Tottenham Hotspur eased to a 6-0 win over London rivals Millwall at White Hart Lane to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Son Heung-min helped himself to a hat-trick, the final goal of which arrived in added time as the ball somehow crept through the grasp of Tom King.
Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Vincent Janssen also registered, with the latter finding a way through after coming off the bench for his first goal from open play since joining last summer.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall at White Hart Lane. Manchester City and Arsenal have already made sure of their place in the final four of the competition, beating Middlesbrough and Lincoln City respectively, now it is the turn of the Lilywhites to try and avoid an upset to advance through to Wembley.
Spurs head into the match as strong favourites, but their London rivals have already shown this season that they are no pushovers. Premier League trio Bournemouth, Watford and, most recently, Leicester City have all fallen victims to the Lions already in this term's knockout cup, though all three of those wins did come at their fortress home. It is very much a case of nothing to lose for Neil Harris and his men, as they look to pull off one almighty upset.
TEAM NEWS!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm, Trippier, Alderweireld, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Winks, Son, Alli, Kane
MILLWALL XI: King, Cummings, Craig, Williams, Thompson, Gregory, Wallace, Webster, Morison, O'Brien, Cooper
Starting with a look at the home team, manager Mauricio Pochettino has made four changes to the side that beat Everton 3-2 here last weekend. Michel Vorm takes over cup duties from skipper Hugo Lloris between the sticks, while Kieran Trippier is handed a rare start in one of the full-back berths in place of the rested Kyle Walker. Son Heung-min and Harry Winks are also brought into midfield, with Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen dropping out.
Four changes to the side but still a strong-looking Spurs XI, with Eriksen's creativity the only thing lacking. Dele Alli and Harry Kane both start in attack, though, with the former scoring eight goals in his last three outings - including two against Everton here last weekend - and already bagging three hat-tricks since the turn of the year. Alli, meanwhile, has also hit the scoring trail of late and is well on course to being crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year.
There is still no sign of Erik Lamela in the Spurs squad, with Pochettino hinting earlier this week that the club's record signing may not feature again before the end of the season. Danny Rose is the other notable absentee, but he is closer to a return and is expected to be back for the first match after the upcoming international break. Plenty of squad rotation on show from Pochettino today, then, for what is his side's 15th outing already this year.
In terms of the visitors, they are without first-choice keeper Jordan Archer for the trip to White Hart Lane. The former Tottenham prospect misses out with a quad injury, meaning a chance for Tom King to impress in his place. There are just two changes made by Harris from the 2-1 win over MK Dons last time out - Steve Morison and Jed Wallace coming in for Shane Ferguson and Fred Onyedinma.
Morison and Wallace both returned to the squad for that win over the Dons, coming on as subs to help Millwall maintain their impressive run of form, and both are deemed fit enough to start this cup showdown. The duo's return makes this near enough a full-strength XI put out by Harris, with former Spurs man Archer the only major absentee. It is the presence of former Wales international Morison that will unsettle Tottenham the most - just ask Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester!
BENCH WATCH!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lloris, Walker, Wimmer, Eriksen, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen
MILLWALL SUBS: Girling, Hutchinson, Romeo, Butcher, Ferguson, Worrall, Onyedinma
Onyedinma and Ferguson both dropping down to the bench for Millwall, then, with Morison and Wallace deemed fit enough to start following their recent injury problems. It is fair to say that Tottenham have the stronger bench, with the likes of Lloris, Walker, Eriksen all among the subs after dropping out, but there is no place in the squad for Dembele. Moussa Sissoko is the obvious midfield replacement to turn to should he be required.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has made four changes to his starting lineup from last weekend's 3-2 win over Everton here, bringing Son Heung-min, Harry Winks, Kieran Trippier and Michel Vorm into what is still a strong-looking XI. Neil Harris makes two alterations from last time out, meanwhile, with Steve Morison and Jed Wallace both being declared fit enough to start after coming on as subs in the win over MK Dons.
A big chance for Tottenham to keep alive the feel-good factor this afternoon, then, as they look to add an FA Cup semi-final appearance to their list of April fixtures. The Lilywhites are currently second in the Premier League and left battling on two fronts, having exited the Europa League recently in disappointing circumstances. No doubt that winning this competition is now the top priority for Pochettino and his men.
Spurs have managed to navigate their way through a difficult run of form, similar to the one they also experienced a quarter of the way through the campaign, when winning two of six games across three different competitions. The damage from that was an early exit from Europe following defeat to Gent over two legs, while also conceding ground in the Premier League title race; Chelsea now 10 points clear and on the horizon for a second crown in the space of three years.
