Postecoglou’s Spurs survive Man United comeback to reach League Cup semis

Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed one of the most significant wins of his Tottenham managerial career, with Spurs surviving a furious Manchester United comeback to reach the League Cup semifinals with a 4-3 victory.

Playing at home, Postecoglou’s side were cruising against a lacklustre United with Dominic Solanke’s double and a goal for Dejan Kulusevski putting them 3-0 up after 54 minutes.

But the home crowd were left chewing their fingernails as two mistakes by their goalkeeper Fraser Forster allowed substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo to give United hope.

There were still 20 minutes left when Diallo made it 3-2 and United was close to equalising on several occasions.

But Son Heung-min sealed the win for Spurs in odd fashion, deceiving United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir directly from a corner.

There was still time for Jonny Evans to head a third for United in stoppage time but a relieved Tottenham hung on.

Spurs will face Liverpool in a two-leg semifinal, beginning next month.

“We made it harder than it should have been,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“We were well in control, played really well. 

“We looked like we were going to manage the game and then [we had] 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.”

Tottenham is seeking a first trophy since 2008 when it won the League Cup for the fourth time.

Spurs are at full stretch because of injuries but still dominated Ruben Amorim’s United, who made five changes to the starting line-up that stunned Manchester City on Monday AEDT.

“If we get through the period we’re going to get enormous growth out of it,”  Postecoglou said. 

“I really liked how we played tonight, obviously those moments tainted it a bit and that has happened this season before and it doesn’t help our consistency, but the mentality of the boys … I love it.”

Reuters/ABC

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