TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
4 MANCASHTER UNITED
3
   
(1) (0)
  Date : –  Thursday 19th December 2024
Kick off : –  20.00
  Competition : –  League Cup quarter-final
Venue : –   Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
  Crowd : –  57,409
  Referee : –  John Brooks (Leicestershire & Rutland) Linesmen : – Mr. Simon Bennett; Mr. Dan Robathan
  Fourth official : – Gavin Ward
  Weather : –  Chilly, dry
  Mancashter United kicked off the first half attacking the Park Lane end
  Playing time : –   90 + 11 minutes

 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANCASHTER UNITED
GOAL-SCORERS
      Solanke  14m 21s   Zirkzee  62m 48s
      Kulusevski  45m 47s   Diallo  69m 46s
      Solanke  53m 30s   Evans  90+3m 48s
      Son  87m 19s   
  CARDS
    Sarr  (foul on )  23   Mazaraoui (foul on )  25
    Maddison  (foul on )  78   Bayindir (dissent)  88
    Bergvall  (foul on )  90+8   Fernandes (dissent)  90+1
   
TEAM
20.   Fraser FORSTER 1.   Altay BAYINDIR 
     
23.   Pedro PORRO 3.   Noussair MAZRAOUI 
14.   Archie GRAY 15.   Leny YORO
6.   Radu DRAGUSIN 2.   Victor LINDELOF  (  2.   Jonny EVANS  45 
24.   Djed SPENCE  (  3.   Sergio REGUILON  90+1)   6.   Lisandro MARTINEZ
   20.   Diego DALOT
29.   Pape Matar SARR    
8.   Yves BISSOUMA 14.   Christian ERIKSEN  (  37.   Kobi MAINOO  56) 
25.   Manuel UGARTE  (  17.   Alejandro GARNACHO  70) 
21.   Dejan KULUSEVSKI    
10.   James MADDISON     (  15.   Lucas BERGVALL  79  21.   ANTHONY  (  16.   Amad DIALLO  55 
7.   Heung-Min SON  (c)  8.   Bruno FERNANDES  (c) 
      
19.   Dominic SOLANKE       (  22.   Brennan JOHNSON  90)  9.   Rasmus HOJLUND  (  11.   Joahua ZIRKZEE  56 
Substitutes Substitutes
  40.   Brandon AUSTIN 24.   Andre ONANA
  41.   Alfie WHITEMAN 12.   Tyrell MALACIA
  79.   Malachi HARDY 5.   Harry MAGUIRE
  48.   Alfie DORRINGTON 18.   CASEMIRO
  64.   Callum OLUSESI   
  42.   Will LANKSHEAR   

    = Assist        =  Goal scored       =  Own goal scored

Manager : – Ange Postecoglou Manager : –  Ruben Amorim
Kit Supplier : – Nike Kit Supplier : –  adidas
Shirt Sponsor : – AIA Shirt Sponsor : –  Snapdragon
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  Back of Shirt Sponsor : –  Co-Pilot +PC
Colours : – Colours : – 
Images of kits courtesy of the marvellous Colours of Football website

 

MATCH REPORT
  Where do you start with a match like this ?  It summed up what Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are all about … entertaining and frustrating in equal quantity, but they won 4-3 didn’t they ?  Not that you would have thought so by some of the comments coming from the Spurs fans making their way home after this rollercoaster League Cup quarter-final against Mancashter United at the THS.

The night saw Djed Spence retained in the starting eleven, but at left back and not his favoured right back position, while Destiny Udogie was rested from the squad and Timo Werner was suffering with illness, so was also absent.  That left the majority of the Spurs side that finished the match at Southampton on Sunday lining up here, with the only exception being Spence in place of Alfie Dorrington, who came on as a sub at St. Mary’s, but Alfie was on the bench along with a number of our younger players, two goalkeepers and Sergio Reguilon !  You would have to have a good memory to recall the last time he played for us after being out on loan for the last couple of seasons.

