Bolton dream ends as Tottenham reach FA Cup semifinals

Tottenham are through to the semifinals of the FA Cup after beating battling Bolton 3-1, in a match that was originally abandoned after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a heart attack on the pitch 10 days ago.

Muamba remains in intensive care in a London hospital after his heart stopped beating for 78 minutes.

And prior to their return to White Hart Lane, the Bolton squad paid a visit to their teammate, who remains in a serious condition despite continuing to improve following his collapse.

The match began with a minute’s applause to thank the medical staff who had saved Muamba’s life and both teams wore t-shirts that wished the player well during the warm-up.

But, despite an emotional atmosphere, neither side gave an inch, with a Wembley semifinal against Chelsea waiting for the winners.

Bolton reached the semifinals last year, where they were humiliated 5-0 by Stoke, and were eager to avenge that torrid experience.

However, Spurs were always in control and only the heroics of Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan kept them at bay in the first half.

With 16 minutes remaining, Tottenham finally broke the deadlock when Ryan Nelsen headed home a corner – and they soon doubled their lead thanks to a fine individual effort from Gareth Bale.

Kevin Davies pulled a goal back for Bolton in the final minute from a Chris Eagles cross, but that just spurred Tottenham on and Louis Saha restored the two-goal cushion with the final kick of the game.

The result means Tottenham and Chelsea will clash in an all-London semifinal next month, and the other semifinal will also be a local derby with Everton securing a 2-0 victory at Sunderland to clinch a last four clash with Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Nikica Jelavic opened the scoring for Everton and the same player made the second goal when his cross was turned into his own net in comical fashion by Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan.