Tottenham-4 v Burnley-1

Tottenham last night completed a magnificent comeback and took a great stride towards the Carling Cup final, where either Derby County or Manchester United would await. The second leg will commence on the 21st January (Wednesday).

Match Report

Burnley went into to the first leg clash on the back of three Premiership giant-killings: Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham had all been dispatched by the plucky Championship side. However Tottenham proved too strong last night, despite going one nil down to Owen Coyle’s men.

Martin Paterson scored the only goal of the first half after some good work from the impressive Chris Eagles. His pass led to a simple finish for Paterson, and Eagles remained a threat throughout the first half. He terrorised the Tottenham back line- Gareth Bale in particular looked very vulnerable. Aaron Lennon also had a dreadful first half, looking out of sorts and, despite his blistering pace, his final ball remained poor and fuelled speculation that Harry will turn to a winger with a better delivery in the January transfer window (Stewart Downing anybody?).

Spurs were booed off at the break and some heated words followed in the dressing room.  “At half-time I had to get in to them big time and sort a few of them out. We were a different team (after the break) but we’ve got to play like that all the time,” Harry told journalists.

Indeed, Spurs didn’t take long to equalise after half time. English defender Michael Dawson has impressed recently and delighted the fans with a powerful header just two minutes after the break.

The goal renewed Tottenham’s confidence and the side began to flood forward, eager to take a lead into the second leg. Jamie O’Hara was the man who put Spurs in front, thanks to volley just five minutes after Tottenham’s first. However O’Hara had a lot to thank Burnley goalie Jensen for, he really shouldn’t have let the shot squirm past him.

Following O’Hara’s goal Burnley pressed; Burnley forward Blake was unlucky to see his shot miss it’s designated target.

Alas; confidence was flowing through the white shirted players, and the Londoners started to play with a swagger. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored a fine goal to put Spurs 3-1 up, driving the ball pass the hapless Jensen.

Jamie O’Hara continued to threaten and his free kick led to Tottenhams fourth; unlucky Burnley defender Michael Duff headed the ball into his own net whilst trying to defend O’Hara’s effort.

Match Reaction

Harry Redknapp: “I was impressed with Burnley – I thought they were terrific. In the first half they were fantastic, they played five in the middle, they broke and they passed the ball.

“But we can’t play like we did in the first half. We squeezed up second half, got in contact with them and put them under pressure.

It was nice to get that early goal after half-time. It gave the crowd a lift because the first half was a real disappointment. We really were poor.”

Owen Coyle: “We did everything which was asked of us and had looked a good side. But I do not think anyone would have for seen what was going to happen at the start of the second half. However we have now given ourselves a mountain to climb, and there is more than a long way back.”

Match Facts:

Att: 31, 377

Teams: (Match Rating out of ten)

Tottenham:Gomes 7, Corluka 7, Dawson 8, Woodgate 7, Bale 4, Lennon 5, Modric 7, Zokora 7, Bentley 4 (O’Hara 46 8), Pavlyuchenko 8, Campbell 7.
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Gunter, Giovani, Taarabt, Boateng, Rocha.

Goals:Dawson 47, O’Hara 52, Pavlyuchenko 65, Duff 68 og.

Burnley:Jensen 4.5, Alexander 5, Duff 5, Carlisle 5, Jordan 5, Gudjonsson 5(McDonald 30 6), Eagles 8, Paterson 8 (Akinbiyi 86 -), Elliott 6, Blake 6 (Rodriguez 75 5), McCann 5.
Subs Not Used: Penny, Kalvenes, Mahon, MacDonald.

Booked: Duff.

Goals: Paterson 15.

Men of the Match: Chris Eagles/Jamie O’Hara

Match Trivia: Roman Pavlyuchenko has now netted in every round of this years Carling Cup.

Tottenham are aiming to become the first side since Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forrest (1989/1990) to defend successfully defend the trophy.

Tottenham had five more shots then Burnley (9 to 4) but Burnley had two more on target (4 to 6)