A noisy contingent from the Home Counties filled the 5,900 seats in the United section as a 57,000 crowd settled down to enjoy (?) this League Cup quarter-final as the away side kicked off.  Early pressing caused a lot of turnovers and that made the play a bit scrappy, with Fernandes reffing the game from his first foul where he kneed Porro in the head with a high leg.  Pedro then had to defend a diagonal ball from Eriksen looking for Dalot, but our full-back got the ball out for a corner that came in flat to the near post and Bissouma got a head to it.  It went to the far post and Martinez hooked the ball back towards goal but off for a goal-kick.  There was more defending to do when Fernandes played a ball forward for Hojlund to run onto, but in trying to get between Gray and Dragusin, they managed to smuggle the ball away from him when he got into the penalty area.  Fernandes is an amazing player. He has the ability to keep going for 90+ minutes moaning at his team-mates, opponents and officials almost non-stop and when he played three balls across the Spurs box either side of our goal with the outside of his right foot from the left side, it appeared that being the nearest player to him, it was Dalot’s fault that none of them found a red shirt on the end of them.  Especially the one that went out for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch !

Mazraoui was having a torrid time, with players robbing the ball from him, him mis-placing passes and then he up-ended Maddison out of frustration 35 yards from goal.  The ref put the foam down in what looked a long ten yards from where the foul took place.  Madders played it to his left for Son, who was faced by Anthony and played the ball square to Bissouma, who moved it on for Porro to drive a low shot at goal from 25 yards out.  It initially looked as though it took a deflection, but it might have just swerved a lot and Bayindir could only push the ball out in front of him.  Dominic Solanke was the first to react and did very well with his shot that was a rising half volley, but he controlled his effort well and got a fair bit of power in it, as it rocketed in off the foot of the keeper’s left hand post from eight yards out.  It showed great technique in keeping the ball down and taking it first time gave the keeper no hope of saving it.

So, Spurs were in front in 15 minutes and we had to defend well just after that when Anthony ran into the area, but Archie Gray stood him up and eased the ball off him, as the United winger went down looking for a penalty and then Fernandes did the same as Porro won a foot race with him and got between him and the ball.  It wasn’t just that they were looking to win penalties, but similar fouls later in the game were deemed worthy of bookings and while there was no VAR for this match, the ref had a decent game, but his inconsistency in issuing yellow cards was very evident.  None more so than Djed Spence turning Mazraoui easily in the South-East corner of the pitch and being tugged back, which is a booking if it is at the other end, but not there.  The foul on Djed came after Dalot had pulled allow ball back towards the 18 yard line and Christian Eriksen struck a low effort that Yves Bissouma was well-positioned to block in the middle of the goal on the six-yard line, being there again when the ball cannoned off Spence’s head as the ball pinged around the box.

Ironically, Pape Matar Sarr was booked for his first tackle, catching Fernandes on the ankle from behind, which was the right decision, but again, tackles of the same force from the same position were allowed to go with only a free-kick.  From it, Eriksen drove a shot at goal from wide left of the area, although it was high over the bar.  Mazraoui finally went in the book for his third bad foul when Spence took the ball off him and was away down the left wing until halted by a cynical trip.  Tottenham played the free-kick short and Son played the ball into Kulusevski’s feet inside the left corner of the box, turning Fernandes quickly and unleashing a left foot shot arrowing in at the near post, but Bayinidr managed to get a knee of the ball to stop it beating him.

Pape made a well-time slide on Dalot as he looked to break forward, thinking about it carefully, having been booked shortly before.  United fans (at the other end of the ground) wanted a penalty when Dalot belted the ball into Porro’s stomach from two yards away !  Anthony had a shot that Archie was in front of goal to head the ball out.  Spurs were looking confident on the ball, with Maddison and Gray exchanging passes four times 25 yards from our own goal before James put a pass into the centre circle and Porro showed a great touch to take it first time in his stride and in turn he looked for a ball in behind Mazraoui for Son, but over-hit it, with Bayinidir coming to claim it in his area.  Great pressure on Mazraoui from Spence got a touch on the pass by the United full-back, Maddison picking it up in space 30 yards from goal.  His forward pass to Son was turned around the corner for Dejan, who returned it before Son was bowled over and Solanke was there too, as the ball seemed to get stuck between our two players and four of theirs.  However, the skipper managed to toe the ball on and Kulusevski took it towards the dead-ball line, standing Lindelof up to give him time to pick a pass through the United defender’s legs as Sarr made a run at goal, but Ugarte slid in to intercept, squeezing it a foot wide of the near post.  

