Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Wimbledon FC on 22 April 2000

Wimbledon's relegation jitters were increased as they slumped to a comprehensive defeat at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham were well worth their victory, which was sealed through first-half goals from Chris Armstrong and Darren Anderton.

The result leaves Wimbledon struggling just off the drop-zone - but the good news for the Dons is that Sheffield Wednesday lost to Sunderland and remain five points behind them in 18th place.

Spurs fans, who have suffered a torrid time in recent weeks will have been delighted by their team's display - particularly after their 4-2 humiliation by Aston Villa in their last home match.

For the second week in a row they claimed a 2-0 half-time lead, but unlike the Villa game this time they were able to protect their advantage and secure all three points.

The match was an individual triumph for Armstrong, the striker who has been a target of criticism from Tottenham supporters this season following some mis-firing displays.

Armstrong scored a superb opener - his eighth goal in 10 matches - to set Spurs on their way and he lit up the game with a fine performance up front that outshone the likes of Anderton and David Ginola, who also had impressive afternoons.

Spurs, fresh from a 1-0 mid-week win at Leicester, began in dominant style and went ahead after just eight minutes.

Armstrong produced a thumping right-foot half-volley over keeper Neil Sullivan after Steffen Iversen had sent him clear with a flicked header on the edge of the area from Ian Walker's long punt.

Wimbledon striker Carl Cort headed wide from Marcus Gayle's cross, but for most of the early stages Spurs were camped inside the opposition territory.


Sullivan turned Darren Anderton's low drive around the post after a neat back-heel from David Ginola - and the Frenchman then saw a long-range drive saved by the Dons keeper.

Spurs always looked like increasing their lead and the second goal arrived after 36 minutes from a sweeping move that cut the Wimbledon defence to shreds.

Again Iversen was the provider, this time with a superb through-ball for Anderton, who steered the ball wide of Sullivan and in off the post.

Spurs were now rampant and Ginola sent a cheeky lob onto the top of the net, while Iversen twice came close to adding a third with a point-blank strike and a powerful header.

Wimbledon were desperate to force their way back into the contest before half-time, but they offered little threat, save for a speculative Michael Hughes strike straight at Walker.

Tottenham continued to control proceedings after the break, as Wimbledon boss Egil Olsen began to look more and more beleaguered on the bench.

Armstrong toe-poked the ball past Sullivan from Ginola's sublime cross, but the effort was ruled out for off-side.

Anderton then hooked an angled shot just past the post following more good work from Armstrong and Ginola.

Chances were at a premium for ragged Wimbledon, although Jason Euell did hoick the ball over the bar after Carl Cort had beaten Walker in the air.

It proved a mere hiccup in Spurs' dominant display and Armstrong twice came close in the space of a few seconds as first his snapshot was palmed away by Sullivan and then he headed over as Matthew Etherington latched onto the rebound.

Tottenham kept battling on as they tried to finish with a flourish, but they were unable to add some realism to the scoreline.

Wimbledon, though, will be relieved that Wednesday also lost and can now regroup for their last three games.