Draws with Man City and Sunderland, plus defeat to Liverpool in one of their worst displays of the campaign, led to the same-old questions about Tottenham's mentality when it comes to seeing seasons right the way through. They have responded to their critics by getting back to winning ways, beating Stoke City and Everton on home soil in successive Sunday fixtures and scoring seven goals in the process - Kane bagging the majority of them.
Pochettino's men know that they must sustain this current run if this is not going to be another season that ends without silverware, however, having also looked strong this point 12 months ago only to fade away right at the death. The eight-time FA Cup winners last won a major trophy in 2008 when going all the way in the League Cup; that coming nine years after their previous triumph and nearly two decades on from their last success in this competition. Supporters are craving more silverware.
Tottenham have had a fairly straightforward run to get this far, beating Aston Villa and Fulham in rounds three and five, but in between they were made to do things the hard way against lower-league opposition in Wycombe Wanderers. It required a couple of late goals - including Son's winner in the 97th minute of normal time - to advance though, perhaps giving today's visitors something to feed off.
Their home form really has been something else this season, though, having now gone 17 games without tasting defeat at White Hart Lane, winning each of the last 11 in all competitions. That run stretches way back to last May, ensuring that a new club-record was set when beating Everton here last weekend in what is expected to be their final campaign in this part of North London. An agreement to play at Wembley has not been signed off just yet, but this match has been billed as the last ever cup game to be staged here.
DID YOU KNOW? This is Tottenham Hotspur's first quarter-final appearance in five years. They advanced to the last four on that occasion in 2012, only to be thrashed 5-1 by London rivals Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. They have not been knocked out of the FA Cup by lower-league opposition on home soil since 1975, when being defeated by Nottingham Forest in a third-round replay here.
Tottenham's most recent FA Cup loss to third-tier opposition was in 1988 when losing to Port Vale, but on the form of the past few weeks you would not bet on Millwall adding their name to that list. Pochettino may have opened the door slightly for the Lions by rotating his squad, leaving out key players at the back and in attack, but with Kane and Alli in majestic form it would take something special to deny the Lilywhites a place in the last four.
Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed another impressive season under Mauricio Pochettino, sitting second in the Premier League and strong favourites to make it into the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The Lilywhites have had a nice run to his stage, overcoming Aston Villa, Fulham and Wycombe Wanderers - the latter a dramatic 4-3 victory here in January - and their form over the past fortnight suggests that they could take some stopping.
Millwall make the short journey north on the back of a similarly fruitful run, occupying sixth place in League One and well on course for a playoff finish. Cup runs usually act as a hindrance for teams, but the Lions have actually climbed four spots in the third tier and enjoyed a nine-point swing since their meeting with Watford a little over a month ago. In many ways, this impressive run is fuelling their ambitions of earning a return to the Championship.
Harris's men are on a 17-game run without defeat in all competitions, their best such streak since 1965, and recently climbed into the top six to remain on course on two fronts - the FA Cup being a bonus, of course. Wins over mid-table sides Peterborough United and MK Dons saw them open up a four-point gap on Southend United in seventh prior to this weekend, so the Lions can focus on pulling off an upset today in the knowledge that they are well positioned to end the campaign in the playoffs.
Millwall are very much the form team in the third tier, alongside Fleetwood United who also had 14 points from their last six matches prior to yesterday's defeat to Bolton Wanderers, but this is a difference test entirely. Harris will be quick to remind his players that they have already claimed the scalp of three Premier League sides already this season, though, thanks to wins over Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester at The Den, all three of which contained a goal in the 85th minute or later.
The League One side also had to overcome Southend United and Braintree Town in rounds one and two, so this will be their sixth outing in the competition proper. No lower-league side has ever knocked out four top-flight teams in a single FA Cup campaign, however, excluding finals, but they prevailed the last time they made it to this stage by beating Blackburn Rovers to set up a semi-final with Wigan Athletic - a game they would go on to lose.
It is worth pointing out that Millwall have played away from home just five times during their current 17-game unbeaten run, winning just one of those. The Lions' incredible run of clean sheets also came to an end in their 2-1 win over MK Dons last weekend, standing at nine games without conceding. Just two goals shipped in 13 matches, though, and they are the only team in the top four tiers of English football yet to taste defeat so far since the turn of the year.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Tottenham Hotspur have never lost at home to Millwall, winning 12 and drawing two of their previous 14 meetings. The Lions are winless in the last 13 competition matches overall, meanwhile, stretching back to a 2-0 victory in the old Second Division in April 1939 - 78 years ago. The omens are certainly against them, but stranger things have happened in the FA Cup down the years.
