Tue 20 March 2018, 15:15
Tottenham HotspurA year ago, a little over a fortnight after we'd beaten Millwall to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, we had an announcement to make.
It was an update on the fitness of Erik Lamela. He'd been out of action since October 2016 with a hip problem - and he'd need surgery.
Fast forward 12 months and the all-action Argentinian is back - back in the squad, back on the pitch, back amongst the goals, approaching full speed again as we look forward to another FA Cup semi-final, this time against Manchester United at Wembley.
"Football is like this, sometimes you get another opportunity," said Erik.
It's not often you get another opportunity so quickly in the FA Cup. History shows we've only reached back-to-back semi-finals on four occasions - 1921 and 1922, 1961/1962, 1981/1982 and now 2017 and 2018.
Pasamos a semifinales !! ⚽ Muy buena actuación del equipo hoy! A seguir por este camino ! We are in the semi finals! Great team performance today! We keep going #COYS#FACuppic.twitter.com/8TRaNThDFm
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) March 17, 2018
"I have the opportunity to be with the team for an FA Cup semi-final and I hope this time we can make it through to the final," he added. "That's what everyone wants."
Erik played his part as we cruised into the last four thanks to a commanding 3-0 win against Swansea in Saturday's quarter-final.
He scored the second goal, a clever strike using Swansea defender Kyle Bartley to disguise his shot from goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, who stood motionless as it nestled in the corner.
"We played well, we managed the ball all the time and we played a very good game," he said after his 24th appearance in all competitions since returning at Leicester City on 28 November.
"It’s good to win again and to reach the semi-finals. That’s what we wanted. We’re one step closer.
"My fitness is slowly coming back and the team plays so well. I’m enjoying my football."
