Tottenham show best and worst in Carabao Cup thriller but trophy bid keeps pressure off Ange Postecoglou | OneFootball

Premier League inconsistency will be forgiven as Spurs eye first trophy since 2008

Tottenham set up a Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool with a chaotic and characteristic 4-3 win over Manchester United in north London.

Leading 3-0 on the hour through Dominic Solanke’s double and a Dejan Kulusevski strike, two mistakes from Fraser Forster allowed United back into the game with goals by Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo.

Heung-min Son scored directly from a late corner to make it 4-2 and there was still time for Jonny Evans to head home a consolation for United deep into stoppage-time.

Here are three Spurs talking points from the game…

Spurs eye cup run and end to trophy drought

They love a cup run at Spurs and now supporters can start dreaming of a first trophy since 2008 after Postecoglou’s side demonstrated their best and worst sides against United.

Spurs have proven that they can beat anyone at their best and their habit of winning well (of their nine wins over Premier League opposition this season, this was only the third to have been by fewer than three goals and there is case that it should really have been far more comfortable) bodes well for a two-legged semi-final.

By the time they play the second leg of the semi-final in early February the majority of their injured players should have returned to fitness, too.

There were reasons to be encouraged from this wild win over Ruben Amorim’s much-changed United but also causes for concern.

Spurs were crisp and clinical as they raced into a 3-0 lead inside the hour and looked capable of adding more goals to make it a humbling night for the visitors.

It was not always comfortable viewing for Ange Postecoglou

REUTERS

But Forster’s pair of mistakes left Spurs showing their vulnerable side again and they were fortunate that United did not fashion an equaliser before Son’s freak goal.

For all their quality and potential, Postecoglou’s side remain liable to fold at the first hint of a setback, which leaves them always susceptible to this kind of unlikely comeback.

That said, in knockouts the result is all important in the end and this win will undoubtedly boost Postecoglou and ensure the pressure will remain off the manager, even if results in the league remain up and down.

It will be much easier for supporters to stomach Spurs sitting in mid-table with a cup semi-final and potentially an end to their long trophy drought to look forward to.

Forster clangers nearly cost Spurs

Forster has largely been outstanding since stepping up to replace the injured Guglielmo Vicario last month.

The 36-year-old has made a succession of sharp saves, suggesting he has lost none of his quality as a shot-stopper, and has a compelling case to have been Spurs’ standout player in more than one of their last seven matches.

But the concern with Forster was always his footwork rather than the other sides of his game and those concerns were brutally realised against United.

Moments after he made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Zirkzee, Forster’s miscued pass was pounced on by Bruno Fernandes who squared for the Dutch striker to score.

Forster appeared rattled because his second mistake was even worse, Diallo closing down his clearance when the goalkeeper had oodles of time.

Fraser Forster gifted Manchester United a way back into the match

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

The veteran looked shaken, making an unorthodox save with his foot from Diallo’s effort.

He was, however, appearing to hold his side throughout the last half-hour, suggesting he may have been carrying an injury.

With Vicario not back until February, Forster’s kicking now feels like a concern for Spurs which other teams will no doubt try to exploit.

As the transfer window fast approaches, you wonder if Spurs might consider a more progressive goalkeeper following this rough night for their deputy.

Kulusevski adding end product to his game

Kulusevski scored for the fourth game running to suggest the Swede is adding some real end product to his phenomenal work rate.

Kulusevski made it 2-0 with a carbon copy of his goal against Saints on Sunday, finishing from close range after a cross from the left was turned into his path by a defender.

The forward has comfortably been Spurs’ standout player this season, either as a midfielder or on the wing, but there has been a case that he needs to add more goals and assists to be considered truly in the top bracket of playmakers.

Kulusevski is now doing just that, which is a hugely encouraging sign for Spurs.