to Postiga as he and Keane swapped passes but Postiga's control let him down at the vital moment. A minute later Postiga swung in a deep corner. Ellegaard decided not to come for it and Doherty snuck round the back unmarked to head home.

Just a minute later another identical corner almost allowed Spurs to take the lead as Dohery headed just over.

Fowler finally sprung the offside trap as Anelka stood clearly offside but judged inactive. as he was forced wide he attempted to square it but Dohert got back to clear for a corner.

Gardner picked up possession well inside the City half and showed good feet to put in a cross which Postiga headed over at the near post. Spurs continued in their search for a winner as Brown fired in a free-kick which Ellegaard parried away. Dunne got there just in time to clear the ball before Doherty got to the ball.

The introduction of Wright-Phillips and Macken for Sibierski and Fowler saw City come back into the game more. Wright-Phillips in particular caused problems for the Spurs midfield and King filling in at left back. Sinclair fired wide and Bosvelt saw his shot comfortably saved by Keller before Keane magicked up a chance out of nowhere, putting in a great cross after getting away from the defenders. Postiga got plenty on it but instead of sending it back where it came from he headed over.

Minutes later Macken broke through and tried to curl the ball past Keller with the outside of his boot. His shot went wide when a square ball would have provided Anelka with a tap-in. Dunne's header failed to trouble Keller and Jihai volleyed wide after Keller punched Wright-Phillips' cross out to him.

Both sides will feel they could have won it on the day but will probably be equally pleased at not conceding a decisive goal. Spurs maintained their unbeaten run and City's inability to finish off opponents cost them again. Dalmat seemed to be less effective than usual, probably due to Spurs seeing less of the ball than in recent weeks. Jackson's performance on the left was another plus point in his blossoming career.

Doherty redeemed himself well after a poor headed clearance led to the City goal and Gardner eventually got to grips with the problematic Anelka as the game went on.

MOTM Davies - Played well both in the centre and on the left , also filling in for Taricco at left back while he was receiving treatment. His return from injury has coincided with the recent run of good form and as he picks up more match fitness, he seems to be be getting back to the kind of form that made him a 1st team regular

First I defeated the evil office photocopier after 3 rounds of hard combat. Eventually enlisted the help of one of the girls who volunteered her small hands to get the paper out of the auto-feed.

Then had to wrestle with the Fray Bentos pie I'm doing for dinner. Both tin openers objected to it but got there in the end. Nice bit of steak and kidney coming up.

Bit of studying to be done after dinner then watching I'm a celebrity...