Spurs survive Red Devils fightback in wild Carabao Cup match

2024-12-19 21:58:00

Heung-Min Son’s goal straight from a corner gave Tottenham a 4-3 win over Manchester United in an eventful Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Dominic Solanke’s brace and Dejan Kulusevski’s effort looked to set up a comfortable evening for Spurs, but two errors from goalkeeper Fraiser Forster allowed United back into the game.

A sloppy first pass allowed Joshua Zirkzee to narrow the gap before Amad Diallo closed out his clearance to set up a nervy finale.

But United’s hopes of a extraordinary comeback were dashed when Son scored straight from a corner in another goalkeeper horror moment, this time from visiting keeper Altay Bayindir.

Jonny Evans headed another comeback for United in injury time, but it was not enough to prevent Ange Postecoglou’s men joining Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle in the semi-final.

The hosts took the lead through Solanke 15 minutes after assistant goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to get a free kick from James Maddison, with the former Bournemouth striker making no mistake on the rebound.

Solanke scores against Man United for the fourth consecutive match! ⚪ pic.twitter.com/KvHcv3C1f4

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Kulusevski then made a save from the United stopper, brilliantly beating a defender before his lively shot was parried.

The Swedish striker was at the heart of another close battle for the Red Devils as a clever combination with Heung-Min Song finally found its way, with his pass blocked by Manuel Ugarte narrowly missing the goal.

And the in-form 24-year-old scored his goal, his fourth in as many games, less than a minute into the second half as Maddison’s cut was mishandled by Lisandro Martinez, allowing the Spurs man to capitalize on another. United error.

Dejan Kulusevski doubles Tottenham’s lead, what a start to the second half! ⚡️◻️

🎙️ “Lisandro Martinez’s clearance is simply terrible. » pic.twitter.com/6gmXscJ665

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

For the second time this season, Spurs went 3-0 up against United as Solanke sprung the offside trap before heading past Martinez and Evans before easily scoring his second.

“They destroyed City and they are doing the same thing again against Manchester United!” 💢

Solanke takes a double! 💥 pic.twitter.com/QrotOfElbD

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Substitute Joshua Zirkzee produced United’s first scoring chance of the second half, heading the ball towards goal and forcing a strong save from Forster.

But the goalkeeper’s joy was short-lived as he carelessly gave the ball to Bruno Fernandes, who found Zirkzee for an easy finish to reduce the deficit.

“It’s a GIFT from Fraser Forster!” » 🫣🎁

Joshua Zirkzee pulls one back for Manchester United! pic.twitter.com/GsNVdXNkQp

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

The goal threatened to destabilize Spurs and galvanize United, with substitute Amad Diallo seeing a deflected effort narrowly miss the post after a succession of corners.

The score was soon 3-2 in the most extraordinary fashion and it was all down to the hosts. A series of sloppy passes put Forster under pressure before the veteran stopper’s clearance was closed down by Amad and diverted to send shockwaves through north London.

“It’s one of the things you’ll see the most at Tottenham!” 😱

Amad Diallo takes advantage of a blunder by Fraser Forster! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/fShVGyBmNG

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Hearts continued to be in their mouths heading into the final 10 minutes, particularly when Forster bizarrely chose to prevent a long-range strike from Amad with his feet rather than his hands.

But United’s hopes of an improbable comeback ended when Son found the net from a rare Spurs corner, the ball eluding Bayandir in another goalkeeping moment to forget in this Carabao Cup match.

WOW. WOW. WOW.

His son scores directly from the corner! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KDhNXNL7cp

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 19, 2024

Just when you thought the action was over, Evans scored a third goal for United, but it wasn’t enough to stop Spurs progressing as Postecoglou delivers on his promise of a trophy in his second season at the head.