Dominic Solanke’s brace fired Tottenham into the 2024-25 Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United.
Solanke’s brace plus Dejan Kulusevski’s strike initially put Tottenham into a 3-0 lead after 54 minutes.
Man Utd’s substitutes, Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo pounced on errors from Tottenham goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, as the Red Devils pulled two goals back in the space of seven minutes.
Son Heung-min ultimately sealed Spurs’ progression with a stunning 88th minute curled effort from a corner, despite Jonny Evans nodding in a consolatory 94th minute goal for Utd.
Spurs will now meet Liverpool in the semi-finals, whilst Arsenal face Newcastle, with first legs played across midweek of 7-8 January 2025 followed by second legs across 5-6 February.
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou rued how his team almost blew their three-goal lead, but joked that the players provided entertainment in the end.
“We made it harder than it should have been, we were well in control, played really well, we looked like we were going to manage the game and then two unfortunate moments, the first one affected Fraser and then the second one came as a result of that. But we showed character and scored a fourth.
“I like the whole game. Are you not entertained? I know the studio is probably having a meltdown over my lack of tactics.”
Given that form has been an issue for both clubs in recent weeks, it was little surprise that the tie began in see-saw fashion with little clear-cut chances – aside from a 13th minute shot by Spurs’ Son Heung-min curled wide.
Tottenham however found the breakthrough on the 15th minute mark as a free-kick was played across to Porro, but the Argentinean’s 30-yard shot was deflected by Altay Bayindir for Solanke to lash in on a right-footed rebound strike.
Man Utd struggled to produce many clear-cut chances before half-time but Spurs almost put the tie beyond United’s reach, if only Dejan Kulusevski had converted two chances.
A 26th minute free-kick was played short then through into the box for Kulusevski but his on-the-turn shot was blocked by Bayindir near the left post.
Kulusevski tried again in the 34th minute but the Swede was forced to shoot from a tight angle, but Manuel Ugarte narrowly avoided an own-goal as he cleared the shot just wide of the left corner.
Utd however endured a setback on the cusp of half-time as Victor Lindelöf was forced off injured, with Jonny Evans brought on in his place as the Red Devils faced an uphill battle to come from behind.
Those hopes took a massive knock just 47 seconds into the second half as Lisandro deflected James Maddison’s cutback pass into the path of Kulusevski, who swept in from close-range to double Spurs’ lead.
Tottenham further worsened Utd’s misery in the 54th minute as Djed Spence’s long ball was smashed in by Solanke, which left the North London team on the brink of the last four.
Utd manager, Ruben Amorim responded with a triple hooking of Rasmus Højlund, Antony and Christian Eriksen, with Zirkzee, Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo brought on in their places.
Amorim’s triple-substitution soon breathed life into Utd and was rewarded with a goal in the 63rd minute, as Zirkzee turned in from Bruno Fernandes’ pass to revive their hopes of a comeback after Fraser Forster blocked his shot seconds earlier.
Those hopes almost rose further in the 67th minute as Yves Bissouma almost flicked Zirkzee’s cutback pass into his own net, but luckily the ball rolled wide.
Utd however were able to smell a comeback three minutes later as Forster dilly-dallied on a backpass, only to time his clearance just as Diallo slid in to bundle the shot into the net to further reduce the visitors’ deficit.
Son however wrapped up victory for Spurs in the 88th minute as his corner curled into the far-right corner, amidst allegation from Utd of a foul on Bayindir by Lucas Bergvall.
Utd however snatched a consolatory goal in the fourth minute of injury-time as Evans nodded in from a corner, but Spurs ultimately clung on to complete the semi-final line-up.
What’s Next?
Tottenham turn their attention to the Premier League with a home clash against leaders, Liverpool at 4:30pm GMT on Sunday 22 December.
Man Utd will too return to league action on that date in a home fixture against in-form Bournemouth at Old Trafford in a 2pm kick-off.
Teams
Tottenham: Fraser Forster, Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, Djed Spence (Reguilon 91′), Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison (Bergvall 79′), Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke (Johnson 90′), Son Heung-min
Substitutes: Brandon Austin, Alfie Whiteman, Sergio Reguilon, Alfie Dorrington, Malachi Hardy, Lucas Bergvall, Callum Olusesi, Brennan Johnson, Will Lankshear
Man Utd: Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelöf (Evans 45′), Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen (Mainoo 56′), Manuel Ugarte (Garnacho 70′), Antony (Diallo 55′), Rasmus Højlund (Zirkzee 56′)
Substitutes: Andre Onana, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee
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