Spurs survive chaos to keep cup dream alive

Saturday, 21 December 2024 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ange Postecoglou’s claim that his job is harder than the Prime Minister’s may have been laced with exaggeration – but his own players did their best to support his case on another chaotic night out with Tottenham’s great entertainers.

Spurs eventually overcame Manchester United with a 4-3 win to reach the last four, but that scoreline barely touches the sides of an extraordinary night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – or some might say just an ordinary one given their previous form for mayhem.

In the build-up to the Carabao Cup quarter-final, Spurs boss Postecoglou said: “This job is the hardest in any walk of life. How many times does Keir Starmer have an election? I have one every weekend and I either get voted in or out.”

In election terms, Postecoglou was heading for a landslide at 3-0 up after 54 minutes but ended up having to gratefully settle for a narrow majority.

This was after goalkeeper Fraser Forster gifted United two goals, Son Heung-min’s fourth providing some relief in a panic-stricken stadium before Jonny Evans’ third for United restored the tension for the final seconds.

The big ticket in Postecoglou’s manifesto is all-out, full-throttle entertainment – and by that measure he is delivering on every word of his promises.

The outstanding Dominic Solanke, proving once more what a fine signing he has been since his £ 65 million arrival from Bournemouth, scored twice with a Dejan Kulusevski goal sandwiched in between to put Spurs in total control.

Spurs’ 4-0 Premier League win at Etihad Stadium was one of the results and performances of the season. They were also magnificent in winning 3-0 at Old Trafford and when demolishing Aston Villa 4-1 at home.