With kickoff now less than 10 minutes away at White Hart Lane, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Mauricio Pochettino: "We are ready to fight. Our example was Wycombe at home. It was tough and a very good experience for us. It will be a tough game and we will try to give our best. We are very aware from the first moment we must fight, play, run, concentrate, and try to win. In front will be a tough opposition. We need to be motivated and excited to play."
Neil Harris: "I'm looking forward to it. The test in front of us speaks for itself - it's a huge fixture. Not only are we playing in a cup quarter-final - the best club competition in the world - but we are also going to Tottenham, who are a really talented side. But, we've earned the right to pit ourselves against one of the best in the country. We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain."
Pochettino expecting a "tough" game, then, which is reflected in what is still a strong XI named by him this afternoon. No chance of Kane or Alli being rested for this one, although the absence of Eriksen may well be felt. The former Espanyol and Southampton boss wants to see fighting spirit from his players, knowing that they are just 90 minutes away from a first semi-final appearance in this competition since 2012.
Harris rightly pointing out that his side have earned the right to make it this far, meanwhile, seeing off three Premier League sides on home soil. Tottenham, on the flip side, have defeated two Championship teams and one side from the fourth tier. No replays at this stage of the competition anymore, remember, so we will go to extra time and penalties this afternoon should it be required.
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, with kickoff just a couple of minutes away. This is expected to be the last cup game of any sort staged at White Hart Lane, with Spurs close to agreeing a deal to play at Wembley next season, so they will be desperate to put on a strong display this afternoon. Four changes made by the Lilywhites today, while visitors Millwall bring Morison and Wallace in from their last outing.
KICKOFF! We are up and running at White Hart Lane, which has understandably sold out for this quarter-final clash. Tottenham Hotspur expected to dominate possession in these early stages, with Millwall happy to sit back.
Kane and Alli linking up early on, but there was little room for a shot on the edge of the box. Davies then picked out Alli inside the area only for the angle to again be closed down before the trigger could be pulled.
SAVES! Really positive start from Spurs, who do this time work some space for a shot through Winks. The midfielder looked to pick out the bottom corner from 25 yards out, but King got across to push it aside. Son then denied from the angle.
SAVE! Relentless form the Lilywhites in these opening seven minutes or so. Kane is slipped in down the right and goes for goal from the angle, which King was always expected to be equal to. The Englishman landed awkwardly and is in a little pain.
SAVES! We could be on for some sort of record this afternoon at this rate. Winks is denied for a second time - again one you would expect King to keep out. Son then weaved through the Millwall defence far too easily and was thwarted by the keeper's trailing leg.
Real blow for Tottenham early on, as Kane has failed to shake off that injury. The Englishman landed awkwardly on his ankle - a potential layoff now awaits, which may rule him out of England's upcoming internationals.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Pochettino has decided to turn to Eriksen to fill in for the injured Kane, rather than a like-for-like swap that would see Janssen come on. Vertonghen takes over the captaincy duties.
Vertonghen and Eriksen the latest to take on shots in what is one of the most one-sided contests you are ever likely to see. Both efforts blocked on the edge of the box, giving King a few minutes to breathe following a frenetic start.
Just the five shots on target for Tottenham in the first 10 minutes of the match, all of which Tom King kept out. Things have settled down a little since Kane went off, but it is still one-way traffic at White Hart Lane.
Spurs still looked bright when Kane was off the pitch, but the introduction of Eriksen means they are now without an out-and-out striker - got to question Pochettino's reluctance to use Janssen. A tough opening quarter to the match for Millwall.
The visitors finally manage to get out of their own half. Gregory in behind but lacking options to choose from, and the moves comes to an end when a cross is hit too deep into the welcoming hands of Vorm.
Much better from Millwall, as Thompson wins a free kick in a dangerous position. Nothing comes of the set piece, but a corner was a good reward, which Vorm did well to climb high to collect. More balanced all of a sudden in North London.
PENALTY APPEAL! Tony Craig can consider himself lucky after pulling Alli to the ground inside the area. Referee Martin Atkinson waved away the appeals, but for me - and 32,000-odd home fans - that should have been a pen.
