EFL Cup: Tottenham survives scare to knockout Manchester United, enter semifinals
Tottenham Hotspur advanced into the semifinals of the EFL Cup after it survived a possible Manchester United comeback at home, beating Ruben Amorim’s men 4-3 on Thursday.
A long hug between Amorim and Postecoglou as the latter would heave a sigh of relief after that nightmare of a match. Tottenham Hotspur is in the semifinals of the EFL Cup as Manchester United, despite a valiant effort, bows out.
Jonny Evans gets in a late, late goal with a header. Two minutes to go.
Reguilon comes on for Spence.
Another howler from a ‘keeper in this match, this time from United’s Bayindir. Son curls it in from the free-kick and the goalie jumps late and fails to get the ball. It nestles into the goal. However, the goalie pleads his case to the referee, saying that he was obstructed by a jumping Bergvall, but the official just flashes the yellow card at the United goalkeeper.
Lenny Yoro makes a crucial tackle to prevent Son from getting the ball and be on the offensive.
Diallo with a blistering strike from distance but Forster matches it with a save by kicking it away!
Maddison comes off for Bergvall.
Another great team move from United, with the visiting fans powering the side up. Full-back Mazraoui is played on goal by Fernandes, the Morrocan brings the ball to his left and tries to curl it inside the net but goes wide.
Alejandro Garnacho, who wasn’t present in the matchday squad against Manchester City, is brought on for Manuel Ugarte.
Great work from Amad Diallo to run, and keep his run going at the ‘keeper as Forster lazily tries to clear the ball. However, the Ivorian dives in and the ball ricochets off the United player and gets in the net.
Bissouma almost sends the ball into his own net as he tries to clear the ball. United gets a corner, at the end of which Diallo gets a shot away but gets a deflection. Another corner.
Callous from Forster, who just made a great save to keep Zirkzee’s header. A weak pass invites Fernandes to put pressure and get the ball, toe-poke it towards Zirkzee who taps it in for United’s first goal.
Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Joshua Zirkzee come on for United.
Eriksen, Antony, Hojlund make way.
Solanke gets his brace as he keeps himself onside. He dribbles well against a lazy Martinez as he shoots hard, low, and through the legs of substitute Evans to add a third to Spurs’ tally.
Son dribbles in and flicks it back to an overlapping Maddison. The midfielder puts it low and across the face of the goal but Martinez tries to clear the line. However, the Argentine fails to clear the ball properly as Kulusevski smashes the ball into the net.
Solanke’s goal remains the difference between the two sides as the second half in this quarterfinal gets underway.
That’s half-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Dominic Solanke’s goal keeps Spurs ahead in this League Cup quarterfinal against Manchester United.
Deja vu there as Eriksen goes for goal from a similar spot but finds the defender again.
Amorim is forced to make a change as he shakes his head, clearly unhappy with his side’s performance in this half. Lindelof comes off with an injury and Jonny Evans replaces him.
Lindelof on the ground as the physio tends to him. Jonny Evans is taking off his jacket and looks to be coming on for the Swede. This comes after United had a few corners and tried to equalise but to no avail.
Antony initially plays a wonderful ball to find his captain but the Portuguese medio is not able to get it in his stride. However, his side keeps the ball and it ultimately comes back to him and he tries a shot but it goes wide.
Tottenham players are bulldozing through United players with ease as Kulusevski tries to play a ball in but Ugarte gets an important touch in to put it behind for a corner.
Good spell from United, keeping the ball and creating chances. In this one, the ball arrives to Antony who tries to curl one into the far top corner but Gray stands tall and blocks it.
Son shoots the ball into the box and Kulusevski does extremely to get it under control and beat his marker with a turn. He shoots but Bayindir makes a good save at his near post.
Mazraoui fouls Spence and the Moroccan international gets booked.
Eriksen goes direct but his shot goes just over the crossbar and ripples the top net.
Sarr catches Fernandes’ leg from behind and the referee shows the midfielder a yellow card. Free-kick for United.
The former Tottenham player strikes it from the edge of the box and running on to a Dalot ball but Bissouma makes a crucial block.
Maddison takes the free-kick and plays it short to Son. The winger plays it to Bissouma, who then passes it to Porro. The defender strikes the ball from distance and Bayindir makes a save. However, Dominic Solanke is lurking around and hits the rebound as the ball gets the help of the near post and goes in. The United ‘keeper is left a spectator.
Sarr wins the ball from Martinez and the midfielder plays it for Son. The South Korean winger tees up a curling shot with his right foot but the attempt goes way off target.
Fernandes plays the Norwegian forward through on goal but the United striker is hounded by a couple of white shirts inside the Tottenham box, and hence fails to keep possession of the ball.
Eriksen plays it in but Forster seems to be get a punch on it. Ball still not cleared as Lisandro Martinez tries to cushion it into a corner but the volley goes wide.
While Spurs have shown that they can ease through United’s backline, Ruben Amorim’s side is yet to settle some early nerves which are clearly visible through clumsy gameplay.
Bissouma wins the ball in the middle of the park as Son gets the ball to the edge of the box. He passes it to the player on the left flank but the South Korean fails to reach the cross in on time. Let off for the visitor.
The first half is underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Manchester United gets us underway.
Son with the captain’s armband, Bruno skippering United as usual. Handshakes going around in the tunnel of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Don’t suppose such niceties will be shown on the pitch. Players make their way out.
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The League Cup 2024-25 quarterfinal match between Tottenham and Manchester United will be streamed LIVE on the Fancode platform.