Injury-hit Tottenham conjure miracle turnaround to move a step closer to first trophy in 17 years
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What a difference 17 days makes. Rewind to December 22 and Tottenham were thrashed 6-3 by Liverpool in a nine-goal humiliation. Then fast forward to the final whistle this time and the Tottenham fans were jumping after a memorable Carabao Cup semi-final victory and singing about going to Wembley.
What an incredible turnaround. Maybe Ange Postecoglou will be proved right after all and, after a turbulent season, he could yet keep his promise of always winning a trophy in his second season. It did not come without drama as Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall got the 86th-minute winner with Liverpool furious that he was still on the pitch.
Bergvall was lucky as he had been booked, then escaped a second yellow card for a clear foul on Kostas Tsimikas only to rub salt into the wounds by grabbing the all-important goal to take into next month’s return leg. No wonder the Liverpool bench looked furious because it was also a strange off-night for Arne Slot’s side as they were sloppy, slack in defence and wasteful up front. Maybe Slot should take a leaf out of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s book and just blame the Puma ball used in the Carabao Cup.
Even Mo Salah – with 21 goals in all competitions this season – had a rare off night as Liverpool rarely looked like scoring. In fairness, Tottenham deserve huge credit as they had a steel and determination about them which has been lacking in recent weeks.
They clearly had their sights set on Wembley and the chance of their first trophy since 2008 as centre half Radu Dragusin was superb in defence, clearing off the line from Liverpool substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold. There was also a clean sheet for new keeper signing Antonin Kinsky who was rushed into the starting line-up after his £12m move from Slavia Prague and he looked comfortable on the ball and composed with his handling.