SHOT! The chances have dried up for Spurs since the opening few minutes, allowing Millwall to grow in confidence. Gregory is given something to chase down, and the loose ball fell nicely for Morison to send narrowly wide with a first-time finish.
Vertonghen is prowling on the edge of the box waiting for the ball to fall loose to him, but once it does so he get under it and picks out the stands. Goalless at White Hart Lane in this last-eight clash as we hit the half-hour mark.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1-0 MILLWALL (CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN)
From pretty much nowhere, Eriksen takes on what can only be described as a half-chance at best to put Tottenham ahead. Alli failed to control the ball inside the area, but the Dane was there to expertly fire the ball past King to open the scoring.
O'Brien flicks a cross into a dangerous area, where Cooper was nearly on hand to turn home. Fair to say Tottenham are good value for their lead, even if it did come during their quietest spell in the largely one-sided match.
OFF THE BAR! Spurs come close to a killer second goal of the tie, Wanyama rising highest at the back post but seeing his header come back off the woodwork. Millwall cannot afford to ship a second if they are to have any hope of snatching a result.
Eriksen has now been involved in 23 goals for Spurs in all competitions this season, scoring nine of his own and setting up 14. Janssen was the obvious option to come on, but it is the Dane who has proved the difference so far.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 MILLWALL (SON HEUNG-MIN)
Both sides of Son's game on display with one superb goal. The Korean initially let himself down with a poor touch, with Alli furious at his teammate, but he made amends by composing himself and picking out the far corner to double his side's advantage.
YELLOW CARD! The first caution of the afternoon is shown to Jed Wallace, who goes in late on Wanyama and is rightly cautioned by Martin Atkinson. The Spurs midfielder currently off the field receiving some treatment.
Millwall actually did well to grow a little more into the game at 0-0, following a very tough start. Spurs simply have too much quality, though, and are good value for this two-goal cushion at the midway point of the tie.
HALF TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-0 MILLWALL
Tottenham Hotspur well on course for the semi-finals of the FA Cup, sitting on a two-goal lead over Millwall at the interval. Two very good goals from the hosts; Christian Eriksen sweeping home the first and Son Heung-min going one better with the killer second. Still 45 minutes to go but this one is looking to be as good as over.
The hosts took control from the off, bombarding their opponents' goal with five shots on target in the opening eight minutes of the match. Harry Winks, one of four players to come into the side from last time out, was twice denied by Tom King, while Son Heung-min also saw his attempt from an angle kept out. Spurs were dealt a big blow during a frenetic start to the match, though, as leading scorer Harry Kane landed awkwardly after firing a shot on goal, leaving him with little choice but to hobble off the pitch.
Son was particularly enjoying himself, weaving through a sea of Millwall bodies and being denied only by King's trailing leg at the end of the positive run. Tottenham felt that they should have had a penalty 25 minutes in when Dele Alli was dragged down by Tony Craig, but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on and just moments later the Lions were up the other end and coming close through a Steve Morrison drive.
The breakthrough did arrive just after the half-hour mark, though, as Christian Eriksen - Kane's replacement, despite Vincent Janssen being on the bench - swept home from 15 yards out when given a small sight of goal. Tottenham were not willing to take their foot off the gas, looking to continue their impressive run of 18 games without defeat here since last May, and they nearly bagged a second when Victor Wanyama leapt highest but picked out the crossbar with his header.
Millwall's hopes of pulling off a fourth Premier League scalp in succession were as good as ended after Son cut inside from the right and sent a second of the afternoon flying past King - his fourth goal in the same number of FA Cup outings this term. Neil Harris may well be tempted into making a change at the break, while Mauricio Pochettino also has plenty of options.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Lloris, Walker, Wimmer, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen
MILLWALL SUBS: Girling, Hutchinson, Romeo, Butcher, Ferguson, Worrall, Onyedinma
RESTART! We are back up and running at White Hart Lane, where there is news of a change from the interval. Ben Thompson is replaced by Calum Butcher, who spent four years on Tottenham's books as a youngster but never made a first-team appearance.
Half a chance for Alli as he managed to get in behind and control a long ball over the top, but under pressure from King he could not get a clean shot away. Moments later Davies charged forward but dragged wide of the target.
SAVE! Just a case of when, rather than if, that third Spurs goal will arrive. Eriksen is allowed to charge towards the Millwall goal and sends a shot on target for King to get across and thump to relative safety.
