The big day is here and as part of our countdown to kick-off we recall a memorable match when the Dons hammered Spurs!
At 3.00 pm today, Dons supporters will watch a league game at Plough Lane for the first time in three decades. As part of our countdown, Stephen Crabtree recalls a convincing victory from just over 30 years ago.
Saturday 23rd February 1991: Division One
Wimbledon (1) 5 McGee 9, Curle 60, Gibson 79, Fashanu 82, Cork 88
Tottenham Hotspur (0) 1 Bergsson 71
Attendance: 10,303
With the clock ticking on the Dons’ tenure of their old Plough Lane ground, Ray Harford’s men produced one of the best performances ever seen at the 79-year-old stadium. Belittled by Spurs’ coach Terry Venables for their supposedly crude style of play, the Dons answered his criticism in the best way possible by putting five gaols past the expensively assembled north Londoners who included Gary Lineker in their line-up.
Wimbledon never looked back after Paul McGee had given his team an early lead. Keith Curle added a splendid second with a beautifully flighted free kick and when Bergsson pulled one back, the hosts stepped up a gear and scored three more in the final 11 minutes through Terry Gibson, John Fashanu and Alan Cork to complete the humiliation of the visitors.
“It was the best we’ve played for a long time,” Fashanu reckoned. “We beat Spurs with poise and power and there is no reason why we should not qualify for Europe. It is there for the taking. We have arguably the best defence in the First Division and we certainly looked good in front of goal today.”
Dons: Segers, Joseph, Phelan, Barton, Blackwell, Curle, McGee (Cork 31), Kruszynski (Sanchez 80), Fashanu, Scales, Gibson.