Tottenham Hotspur- Carling Cup Round-Up

Well, last week saw a Carling-Cup fest, with the quarter final on Wednesday, the club Carling Cup open day on Saturday and the semi-final draw at noon, Saturday. Here’s the round up:

Watford-1 vs. Tottenham-2. Carling Cup QF

The Spurs fan’s chant of: ‘TOTTENHAM ARE ON THEIR WAY TO WEMBLEY…” was kept alive on Wednesday night as the Spurs came from behind to triumph over Championship strugglers Watford.

Watford’s Hungarian forward Tamas Priskin gave the host’s a shock lead with a fantastic turn and shot, ensuring that his team led for most of the first half. Yet the Hornets were under constant pressure and eventually relented to Tottenham’s bombardment.

Deep into first half injury time, Jermaine Jenas was tripped up by young Watford defender Ross Jenkins and, after a long, hard look by experienced referee Phil Dowd, a penalty was awarded. Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko was on hand to roll the penalty in the bottom right corner but it was a clse call for the striker, young Watford ‘keeper Scott Loach nearly pushed the shot round the post after diving the right way.

In fact, the youngster had a very impressive game for Watford. He saved superbly from Aaron Lennon’s chipped, swerving shot and also denied a Jermaine Jenas shot, even managing to hold onto the powerful effort.

Alas; it was Loach’s mistake that gave Tottenham the victory spoiling, what was for him, a very promising showing.

After yet more Tottenham pressure, Darren Bent found himself with the ball a few yards away from the edge of the Watford post. He proceeded to shoot, a low, topped effort that looked like it was going to roll harmlessly into Loach’s arms. However the ‘keeper dived over the shot, allowing it to roll over the goal line in an excruciating fashion.

Bent’s late goal was enough to give Spurs the victory, but it left Watford desperately disappointed. Despite being second-best throughout the game and, on occasions, riding their luck (Roman Pavlyuchenko rattled the bar in the first half and Spurs had numerous efforts skim wide), Watford looked much better than their last few Championship outings, and gave their fan’s hope of staying in England’s second tier.

Meanwhile Tottenham go marching on into the semi-final, aiming to become the first club to successfully defend the cup since Clough’s Nottingham Forrest, who won the Littlewoods challenge cup in 1990 and the Rumbelows Cup in 1991.

MATCH DETAILS:

PLAYER RATINGS: WATFORD: Loach-8, Mariappa-6, DeMerit-7 (Doyley 58-5 ), Bromby-6, Jenkins-6 (O’Toole 78-5), Harley-6, Williamson-7, McAnuff-5 (Hoskins 83-5), Bridcutt-6, Smith-7, Priskin-7.

TOTTENHAM:Gomes-6, Corluka-7, Dawson-6, Woodgate-7, Assou-Ekotto-6, Zokora-7, Lennon-8, Jenas-7, O’Hara-7, Pavlyuchenko-7, Campbell-6 (Bent 65-7).

ATT: 16, 501

REFEREE: PHIL DOWD

MAN OF MATCH: AARON LENNON (Tottenham, 8 out of 10.)

CARLING CUP SEMI FINAL DRAW:

Following Tottenham’s Quarter Final win, the League Cup holders were drawn against giant-killers Burnley.

Burnley will be playing at the Lane in the first leg, whilst hosting Spurs at Turf Moor in the second.

The club have had an enjoyable run to the semi’s, they’ve beaten Fulham, a strong Chelsea team and a young Arsenal team, whilst always playing strong, gutsy football.

The draw was seen as good for Spurs fan’s, who were weary of the Manchester United threat. Even the players thought that the club would be playing the Premiership Champions, Darren Bent told Sky Sports News that he was convinced Spurs would get United in the draw.

The final is odds on to be Tottenham vs. Manchester United, after the red’s were drawn against Derby, but interestingly Tottenham are not second favourites to win the cup with a few bookmakers. They’ve predicted a United win, but have ranked Burnley as the second favourites with Derby coming in as the rank outsiders.

Most Spurs fan’s are just hoping that United field a weak line-up and that Derby pull off an upset, which could lead to a Derby County versus Tottenham Hotspur final.

Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘One Hotspur’ Open Day.

Meanwhile Saturday was a open day at the club, with the club supporting the SOS Children’s Villages charity, the largest orphan charity in the world.

The club also took the opportunity to incorporate the morning’s Carling Cup draw.

The draw was announced whilst Harry Redknapp conducted a training session on the White Hart Lane turf, talking fan’s through what he was doing. Fan’s could also pose with the Carling Cup.

 

 

 

 

The club’s semi-final Carling Cup games will be played in the weeks beginning 5 and 19 January 2009. Either Burnley or Tottenham will feature in the final, which is played on Sunday, the 1st of March 2009. More Carling Cup news as it breaks.