Gregory holds up the ball and manages to lay if off for Williams, who got right under it and sent it high into the stands. As long as it remains at 2-0, Millwall still have a glimmer of hope of taking this game to extra time.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 MILLWALL (SON HEUNG-MIN)
Yet another superb Tottenham goal to make certain of a semi-final place. Trippier lofts the ball over the Millwall defence and Son meets it perfectly to send a finessed volley past King - his fifth goal in four FA Cup outings this season.
Spurs so very comfortable all afternoon, just knocking the ball around with ease but also looking to get it forward. Alli gets on the end of Davies's cross and is sent to the ground, but Martin Atkinson again waves play on.
YELLOW CARD! Craig is shown a yellow card for halting Trippier's charge down the right-hand flank. A good shift put in by the Spurs full-back on what is a rare start for him in place of Walker. Alli drags wide from his latest shot.
MILLWALL SUB! Onyedinma is on for Morison and makes an almost instant impact. The youngster makes a positive run and picks out Wallace at the end of it, but the Wolves loanee could not divert it on goal.
Manchester City, Arsenal and surely Tottenham in the hat for the last four of the competition, while one of Chelsea or Manchester United will join them in the hat - a very strong lineup. Still a little under a third of the match to play here, but this one is all over.
Wanyama tries his luck from 20 yards out, seeing the ball come off Cooper and end wide of the target. Eriksen sends the ball into a dangerous area but it is just about dealt with by the visiting side, giving them a chance to breathe again.
Pochettino holding off before making his second change, despite having Janssen desperate for playing time. Onomah and Wimmer also possibilities to come on to give some of the first-team regulars a bit of a rest.
MILLWALL SUB! Jed Wallace is replaced by Shane Ferguson for the final quarter of the match. Not a great deal happening at the moment, with Tottenham seemingly happy with their three goals and Millwall struggling to create much.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-0 MILLWALL (DELE ALLI)
Spurs move through the gears again and earn themselves a well-worked four of the afternoon, as Eriksen picks out Alli for a tap-in at the back post. A dominant display from the Lilywhites, who have been on top from the first minute.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Son does well to make inroads down the left flank and nearly picks out Alli at the end of it, but Webster got his toe to the ball first. Alli now off, replaced by Janssen for the final 15 minutes.
SAVE! Wanyama is desperate to get his name on the scoresheet this afternoon, with his latest shot being well dealt with by King. The Millwall keeper has pulled off countless saves this afternoon but is still on the end of a trashing.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Janssen, still without a goal from open play in a Tottenham shirt, drags a shot well wide of the target. Wanyama has now been replaced by Sissoko in a like-for-like change in the centre of midfield.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 5-0 MILLWALL (VINCENT JANSSEN)
We have seen three top-class goals this afternoon, one tap-in at the back post and now the most lauded of the lot - a first goal from open play in a Tottenham shirt for Vincent Janssen. It was a well-taken goal, too, tucking the ball into the bottom corner when picked out inside the area.
Janssen really should have had a second, failing to head past King from close range. It was an easier chance than the one he scored from a few minutes prior, sending it right down the middle for the keeper to get behind.
Now into the final five minutes and there is very little sign of Millwall finding a consolation; Tottenham instead the team looking more likely to find a sixth of the afternoon as they continue to break forward in numbers.
Referee Martin Atkinson may have some sympathy with Millwall and add on just a minute or two at the end, so not long for Spurs to find that sixth if they are indeed going to bag it. Would not bet against it at this rate - they are dominant.
Decent effort from Winks, who sends the shot narrowly over the bar with a left-footed drive. Now seconds away from added time, of which we will play two further minutes. Millwall's White Hart Lane misery is very nearly over.
GOAL! TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 6-0 MILLWALL (SON HEUNG-MIN)
An absolute howler from King! Son meets Eriksen's cross into the box but does not make the desired contact, though the Millwall stopper lets is sneak through his grasp and over the line for a sixth that Spurs will feel they deserve.
FULL TIME: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 6-0 MILLWALL
Referee Martin Atkinson blows his whistle for full time, meaning the most dominant of wins for Tottenham Hotspur. There really was no doubt about how this one was going to pan out right from the opening stages, as Spurs registered five shots on target inside just eight minutes. Six goals would follow in the remainder, seeing them join Manchester City and Arsenal in the hat for the semi-finals.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at White Hart Lane. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while updates from the Premier League meeting between Liverpool and Burnley are available here. Thanks for joining!