Spence took the ball off Mazraoui yet again, then a ball played up to Hojlund but he was easily beaten in the air by Radu Dragusin who left the Dane in a heap on the floor.  United were restricted to shooting from outside of the box as Fernandes curled one well wide before he was followed by Hojlund, who chested the ball down and from 20 yards drove three yards wide of Forster’s goal.  When the ref played on after Ugarte had taken Maddison out, Spurs couldn’t make much of it but won a throw-in.  Expecting the United midfielder to be cautioned by the referee, he only got a talking to, as Brooks seemed to be more lenient if the foul maker had a red shirt on.

At an Eriksen corner, Lindelof was tugging Dragusin, who then was blocked off by Martinez, allowing Lindelof to get a header on the ball at the far post.  It was headed clear before Martinez hooked the ball wide for a goal-kick.  Christian Eriksen was getting a good reception from the Tottenham fans every time he went over to take a corner, but Lindelof went down and had to leave the pitch after just coming back from injury, so, a minute before half-time, Jonny Evans came off the bench to slot into the middle of the United back five.  Dalot was dangerous down the left, putting in another low pull-back for Eriksen, but his shot lacked conviction and Archie Gray was there to block it in the same place as Bissouma was in earlier.

So, plenty to talk about at half time, but with all the efforts United had, Fraser Forster was yet to have to make a save.  Spurs kicked off the second half and kicked on from where they had left off.  The ball forward from kick-off went off for a goal-kick to United, but as they attempted to play out, Mazraoui played an aimless ball up the line that Djed cut out.  Running infield, he looked to lay it off for Porro on the right, but it was blocked and Dom snaffled the ball back to Spence, no running left.  Finding Son in space wide left, Maddison made a run beyond him as the Korean looked as though he might come inside, but his pass to James took out two defenders allowing time for him to play the ball into that corridor that Tottenham had so often scored from.  Unfortunately, this time Martinez was there, but could only flick the ball out into the path of Dejan Kulusevski, who  knocked the ball between the keeper and the post with his right foot to make it 2-0 just 47 seconds into the second half.  That goal bore a lot of similarities to Sarr’s goal against United here last season, with Martinez the hapless defender on both occasions.

Sours were enjoying themselves and over-powered United in midfield, winning the ball and playing high up on their defence and when Kulusevski tried to find Solanke in the box with a rabona, it was audacious.  United were lining up a triple substitution, when Hojlund was caught offside.  From the free-kick on our left, the ball was played over the high line United were employing and Dom Solanke was through.  He came inside Martinez who had got back goal-side, then drilled a low shot between Evans’ legs and beat the keeper at his near post from 12 yards out.  It was a striker’s goal and reminiscent of what Harry Kane used to do, with Dominic richly deserving his goals as he works his legs off for the team.

Anthony, Hojlund and Eriksen made way with Diallo, Mainoo and Zirkzee coming on.  Christian got a good round of applause when he left the pitch, but the fresh legs being introduced proved to be the turning point for the visitors.  However, Kulusevski was making life hard for United’s left side, with a tricky run close to the side-line forcing Ugarte into a near assault to tackle him, but he skipped past and won a corner which he swung in under the bar and the keeper caught it high above his head.  Still the referee failed to punish United players, with Dalot almost ripping the shirt off Dejan’s back when he turned away from him.  Then Ugarte took Spence out, with the referee losing any sort of grip he had on the game.

