Tottenham No2 Kevin Bond admitted Luka Modric sparked their FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.
Bond admits the Croatian gave Spurs a creative outlet they badly missed in the first period.
He said: "Maybe we were predictable in the first half and you need someone with that something different to unlock the door. He certainly has that."
Spurs striker Jermain Defoe returned to the starting line-up after a three-match ban for a red card for an elbow on James Collins during Spurs' 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Bond believes the England striker was determined to prove a point by contributing to today's win, which earned Tottenham an away tie against Fulham in the fourth round.
"I'm sure Jermain was frustrated because it was a harsh red card," Bond said.
"He was frustrated because he wasn't long being back from injury and to sit out another three games meant he was keen to get out on the pitch.
"Strikers live off goals and it's important for them, they become a different animal completely when they find the net."
