Tottenham Hotspur booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United on Thursday night. Despite leading 3-0 with less than half an hour remaining, Spurs almost threw away the advantage before ultimately clinging on for the win.
Dominic Solanke emerged as the hero for Tottenham, bagging a well-deserved brace. The English striker opened the scoring by reacting quickest to a parried shot from Pedro Porro, before leaving Lisandro Martinez in his dust to fire home his second. Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-Min added further goals for Spurs, putting them in a seemingly comfortable position.
However, a familiar defensive lapse from Tottenham gifted Manchester United a lifeline. The Red Devils clawed their way back into the contest with three quick goals, sending shivers down the spines of the home supporters. Despite Son restoring a two-goal cushion, United continued to threaten until the final whistle, leaving a sense of anxiety hanging over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The media showered Solanke with praise for his performance. The Daily Mail awarded him a 9/10 rating, highlighting his strength and ability to hold the ball up. They further complimented his link-up play, noting his involvement in Kulusevski’s goal. Likewise, Football.London echoed the sentiment, emphasizing his impressive work rate and clinical finishing. BBC Sports joined the chorus, labeling Solanke’s brace as “outstanding.”
While Solanke stole the show offensively, Tottenham’s defensive frailties became a major talking point. Their worrying tendency to collapse under pressure nearly cost them the victory. This vulnerability has become a recurring theme for Spurs, raising questions about their ability to compete for major trophies.
Manager Ange Postecoglou attempted to deflect criticism by pointing to the team’s injury crisis. With ten players unavailable, Spurs were unable to rotate effectively, unlike their opponents. He praised his squad’s resilience, highlighting the challenges they’ve overcome despite the depleted roster.
The list of injured players includes key figures in defense, such as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, center-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van der Ven, and full-backs Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies. This forced the young Archie Gray into a starting role at the back alongside Radu Dragusin.
Despite his tender age (18), Gray continues to impress. Signed from Leeds United in the summer, he has displayed remarkable versatility and maturity. Senior journalist Henry Winter lauded his “elite mentality,” praising his ability to excel in various positions.
Tottenham’s reward for their dramatic win is a two-legged semi-final clash against Liverpool in January. The other semi-final will see Arsenal take on Newcastle United. With a crucial transfer window approaching and injuries taking their toll, the coming weeks will be a significant test for Tottenham’s ambition and squad depth.