62 minutes into the match and Forster had his first save to make.  From a throw-in, United made space down the left for Dalot and his cross just went over Dragusin’s jump finding Zirkzee unmarked, but his stooping downward header was excellently got down to as Forster plunged to his left.  However, Fraser’s limelight dimmed soon after, as a short goal-kick was played back to him by Gray and  with Zirkzee closing him down, he played the ball looking for Dragusin, but without seeing where he was resulting in the ball going straight to Fernandes.  His square ball was touched by Forster, but it ran to Zirkzee who put it into an empty net from two yards out.  Hero to zero in a minute.

It put a bit of a spring in United’s step.  Dalot pulled back Porro to start another United move and as United moved forward again, a ball in from Zirkzee was put behind by Bissouma by inches and from the corner Diallo had a shot from the edge of the area that deflected off Maddison and thankfully went wide.  From this corner, Forster punched clear and Kulusevski picked it up, being swung around to the floor by Dalot (again) and then Fernandes hit Porro late after the whistle had gone.  Mainoo then brought Maddison down with a hand in his face, we got a free-kick, but it didn’t work in our favour, as it was played back to Forster by Gray and Diallo closed him down quickly, blocking his clearance with the ball ending up in the Spurs net.  People around me were losing their shit, but surely they have been watching us long enough to know this is how we play.  It wasn’t great, but how many goals have started back there where we break the press and are away upfield ?

So United narrowed the gap to 3-2 in seven minutes.  Garnacho came on in the left wing position, but it didn’t make much difference to Dalot, who fouled Dejan again.  United were now finding space and some first-time passing was changing the flow of the game.  The crowd weren’t helping Forster with their ironic cheering when Fraser kicked the ball long (with the ball coming straight back) and Tottenham escaped when Fernandes passed to Mazraoui running into the box on the right.  He chopped back to take a curling shot with his left foot and it went about six feet wide much to the relief of the Spurs fans.  The referee gave a free-kick against Maddison for exactly the same as he had not been giving when United players did the same or worse.  To add insult to injury, he booked James, probably for dissent, which rules him out of the first leg of the semi-final.

Bergvall replaced Maddison straight away as Tottenham looked to calm the game down.  Dalot unleashed a volley … of abuse at a linesman for giving a throw to Spurs and with a number of fouls to his name and having just slagged off a linesman a minute before, unbelievably escaping an entry into the referee’s notebook.  It was becoming a farce, as so many United infringements were allowed to get away scot free.  When Son was tackled 20 yards out, Diallo had a low shot from 25 yards that Forster had to kick away.  People around me were shouting “What are you doing ?”  Well, it looked to me like he was doing his job of keeping the ball out of the net.  The shot didn’t allow him time to set himself, so he wasn’t going to be able to flop to get behind it, so the only thing he could do is use his legs with the ball swerving as it approached him.  It doesn’t matter how you keep it out, just keep it out !

Tottenham were dropping deep, which gave United the opportunity to pick out space and they got the ball bouncing around the Spurs box with Bissouma making an important intervention, albeit with a high boot, but it worked.  Another incident that the ref let go was when Bissouma was rolled the ball by Forster and Fernandes “challenged” him leaving an arm flailing in his face.  Then Garnacho pushed Porro away from the ball as it was played wide to Dalot, who didn’t like the fact that they hadn’t been allowed to get away with that, so threw some more dissent at the ref.  The free-kick was played long, lost in the middle of the pitch, but then a pass looking for Diallo was cut out by Djed Spence, who crossed the halfway line with the ball before releasing a fine pass in behind Mazraoui, who was covered by Yoro, who slid into Son and put the ball out for a corner.  He had to get it right, as it was in the box and Son took his time getting back up and then limped to take the corner.  The snide Fernandes got the ball and put it in the quadrant, while Martinez made his best run of the day over to tell the spurs captain to hurry up with a few obscenities thrown in.  Heung-Min re-spotted the ball and performed what is known as an “Olympico”, more commonly referred to as scoring straight from the corner,  Bergvall jumped in front of Bayindir, who went for it with his right fist, missed it completely and the ball nestled in the net on the far side of the goal.  Cue the referee being harassed by the person who really wanted to referee the game – Fernandes – and some more red shirted players and one in green who got a yellow card.  You could see the United players looking fed up when it went in and they knew it was the keeper’s weak attempt that allowed it to go in.  That didn’t stop them arguing with the official about it and Fernandes followed him all the way to the centre circle before Brooks finally pulled out the yellow card.  The United captain kept going and you wonder what Maddison said in such a short exchange that got him booked when Fernandes went on and on and on.  

