Tottenham are through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup after a stunning 2-0 win at Manchester City.
Spurs through to Carling Cup semis after stunning win
Tottenham are through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup after a stunning 2-0 win at Manchester City, despite playing much of the game with only ten men.
The visitors led early on at The City of Manchester Stadium when Jermain Defoe converted Aaron Lennon's cross from close-range with only five minutes played.
Spurs were forced to play much of match a man light after Didier Zokora was surprisingly dismissed by referee Steve Bennett for a sliding challenge on Elano.
City dominated much of the second half, but Spurs clinched the contest in the dying moments through a superb break-away goal after 83 minutes.
Moments after Younes Kaboul hacked Rolando Bianchi's goal-bound effort off the line, Steed Malbranque skipped past Richard Dunne at the other end before slotting home past Joe Hart to clinch the win.
First defeat
City went into the game looking to extend their 100 per cent home record in all competitions to 11 games but suffered their first defeat at their own ground under Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Tottenham took the lead in the fifth minute following a swift break that caught City flat-footed. Jermaine Jenas released Lennon with a clever through ball and he quickly delivered it into the area, where Defoe swept his close-range effort beyond Hart and into the corner.
Spurs carved out another good chance six minutes later when Lennon picked out Malbranque but his effort was charged down.
Tottenham though were reduced to ten-men in the 21st minute when Zokora was sent off, for what referee Steve Bennett perceived was a two-footed lunge at Elano. Ramos then decided to shake things up and brought on Teemu Tainio for the unfortunate Defoe.
Dimitar Berbatov made space for himself outside the area only to see his shot take a deflection and go over the bar.
City hit back and Elano squandered a great chance of equalising in the 33rd minute after good work by Javier Garrido and Martin Petrov.
The Brazil midfielder, back after a three-match absence because of a hamstring injury, got a good first touch - but he then sent his effort from close range wide of the post, to groans from the home fans.
City were coming more into the game as half-time approached and Johnson hooked his effort over the top after Bianchi had headed Petrov's delivery back across the area.
Little threat
Tottenham had carried little threat following Zokora's sending off which prompted Ramos into a tactical reshuffle. With Defoe sacrificed, Berbatov was employed on his own up front - and the Bulgarian was putting in a hard shift.
Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was called into action for the first time in the 53rd minute and responded superbly. He showed quick reflexes to get up quickly and turn over a header from Darius Vassell after a cross from Vedran Corluka.
Tottenham again found themselves on the back foot on the hour when Petrov found space in the area - only to clear the bar with his effort.
But the visitors continued to look dangerous on the break, despite being a man light.
However with the home side pushing forward Tottenham added a second goal in the 82nd minute to make sure of their place in the last four. It was a superb individual effort from the former Fulham midfielder, who drew Hart out of his goal before clipping a shot into the corner.
| Manchester City |
Team Statistics |
Tottenham Hotspur |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
1 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 4 |
Corners |
6 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
1 |
| 35.2 |
Possession |
64.8 |
|
