Tranmere Rovers were the first team in the FA Cup’s third round this season after a 7-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs Defender Serge Aurier opened the scoring shortly before half-time with a fantastic long-range strike. Six goals in the opening 35 minutes of the second half saw off Tranmere, including a hat-trick from Fernando Llorente, with Heung-Min Son, Aurier and substitute Harry Kane completing the rout for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
READ: Spurs hit Tranmere for seven in FA Cup mauling
It meant that Tranmere’s journey in the competition came to a very abrupt end, their first involvement in the third-round since the 2014/15 campaign, where they were beaten 6-2 by Swansea City.
Whilst Tranmere were hardly expecting to beat a Spurs side who started the night 74 league places above them in the Football League ladder, Rovers supporters were left stunned by what they were witnessing.
That’s embarrassing 😂
— Tom (@_TomLFC_) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/_MarkJTaylor/status/1081299858303209476
Guess who backed Tranmere and Spurs to draw tonight 🙋🏻♂️🤣
— Evan Burbidge (@evanburbidge) January 4, 2019
Tranmere defenders tonight against spurs 😂 #TRATOT pic.twitter.com/aVGWPFBnF9
— Conor Davis (@conord1994) January 4, 2019
With the match being shown on BT Sport, it gave many spectators a rare chance to watch Tranmere, with the club currently playing in Sky Bet League Two not often having their matches broadcasted.
One of the major talking points from this included getting to watch club captain Steve McNulty in action. The 35-year-old has played over 140 times for the club, having previously featured for Fleetwood Town and Luton Town their careers.
It quickly became apparent that the centre-back was going to earn cult-hero status.
McNulty looks old enough to be Dele’s grandfather #TRATOT pic.twitter.com/oqGXcPdf2G
— Adam Foxcroft (@ADFoxcroft) January 4, 2019
Tranmere tactics for tonight. Steve McNulty’s going to eat the Spurs players one by one #TRATOT
— The Bullshit Detective Podcast (@BSdetec) January 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Maiakaat/status/1081299329376243712
https://twitter.com/olinotolly_/status/1081303322802429953
The first of Aurier’s two goals saw him find the top corner from long-range, his first goal for the club in 10 months.
It was an impressive strike, his first of two in the match for the defender, his first career brace.
AURIER!!! WHAT?!!!! TRIPPER COULD NEVER!!!
— Trevor Lloyd (@Trevorlloyd92) January 4, 2019
Move Llorente to right back, aurier up front
— Alan Anderson (@alston102003) January 4, 2019
After all the games I’ve been to with fans shouting “Serge Forward”… Look at what he does
— Ant Footitt (@FootittAnt) January 4, 2019
What a goal. The swerve on that!
— Football And The City (@ballandthecity) January 4, 2019
Goal of his life
— Jonathan | The Man (@MrGanondorfTV) January 4, 2019
Spurs will now enter Monday evening’s fourth-round draw, taking place Molineux prior to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ match with Liverpool.