Solanke went down and Brennan Johnson came on for him, along with Sergio Reguilon who took Spence’s place.  Djed lapped up the crowd’s applause as he had to go off in front of the East Stand and made his way around half the pitch.  United were lobbing high balls forward and Zirkzee got the better of Dragusin for once and from the left of the goal let go a shot, but Pedro slid in to block it for a corner.  That was headed clear and Mazraoui had a shot that flew a long way wide.   Sarr hacked the ball high and off for a corner as it came into the Spurs box, with Diallo playing the ball in to the near post area with pace, as Jonny Evans scored with a header that took Forster by surprise beating him with the pace on the ball.  There was still two minutes left and United were allowed to go forward after Fernandes, already on a booking, left Bergvall on the floor with what looked like a rabbit punch after Lucas had pushed him earlier on the move.  Fernandes really is one of the players who needs to be dealt with by the FA.  He got off being sent off at Old Trafford against us, but it is a long time since we had a player have a red card rescinded (Danny Rose v Man City ?).   Yoro then tried to pick Bergvall up and the referee looked to see if he was OK when Forster had claimed Fernandes’ limp ball into the box.  When play was due to start, he wanted Forster to get on with it, but there was another ball on the pitch and as he had stopped the game, the ref had to drop the ball to restart play.  

Brooks seemed to be willing to play all night, but booked Bergvall for a foul on Mainoo and then the keeper took the free-kick ten yards from where it happened, went back and then threw the ball forward again.  The United players and bench were going mad at being prevented from taking it, but it was their own fault for trying to steal a few yards.  It was hoofed forward and Dragusin slipped as the ball was coming towards the edge of the area, but he recovered to beat Martinez to the ball and kick it clear.  And that was that.  Well, except for Bayinidr, Onana and United coaches nagging at the ref, wanting him to disallow Tottenham’s fourth goal.

Not your typical cup-tie, but then what is normal about the chaos that are matches are these days ?  Games can change in an instant, as we have proved and that can take a game away from the other teams.  But we had a difficult time after they were handed two goals, but the players stuck at it and came through it, albeit with a present from the United keeper.  The Tottenham back four consisted of Porro (25), Dragusin (22), Gray (18) and Spence (24) and they were outstanding.  Playing in front of a goalkeeper who had only had seven straight games, it is not easy to form a unit that understand each other, but they defended with heart, aided by the midfielders and restricted United to very few clear chances.  There is no old head there at the moment to marshal them, so they are learning to do it for themselves.  The work that Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr put in caused United problems all match, but a booking for Pape and one for Maddison means that they will both be out of the first leg of the semi. 

Madders had a great first half and start to the second, before United’s substitutions provided more energy to shut down the space he operated in and also put pressure on Forster, whereas nobody had bothered before that.  For that first hour, it had been like St. Mary’s in the first half, where we moved the ball well, there were almost always options available for the player on the ball.  Kulusevski put in his usual strong performance, taking on players and popping up in the right position to be ready to receive the ball and Sonny had the beating of Mazraoui all night, unless he brought him or Spence down.  Djed was good going forward and did equally well in his defending, being well worth his ovation after being substituted.  There were committed performances all round and so many of our players were 100% on their game tonight. 

Pulling out Liverpool was one of three options and each had their particular difficulties, but if we want to win things, we have to beat whoever is put in front of us.  It will be another two games in a busy period, but hopefully some of our absentees might be back by then and we will get a taste of what is to come when Liverpool come to Spurs on Sunday.

STAN CHUN

 

MATCH NOTES
 

 

OTHER RESULTS
  Woolwich Wanderers 3 Crystal Palace 2
  Newcash United 3 Brentford 1
  South Coast Big Club 1 Liverpool 2